Health Secretary Shona Robison today (March 24) officially launched a programme to help cancer patients in Dundee become more active.
Macmillan Cancer Support has invested £250,000 to develop Move More Dundee in partnership with Leisure & Culture Dundee. The programme has been specifically designed for people affected by cancer and includes walking groups, gardening, gentle movement and circuits-based activity classes.
Launching the service, Ms Robison said:
“We all know that keeping active after cancer treatment can have a hugely positive impact on a person’s health and wellbeing. The work that Macmillan are doing through Move More supports the aim of our Cancer Strategy in helping people to live with and beyond cancer. Therefore, I am delighted to launch this new programme and look forward to hearing about its continued success in the future.”
Helping people who have been diagnosed with cancer to ‘move more’ is a key focus for Macmillan. Extensive research has shown that being active during and after treatment is both safe and hugely beneficial and should be available to everyone with a diagnosis of cancer.
The activities, which are all free of charge, will not only help people cope with the side effects of treatment, but also provide an opportunity to meet others in a similar situation and reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation that a cancer diagnosis can bring.
Head of Macmillan in Scotland Janice Preston said:
“Traditionally people have been told that rest was best and while it is right to rest at certain times, it is also really beneficial to get moving too. Research shows that being active during and after treatment can not only help with the side effects but also reduce the loneliness and isolation many people feel. “We realise people may feel nervous about building up their activity levels, particularly if it’s for the first time after treatment or if they haven’t been very active for a while, which is why Macmillan is working with Leisure & Culture Dundee to provide this programme specifically for those affected by cancer.”
Bob Duncan, Chair of Leisure & Culture Dundee, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Macmillan Cancer Support to deliver the Move More physical activity programme for people in the city. We believe Macmillan’s investment in Dundee will support people living with and beyond cancer to get back to being themselves again through increasing self-esteem and confidence, and improving fitness and strength. Our partnership will enable Dundee’s citizens who are living with cancer to have greater access to local opportunities to participate in physical activity and to socialise.”
As part of the Move More Dundee programme, Macmillan is working with Paths for All to offer health walks.
Emma Berry, Macmillan Senior Development Officer at Paths for All, said:
“Our health walks are gentle, short and a safe activity for anyone affected by cancer. As well as the physical gains, walking groups offer companionships in relaxed outdoor environments, hugely benefiting our walkers’ mental health and wellbeing.”
Caroline Grant, one of the Move More participants, said:
“I feel so much better and am motivated by the instructors and the other guys in the class. I would 100% recommend this programme to others. My family have been commenting on my improved mood since I’ve been coming along to the classes. They feel I’m getting back closer to my old self. I have more energy now and do more activity in the week than I ever thought I would do.”
To find out more about the programme, call the Move More Dundee team on: 01382 432407.
For support getting into or back into physical activity you can visit www.macmillan.org.uk/movemore and request an information pack or call our support line on 0808 808 0000.