Project completed as part of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) and Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Intensive Sustainable Innovation Group Scholar Programme.
Scholar: Dr Esther Tobarra-Sanchez
Background:
Nearly one in three children in CTM UHB are overweight or obese (29.3%) and this is a high rate within Wales (and noting Wales has one of the highest prevalence of obesity in the UK). lt is also important to note that CTM UHB serves an area with a high “Index of Multiple Deprivation” with limited affordability and resources.
Children who actively travel to school can meet between 25-35% of their recommended amount of physical activity per school day, and therefore, the declining figures for Active School Travel feel like a lost opportunity in this context. Also, routines established during childhood will influence adult behaviour and habits.
Aims:
The ultimate aim of this project was to encourage School Communities and the Cwm Taf Public Services Board (PSB) to introduce policies that increase “Eco-Healthy School Travel” and focus on children as leaders and facilitators of change. The task was to contribute to this delivery plan locally by:
1) collating information to create a behaviourally-informed framework for achieving the co-benefits of “Healthy and Sustainable School Travel”.
2) creating a package of multiagency practical guidance to support Schools, Local Authorities and other stakeholders to bring change through their strategic and investment decisions, better informed influencing and advocacy, enhanced partnerships and project design at a local level.
Method / Approach:
1. Literature Review; Stakeholder analysis and liaison; Field work experience; Project definition
2. Tailored writing of a “Local Multiagency Policy document"; Brief “Step by step Toolkit document” for schools with guidance to overcome obstacles and signposted tools and resources; “Charter of Commitments” for Schools and Local Authorities to encourage change; Behavioural science-informed “framework” for implementing and assessing the co-benefits of Eco-healthy School Travel initiatives.
3. Engagement Exercise – Brief questionnaire to Headteachers disseminated through Directors of Education to identify local priorities and current actions, SWOT analysis of perceptions of barriers and needs; Consultation feedback of documents from CORE GROUP. Dissemination of improved and corrected version of documents to stakeholders
Resources:
Resources produced during the scholarship aimed at the PSB and local Schools included a local framework and a proposed charter.
Summary of framework:
Eco-healthy School Travel Charter of commitments and steps
| COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP |
| Promote Active Travel to School through POLICIES and the NATIONAL CURRICULUM Mindful of teacher’s busy schedule, Healthy Sustainable Travel can be introduced in school lessons |
| Involve parents, teachers and school staff Send communications on Healthy Sustainable travel informing of benefits and asking for participation, acknowledging barriers and being respectful with drivers - suggesting “park and stride” schemes. |
| Provide Pedestrian/scooter/cycling training and give priority to active travellers on site Find support from Local Authorities or organisations such as Sustrans |
| Be inventive and organise Active Travel Promotional Activities Walking buses, Healthy Travel Day, Awards, Clubs, Walking Buddy Schemes, Safe Routes Activities, etc Identify |
| Identify a Healthy School Travel champion network Over time a network will be identified at the school – motivated students, teachers, senior staff or Council Officers could provide strategic leadership. |
| Establish routine promotion messages and monitor progress The Healthy School Travel Network group can design new activities and identify local barriers (i.e through surveys) |
| ESTABLISH AND ENABLE SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL |
| Consider the provision of improved facilities: lockers, storage, dry room Within the school’s capability |
| Safe Routes – Improved facilities for active travel - Green Corridors to school Pavements, zebra crossings, traffic lights, lighting, accessibility for visually impaired |
| Consider options for low emission school bus and improved public transport routes |
Case study report also includes: results; steps taken to ensure lasting change; how project could be spread to other contexts and next steps.
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