RESIDENTS in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area are being more active than ever before with the help of Active Fife and Fife Sports and Leisure Trust.

Cowdenbeath Area Committee heard about the wide range of projects run by the groups, and how these are encouraging people in the area to take up and enjoy exercising.

Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, with partners Urban Therapy and Home Start Lochgelly, gave a presentation about their new outreach programme. It helps people find activities that they can participate in with their children while getting fit for work and building confidence.

Scott Temple, who took part in the project, said, “It’s great to be more active with my kids. My wife and I both really enjoyed the swimming sessions with them and having the crèche available was really handy when we went to the gym. I’ve started exercising much more regularly and feel more confident and positive about life.” Councillor Willie Clarke, Chair of Cowdenbeath Area Committee, said, “Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and Active Fife are doing a lot of work in the area to support people in being and staying active. It’s great to see that the Council’s investment, which funds this important work, is making a real difference in the community. There’s more work to be done but this is a good foundation helping people in Cowdenbeath lead healthier lives.” Lochgelly and Cardenden Councillor Mark Hood, Executive Committee Member, said, “Physical inactivity results in around 2500 premature deaths in Scotland each year, so it’s great to see these schemes achieve success and encourage people of all ages to be more active.

“Many of the programmes delivered by Active Fife, Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and their partners, are specifically designed to address health and social inequalities in Fife.

“Inequalities relating to health can be seen across different social groups, but it’s important that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life regardless of gender, ethnicity, social class, or disability.

“Projects like these make a range of activities available to people from all walks of life. I look forward to seeing many more projects like them, and seeing more local residents enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, in the future.”