Challenge

Knowsley Borough Council wanted to deliver 15 diverse fitness sites under the Green Gym initiative. They knew through statistics that 23% of Knowsley residents in 2013 died from cardiovascular disease and had a healthy life expectancy of 57 years. They startegically chose 15 sites across the borough, 14 of whch were in the most deprived areas; that would allow residents to benefit from free and accessible leisure facilities. 

The council wnated each site to be unique and bespoke to the varied environments. 

Solution

Proludic delivered 15 great sites using five different product ranges from their vast portfolio. Proludic Urbanix was at the forefront of this and was represented successfully in 10 of the projects. This helped achieve the 'Centre for Excellence' for outdoor provision in the north west. 

The upshot has been that now each resident of Knowsley is within a 10 minute walking distance of high quality fitness equipment. The NHS Community working group has also seen a 75% retention rate in exercises classes that they run on the sites - this is above average. 

Outcome

The upshot has been that now each resident of Knowsley is within a 10 minute walking distance of high quality fitness equipment. The NHS Community working group has also seen a 75% retention rate in exercises classes that they run on the sites - this is above average.

Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Wellbeing and Customer Services, Cllr Eddie Connor said: “Public Health has worked in partnership with the council to develop more innovative approaches to encourage people to get outdoors and get fit for free. These green gyms enable people of all ages and abilities to take getting active in scenic, outdoor locations.”