ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS ENCOURAGED TO VISIT WOODLANDS TO BENEFIT THEIR HEALTH
Ethnic minority groups are being encouraged to make use of Scotland’s woodlands and forests to benefit their health.
Forestry Commission Scotland has launched efforts to engage the BME (black and minority ethnic) community to highlight how getting active in this environment can help reduce the risks of health problems, including heart disease and diabetes.
Over recent months, the Commission has undertaken a range of activities including taking groups of people from ethnic minority backgrounds on woodland walks in Glasgow.
The efforts are part of the Commission’s Active Woods campaign which aims to help improve the nation's health and well-being by encouraging more people to enjoy activities in Scotland’s national woods and forests.
Research has shown there is a higher prevalence of heart disease and type 2 diabetes among the south Asian population. Activities such as walking briskly for a total of 30 minutes 5 days a week will help reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Hugh McNish, Health Adviser with Forestry Commission Scotland, said: “We are keen to promote the natural environment which exists in Scotland as a great place which people from all backgrounds can visit for a range of activities such as walking, cycling or wildlife watching.
"We have identified there are a number of barriers which tend to prevent people from ethnic minority backgrounds from visiting woodlands and forests, including issues over transport and lack of information.
“Over recent months, we have attempted to break down these barriers, highlighting the fantastic natural resource which, in many cases, exists on our doorsteps. The response has been positive with a number of people taking part in our organised visits expressing a willingness to explore more of Scotland’s woodlands and forests.”
A recent survey showed there were around 8 million visits per year to woodlands and forests across Scotland, but just 1% of visitors were from a non-white background.
Forestry Commission Scotland has organised a series of first time urban woodland visits to Pollok Country Park with groups of men and women from the Muslim and Hindu communities to allow them to experience first-hand the benefits of visiting this environment.
They have also organised talks to these groups, including a presentation to a Sikh youth group, highlighting the accessibility of woodlands and forests across Scotland and the range of activities which people can enjoy.
The Commission plan to build on these steps by taking people from south Asian backgrounds on a walk to the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Stirlingshire in August.
Commenting on the Commission’s efforts, Dr Mohammed Iqbal Anwar, Project Manager of the Muslim Day Care Centre, Glasgow Central Mosque, who attended one of the organised walks, said: "We fully support the efforts being made by Forestry Commission Scotland to engage with ethnic minority groups.
"The visit was a wonderful experience for everyone involved and a great way to educate people on how they can connect with this natural environment and benefit their health through undertaking activities such as walking.
"We look forward to continuing to work with the Commission to encourage further people from ethnic minority backgrounds to access Scotland's natural woods and forests."
For more information about the Forestry Commission Scotland’s Active Woods campaign log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government’s forestry department and is the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Scotland. Each year, around 8 million people visit its forests and woodlands.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland, press office, 0131 314 6508
Hugh McNish, Forestry Commission Scotland, 01698 368555
e-mail: steve.williams@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |