Lotto boost for popular bike project

TWO successful Oldham health projects are to receive a big cash boost from the Big Lottery Fund.

The Oldham Health Improvement Service — part of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust — has scooped the £143,000 injection to pay for the existing Activate and Digging for Health initiatives over the next two years.

Activate is a cycling programme led by trained leaders, which encourages greater activity.

People can cycle various routes in the borough and use of all the equipment, including bikes is free.

More than 2,000 people have already tried cycling, and the group hopes to involve another 1,000 people over the next two years.

Digging 4 Health is a gardening and food growing initiative, which supports activity and healthy eating.

Based in Alexandra Park, people can learn how to grow vegetables and prepare healthy recipes using the things they grow.

The grant is part of a two-year, £1.8 million wellbeing programme supporting 19 projects across the North West.

To get involved in the Activate and Digging 4 Health projects, or to find out more, phone the Oldham One-Stop Shop on 0161-621 7128 or email pcn-tr.oldhamonestopshop@nhs.net