• Launch of the Girlington GreenLine Mile

    Well Bradford is pleased to announce the launch of the Girlington GreenLine Mile at West Park, Girlington, on Thursday 15 August, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, when the Lord Mayor will be officially opening the mile long walking and running loop.

    All members of the local community are invited to come down on the day and join Well Bradford on the walking part of the Girlington GreenLine Mile.

    Well Bradford is a community health programme hosted by Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to re-energise and reconnect links between our hospitals and the wider community

    The route is set out by distinctive green markers and map signs are displayed within the park. This accessible route encourages local schools, community groups and residents to get involved.

    Bradford was the first city in the country to have a GreenLine Mile, part of a national scheme to encourage people to be more active, and the Girlington route will be the sixth to be created in the district.

    Well Bradford joined forces with Bradford Council to develop the Girlington GreenLine Mile with the shared aim of increasing physical activity levels for the local people of all ages and improving overall wellbeing.

    Active Green Walking has benefits that can be seen in individual people and the community, paving the way for:

    • communities to develop new relationships while using the Greenline Mile
    • social activities that improves mental wellbeing and physical health
    • the ownership and responsibility of health within community.

    The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Doreen Lee, said: “I am keen to open this new GreenLine Mile route and see it for myself. It is a great new feature that anyone in the community can use for free without the need for any specialist equipment.

    “It’s great to see so many organisations like the schools, church, care home and local gym looking to make best use of it already.”

    Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for healthy people and places, said: “Providing facilities like the GreenLine Mile will enable families and communities in the area to improve their own health and making more use of their local area.

    “Everyone and anyone can benefit from exercise but some people are unsure how to get started and what is suitable for them. This route offers them a starting point to get active, offering a clear route around a measured mile whether they want to walk, jog, run or scoot.”

    Well Bradford works across Holmewood, Girlington and Keighley improving people’s health and wellbeing through community-based projects which local people feel proud of and have a sense of ownership over. Over the last 18 months it has consulted with the local community in designing the route, involving GP surgeries, schools, social prescribing links, local walking groups, residents, community groups and organisations.

    Well Bradford Programme Director, Zulfiqar Karim, said: “Our goal is to enable a culture of collaborative working, providing local communities with the support and resources needed to empower them to take ownership of their environment and wellbeing. Through developing the Girlington GreenLine Mile we are supporting and encouraging a more dynamic community where people can feel a sense of connection to their environment.”

    If you would like to find out more and how you can use the GreenLine Mile, please contact Stephanie.smith2@bthft.nhs.uk.

    For more information on the six routes visit: https://www.bradford.gov.uk/greenlinemile.

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    Web: https://www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk/well-bradford/