National recognition for Blackburn with Darwen's re:fresh scheme

Blackburn with Darwen has experienced the second highest increase nationally in people taking regular exercise thanks to the re:fresh scheme.

The figures just released in Sport England’s Active People Survey show that adult participation has increased dramatically since the first Active People's Survey in 2006.

Now almost 24 percent of people in the borough exercise for a total of at least 90 minutes every week.

In contrast just four years ago the borough had the third lowest participation rate in the country with only 16.3 percent of people in the borough taking regular exercise.
 
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus introduced re:fresh in 2007 to help tackle the alarming figures.

An offer of free leisure was extended to anyone who lives, is educated, has a GP or works in the borough.

The results of the survey, which demonstrates the success of the re:fresh partnership, follows the release of the Government's public health white paper that encourages closer working between local authorities and the NHS.

The paper also supports empowerment of local people to take more of a role in improving their own health something which re:fresh is already achieving.

Community involvement is a key element of the scheme with the Healthy Communities Partnership, neighbourhood teams and health trainers working alongside over one hundred volunteers recruited to boost participation in their own communities.

Councillor Damian Talbot, executive member for culture and leisure, said: "The Active People's Survey confirms what a successful scheme re:fresh is and what a fantastic impact it has made to people in the borough.

"These figures represent real people making a real difference to their lives and the lives of their families by getting active and staying healthy."

Neil Matthewman, managing director of health services for Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus, said: "This is great news.

"re:fresh is a pioneering scheme and one that has been held up nationally as a successful partnership between the Council and NHS.

"We have offered the people of Blackburn with Darwen the encouragement and the means to be able to get active and improve their health."