Bounts to reward adults in Liverpool for being physically active

LIVERPOOL City Council, in partnership with the Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has agreed a ground breaking new contract with bounts, the revolutionary healthy lifestyle and rewards company, who will provide a series of challenges, prize draws and rewards to encourage people in Liverpool to be more physically active.

According to Sport England data, some 63% of adults (16+) are not participating in 30 minutes of sport and active recreation on at least one day per week and the negative effect on health and well being is significant.

The bounts scheme launches in Liverpool, on Tuesday, 1 November 2016, and people can download the app with a special referral code 'FitforMeLpool.' By tracking activity through the app, people can earn points which can be exchanged for high street vouchers alongside other offers and competitions. As a result of partnership work with bounts, the Liverpool scheme features special rewards.

On Monday, 7 November 2016, a special Challenge will launch, enabling people living and working in Liverpool to enter a Prize Draw to win some great prizes such as high street shopping vouchers, family days out and weekend breaks. People can use this link to get downloads.

The bounts appoffers an evidence based incentive to encourage mass participation amongst adults aged 16+ in physical activity across Liverpool. Through technology, the scheme is able to track frequency of activity and provide real incentive and rewards, with participants earning entries into the 'bounts Liverpool Prize Draw' points which can be exchanged for high street vouchers alongside other offers and competitions.

The target is to attract Liverpool residents aged 16+ within the 1st few months of launch and to continually attract new participants throughout the duration of the scheme.

The scheme is being supported by the City's 'Fit for Me' campaign, which aims to inspire people to be more physically active.

Bounts aims to:-

Encourage participants to be more physically active by finding simple things to do like walking more, taking the stairs instead of the lift or finding active ways to spend the weekend with the kids. To encourage people to make physical activity part of their everyday life and utilise local spaces e.g. parks, streets, community facilities etc.

Promoting key Fit for Me campaign messages such as:-

► Anyone can join in.

► Being active is good for you and can improve your everyday life.

► Being active can be whatever you want it to be.

Promote the benefits of being physically active such as:-

► Being active is good for you and can improve your everyday life.

► Even small changes can give you more energy, make you feel less tired and stressed, lift your mood, help you to sleep better and boost your confidence; as well as helping to protect you from serious illnesses such as heart disease and dementia.

► Connect participants to a wide range of physical activity and sports opportunities available locally.

► Measure participation at specific locations such as parks, open spaces and community facilities.

► Enable people with varying needs and wants, particularly those who are inactive and / or moderately active, and those with additional needs to access and benefit from the scheme.

► Assess the impact of the scheme in terms of increased participation, wellbeing and economic benefits.

The bounts team will be responsible for:-

► Creating and managing a series of challenges and events to inspire people to be more physically active.

► Running a series of mass participation challenges to promote walking at least 1,000 steps/tracking 10 minutes of activity offering rewards to participate.

► Targeting messages to the inactive and moderately active; to encourage them to be more active

► Reward people who are already active.

► Working with existing physical activity and sport providers to promote the scheme to members and service users.

► Running a series of online competitions where entry is gained through earning points from activity.

Councillor Tim Beaumont, Mayoral Lead for Healthy Living, said:- "We are committed to helping the adult population of Liverpool become healthier and fitter and so we are excited to announce the scheme with bounts.  It allows us to reward people to become a bit more active, which will have a positive and long term benefit to their health, but it also allows us to measure the success of the scheme in ways we have not been able to do in the past; this is what is revolutionary."

Carly Wills has been using bounts since the summer. She said:- "I found the sign up process really easy. I was recommended bounts from a friend who knew I was very active. Linking my Fitbit to bounts was very easy to do. I've had several vouchers and love the app."

Dr Maurice Smith, GP at Mather Avenue surgery in Allerton and Healthy Liverpool's 'Living Well' clinical lead said:- "We are delighted to have partnered with bounts to further promote and encourage the people of Liverpool to be more active.  Along with other incentives as part of Fit For Me, we hope that the City will continue to embrace our campaign and increase the amount of physical activity they take part in. It's not just about running marathons or going to the gym, just 10 minutes more activity really can make the difference to your health and wellbeing."

Merseyrail goes bananas with a fruity surprise for its passengers

MERSEYRAIL has announced plans to give away free fruit to passengers. The train operators will give away free fruit to commuters every Monday over the next 12 months. The scheme is being piloted at Liverpool Central Station, before being rolled out to Southport Station.  Nicky Chang, Station Manager Liverpool Central, from Merseyrail, said:- "I'm a commuter myself and sometimes getting my 5 a day is the last thing on my mind on a busy Monday morning. Now our passengers can pick up some free fruit when they buy their ticket or their essentials, so there really is no excuse. Free Fruit Mondays is part of our commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our passengers."  The free fruit will be available to pick up from special stands at M2Go outlets at the participating stations every Monday. Passengers must buy a ticket, or show their travel passes, or make another purchase at M2Go in order to qualify for the free fruit giveaway.  Merseyrail is the latest organisation to join the growing trend for providing free fruit. In July, Tesco hit the headlines after announcing it would give free fruit to children while parents did their shopping.  And #FreeFruitFriday is a global phenomenon which encourages businesses and organisations to give away free fruit every week.