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CASE STUDY
Heart Foundation walking groups
The nature of our business means we
have the potential to contribute to healthy
and active communities. One of the ways
we do this is through our support of the
Heart Foundation Walking Program,
which is Australia’s largest network of free
community-based walking groups. The
program aims to improve the health of
Australians by encouraging them to take
physical exercise in the form of groupbased
walks. The groups provide a social
environment for participants to exercise,
meet friends and stay motivated.
Our partnership with the Heart Foundation
began in September 2007 when the first
Heart Foundation Walking Group was
established in the North Lakes residential
community in Queensland. This has now
expanded to include another two walking
groups in our Townsville and Rockhampton
shopping centres. There are currently
174 members in the three Stockland
walking groups and more than 200 people
have participated in Stockland walking
groups since they began.
Our retail centres provide a safe and secure
environment for the groups. The walking
groups meet several times a week and
walk several laps around our centres.
We open the centres early and arrange
for the air-conditioning and PA music to
operate for the groups. Participants are able
to walk in the comfort of air-conditioning
during the summer months, and in a
warmer and well-lit environment in winter.
These benefits remove a number of the
barriers typically associated with exercise.
Many participants find the walks provide
a great social opportunity as well as
reporting weight loss and improved health.
In April 2010 the Heart Foundation surveyed
participants (2,400 respondents) to gain
feedback on the program. The social
aspect (61.8 per cent) was rated as the
number one reason the participants enjoyed
the program. When asked what would
prevent them from walking, respondents
cited lack of motivation/commitment
(20.8 per cent) and safety (18.4 per cent)
as the two main barriers, both of which
we have addressed as part of this program.
We will examine how we can implement
this program in our other Residential and
Retail properties. We will also investigate
the potential of introducing the program into
our Retirement Living communities, given
its strong social and health benefits.
Marjorie Horne underwent a triple bypass surgery on 10 December 2009.
As part of her recovery she was encouraged to begin walking. However
living in Townsville, the hot and humid environment made this difficult.
A friend introduced Marjorie to the Stockland walking group and
three months later Marjorie was able to walk four laps of the centre.
Marjorie cited the participants as being very supportive and encouraging
of her progress, and would recommend joining the Heart Foundation
Walking program.
North Lakes, Qld
68
Stockland Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Report June 2010