Exercise for mental health

[Greenoutlook]

During the first lockdown the Cabinet Office published guidelines on exercise for people who needed to leave home for "medical need" including individuals with learning disabilities and autism (29 March 2020). These stated that such people could leave their local area to carry out specific exercise in an open space two or three times a day. I have not been able to find an update and feel that this guidance needs to continue as I found that my son, who has learning disabilities, was adversely effected in his mental health when his exercise was restricted to once daily. Does anybody have any further updates on this?

[Skye_Bear Expert]

Good Morning, My name is Lyndsey and I am a contact & Assessment Team Advisor on the Learning Disability Helpline. Here is a section from the Government Website that may help you with your enquiry.

Published 4 January 2021

Last updated 6 January 2021 — see all updates

From:

Cabinet Office

*******Children under 5, and up to 2 carers for a person with a disability who needs continuous care, are not counted towards the gatherings limits for exercising outside.

If you (or a person in your care) have a health condition that routinely requires you to leave home to maintain your health - including if that involves travel beyond your local area or exercising several times a day - then you can do so.

When around other people, stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household - meaning the people you live with - or your support bubble. Where this is not possible, stay 1 metre apart with extra precautions (like wearing a face covering).*******

Here is the link to the Government Guidance Webpage too :-

gov.uk/guidance/national-lo...

This is the guidance for the general public:-

********Exercising

You should minimise time spent outside your home, but you can leave your home to exercise. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.*******

If you need any further Information & Advice then please do feel free to get in touch with The Learning Disability Helpline on freephone 0808 808 1111 or you can email us at [e-mail]

Kind Regards

Lyndsey M

Contact & Assessment Team Advisor

The Learning Disability Helpline

[Greenoutlook in reply to Skye_Bear]

That's really helpful and was what I hoped for. I have been displaying the previously published guidelines inside my car window. During the first lockdown I received a hostile approach from a local resident when I was parked in countryside area, out walking with my son. To be fair some such areas have been oversubscribed by people seeking open spaces to exercise. I will display the new updated guidance along with an explanatory note. Thanks again.