Salford will be transformed into a giant interactive game this autumn as residents are invited to take part in a free, and fun challenge that encourages communities to get active.
The scheme, Beat the Street, will encourage residents of all ages to get active through walking, cycling, or wheeling.
Beat the Street will take place from Wednesday 24 September until Wednesday 5 November and is open to anyone of any age who would like to take part.
Children at participating primary schools will be provided with a player pack including a card and map, encouraging them to take part.
And residents from the wider community can pick up a free card from one of the distribution points listed on the Beat the Street Salford website or use the free app (for players aged 13+).
Beat the Street Salford is a community initiative commissioned by the Bupa Foundation, with co-funding from Salford City Council, Canal & River Trust, and Sport England through National Lottery funding – and been delivered by Intelligent Health.
Anna Russell, Director of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability and Bupa Foundation, said: “Salford is home to one of Bupa’s largest employee communities, so we’re especially proud to support ‘Beat the Street’ here.
“It’s a brilliant way to help people get active, connect with each other, and green their local area through our partnership with City of Trees. Practical, local action like this is key to building healthier communities and a healthier planet.”
The game was developed by GP Dr William Bird MBE, an expert in physical activity to create the conditions for healthier people and planet by bringing a whole community together, increasing connection with environment and each other through movement.
Since it was founded, Beat the Street has taken place in 200 locations across the UK and beyond, and the initiative recently celebrated the milestone of 2 million players during its game in Barnsley.
From previous games evidence has shown that the programme helps adults and children become more active and encourages families to spend more time together outdoors and in green spaces.
The competition element incentivises people to make small, achievable lifestyle changes, such as walking or cycling to school every day, to improve health and help make being active part of everyday life.
Before the Salford game begins, residents will start to see Beat Boxes appearing on lampposts around the area.
Once the game gets underway, participating players will need to find their nearest Beat Box.
And by tapping the box, it will then register the journey; then walk, cycle or wheel to the next Beat Box within an hour to score 10 points.
Prizes will also be on offer for teams and individuals that travel the furthest, with leaderboards for total points and average points so that teams of all sizes are in with a chance of collecting their own prizes.
Participating residents will also be able to donate to a local charity, and there are also “lucky spot” prizes just for taking part.
Additionally, as part of the initiative, Salford residents’ steps will contribute to greening their local area, with hundreds of trees set to be planted with Greater Manchester charity City of Trees.
Residents will also have the opportunity to become ‘Citizen Foresters’, volunteering to support tree planting and maintenance efforts across Salford.
Councillor Mishal Saeed, Executive Support Member for Social Care and Mental Health, said: “We want everyone in Salford to live longer, healthier and happier lives, so the Beat the Street campaign aligns perfectly with the Council’s Public Health objectives to increase levels of physical activity and movement in adults, children, and young people.
“In addition, increasing movement and physical activity are essential for our physical and mental well-being.
Councillor Saeed added: “As the Chair of the All-Age Mental Health, I fully support any campaign that positively influences our social, community, economic, and personal development because promoting good health is a collective responsibility.”
The scheme will be used to encourage residents to engage in physical activity, as well as the city of Salford as a whole.
As Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Equalities, Sports and Leisure, added: “Salford is a city that prides itself on its rich cultural heritage and vibrant towns and neighbourhoods, each with their own unique identity.
“It is home to beautiful, award-winning green spaces, diverse communities, excellent transport connections, and world-class cultural, creative and sporting facilities.”
Cllr. Robinson-Smith continued: “What I love about the Beat the Street campaign is that it presents a great opportunity for people to come together and explore everything Salford has to offer in a fun and interactive way.
“As a result, we get to enhance the lives and health of our communities and increase opportunities for residents to play a more active role in their local area, which gets my support.”
More information will be available here and on social media at @BTSSalford.
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