Mums and pregnant women stay at home, work out during lockdown project

Millions of citizens have been instructed by the UK government to stay home, to help save lives and support the NHS. Physical activity is important for everyone, but during home isolation and social distancing it has become disruptive and challenging for people to exercise. To help support women pre, during and post pregnancy, toddlers, children, dads, partners, grandparents and wider family members, a physical activity project, #ActiveMums, is being launched to help them to look after their health and wellbeing and to stay connected at home during the isolation period.

Staying at home can feel lonely. This collaboration aims to provide a platform which is fun, interactive and inclusive for mums and pregnant women, to improve health and wellbeing and to tackle isolation, for the whole family. Connecting the community through this online project will empower a network of mums and mums-to-be to see the benefits of physical activity, reduced social isolation, improved social skills, better emotional health, reduced risk of depression and post-natal depression, and reduced childhood obesity.

As part of a wider partnership – Active Cheshire and MSP are collaborating across the Cheshire and Warrington and Merseyside region to improve health outcomes through promoting and engaging the population to be physically active.

Anne Boyd, Chief Executive Officer from Active Cheshire, said; “We are really excited to be working in partnership with MSP to deliver this exciting campaign to support NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Women’s and Children’s Partnership and Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership to empower local residents to look after their health and wellbeing.”

“Given the current challenges, it is important that we provide opportunities for pregnant women, mums, toddlers and their wider families to stay physically active at home, and more importantly to stay connected while we are in the period of isolation.”

Catherine McClennan, Programme Director, from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Women’s and Children’s Partnership, said; “It’s very exciting to be partnering with Active Cheshire and MSP to offer vital wellbeing support to new mums, mums-to-be and their families at this challenging time. The collaboration will see tailored online support, guidance and a friendly community brought together through physical activity – keeping active in fun and creative ways whilst staying safe at home.”

“We know physical activity has a wide range of mental and physical health benefits for mums, new mums, their babies and wider families and it’s never been more important to work together and support those across the region. Watch this space – this is only the start!”

Kerry Stewart, Strategic Lead for Business Improvement from MSP, said; “working on this project in collaboration with Active Cheshire and Cheshire and Merseyside Women’s and Children’s Partnership, has been a great opportunity to once again unite the region.”

“Pregnant women have been in isolation prior to lockdown and the aim of this project is to reach as many ladies as we can and ‘get active safely at home’. We are very excited to see how this can further develop – providing advice and guidance around the benefits of being physically active during pregnancy, post pregnancy, ensuring our young people have the best start in life. This is just the beginning and as this partnership grows, we will bring new innovative ideas, making our population more active, which contributes to our shared vision of ‘saving lives’.” 

To help create long term lifestyle changes, this project will provide a platform for physical activity to be part of everyday life and routine for mums, mums-to-be and their new-born babies to have the best start to life.