Bedfordshire’s Beds Talks are a programme of community-facing events that are issues-driven and have now entered their second year.

‘Promoting young people’s health and wellbeing through physical activity’ will take place on Wednesday 29 January 2020.

Organised by the University’s Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR), the aim is to help attendees to understand more about physical activity for young people.

ISPAR is passionate about engaging the public in discussions around how we can encourage young people to engage in more physical activity to benefit their health, wellbeing and academic development.

Dr Angel Chater, Health Psychologist and Reader in Health Psychology and Behaviour Change, said: “We know that if you are physically active early in life, you are more likely to be in adulthood, but often people will experience a number of barriers that may stop them from moving more. And there are some who do not actually know how much physical activity is recommended to protect health, or indeed the impact sedentary behaviour can have, even if you are meeting physical activity guidelines. 

“ISPAR at the University of Bedfordshire is passionate about engaging young people and their families, health professionals, school staff and the wider community, in discussions around how we can encourage young people to engage in more physical activity.

“This event will highlight the benefits both physical activity and breaking up sitting time can have on health, wellbeing, relationships and academic development and will uncover the psychological, social and environmental factors that may create barriers to being physically active.  The event will conclude with examples of how to overcome these barriers in a helpful way to lead to successful behaviour change. We will offer signposting to local opportunities and a chance to speak to local providers who will be on campus.”

Our next Beds Talk is happening this month - Promoting young people’s health and wellbeing through physical activity, they are like #TedTalks, but Beds Talk! Check it out here: https://t.co/vKnBlz2rB1 #thoughtleadership #events pic.twitter.com/nAqOrfOzVg

— uniofbeds (@uniofbeds) January 9, 2020

Dr Andrew Mitchell, Head of School of Sport Science and Physical Activity, said: “We aim to deliver an exciting, cutting edge event that will help attendees understand more about physical activity for young people with a view to improving their physical and mental health and well-being.

“We will examine the current physical activity guidelines, signpost to opportunities for physical activity in the local community and share strategies for increasing physical activity in young people.

“There will be opportunities for networking between sessions, where academics, local practitioners and young people can share ideas, experiences and discuss ways in which we can work together to reduce the physical inactivity epidemic we are facing.”

Book your free place for ‘Promoting young people’s health and wellbeing through physical activity’ here.