Move More NI is up and running

Macmillan’s Heather Monteverde, boxer Michael Conlon and Sports Minister Paul Givan at Titanic Belfast to launch Move More

Macmillan is delighted to have launched the Move More programme, a new initiative aiming to help people living with cancer in Northern Ireland to benefit from physical activity as a part of a healthy lifestyle.

So far schemes in Antrim & Newtownabbey and Ards & North Down are underway, involving an individually-tailored programme of physical activity. The service consists of 11 projects, meaning people in every council area can be supported to become and stay active at level that’s right for them.

Three more schemes are set to be rolled out by the end of 2016, in Belfast City Council, Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon council and Lisburn & Castlereagh areas. Macmillan will continue to work with district councils, Health and Social Care Trusts and physical activity providers to ensure Move More is established right across Northern Ireland.

A growing body of evidence shows physical activity can play a vital role in helping to prevent cancer recurrence,  reduce the spread of the disease and slow disease progression as well as mitigating side effects and consequences of treatment such as fatigue.

Speaking at the launch in Titanic Belfast, Professor Jane Maher, Joint Chief Medical Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support said: “We want to see physical activity play a much more prominent role during both treatment and recovery, and it is great to see that people affected by cancer in Northern Ireland now have the opportunity to benefit.”

Take five minutes with our video and find out how people living with cancer are already feeling the benefits of Move More schemes. Click here to visit our YouTube page.