Behavioural change programme linked to mobile app encourages Warwick district residents to be more active while supporting the area's businesses

Residents in Warwick District can now earn rewards including high street shopping vouchers by choosing healthier and greener habits with the free Choose How You Move in Warwick District programme.

The programme is being delivered by Warwick District Council in partnership with the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) and BetterPoints – an award-winning behaviour change technology.

The programme, which is completely free to join and participate in, aims to encourage residents across the district to get active and choose a sustainable means of travel when out and about anywhere in the district - whether in their local area or when visiting and supporting the town centres.

To start earning rewards, residents need to download the BetterPoints app from the App Store or Google Play, register and join the programme.

Participants in the programme earn BetterPoints which can be converted to high street vouchers to redeem in favourite big name and independent shops, or donated to a range of charities.

The council says that this comes at a particularly important time as non-essential retail stores are welcoming back shoppers this Spring.

Users of the BetterPoints app will also benefit from a boost to their health and fitness by monitoring their levels of physical activity through the app.

Since the programme launched in January, users of the app have clocked up an impressive 3,256 miles of sustainable travel.

With more visitors to the town centres anticipated over the coming months as we progress through the roadmap, the council is encouraging people to consider alternatives that are both better for themselves and the environment, whilst being rewarded in the process.

Choose How You Move in Warwick District is being funded by the CWLEP and the district council in support of Warwick district’s hosting of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Lawn Bowls, Para Bowls and Cycling Road Race events.

The council said that the initiative complements its aims to encourage active communities, improve air quality and support town centres and the local economy.

Marcus Ferguson, business support manager at Warwick District Council, said: “The Choose How You Move in Warwick District scheme provides a unique opportunity for both visitors and businesses.

"Choosing to travel sustainably can improve your health as well as others by actively reducing emissions in the district.

“For businesses, it’s a chance to encourage customers, both old and new, to visit them after what has been a difficult year for many of them.

“It’s easy to register your business and allows you a chance to be creative in providing bespoke offers and incentives that will help encourage active travel.”

Sarah Windrum, chairwoman of the CWLEP, said: “This is a great project which the CWLEP is supporting through the government’s Local Growth Fund that shows innovation and creativity.

“Helping to build a green sustainable future by embracing new technology is one of the key action points of the CWLEP’s Strategic Reset Framework since not only does it have a positive impact on the environment but it boosts the local economy as well.”

Sue Butcher, chairwoman of Warwick Chamber of Trade, added: “This is a fantastic initiative that is sure to improve people’s overall health and wellbeing while supporting town centre businesses at such a vital time."

Businesses in the district are encouraged to visit the programme's web page to find out more about the free to join scheme and sign up to support it.

The scheme’s first Ditch the Car Star, which rewards users for swapping car trips for more sustainable travel, explained how she found the app "invigorating for the soul".

Mia, from Leamington, said: “The app was mentioned to me on one of the local community Facebook groups.

"Coming to live in a new area I wanted to start off by adopting some good habits and the challenge looked like the perfect thing to help with this, so I gave it a go.

“It has definitely helped from a mental perspective, in that it has encouraged me to get out of the house rather than being inside all day long.

"I’ve been able to see the seasonal changes of spring whilst going along the canal.

"It has proven really invigorating for the soul.”

Further information including details on how and where to download the app are available at www.warwickdc.gov.uk/chymwarwickdistrict