There is much evidence to suggest that the greatest factors contributing to our wellbeing and physical health can be found in the places we live. Education, employment, housing and community facilities can help us develop healthy habits and social connection.1
Together, we call this Healthy Living and it is made much easier in a 'Healthy Place'. A place that makes it easy to jump on a bike or take a stroll and play in the park will, by its very nature, encourage us to exercise. Where these don't exist, and the only way to navigate a town safely is in a car, people will, understandably make different choices.
Great places also make it easy to exercise in a more structured way, by enabling participation in sports clubs and groups, joining a local gym and being part of a community where people gather outside, walk dogs, play with kids and engage in activities.
These factors have been fundamental to the way we have approached our vision for Stamford North.
The conversations we have had with so many of you have highlighted the challenges you find in this area:
- There is a culture of driving around Stamford
- The walk to school is often just too long to be realistic, particularly for younger families
- Gym memberships can be unaffordable
- Many older residents feel happier in a car or bus
We get this. Our intention is simply to make walking, cycling and other outdoor activities attractive and easy to access. Specifically, we are:
- Working with Borderville Sports Centre to deliver improvements to their facilities for people of all ages and abilities
- Proposing that the Stamford Welland Academy and new primary school have use of excellent sports facilities
- Looking to incorporate smaller scale, multi-use facilities for the college and wider community (like MUGAs)
- Ensuring that outdoor areas include seating and communal areas for socialising
- Designing streets encouraging 'active travel' (with wide pavements for pedestrians and space for cyclists) in addition to a series of pedestrian and cycle routes through Valley Park and into the town centre
- Working with running and walking groups to include mileage markers and guided routes
We will also be organising a series of guided walks around Stamford North, as well as panels and workshops with younger people that will focus on getting moving safely!
We will never tell anyone how to live. But we believe in the benefits of Healthy Living and will do all we can to make Stamford North a Healthy Place for the entire Stamford community.
1. the Health Foundation's 'Healthy Lives for People in the UK'