As Salford’s largest trade union branch, we see our role as advocating for our members inside and outside the workplace.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that barriers to health and wellbeing are linked to structural inequalities like poverty, racism etc. and from the conversations we have with members we feel these same barriers are holding people back from engaging in beneficial activities.
The physical health benefits of keeping active whether through walking, cycling, running, gardening or more structured forms of exercise such as playing sports or going to the gym are numerous. It is also now proven that there are mental wellbeing links in that our mood and outlook can be improved by keeping active and physical activity can be used to help treat depression and anxiety.
Pre-pandemic, the number of adults whose physical activity levels met government guidelines in Salford had improved to some of the highest levels in GM/The North West. However, similar to other indicators relating to inequality, there is an activity gap whereby certain adult populations are much more likely to do no physical activity at all. These include:-
- Those living in the most socially deprived areas of the city
- People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities
- Women
- Older people
- Disabled people
- Those with additional needs (such as autism or learning difficulties)
As well as the adult populations listed above who experience inequality via the activity gap, data shows that not enough Salford children and young people are physically active and this tends to match with both childhood obesity levels and deprivation data.
Those living, working and growing up in Salford being able to keep active is absolutely crucial to our city’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. So that we can contribute to the refresh of the Salford Physical Activity Framework, we want to hear from our members concerning the opportunities and barriers to keeping active in the city. So, we would really appreciate it if you could answer the following questions relating to both yourself, your family and friends and the communities listed earlier.
There are only three questions, so it shouldn’t take longer than ten minutes. Please complete by Friday 28th May.
To access the survey go to https://surveyhero.com/c/SalfordActivity