Wellbeing for Life

On 18 February 2011, a mix of people from Newcastle City Council, the transport sector and community groups came to the Banqueting Hall at Newcastle Civic Centre to think about how we can work together to ensure “People get out and about easily” in the city.  The event was part of the work to develop Newcastle City Council’s Movement and Access Plan.  Councillor Liz Langfield, Executive Member for adult care and health, Newcastle City Council hosted the day.

The day started with a debut performance from Old Spice (a local older people’s drama group) who illustrated all the ‘equipment’ older people need to get out and about easily.  This included binoculars; a magnifying glass; trainers; a portable seat; and, finally a potty in case you are ‘caught short’.  The play delivered a serious message with a lot of humour which got the day off to a good start.

Barry Rowland, Chief Executive, Newcastle City Council then followed with a presentation to explain how “Getting out and about” and the travel choices we make have an impact on social wellbeing/inclusion; physical wellbeing; emotional wellbeing; financial wellbeing and environmental wellbeing.  Read more about why we think Getting out and about easily matters.

As part of the introductions, we also used voting pads to find out a little more about those in the room, including their views on what is most important. 

View the presentation, including the results of the voting.  

The main focus of the day was taken up with small group discussions in one of nine Travel Zones – each of which focussed on a different means of ‘Getting out and about’.  Participants worked with prepared information, including posters prepared by a range of community groups, to discuss the issue and inform their discussions about what could happen next.  Participants used stickers to link their ideas to improvements in social wellbeing/inclusion; physical wellbeing; emotional wellbeing; financial wellbeing or environmental wellbeing.

You can view the materials for each of the Travel Zones by clicking on the links below:

Getting out and about easily by bicycle

Getting out and about easily by bus

Getting out and about easily by car or motorcycle

Getting out and about easily by community transport

Getting out and about easily on foot

Getting out and about easily by metro

Getting out and about easily by specialised vehicle

Getting out and about easily by taxi

Getting out and about easily by wheelchair or electric scooter

The ideas generated from the day are being used to inform Newcastle City Council’s Movement and Access Plan.  They are also informing a Tyne and Wear-wide bid to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.  There have been other developments too – for example, the new “Use our loos” scheme should reduce the likelihood of being ‘caught short’ when out and about.

Click here for pre-event information.