Sports leader encourages Fifers to walk and talk during lockdown

Alice Fox, a former Beath High School pupil, has been a member of sportscotland’s Young People’s Sport Panel (YPSP) since June 2018.

The panel is currently in its fourth two-year cycle and Alice has already made great strides in ensuring the voice of young people is part of the sporting conversation across Scotland.

With SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) the panel have created the Walk and Talk campaign as part of sportscotland’s ‘We’re Here’ campaign, which SAMH is supporting, promoting the benefits that physical activity has on mental health.

Walk and Talk is encouraging people set a time for a walk and talk phone call with a friend, family member, colleague or teammate.

Each person takes a photo while on their walk and shares it on social media using the hashtag #WeAreHere and tags @sportscotland and @SAMHtweets.

The campaign was launched during Mental Health Awareness Week but will continue while restrictions are in place in Scotland.

Keeping the body and mind active is crucial to our overall health, and Alice says staying connected with others is also important during a challenged time for us all.

“Our Walk and Talk initiative is really simple yet so effective,” she said.

“Being active and spending time outside has always been beneficial to our physical and mental wellbeing.

“However, it is more important than ever during this crisis.

“These uncertain times are affecting everyone, albeit in different ways, so for that reason it is so important we remain connected with our friends and loved ones.”

Established by sportscotland and supported by Young Scot and the National Lottery, YPSP provides a national platform for the voices of young people to be heard and valued in the sporting system. Crucial to the programme is that panel members have the opportunity to influence decision making and drive change in Scottish sport.

The YPSP is part of sportscotland’s commitment to provide a legacy of confident, well-trained young people who will become the next generation of leaders to take the sporting system forward.