Buckinghamshire Council has launched a mobile app to encourage residents to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Named BetterPoints Bucks, it has been developed with behaviour change technology specialist BetterPoints and works with a points system. People taking steps such as taking regular exercise, cutting down smoking to weight reduction classes are rewarded points that can be redeemed with local businesses of donated to a choice of charities and local food banks.
Announcing the launch, the council emphasised the importance of physical activity in protecting against conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and strokes.
Its cabinet member for health and wellbeing, Cllr Angela Macpherson, said: “Our new BetterPoints app gives that little bit of extra encouragement to those making lifestyle changes by rewarding them with points which can be spent or donated. It’s easy to download, and you can start earning points straight away.”
BetterPoints has worked with a number of other local authorities including Brighton and Hove, Leicestershire, Norfolk and Warwick, along with universities and third sector bodies.
