Movement and Wellbeing Festival starts this weekend

RAMH are set to launch their first ever movement and wellbeing festival this weekend.

The programme combines fitness and wellbeing events across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire and runs from the 3rd – 10^th September.

The event is organised by the Renfrewshire Community Services team. About the festival, Graham Cossar, RAMH Physical Activity Worker and Rachael McLaren, a RAMH Community Support Worker, said:

“RAMH presents the Movement and Wellbeing Festival, a programme of physical activity and wellbeing events across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire from 3^rd–10^th September. These events aim to promote movement as a way of helping our mental health and wellbeing.

“We have been working with our partner organisations who offer existing opportunities for physical activity and exercise. The week-long festival showcases this alongside special one-off events. The festival concludes with a friendly football tournament on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10^th.

“Research shows that doing exercise releases feel good chemicals called endorphins in the brain. Even a short burst of ten minutes brisk walking can improve your mental alertness, energy, and mood.”

A run day of what to expect over the next ten days is as follows.

• It kicks off by welcoming you along to the RAMH football group in what is a supportive space to experience the beautiful game. The taster sessions begin at 10.30 on Saturday 3^rd September at the Powerleague in Paisley.
• There is a nature walk at 11am on Sunday 4^th September at the Whitelee Windfarm and is open to all ages.  Approximately a four mile walk this takes in both nature and local history, so pack a flask and dress appropriately for the weather to take part.
• On Monday 5^th September two events are happening simultaneously at Braehead Shopping Centre. A female focused group is meeting at Decathlon between 12pm-1pm for a fitness training programme to get you feeling energised, strong, and meet new people.
• At the same time, Paradise Island Golf based in XSite have identified RAMH as one of their charitable partners this year and have offered free places to compete on their 18-hole courses. If you are interested in attending, please email rachael.mclaren@ramh.org for a place as they are limited.
• Castle Semple sets the scene for the next nature walk on Tuesday 6^th September. Setting off at 10.30am this is a guided nature walk with one of the Clyde Muirshield Countryside Rangers, taking in the local Lochwinnoch landscapes and open to all ages.
• If you fancy giving touch rugby a try then there is a taster session open to anyone 12+ on Wednesday 7^th September. Based at the anchor ground in Paisley between 7.30 and 8.30pm.
• If you would rather exercise the mind then the Gantry quiz on Wednesday 7^th September is where to be. Gantry have been keen supporters of RAMH so to support this event head down to their weekly quiz in the heart of Paisley. This event is open to 18+ from 8pm.
• Three separate events are taking place on Thursday 8^th September with another health walk at Barshaw Park kicking things off for the rest of the day. Two walks are planned from 10.30-11.30am and 12.30 to 1.30pm and as well as benefiting from the walk itself around Barshaw, it is also an opportunity to talk and connect to new people.
• Between 3-4pm there is an event taking place at UWS in Paisley at the outdoor gym. You are invited to join UWS sport on the new outdoor gym located on the main campus in the heart of Paisley.
• If you fancy staying active in a different way then walking football based at the SMISA stadium may be for you. Open to anyone 35+ this activity is like a standard game of football but you aren’t allowed to run – and must walk whilst controlling the ball. This event is being held in partnership with the St Mirren Charitable Foundation and begins at 10.30am.
• Heading into the second last day of the festival and again there is numerous events for you to try. If you fancy seeing what the gym is like then there is an induction at the UWS gym based at the student union between 12-1pm.
• Also, on the 9^th September there is a garden workshop based at our very own RAMH garden in Barrhead. Come along from 2-3pm where you can join one of the Whitelee Rangers and explore the gardens, asking any gardening or wildlife related questions.
• At 4.30pm, there is a drop in even based at the Tannahill Centre where you can get hands on experience with African drumming and listening to the rhythm of associated dances. Drumming and Dancing with Pachedu is an interactive event open to everyone.
• The final event on the 9^th of September sees the programme return to the SMISA stadium for Time to Tackle. This is a safe safe to have an open conversation about your mental health followed by an hour of football in the AirDome.

The end of the festival is marked on world suicide prevention day and a hive of activity is happening at the Powerleague in Paisley. On the day there will be information stalls from mental health and wellbeing providers, a friendly five a side tournament in aid of suicide prevention awareness, diet and nutrition workshop, health walks and there is a £50 decathlon voucher to be won. Open to all this is happening from 1pm on Saturday 10^th September.

All activities are intended for 16+ unless otherwise stated and a copy of the full programme can be seen here. [Hyperlink for PDF]

For further information please check out the RAMH pages on Facebook and Twitter.

This article was written by Holly McCormack, RAMH peer volunteer