North East Green Excercise Forum
The North East Green Exercise Forum exists to promote and champion the concept of Green Exercise in the North East Region.
‘We believe, therefore, that there is a synergistic benefit in adopting physical activities whilst at the same time being directly exposed to nature. We call this ‘green exercise’. ‘ Petty et al 2003
Put simply, Green Exercise is any physical activity out of doors with the emphasis on accessible, regular and moderate activities that people can build into their daily lives: from gardening, cycling and walking in urban green areas, to kite flying and conservation projects in the wider countryside. This includes informal activities, requiring little specialist equipment which are undertaken outside of the home environment, at the discretion of the participant, i.e. as and when it suits them.
Our coasts, rivers and lakes are an equally important resource for green exercise. Green Exercise connects people to nature in their local areas and is one of the most cost-effective ways of improving the nation’s physical and mental wellbeing.
The North East Green Exercise Forum exists to promote and champion the concept of Green Exercise in the North East Region as a contribution to delivery of the ‘Better Health, Fairer Health’ strategy , helping to realise the vision whereby ‘the North east will have the best and fairest health and well-being, and will be recognised for its outstanding and sustainable quality of life’
We come together as an informal grouping of senior professionals in the Health, Environment and Recreation sectors to:
Influence and champion the role that every day Green Exercise can play in improving physical health and mental well being, and in reducing health inequalities, as a long-term sustainable solution (contributing to the delivery of ‘Better Health Fairer Health’)
Work with existing structures and processes; identify gaps; seek synergy and added value – influencing regional Policy and Practice (across planning, environment and health).
Influence and champion a strong, evidenced based approach.
Our current membership comprises representatives from:
County Durham & Darlington Primary Care Trust
Environment Agency
Forestry Commission Government Office North East- Public Health team
Groundwork North East
Living Streets
Local Access Fora
Mature & Working Life RAG
Natural England (Chair and Secretariat)
Newcastle University – Planning & Urban Design
Northumberland National Park
ONE
Play England
Sustrans
The group will meet 3 times a year (March, June & October) keeping its membership and terms of reference under regular review, in order to remain a focussed and effective force for change.
This review is by no means comprehensive; rather it captures a flavour of the range and breadth of activity undertaken in this region during the 2009 / 2010 financial year, to promote and encourage ‘Green Exercise’. We hope you find it helpful, interesting and thought provoking.
Most importantly, we hope that the attached presentations demonstrate the cost effective benefits to health and wellbeing that Green Exercise contributes.
Martin Shaw
Chair, North East Regional Green Exercise Forum, September 2010.
