Best Foot Forward, Nottingham
| Description | Provide the local community with access to local and free physical activity programmes. |
|---|---|
| Setting | Across Nottingham city |
| Populationting | People living in the most deprived areas of Nottingham. |
| Intervention summary | Set up weekly guided health walks in the local area. |
| Outcome Summary | Increase the number of people attending the walks. |
| Startup Cost | £2000 |
| Running Cost | £1000-£5000 |
| Funding | Initially through Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF), but in 2006 we received a small grant from the Pfizer Fund. |
| Started | April 2004 |
| Ended | Ongoing |
| Location | Nottingham, England |
| Contact |
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Background
Best Foot Forward aims to provide the local community with access to local and free physical activity programmes.
What is the problem you are trying to solve?
Following a local Health Needs Assessment it was apparent that health professionals lacked awareness of what activity opportunities were available for patients locally. Many expressed concerns that what opportunities were available were costly, and many schemes were short term or dependent on funding. It was therefore felt that a local guided health walk might be a good activity to offer. We felt that walking was the ideal form of physical activity because:
- Walking is a form of exercise which is within the physical capabilities of the majority of people;
- Sedentary people are likely to perceive walking as a more realistic challenge than other more vigorous forms of exercise;
- Walking is an ideal activity to encourage the large numbers of the population who are sedentary to move to a moderate level of fitness;
- Walking can be integrated into people’s lifestyles relatively easily; and
- The level of impact is low and strain on the feet and joints is minimised thus making the risk of injury very low.
What local organisations are involved?
We work in partnership with a whole range of organisations including Nottingham City Council, Age Concern, Nottingham Council for Voluntary Service (NCVS) and many other local community organisations.
How many people are running this project and who are they?
Rachel Marriott, a Health Promotion Specialist for Nottingham City Primary Care Trust, coordinates the project. Rachel supports volunteer walks leaders whom without the project would not exist. There are currently 14 active volunteer walk leaders.
What local population are you targeting?
We are targeting the most deprived areas of Nottingham. Many of those areas have a very high percentage of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the main cause of death in Nottingham, accounting for 36% of the 2533 deaths from all causes in 2004. This includes: coronary heart disease (18%), stroke (7%) and other circulatory diseases (11%). CVD accounts for a high number of premature, preventable deaths.
Although primary care professionals seem very supportive of the scheme, we get just a small number of referrals from them.
How many people are you targeting?
We are aiming to target and attract as many local people as possible
Interventions
What interventions are you using to address the problem?
Best Foot Forward currently offers eight short weekly guided health walks across Nottingham city. The walks are led by trained volunteer walk leaders. The walks offer an opportunity to improve physical and mental health, make new friends and have fun.
Is the project design based on evidence? If so, please state reference.
Yes it is based on the National Walking the Way to Health Initiative (WHI) which is an initiative of the British Heart Foundation and Natural England 1 .
Outcome
What outcomes or planned outcomes are you measuring?
We measure the number of weekly guided health walks taking place in the local area, the number of volunteer walk leaders trained and the number of walkers (regular walkers and new walkers).
Do you have any outcomes or results yet? If so, what are they?
Up to 154 guided health walks took place and 536 people took part in the walks between June 2005 and June 2006.
Is your project relevant to a government target or guideline?
The project is relevant to the National Standard Framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease (CHD) which sets out a 10 year programme for the prevention and management of CHD 2 . It is also relevant to the Health Floor Target Action Plan (FTAP). The Health FTAP for 2006-8 is the priority local action plan for reducing inequalities in CVD, and increasing life expectancy in Nottingham city.
Feedback
What obstacles did you have to overcome to set up this project?
The main obstacles were gaining funding to set the project up, gaining commitment and support from staff (although most have been very supportive and enthusiastic), and recruiting volunteer walk leaders.
What have you learned about the project so far?
We have learnt that commitment and support from volunteers are essential for sustainability of the project. However, getting publicity and local people to hear about the walks and come along is very difficult. In addition, the support from primary care teams is helpful, but we do need more referrals.
What would you do differently?
We would have a dedicated walk coordinator and try to get a GP or practice nurse on board to help promote the project among peer groups. We would also increase advertising through social marketing strategies.