We've launched an interactive Beat the Street game on Sunderland streets

A walking, cycling, running, scooting and wheeling game with prizes for the teams that travel the furthest launched this week.

Residents of Hendon and Grangetown are being invited to join in ‘Beat the Street’, which is designed to help people build small, healthy habits that make a big difference, from getting out more and exploring local streets and green spaces.

Staff, parents & pupils of Valley Rd Primary School, representatives from Active Sunderland, Sunderland City Council, Sunderland Community Action Group, Everyone Active and Intelligent Health. | Submitted

placeholder image — Staff, parents & pupils of Valley Rd Primary School, representatives from Active Sunderland, Sunderland City Council, Sunderland Community Action Group, Everyone Active and Intelligent Health. | Submitted

The six-week game takes place from Wednesday 18 March until Wednesday 29 April.

Twenty special sensors called “Beat Boxes” have been placed on lampposts around the area for the duration of the game. By choosing to walk or cycle short journeys, residents can boost their physical and mental health.

Primary school pupils at Grangetown Primary, Hudson Road Primary and Valley Road Academy attended the launch event earlier this week. All students have received game cards and maps, plus an additional card for an accompanying adult.

However, the game is open to anyone of any age.

Players can collect a free card from the gift shop at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Back on the Map and other venues listed on the Beat the Street website - beatthestreet.me/hendongrangetown. Or any players over the age of 13 can use the free Beat the Street app to play.

How it works

Boxes have been installed in the city | Submitted

Players walk, wheel, scoot, cycle or run between the Beat Boxes which are spaced approximately half a mile apart.

Score points by hovering a fob or card over the Beat Boxes, or by using the app.

When using the app, simply open it at a Beat Box, tap the Beat Box icon on the map, slide the ‘collect’ button to start the timer, and you’ll have 60 minutes to reach the next one.

The further players travel, the more points they score for their community or school team. The first Beat Box you tap marks the start of your journey, and you’ll earn 10 points for each Beat Box you reach after that.

Get out & about

Beat the Street Hendon & Grangetown is being delivered by Intelligent Health in partnership with Sunderland City Council’s Active Sunderland. It is funded by Sunderland City Council and the National Lottery via Sport England.

Councillor Beth Jones, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council said: “It’s exciting to be launching Beat the Street in Sunderland. The game is a great way to encourage people to get out and about, make small everyday changes and explore the places around them. The game also helps people build lasting habits that support better health long after the competition ends.

“We want as many residents as possible to join in! So sign up, get your friends and family involved, and start discovering new routes and hidden corners of your community. It’s a fun, simple way to be more active and feel more connected to where you live.”

The game has been played by more than two million people in more than 180 places in the UK and beyond. Beat the Street is designed to get communities moving by helping people to make small changes, such as walking or cycling to school every day and ditching the car.

These small steps can lead to improved fitness, reduced stress and healthier lifestyles for whole communities.

More information is available at www.beatthestreet.me/hendongrangetown