Active Towns programme at Waverley: Encouraging greater physical activity through estate-based intervention
Starting in September 2017, Harworth has established an innovative partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, in which a team of experts and academics with Health and Sport backgrounds are working collaboratively with Harworth to construct an ‘active environment’ prototype at our Waverley development in Rotherham.
After a funding boost of almost £30,000 from Innovate UK, the project has been designed to prioritise the views of local communities. It is prepared to work on ideas that are put forward by residents and employees for using the site to encourage people to become more active, including the wider use of Waverley’s 7km perimeter trails and the installation of new community gardens.
Earlier this year, the University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (“AWRC”) and Outdoor Recreational Research Group received £50,000 from the Higher Education Innovation Fund to begin this new partnership. Residents believe that more parks and community orientated spaces, fitness opportunities and an increase in child friendly play spaces are key to future development. Additionally, AMP employees are keen to see the site become increasingly walk and cycle friendly. Harworth and Sheffield Hallam University will be testing a range of ideas in the first half of 2018 to encourage workers and residents to become more active.
The proposed project coincides with the AWRC’s aims to create innovations that will improve the nation’s health, tackling key challenges such as static levels of physical activity, mental health and rising obesity. The main aim of this project is to create a new environment which makes a positive impact on one of the key challenges within modern society.