Consultation on Physical Activity in Wandsworth
Strategy, which supports and encourages people to keep physically and mentally healthy through
physical activity.
Classes that are shorter (e.g. 30 minutes) and low cost. Can attend as a one-off as opposed to
having to sign up for a set number of weeks.
What we did
Recognising how important it is for local people to be able to keep active, we undertook a consultation to explore what helps them to keep active or what prevents them from being active.
We wanted to use their feedback to make sure that they have a say in how the Active Wandsworth Strategy supports local people who want to stay physically active.
The surveys were promoted on social media and our website as well as taken to local outreach events.
Key Findings
Motivation and mental health
- Young people aren’t active outside of PE which makes it difficult to develop an active lifestyle as an adult.
- Social exercise may help promote good activities.
Physical or mental health barriers
- Physical challenges and mental anxiety prevent people from participating.
Lifestyle
- People find it difficult to find the time or the space to fit in physical activity, in their daily lives.
General themes and observations
Motivation and mental health
- Many people reported lower levels of activity and low motivation, particularly amongst young people.
- To ensure physical activity in later life, it would be important for young people to develop lifestyle choices and routines that ensure motivation and a proactive approach to physical activity.
- Make sure that respondents focus on mental health as well as physical health because the two are so closely linked.
- Keeping motivated and the social interaction between people could be the focus of any future services.
Physical or mental health barriers
- Encouraging people and giving them information about appropriate physical activity for their specific needs and concerns could give people confidence and put them at ease.
- Health and care professionals should be kept informed of opportunities for physical activity and encouraged to promote it as part of the health management strategies.
Lifestyle barriers
- Not enough time to access facilities.
- Options that are flexible and low-cost, or free to take part in, might help address these kind of lifestyle barriers.
Downloads
If you need this report in a different format, please e mail
enquiries@healthwatchwandsworth.co.uk or call 020 8516 7767
