A decade of success: Celebrating 10 years of re:fresh

Members of the public, volunteers and councillors and staff from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council took part in a celebratory walk in Darwen to mark 10 years of re:fresh.

The event marked 10 years since the launch of the re:fresh scheme which aims to increase participation in physical activity supporting residents to live healthier, longer lives.

The scheme which is available to people over 16 who live, work, have a GP or are in full time education in the borough, with additional programmes of activities at weekends for children and families.

At the launch of the walk, Councillor Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, said:

The re:fresh scheme has been a great success in the borough with activity levels increasing, at it’s start, from one of the lowest in the country to above national average.

We have seen a massive increase in levels of participation with over 2.5m attendances under the scheme, over 115,000 holders of the Leisure beez Card and over 6000 volunteer hours for leisure, health and wellbeing activities. We hope the scheme can continue long into the future and benefit the long-term health of everyone in the borough.”

Walkers enjoyed a guided walk around Bold Venture Park, including the Sculpture Trail, as well as free sessions of tai chi and a slice of celebratory cake.

The re:fresh scheme aims to improve physical activity levels and engage the public with positive health messages about making better lifestyle choices and being more active. A significant part of this is achieved via additional infrastructure to support increased physical activity levels including engagement/support staff and subsidised physical activity opportunities in a range of settings.

To find out more about how you can participate in the re:fresh scheme visit the website www.refreshbwd.com or visit any of the borough’s leisure centres in Blackburn, Darwen and Witton Park.