A new Strategy has been launched to increase physical activity levels after statistics reveal Swindon has one of the highest rates of inactivity in the South West.
The Get Swindon Active Partnership, a collaboration between Swindon Borough Council, private organisations and community groups with an interest in and physical activity, sport and weight, aim to improve public wellbeing through helping people increase their physical activity levels and achieve a healthy weight.
Launching a new physical activity strategy in October, the Get Swindon Active Partnership are looking to help improve the health and wellbeing of Swindonians through increasing the number of people who are regularly active.
The 3 year plan has been developed to combat the high rate of inactivity in the town, which is reported to have the second highest percentage of adults who are inactive in the South West region.
The Chief Medical Officer for England recommends adults aged between 19 and 64 should aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity (activities which leave you slightly out of breath), or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity, each week.
Whilst 70% of adults in Swindon participate in 150 minutes of physical activity per week, 25% are not active enough, increasing their risk of developing diseases and long-term health conditions associated with inactivity. These include heart disease and strokes, diabetes, obesity, colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and depression.
Charly Messen, aged 29 from Swindon, who has a rare genetic condition, Marfan’s Syndrome, which has been helped by being active and losing weight, said: ‘Being more active has really helped my confidence as well as my mental and physical health.
‘When I was 26, I was told I could die before my 30th birthday, since then with support I have lost weight and now my condition is stable.’
In addition to improving the health and wellbeing of adults, the Get Swindon Active Partnership also emphasises the importance of working together with partners and building capacity with local organisations. This includes working with schools to reduce high rates of obesity through encouraging physical activity among children and working with employers to promote healthy workplaces.
Steve Boocock, CEO of Wiltshire and Swindon Sport (WASP), who are a member of the Get Swindon Active Partnership said: “Encouraging physical activity should be a priority for everyone in Swindon.
“We recognise though that being physically active is not entirely an individual choice, but a result of what spaces, places and opportunities are available to individuals and communities. There is no single solution that will see more people in Swindon being active but bringing together partners, working towards this common goal and focussing on some key themes will make a difference.”
For more information on the Partnership, or to attend the launch event on the 3rd of October from 11.00-13.00 at Foundation Park, Swindon, please contact Nyree Kingsbury: nkingsbury@swindon.gov.uk
