A new programme aimed to create more opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity in Copeland is due to launch next month.

Following on from the successful 'Moor Active' pilot project, based at Cleator Moor Bowls and Sports Centre, which has been running sessions from May 2009 to 2012, 'beActive in the Community' will be providing outreach exercise classes and activities for adults and children of all ages throughout the borough.

The project has been set up by North Country Leisure (NCL) Copeland in close consultation with Copeland Borough Council and local funders the Copeland Community Fund, Cumbria Housing Partners and Nuclear Management Partners.

It will target four priority areas where more people exercising can bring very real health benefits. These areas are North East Copeland (including Cleator Moor and Frizington), South Copeland (including Millom), South Whitehaven and North Copeland (Distington / Howgate, including Lowca).

beActive in the Community will also provide several job opportunities as proposals include the development of two full time equivalent Community Coaches and three apprenticeship positions.

The coaches' work will be based around getting residents to participate in 30 minutes of moderate exercise or activity that raises the heart rate above its resting beat per minute.

The project aims not only to provide the opportunity to participate in regular activity, but also to educate the community about how to lead a healthier lifestyle and the risks associated with not being more active.

The coaches will deliver a range of activities, which are based around multi-sports and group exercise. This will allow the coaches to engage with the widest possible range of participants, whilst also maintaining their flexibility to deliver to different groups. In addition, at least four volunteer coaches will be recruited and developed over the course of the project in each area (at least 16 in total) and a total of 160 qualifications will be achieved (20 per annum in each area) including gymnastics level 1 leading to level 2, rugby union level 1, rugby league level 1, cricket level 1, first aid, safeguarding and related areas.

Community fitness manager Lynsey Smith has spent the last three years developing exercise sessions in and around Cleator Moor for the Moor Active scheme and is looking forward to expanding the work started there out to the rest of the borough through the new beActive in the Community scheme.

She says: "The aim for the first year is to encourage 18,500 participants to take part in sessions, so a high target, but with the additional trained coaches, apprentices and volunteer coaches available to deliver a great choice of activities, we are expecting lots of people to get involved and try something new, which is provided locally."

NCL Copeland board chair Peter Johnstone is positive about the development of this project, saying: "We need to do more to improve health and wellbeing and I am pleased that thanks to funding from local organisations, NCL is able to play a key role in the delivery of this programme for everyone in Copeland."

The first activities from the scheme are due to take place during February half term with the first session free and the incentive of a free beActive Leisure Card when you attend four sessions, which can be used for up to 25% discount off sessions at any NCL Leisure Centre.