Whitehead residents sought for QUB study

Sara Ferguson is conducting the research in the rural area as part of a PhD in Planning and Public Health.

Sara explained: “Most of these studies on physical activity, such as the Park Study in Belfast, are conducted in urban areas and there hasn’t been much research into physical activity in the countryside.

“The purpose of this survey is to find out what encourages - or discourages- people to take part in physical activities such as walking in rural areas.”

The study in Whitehead forms part of the first phase of the overall project, which will involve gathering photographic evidence.

Any residents aged between 18 and 64 who take regular exercise around the village of Whitehead, particularly in the Diamond Jubilee Wood or Blackhead Path areas, are invited to participate in the project.

“Anyone who takes part will be provided with a camera for a week and they’ll be asked to take pictures when they’re out walking,” added Sara, from Co Tyrone.

“For example, a person may be out and be discouraged from going down a certain route because there’s no footpath along it, so I’d ask them to take a photograph of that.

“The cameras will then be collected up again and there’ll be an opportunity to discuss the pictures that were taken with me.”

The study and discussion sessions are expected to take place over the month of September.

If you are interested in participating in the study, Sara can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 07843 909 481.