A series of movement-focused events are being held across the North East and North Cumbria to help families and carers to support movement in their child’s early years of life.
Staff from the physiotherapy-led campaign ‘Starting2Move’ will be heading out on NHS England’s MELISSA bus with free toys*, resources and space for questions and support for families and carers.
Funded by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy with additional support from Newcastle Hospitals Charity, the ‘Starting2Move’ campaign aims to help parents and carers encourage movement from the beginning of life.
Alison Mason, community children’s physiotherapist at Newcastle Hospitals and part of the Starting2Move team said: “We are running Starting2Move events to support families and help them feel confident with childhood movement.
“These events give parents and carers ideas for making movement part of everyday life, while showing how much fun it can be. We want families to feel encouraged and supported, not pressured. It is about making movement natural, playful, and part of growing up together.
“We know that being active as a baby and toddler helps children grow into active youngsters who can join in with all the activities of life at home, at school, and in the community. Being active as a family also helps everyone live a happy and healthy life.”
This work builds on the Starting2Move project, which led to the creation of the Early Years Movement Hub by the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP).
Details of where you can find the Starting2Move Team and the MELISSA bus are as follows:
- Carlisle – Wednesday 15 October, 10am – 4pm, outside the tourist information centre, Old Town Hall, Carlisle, CA3 8JE
- Newcastle – Wednesday 24 September, 10am – 4pm, outside the East End Pool, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1AL
- Blyth – Wednesday 8 October, 10am – 4pm, Blyth Market Place, Blyth, NE24 1BW
*Subject to availability.
