Intelligent Health has seen the largest launch to any Beat the Street initiative so far following more than 25,000 people picking up a card and taking part in East Sussex in just one week.
More than 25,000 people have walked and cycled 48,000 miles in just seven days for Beat the Street — a physical activity initiative which challenges people to see how far they can travel in neighbourhoods across East Sussex in return for points and prizes.
Taking place until 26 July, Beat the Street East Sussex is Intelligent Health’s largest project so far — covering a region of more than 700 square miles. The response to Beat the Street within the first week has been incredible with thousands of people visiting their local library or leisure centre to collect a card and get involved.
Rhona Drever from East Sussex Libraries and Information service said: “We have been completely overwhelmed in the past week with people coming in to libraries to pick up a card so they can play Beat the Street. From the conversations we have been having with visitors it is clear that the game has captured the excitement of everyone living in East Sussex.”
Beat the Street is funded by NHS Hastings and Rother CCG, NHS Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford CCG and East Sussex Public Health. It forms part of a comprehensive programme of activity to improve health through East Sussex Better Together; and as part of Connecting 4 You in the west of the county.
Victoria Spencer — Hughes, Consultant in Public Health, said: “Beat the Street has got off to a fantastic start in East Sussex. We’re delighted to see so many people taking part by walking, running and cycling around their local community in the largest Beat the Street game in England so far!”
Dr Martin Writer, chair of NHS Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford CCG, said: “Increasing the amount of physical activity in our daily life is extremely important for maintaining and improving our health and wellbeing. Therefore, it’s brilliant to see so many people getting involved in Beat the Street individually or working as a team.”
Dr William Bird, CEO and Founder of Intelligent Health, said: “We knew our initiative in East Sussex was ambitious with the game encompassing a variety of towns, villages and communities. To see more than 25,000 people sign up within the first week and thousands more joining each day is nothing short of incredible.
“Over the coming weeks, thousands of people in East Sussex will explore parts of their county or their neighbourhoods they have never visited, spend more time with friends and family and make significant changes to their physical activity levels which will be sustained long into the future.”
