ICS partner launches innovative interactive game to encourage exercise

A popular interactive game that makes exercise fun is set to launch in villages and communities across Bath and North East Somerset.

The Beat the Street game has been created by GP Dr William Bird to encourage people to explore their local areas and to make exercise fun.  It has been played by more than 1.6 million people in more than 120 locations in the UK and has successfully increased levels of physical activity among adults and children.

The game is open to anyone of any age who would like to take part and gets underway in the Somer Valley area of BaNES from Wednesday, 17 May until Wednesday, 28 June. 

Children use a card and map which will be provided by participating primary schools, and adults can pick up a free card from one of the distribution points listed on the Beat the Street Somer Valley  website at www.beatthestreet.me/somervalley

Alternatively, players over the age of 13 can download the free Beat the Street app to play the game with their phone.

There are prizes for the teams that walk, cycle or wheel the furthest with vouchers for books and sports equipment on offer. There is also a leaderboard for individuals, as well as a total points leaderboard and an average leaderboard so opportunities for teams of all sizes to win prizes.

Beat the Street Somer Valley is delivered by Intelligent Health and has been commissioned by The Active Way. The Active Way is led by Bath & North East Somerset Council and funded by Active Travel England. Additional funding has been provided by the National Lottery via Sport England.

Rebecca Reynolds, Director of Public Health at BaNES Council said: “The Beat the Street game has been played nearby in Somerset and has been extremely successful in terms of encouraging people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to get active as a community. We can’t wait to see how many miles people clock up.”

“It’s free to take part in Beat the Street and it’s open to everyone regardless of age, ability or background. It’s an inclusive and compelling game that encourages you to exercise in a fun way with friends and family, plus it’s a great way of getting to know your local area.

More information will be available at www.beatthestreet.me/Somervalley and on social media at @BTSSomerValley