BELLY dancing outside a town supermarket is just one of the activities next week which will celebrate the launch of the 5X30 project. The inclusive project aims to support people in West Devon who would like to get more active more often. There will be chances to try out a range of new activities throughout February 13 to 18, including fencing, pilates, Taekwon-do and scrub bashing in the woods. Don?t worry if these activities don?t appeal to you, the 5X30 Project may be able to help you set up a different activity in your area. The World Health Organisation recommends people take at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity at least five times a week ? hence the name the 5X30 project. 5X30 is a local project which covers 91 parishes across Mid and West Devon, stretching from Hatherleigh and Okehampton out to Cullompton and Tiverton. The project aims to help people to help themselves to lead a more active life. It aims to work with local communities to reduce barriers to exercise and to develop opportunities to get fit. The project team stress the onus is on local people of all ages to tell them what sort of activities they would like to see become available. The project team can provide n Information ? details of facilities, activities and contacts available to you in the local community n Advice ? 5X30 community activators are available with advice to ensure that people are aware of what is available n Support ? available to provide motivation, training and initial support for individuals and groups n Assistance ? resources available to assist groups and individuals to access physical activity. Stuart Lord, of OCRA, said examples of some of the activities which had already been set up were new pilates classes, cycle rides and training for staff in ?chair-based exercises? at a residential home to enable the residents to stay more active. He said: ?It is not about going to a sports centre. It is more about offering advice and support for people to enable them to live a more healthy everyday life. ?At this time of year particularly, people have good intentions and sign up for activities and then drop out later on. ?This is not about belonging to a club, you can be quite flexible and change the activities you are doing, as long as you get a more active lifestyle. ?Sports people will play sport whatever. There are a whole other group of people that can benefit and enjoy activities but they need to find out more to actually get into those activities.? Stuart said anyone involved in delivering a physical activity and would also like to be involved in the project, could become part of the 5X30 Network by contacting OCRA. Next Monday, February 13, there is the chance to enjoy a taster session in fencing at Okehampton College at 8pm. Earlier that day, work on woodland conservation will be carried out at Abbeyford Woods in Okehampton from 11am to 1pm. Booking is essential ? to register a space contact Glyn Bradbury on 07769 671102 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] Other activities in Okehampton include pilates and squash/fitness sessions organised by OCRA for Friday February 17. For more information on this and the fencing class contact Stuart Lord on 07967 179662. Also on Friday, there will be a belly dancing display outside Somerfield supermarket at 2pm, led by local instructor Jacqui Spiers. On Tuesday, February 14, there will be an introduction to the martial art of taekwon-do in Okehampton between 7pm and 8pm. If you require further information contact Merwyn Davis on 07974 797114. If you would like to be involved in becoming more physically active, contact the Okehampton Community Activator on 07967 179662 or pick up a leaflet about the 5X30 scheme from Freedom Sports or Okehampton Library.