TACKLING HEALTH INEQUALITIES THROUGH ACTIVE COMMUNITIES IN LEAMINGTON

Leamington's diverse socio-economic landscape, marked by deprivation in both the North and South, has led to significant health inequalities, particularly in terms of mental and physical health. This programme focuses on improving health outcomes through accessible community physical activity groups, such as walking, swimming, and parkrun events. These programs provide opportunities for individuals in deprived areas to engage in physical activity while addressing mental health challenges, social isolation, and lifestyle barriers. The results have shown improvements in confidence, physical health, and mental well-being. 

Why change was needed

Leamington, like many towns in England, experiences significant deprivation, especially in the North and South areas. These socio-economic differences correlate directly with poor health outcomes, including lower life expectancy and higher incidences of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. According to Public Health England, the gap in life expectancy can be attributed to excess deaths from these conditions, compounded by higher rates of behavioural risk factors and mental health issues in deprived communities. Social isolation further heightens health challenges, acting as an independent risk factor for chronic health conditions.

Fitness organisations often fail to reach marginalised communities due to accessibility issues and a lack of inclusivity, which means that those who could benefit most from physical activity are excluded. Research shows that increasing physical activity in these populations could significantly reduce sedentary behaviours and improve both mental and physical health outcomes. In response, this initiative recognised the need to create accessible, community-driven physical activity groups tailored to the needs of individuals facing socio-economic challenges. These groups aim to dismantle barriers to physical activity and provide mental health support in a safe, welcoming environment.

What we did 

To address health inequalities, a range of physical activity programs designed to be accessible to individuals from deprived backgrounds were launched. These included:

• Walk Talk Walk/Run Talk Run groups: Held on Monday evenings in North Leamington and Thursday mornings in South Leamington, these groups encourage participants to engage in physical activity while addressing mental health and social isolation. The initiative combines walking or running with community support, offering a progressive pathway from walking to running 5km.
• Swim Together initiative: Recognising that some patients find walking difficult due to pain or joint issues, a partnership with organisations like Mental Health Swims and Swim England was formed to provide free swimming sessions. This alternative has been well-received, providing participants with a low-impact exercise option.
• Leamington parkrun: Patient involvement in the local parkrun events was facilitated, with opportunities for volunteering, spectating, walking, or jogging. This helped to build a sense of community and achievement among participants.

The groups are led by trained professionals, including GPs, social prescribers, and health coaches, ensuring both physical activity and mental health support. Feedback collected from 142 patients attending our lifestyle clinics showed positive outcomes:

• 90.2% of participants reported a positive impact on their physical health, with 78% feeling more confident about making lifestyle changes.
• 98% reported that the sessions had a positive impact on their mental health, with an average increase of 4 points in life satisfaction and happiness.
• 85% of participants formed social connections, continuing to meet outside of group activities.

This approach aligns with national strategies to promote physical activity and tackle health inequalities.

What’s next? 

The next steps include expanding these community initiatives and exploring further collaborations to provide more diverse opportunities for physical activity. One-to-one health coaching will also continue to be offered to support ongoing behaviour changes. Additionally, efforts will be made to strengthen partnerships with local organisations and integrate more community-driven health programs to sustain long-term benefits.