Public Access Strategy - Key Principles Promotion of Healthier Lifestyles

The links between social exclusion and poor health are now well established.  At the same time, the health benefits of regular physical activity are well documented and include physical benefits (such as reduced risk of cardio vascular disease), psychological benefits (such as increased psychological well-being) and social benefits (such as community interaction).  The recent Government White Paper on Public Health established targets to increase participation in regular physical activity in Scotland.  There is increasing evidence that activity does not need to be vigorous or regimented to confer health benefits and moderate activity, such as walking, can convey considerable health gain.  The physical activity target for Scotland is to increase the proportion of men/women aged 16-64 taking 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 times each week from 32% / 22% in 1994 to 50% / 40% in 2005.

It is relatively easy to improve the health of those who are already well resourced and well motivated.  Improving the health of those who are less well resourced and perhaps socially excluded is a more difficult task. There is also scope for raising awareness of the potential benefits of public access across North Lanarkshire.  Some of the ways of achieving this include:

• Providing flexible routes which suit a range of abilities and uses, particularly in terms of fitness levels.  This can be defined by a number of factors, including the gradient of the routes, types of surfacing, suitability for walkers, cyclists and riders, etc.
• Providing circular routes that include scope for short and long walks. This can encourage people of all ages and abilities to start exercising, and provides scope for them to continue to build their stamina as their fitness improves.
• Providing routes which cover different types of environment and which incorporate features of local interest, lead to viewpoints, link with environmental education etc.  Interesting routes are more likely to be attractive to people who do not walk regularly.
• Promoting access networks in terms of community, journeys to school and other local trips as well as in terms of recreation.

Improving the supply of routes will only go part of the way towards encouraging healthier lifestyles.  Local agencies have a central role to play in promoting public access and ensuring that communities are made aware of its potential benefits.  In pre-identified appropriate locations, there are a number of ways in which this can be achieved:

• Involving local health service providers can be invaluable.  Examples of good practice in providing health walks have included making links with local cardiac rehabilitation schemes, and co-ordinating provision with GP schemes for exercise referral.  This has already been undertaken in some parts of North Lanarkshire, including Cumbernauld.  It is critical that the North Lanarkshire Public Access Forum and access officers liaise closely with Lanarkshire Health Board to consider how such an approach might be developed.  It is likely that this aim will be realised in close partnership with the Health Board's community liaison officers.
• Local health and fitness centres could be encouraged to provide periodic fitness assessments or use the routes as part of a regular exercise class.
• Local rangers or access officers could provide regular or one-off guided walks subject to demand and resources.  Volunteers have often been encouraged to provide this service in other health walk initiatives, and this has proved particularly valuable for people who might feel vulnerable walking alone in the countryside.  Research has shown that this is a key barrier to walking in the countryside.
• Local job centres, support centres and/or social services offices could be targeted for promotion programmes, to help towards making better links with socially excluded people.
• Events appealing to different age groups could be considered, such as competitive / challenge, charity walks or treasure hunts.  Land manager approval would, of course, be particularly important for developing this further.
• Potential for securing sponsorship from appropriate organisations within the health business sector, such as local health boards or private health providers, footwear and clothing manufacturers, alternative health clinics, etc.

During 2000, more than 50 health walks are expected to be opened in the UK, combining enjoyment of the rural environment with providing opportunities for exercise for people of all levels of fitness.  The New Opportunities Fund recently announced their commitment to providing particular support for new health walk projects.  The British Heart Foundation also supports health walking and the Paths for All Partnership is aiming to expand its involvement in this area.  This aspect of access development is likely to be an increasingly effective way of securing resources for improving community health through exercise.

The Central Scotland Countryside Trust is currently developing a strategy for Health in the Central Scotland Forest.  In addition, it plans to develop three health walks in the area.  One of these walks is likely to be within North Lanarkshire.  This is likely to provide an excellent opportunity for raising awareness of the health benefits of walking, cycling or riding on a regular basis.  The North Lanarkshire Public Access Forum should seek to build on this initiative through appropriate information and publicity events as a starting point for making the links between access, health and social inclusion.