Mission: Active Future relaunced as part of Healthy Halifax

The award-winning children’s museum, Eureka!, is set to re-launch its groundbreaking exhibition, Mission: Active Future this autumn as part of the Government’s Healthy Towns initiative. The exhibition is designed to empower children to sustain healthy lifestyles.

Mission: Active Future, which is completely housed in a giant customised lorry, will tour local communities in Halifax from mid October for the next two years. Its aim is to provide over 3,000 primary school children and their parents the chance to switch onto a healthier lifestyle through a unique, interactive experience.

Through a series of physical challenges and multimedia exhibits, the exhibition transports children to the year 2105AD, to a time when Earth’s population has become so lazy and inactive it faces extinction. The children’s task is to join the ‘Active8’ team in a race against time to help save the planet by engaging in physical activity, making positive and healthy lifestyle choices.

During a 45-minute workshop children will put their speed, stamina, strength and precision to the test while learning about their body. Activities will continue after their visit with a 24 week activity programme, helping them discover new skills and motivating them to become involved in a range of sport and other physical activities.

The re-launch of the exhibition has been made possible thanks to funding from the Healthy Halifax programme. Healthy Halifax is one of nine local programmes across England participating in the Government’s £30m Healthy Towns Initiative. This is part of the Change4Life movement, helping people to ‘eat well, move more, live longer’.

Dr Graham Wardman, Director of Public Health for Calderdale said: “We are delighted that through our Healthy Halifax programme we are able to work in partnership with Eureka! to get children in the habit of moving more. This exhibition is a great way of exposing children to fun activities that will support them to develop and maintain their health to live longer.”

Mission: Active Future was originally launched in 2006 as Sport England’s flagship initiative for its Active England programme in Yorkshire & Humber. Over 20,000 children experienced the exhibition as it toured the region over two years. In 2006, Lord Sebastian Coe visited the exhibition and commented:

“Mission: Active Future is one of the most interesting and exciting projects I have seen in the last ten years, because it directly targets the age group we want to engage before inactivity sets in and it becomes hard to ignite children’s interest.

“Innovative projects like this will have a positive impact on children who find clubs and more formal sporting structures off-putting and I am delighted that it will be travelling out into the region visiting schools and communities.“

Mission: Active Future will tour community venues across Halifax until 2011, providing families with an opportunity to visit the exhibition. Dates and venues will be confirmed at www.activefuture.org.uk. For more information about Mission: Active Future contact Head of Learning at Eureka!, Liz Smallman on 01422 330069.

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For photos or more information please contact Nina Rogers on 01422 330069 or email nina.rogers@eureka.org.uk

Notes to the Editor

• This project has been funded by NHS Calderdale and Calderdale Council through the Healthy Halifax Programme, part of the national Healthy Towns initiative.
• Eureka! The National Children’s Museum is in support of Change4Life. In order to maintain a healthy weight we need to both eat better and move more. Many families are making changes that will help them live healthier and longer lives. Visit www.nhs.uk/change4life or call 0300 123 4567 (9am-8pm daily, national call rates) for more information.
• For further information about Mission: Active Future and full details of its tour schedule, contact Liz Smallman on 01422 330069 or email liz.smallman@eureka.org.uk
• Eureka! is the UK’s first and foremost museum for children, consistently attracting 250,000-300,000 visitors a year. It is an educational charity no. 292758 and a charging visitor attraction which does not receive any funding from central or local government.