Helping North Somerset get more active

3:00pm - 19 October 2022
group of people walking down a public footpath

North Somerset residents will be supported to get more active and improve their wellbeing thanks to funding announced by North Somerset Council and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (BNSSG ICB), as part of ongoing work to tackle health inequalities across the area.

The funding is part of a larger programme of support from the council and BNSSG ICB to enhance delivery of North Somerset’s joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021-2024. A range of schemes that address health and wellbeing priorities are being supported.

Funding has already been announced for schemes which aim to help improve diet and food security and support the health of communities and families, as well as projects supporting people’s mental health.

This latest announcement confirms funding for local projects which will help people of all ages across North Somerset get more active. The money will support services and community programmes that encourage people to get active individually, in group or as a family. 

The projects are: 

  • Health Walks: £18,000 has been awarded to expand the current Health Walks programme. The project will work with the current Health Walks groups alongside an increasing number of health care professionals including social prescribers. Currently, the walking programme offers short walks (between 30 and 90 minutes long) across North Somerset to suit a range of abilities with a high degree of importance placed on those who are currently inactive. Find out more about North Somerset Health Walks at https://www.betterhealthns.co.uk/information/healthwalks/
  • Park Play: £28,000 will support families becoming more active together on a weekly basis. Families are encouraged to play together every Saturday morning, in a local park, for free. Sessions will take place in open spaces in Weston-super-Mare 
  • Age UK Somerset and North Somerset: £32,000 will increase the variety of exercise and movement classes and events available locally for older people, as well as developing a clear referral pathway established at Weston General Hospital. 

Cllr Mike Bell, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and executive member for health said: “We want to create good health and wellbeing throughout life by preventing problems or offering help as early as possible. This means not only helping people to live longer, but also having more years enjoying good health and wellbeing.

“The physical and mental health benefits from being active are important for people of all ages. Providing opportunities for families to play outdoors can give people ideas of how to get active at home and have fun together. Being active in later life is also important for older adults to help with good quality of life and a positive outlook. It can also reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.”

For more information about getting active in North Somerset, go to the Better Health North Somerset website at https://www.betterhealthns.co.uk/get-active/.