Archive for the ‘birmingham’ tag
‘Gym For Free’ scheme: Birmingham
“Most public health programmes focus on small groups of people – I wanted to do something population-wide,” says Kevin Haywood, head of public health programmes at the Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Trust. “So I contacted the city council and suggested doing something for the whole of [the parliamentary constituency of] Ladywood, and they bought into the idea, saying ‘Let’s do it.’ ”
The idea of giving 110,000 residents free access to gym facilities, swimming and fitness classes was hatched by the two organisations in December 2007, and within an impressive five weeks a scheme was operational. “We sent every resident a valentines day card, on 14th February 2008, inviting them to come and visit,” says Ms Jerwood, the council’s constituency senior manger for Ladywood.
The constituency is one of the most deprived in the country, with very low incomes and poor health (see box). But that is precisely why it was the chosen location: the aim of the ‘Gym For Free’ scheme is to break down the barriers that prevent people taking up healthy exercise. “Many people in the area can’t afford the leisure opportunities that others can, in order to become physically active,” says Dr Jacky Chambers, the PCT’s director of public health.
