A campaign has been launched to encourage Islington residents to get active, drink less, stop smoking, improve their diet and undertake regular health checks.

As part of Islington Council’s ‘New Year, New You’ campaign, leisure services provider GLL and Islington Council are offering free membership for local gyms and sports centres.

The council is also supporting Don’t Bottle It Up’s ‘Dry January’ campaign to help people give up alcohol for a month in a bid to help significantly reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and liver damage, as well as improve quality of sleep.

The north London local authority is also supporting Public Health England’s ‘Health Harms’ campaign, in which smokers with New Year’s resolutions to quit are given expert help and face-to-face support from their local stop smoking advisor.

In addition, the council is backing Change4Life’s ‘Sugar Smart’ campaign, which provides local schools and children’s centres with resources to teach children about the benefits of healthy eating. Residents between 35 and 74 are also being encouraged to get a free NHS Health Check.

Deputy Leader of Islington Council and executive member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Janet Burgess, said: “January is a great time for making promises to ourselves: to stop smoking, to get down to the gym, to drink less, to finally schedule that doctor’s appointment.

“The council is committed to helping our residents lead healthy, independent lives, and, as part of this, we want to make sure local people have access to the services they need to keep those promises and change their lifestyle for the better.”

“Good luck to all those trying to get healthy and active in 2016! With all the great support, opportunities, and facilities available across the borough, why not keep up the momentum and make 2016 your healthiest year yet?”

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