Activity group stays one step ahead with funding

AN initiative that encourages healthy activities in a deprived area of the Capital has secured a funding boost.

First Steps, which aims to promote and increase opportunities for residents to lead a healthier lifestyle in the Newhaven and Harbour areas of Leith, has been awarded 13,520 from the Fairer Scotland initiative.

The funding guarantees that the programme, which is run in a partnership between Edinburgh Leisure, NHS Lothian, The Leith Treatment Centre and Ageing Well, will run for a fifth successive year.

Activities on offer include subsidised swim and gym leisure cards, swim sessions for women from ethnic minority groups, walking groups and swimming sessions. In 2010/11, it was credited with helping more than 500 people.

Edinburgh Leisure community inclusion officer James Brandon said: "We're delighted to have confirmation of this ongoing funding."