More Aberdeen has won a prestigious award in recognition of its positive approach to partnership working.
Move More Aberdeen, a partnership project funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and delivered in partnership with Sport Aberdeen, was awarded the Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations (ACVO) Award for ‘Connecting and Collaborating’ in recognition of the impact of partnership working across cancer services in Aberdeen City.
Since the inception of the programme Move More Aberdeen has worked closely with NHS Grampian, CLAN Cancer Support and Paths for All to embed physical activity into the cancer care pathway. The programme has received 271 referrals since the start of activity in January 2015.
Sport Aberdeen’s director for Sport and Active Lifestyles Jo Bell said:
“As a registered charity, Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity. This award is a fantastic recognition of the partnership-working approach which often makes meeting our commitment possible.
Macmillan Partnership Manager Joanne Adamson said: “This award reflects the hard work and dedication of the Move More Aberdeen team and highlights the importance of partnership working to ensure that people affected by cancer are given the support they need to get back into physical activity.”
Participants in the Move More Aberdeen programme can choose from a range of activities including walking groups, gentle movement, gardening and circuits-based activity classes.
In the past year, the programme has worked with NHS Grampian and Friends of ANCHOR to introduce a gentle exercise group at the radiotherapy department in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. This is a pioneering service, raising the profile of physical activity in the clinical environment and improving access to physical activity for cancer patients having radiotherapy treatment.
Gordon Lees, Move More Aberdeen participant, said:
“During a long course of radiotherapy I noticed how very much less mobile I was becoming but I felt too tired to do exercise. Luckily, the carefully chosen, gentle seated exercises at the radiotherapy department had started up during my last two weeks’ treatment.”
“Very quickly, my stiffness began to disappear, the coordination and the strength and range of movements increased. Further improvements in balance, general fitness and sense of well-being have been achieved with the (Move More Aberdeen) circuits at the Beach Leisure Centre. Highly recommended!”
For further information about Move More Aberdeen, please call Josefine Björkqvist on 01224 047925 or email MoveMore@sportaberdeen.co.uk
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