Cycling and Walking ‘on prescription’ in the West Midlands

Healthcare professionals are piloting a scheme which will ‘prescribe’ outdoor activities for some people with poor mental health and other conditions.

Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton will take part in the Active Black Country project, part of a campaign by the West Midlands Combined Authority to encourage the region’s residents to walk and cycle more following the pandemic.

A group of patients in each of the four regions will be signposted to activities such as walking and cycling to help ease loneliness, isolation, mental health conditions and complex social needs that affect their well-being. They will also receive advice and guidance about the health-related benefits of being active and follow-up consultations will be conducted to gauge the impact.

A four-week pilot has already started in Dudley and Sandwell and will be replicated in Wolverhampton and Walsall during August and September.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, more people have taken to cycling and walking, which is of course brilliant news. At the WMCA we want to capitalise on that, which is why last week we launched the Starley Network – our re-imagined, re-branded, cycling vision for the West Midlands – and are also running the Roll & Stroll campaign.

“Not only does active travel improve people’s health and help the NHS, but it is also critical in tackling air pollution as part of the fight against climate change. I am therefore delighted that Active Black Country are launching this pilot for healthcare professionals to start prescribing cycling and walking.”

Michael Salmon, head of Insight, Health and Wellbeing for Active Black Country, added: “Active Black Country is working hard to ensure that all health care professionals, along with dedicated social prescribers, have the knowledge and resources required to signpost patients and clients to community solutions where appropriate. The resource that we have developed is a great way to encourage patients in primary care to access the wonderful parks and open spaces already available within their local community for the benefit of their health and well-being.”