Regional Mapping
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MAPPING IN THE WEST MIDLANDS REGION
It is widely accepted that Physical Activity and Sport impact across a range of policy drivers and
agendas and as a result a multitude of programmes, projects and initiatives have been developed across
the West Midlands to provide opportunities for people to be active in their local areas. These
programmes are led by a wide ranging number of organisations and partnerships to meet a number of
cross cutting agendas.
In 2003 the BHF National Centre for Physical Activity and Health was commissioned by the West Midlands
Public Health Observatory, Sport England West Midlands, the West Midlands Public Health Group and the
Health Development Agency to conduct an extensive mapping exercise of physical activity programmes
running across the Region.
Aim
The aim of the mapping activity was to generate an initial picture of the nature and extent of direct
of indirect sport, exercise and/or physical activity projects, initiatives and/or policies within
the West Midlands Region.
The mapping exercise was developed to identify existing initiatives and capacity within the region,
reveal gaps in provision, identify examples of best practice, and provide an evidence base for
professionals to use in future planning and development.
The mapping exercise revealed;
- 206 responses were received, detailing over 170 physical activity programmes that are running
across the West Midlands. These programmes demonstrate the wide range of innovative approaches and
partnerships that are being used to promote physical activity across the region.
- 45 programmes/initiatives met elements of the best practice selection criteria that was set by the
researchers.
Follow up interviews have seen 19 initiatives recognised for their Best Practice;
- After Schools Swimming Service, Stoke on Trent
- Asian Ladies Swimming Project, Leamington and Warwick
- BESS Energetic Super Stars, Bilston and Ettingshall
- Busy Breaks, Telford and Wrekin
- Cardiac Rehabilitation, Burton-on-Trent
- PACE GP Referral Scheme, Rugby, Warwick, Leamington and Kenilworth
- Healthy Workplace Initiative, North Staffordshire
- Leisure Link Development Project, Telford and Wrekin
- Physical Activity Consultant, Nuneaton and Bedworth
- Safer Routes to School Project at Tudor Grange School, Solihull
- Safer Routes to School Scheme, Stoke-on-Trent
- The South Wye Fitness Project, Hereford
- Shropshire and Telford Activity Referral Scheme, STARS, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin
- Time to Change, Referral Scheme, Walsall
- Walk 2000, Birmingham
- Walkabout Wrekin, Telford
- Walking for Health, East Staffordshire
- Walsall Walk on, Walsall
Reports
The reports are available to download from the following links:
Future Mapping Exercises
The Physical Activity Network for the West Midlands and the West Midlands Food Network are working
with the West Midlands Public Health Observatory to develop a dynamic mapping facility on this website
so that details of initiatives and programmes running across the region can be uploaded onto the
website. This facility will provide an up to date searchable database of programmes and initiatives
that have been developed to enable the sharing of information, experiences and best practice across
the West Midlands. This facility will be available for use in the near future by clicking on the
database link on the Networks home page.