Recommended indicators for access and health related initiatives

The recommended question is:  “How would you rate the provision of woodland recreation opportunities in your local area?”

Scale 1-5 
1:very good, 2:good, 3:fair, 4:poor, 5:very poor, plus no experience/don't know.

It may be interesting to compare this to the opinion of recreation opportunities across Scotland by also asking: “How would you rate the provision of woodland recreation opportunities in Scotland?”

Scale 1-5
1:very good, 2:good, 3:fair, 4:poor, 5:very poor, plus no experience/don't know.

Apart from the time of year there is evidence that the manner in which the question is asked has a significant impact on the answers.  Ideally use exactly the same methodology for baseline and post-intervention measurements.

Make sure you ask enough people to have a representative sample from your target population and to show up statistically significant changes.

This is one of the questions in the Scottish Public Opinion of Forestry Survey.  It is therefore possible to compare your results with the general population, noting the quality control comments above. 

The Scottish Public Opinion of Forestry Survey is a set of questions in an omnibus survey of the Scottish population.  A detailed report of the survey of the is available.

% of people who indicated in a survey of the target population that they used a woodland, forest or tree-covered park for exercise at least twice per week in the last four weeks.

Two questions from a survey of the target population are combined to provide this figure:

Question A: In the past four weeks have you made use of any of the places listed below for any physical activities for example for walking, cycling, or doing any sports?

1   A woodland, forest or tree covered park
2   An open space or park
3   Country paths (not on tarmac)
4   A beach/sea shore/loch/river or canal
5   Sports fields or outdoor courts (eg tennis, 5-a-side)
6   A swimming pool
7   A gym or sports centre
8   Pavements or streets in your local area
9   Your home
10  Somewhere else
11  No - not used any of these

Question B.  How often in the past 4 weeks have you made use of (name of place) for physical activity?

1   Every day
2   4-6 days a week
3   2-3 days a week
4   Once a week
5   2-3 times in the last 4 weeks
6   Once in the last 4 weeks
7   Varies too much to say

Those that choose both option 1 from question A and options 1, 2, or 3 from question B count towards the %. 

Apart from the time of year there is evidence that the manner in which the question is asked has a significant impact on the answers.  Ideally use exactly the same methodology for baseline and post-intervention measurements.

Make sure you ask enough people to have a representative sample from your target population and to show up statistically significant changes

These questions will be included in the Scottish Health Survey.  This is a national survey run by the Scottish Government providing a detailed picture of the health of the Scottish population in private households.  It is designed to make a major contribution to the monitoring of health in Scotland.  Further details at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/scottish-health-survey.

The first survey containing the relevant questions will be run in 2008, with data available in summer 2009.  It will be annual thereafter.  Once data are available it will be possible to compare results for your target population with those of the general population from the Scottish Health Survey noting the comments on quality control above.