Sport for Confidence walking group embraces mobile technology

A Covid Recovery walking group in Basildon, run by Sport For Confidence CIC, has adopted Street Tag a gamified healthy lifestyle app that rewards participation, keeping the group and the individuals involved engaged and motivated. 

 

The walking group, launched at the end of August 2020, meets at Basildon Sporting Village every Tuesday and completes a 4km walk around Gloucester Park. 

 

“The group was launched to support marginalised individuals recovering from the Covid-19 infection or the wider effects of Covid-19 such as social isolation or deconditioning.” explains Sport For Confidence Occupational Therapist and Session Leader, Megan Potts. “The walking group helps restore occupational balance by creating a regular opportunity to be active whilst also enjoying the company of others.” 

 

In September the group adopted Street Tag a lifestyle mobile app, available via any Apple or Android phone that invites participants to collect virtual tags as they walk. Rewards are allocated when tags are found, giving individuals a chance to accrue points and work their way up a local leaderboard. 

 

Megan adds: “ Street Tag adds a tier of interest to our walks. The group is set up as a team on the app which means we can compete against other, local teams. This creates an element of friendly competition which helps the group work together to achieve shared goal. Street Tag also rewards activity undertaken outside of the walking group which contributes towards the groups reward total. This encourages individuals to get involved in physical activity independently. 

 

The walking group is managed by Sport For Confidence and is part of the Prevention and Enablement Model (PEM) ) funded by Essex County Council Adult Social Care and Active Essex’ to prevent the worsening of medical conditions and enable independence, therefore in turn reducing costs on the health and social care services. 

 

To read more about PEM click here or, if you are interested in finding out more about the Covid Recovery walking group or Street Tag, contact Megan Potts at megan@sportforconfidence.com 

 

You can also see Megan and the group featured on BBC Look East by clicking here.