Beat the Street Merton has come to an end after six weeks, which saw more than 22,500 people – or 10% of the local population – competing to walk, cycle and wheel the furthest. The borough-wide physical activity game clocked up 250,636 active travel miles – more than the distance from Merton to the moon.
A total of 46 schools took part, along with 30 community groups with 42% of players aged 11 or under. Data on the game also reveals that it has encouraged people to do more, with 38% of players saying they were previously physically inactive.
Beat the Street is a free, interactive game that encourages people of all ages to make physical activity part of their everyday lives, rewarding teams with points and prizes the further they travel on foot, by bike and by scooter.
The game launched the Actively Merton programme, which supports people to be more physically and socially active, delivered in a way that residents want. Players will now receive a post-game survey to measure its impact. An ongoing programme of engaging activities, building on the success of Beat the Street, will follow over the coming months.
It’s been a terrific six weeks, as we’ve watched Merton residents rise to the challenge of Beat the Street.”
Top scorers in the game include the Mayor of Merton’s charities: the Dons Local Action Group now receives £300 for coming first on the charity teams leaderboard with runner-up, the Jimmy Asher Foundation awarded £200.
Mark Creelman, place executive for Merton and Wandsworth, NHS South West London said: “It’s been a terrific six weeks, as we’ve watched Merton residents rise to the challenge of Beat the Street. Now we’re looking forward to the next phase of the project where we’ll work with local stakeholders and community groups to continue to encourage people to be physically activity every day.”
An amazing 38% of players said that before taking part in Beat the Street they were physically inactive.”
Councillor Peter McCabe, Merton Council’s cabinet member for health and social care, said: “I have really enjoyed taking part in Beat the Street, and so have my family, friends and fellow councillors. An amazing 38% of players said that before taking part in Beat the Street they were physically inactive, so I’m really looking forward to seeing us build on this initiative to make our whole community healthier and happier.”
Beat the Street was commissioned by Merton Council and NHS South West London with support from the National Lottery via Sport England. It is delivered by Intelligent Health.
A celebration and prize-giving event is taking place in the Platinum Suite of AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium.