14
1 The Physical Activity and Nutrition Networks for Wales quarterly newsletter for community food and physical activity initiatives in Wales Bitesize February 2011 | Issue 30 The photograph was taken by Torfaen’s corporate photographer, Adrian Reilly. In the photograph from L to R are: Helen Watkins (Appetite for Life Development Worker), Adrian Davies (Building Cleaning Supervisor), Oakley Scott (Winner), Tracy James (Senior Operations Manager), Audrey Cureton (Building Cleaning Supervisor) and Donna Harper (Schools Catering Manager). In Spring 2010, the campaign ‘On the buses’ was aimed at raising the profile of Appetite for Life in Torfaen. The team invited all the comprehensive schools in Torfaen to come up with a healthy eating slogan and help design a poster that could be displayed on the sides of the buses that run through Torfaen. This campaign has since been entered for the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) marketing award. The posters featured children from the local comprehensive schools enjoying different types of fruit and vegetables. As a spin off from this campaign, the team engaged Torfaen primary pupils in naming the fruits and vegetables. There was an excellent response with about 2,800 entries which is over half the children who normally stay for school lunch. The entries were judged by the Torfaen Schools Catering and Appetite for Life teams. There were five winning entries: Emily Davies, Ysgol Gymraeg – Belle Banana Oakley Scott, Greenmeadow Primary School – Little Pips (a strawberry) Olivia Read, Croesyceiliog Primary School – Bradley Broccoli Evan Palmer, Llanyrafon Primary School – Calvin Carrot Ellie Jones, Reception Padre Pio R.C. Primary School – Polly Plum Torfaen Name the Fruit and Vegetable Character Campaign – continued on page 2

Bitesize - Wales

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    8

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: Bitesize - Wales

1

The Physical Activity and Nutrition Networks for Walesquarterly newsletter for community food and physical activity initiatives in Wales Bitesize

February 2011 | Issue 30

The photograph was taken by Torfaen’s corporate photographer, Adrian Reilly. In the photograph from L to R are: Helen Watkins (Appetite for Life Development Worker), Adrian Davies (Building Cleaning Supervisor), Oakley Scott (Winner), Tracy James (Senior Operations Manager), Audrey Cureton (Building Cleaning Supervisor) and Donna Harper (Schools Catering Manager).

In Spring 2010, the campaign ‘On the buses’ was aimed at raising the profile of Appetite for Life in Torfaen. The team invited all the comprehensive schools in Torfaen to come up with a healthy eating slogan and help design a poster that could be displayed on the sides of the buses

that run through Torfaen. This campaign has since been entered for the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) marketing award.

The posters featured children from the local comprehensive schools enjoying different types of fruit and vegetables. As a spin off from this campaign, the team engaged Torfaen primary pupils in naming the fruits and vegetables. There was an excellent response with about 2,800 entries which is over half the children who normally stay for school lunch.

The entries were judged by the Torfaen Schools Catering and Appetite for Life teams. There were five winning entries:

Emily Davies, Ysgol Gymraeg – Belle Banana

Oakley Scott, Greenmeadow Primary School – Little Pips (a strawberry)

Olivia Read, Croesyceiliog Primary School – Bradley Broccoli

Evan Palmer, Llanyrafon Primary School – Calvin Carrot

Ellie Jones, Reception Padre Pio R.C. Primary School – Polly Plum

Torfaen Name the Fruit and Vegetable Character Campaign

– continued on page 2

Page 2: Bitesize - Wales

2

Food for Thought

Results of the Welsh National Exercise Referral Scheme Evaluation AnnouncedThe National Exercise Referral Scheme has proved to be cost-effective following a major evaluation undertaken by Cardiff and Bangor universities.

The Welsh National Exercise Referral Scheme is a Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) funded scheme which has been developed over the last five years to standardise exercise referral opportunities across all twenty-two Local Authorities and targets clients who are at risk of developing chronic disease. The scheme enables GPs and other health professionals to refer patients at risk of chronic disease to a structured exercise programme that will help them to improve their health.

Patients at risk of illnesses such as heart disease or those with mental health issues have access to a 16-week programme, where they can train with a fully qualified exercise professional who provides advice and support on becoming more active.

Patients can take part in a variety of activities such as walking, circuits, aquafit classes and structured gym sessions. Participants are monitored for a year with progress checks made by exercise professionals at four weeks, sixteen weeks, eight months and twelve months.

The evaluation was undertaken by Cardiff Institute for Society and Health, Cardiff University, with the economic evaluation being completed by the Centre for Health Economics, Bangor University. The main findings in the evaluation were:

• All participants in the scheme had higher levels of physical activity than those in the control group, with

this difference being significant for those patients referred for coronary heart disease risk factors.

• There were positive effects on depression and anxiety, particularly in those referred wholly or partially for mental health reasons.

• Overall, 44% of patients completed the Exercise Referral Scheme which compares favourably with other evaluated schemes.

• Greater effects were observed in those patients that completed the course than in those who attended only partially or not at all.

• The economic evaluation demonstrated that it is within the NICE threshold for cost effectiveness, and for those who adhere to the full programme the scheme is likely to be marginally cost saving.

A copy of the evaluation can be accessed athttp://wales.gov.uk/about/aboutresearch/social/latestresearch/?lang=en.

Since the implementation of the evaluation, the scheme has been expanded to incorporate exercise opportunities for patients with chronic disease and the scheme is able provide opportunities for patients with coronary heart disease, respiratory disease, at risk of falls and lower back pain. Training is currently being carried out and some areas now provide opportunities for patients who have had strokes.

Further information can be obtained from the National Co-ordinator, Jeannie Wyatt Williams by contacting her at [email protected].

Some colleagues were ‘press ganged’ to dress up as a fruit or vegetable to come to present the prizes at the various school canteens/assembly halls. In these costumes the healthy eating messages were putting over in a fun way. The fruit and vegetable characters told the children their names and whether they liked

to be eaten raw or cooked. Because the response from the children was so positive, the staff dressed up had a really good time too. The five prizes were Wii Sports Resort Consoles just in time for Christmas! For more information please contact Helen Watkins on 01633 648013.

Torfaen Name the Fruit and Vegetable Character Campaign – continued from page 1

Page 3: Bitesize - Wales

3

New Gym at Pontypridd YMCA A new community gym at Pontypridd YMCA’s was officially launched before Christmas by sprinter Darren Campbell.

Tones Fitness Suite is based in a refurbished room at the YMCA building in Pontypridd. It offers a range of cardiovascular and resistance gym equipment, with supervision from a gym instructor.

Sport Wales supported the refurbishment of the gym and changing rooms with an investment of £30,000. The gym is the product of partnership working between the Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC, YMCA and Sport Wales; the Local Authority providing equipment and staff support for the initial six months, the YMCA the venue and overall management while Sport Wales awarded a grant to pay for the conversion of the area to get it started.

Branwen Dickson from Sport Wales said, “It’s a good example of a partnership project where the public and voluntary sectors are providing a new facility which offers doorstep opportunities for physical activity to the local community. It’s great to see the results

of the investment from all involved. The gym has a friendly approachable atmosphere and membership is growing on target.”

Pontypridd YMCA has worked with children, young people, and the local community for almost 100 years. For more information, please call the YMCA on 01443 402541 or email [email protected].

Deafblind Cymru hold a monthly peer support group in Maes Yr Haf Centre, Trealaw, Rhondda. In October the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in Cwm Taf Health Board, was invited to attend and talk about nutrition and healthy eating.

The group were given handy tips and advice to stay healthy and look after their wellbeing, by Emma Wilkins, Dietetic Support Worker. They fed back that they especially enjoyed learning about the Food Standards Agency’s Eatwell plate and working together to decide what foods are in which food groups. They were surprised by some of the results!

Often people with sight and hearing loss have difficulty accessing information. By having a guest speaker to attend their sessions individuals are given the opportunity to meet new people, support one another, share their experiences, find out more about local services and activities and learn new skills.

If you would like more information about the Deafblind Cymru group please contact Nerys Probert, Group Co-ordinator on 029 2060 1472 or e-mail [email protected].

Cwm Taf Health Board Department of Nutrition and Dietetics links with Deafblind Cymru

Photo copyright: Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC

Page 4: Bitesize - Wales

4

Connecting Classrooms Recipe Book – Clydach Junior SchoolClydach Junior School began a three year British Council Connecting Classrooms project in 2008 with Swansea partners Brynhyfryd Junior and Gowerton Primary Schools. The Connecting Classrooms programme builds lasting partnerships between schools in the UK and others around the world. Through these partnerships, the programme develops trust and understanding between young people in different societies, creating a safer and more connected world for the future.

Headteacher Rhian Thomas attended a contact seminar in Ghana that resulted in three partner schools from Bloemfontein in South Africa and three partner schools from Kisumu in Kenya.

Since 2008 the project has involved exchange visits and a range of joint work in school. As well as a regular exchange of letters and emails, pupils have learned about each others’ countries, exchanged ideas for traditional songs and dances, and produced a joint calendar.

Pupils in the Swansea schools were intrigued to learn what pupils in township schools have for lunch. When

the pupils learnt about pap, a type of porridge made from maize meal, it made them realise how much nicer and more varied our school lunches area.

The current project of the school partnership is a joint recipe book. Each of the nine schools involved is providing traditional recipes to be included in the book. The selection of recipes at Clydach Junior School has been Glamorgan sausages (starter), Carmarthenshire ham and potatoes (main course), Monmouth Pudding (dessert) and Bara Brith (baking).

Pupils who attend our weekly after school Cookery Club cooked all the recipes and thoroughly enjoyed doing so. Eunice School in South Africa has agreed to collate all the recipes and to make the recipe book.

The school believes that the Connecting Classroom project to has broadened the horizons of both staff and pupils and has been great for developing global citizenship.

For more information contact Rhian Thomas, Clydach Junior School on [email protected].

A feasibility study into innovative business models to provide Meals on Wheels delivery services has identified an opportunity in rural Mid Wales for a new social enterprise supporting local food producers.

The inspiration for the project came from a best practice visit to a shopping and home delivery service run as a social enterprise in Scotland, the Dumfries and Galloway Food Train.

The Powys Food Train project was funded by Glasu, a rural regeneration initiative in Powys, under the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2008-2013, financed by the European Union and Welsh Assembly Government.

Research was conducted by Mid Wales Food and Land Trust to review the current Meals on Wheels service in

Powys. They found there was considerable unmet demand from vulnerable people who were not considered sufficiently at risk to be eligible for the existing provision. Others were using the service sometimes because they were unable to shop for groceries rather than unable to make their own meals.

Mid Wales Food and Land Trust are persuaded that an economically viable business opportunity exists for a social enterprise established to provide freshly-cooked meals, based upon local food sourcing. They are looking at potential business premises and funding for 2011. For more information please contact Sally Shiels at Glasu on 01982 552224 or email [email protected].

Potential for a Food Train in Powys

Page 5: Bitesize - Wales

5

Using specially designed poles, Nordic Walking exercises the upper body and makes it a whole body exercise. Wales is leading the way.

in developing community based Nordic Walking projects with successful schemes right across the principality. Projects include Age Cymru, Denbighshire County Council, Venture Out Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot physical activity services, Mentro Allen projects, and others.

Nordic Walking is helping to counteract inactivity through capturing people’s imagination. It is a non competitive and non- threatening activity in the

outdoors. Even though the body is working much harder than working without poles, people don’t feel the extra effort and so will keep going for longer. Nordic Walking adds interest to walking, gives something for people to learn and improve at and is sociable.

British Nordic Walking has developed a ‘How to Guide’ on setting up a community Nordic Walking project. The guide is free and if you would like a copy please email [email protected], or ring 01446 773876. For more information on Nordic Walking visit www.britishnordicwalking.org.uk.

Nordic Walking – a solution to inactivity?

First Submissions Share LearningThe Garw Valley Obesity Project, Bridgend is a community based weight management programme involving Weight Watchers on referral, Exercise on referral and community and social activities. This ‘promising practice’ project is part of the Good Practice Scheme and has been shown to have great potential through its planning.

The project links in with the local GP practice to provide an obesity referral pathway linked to Level two of the Welsh Assembly Government (2010) All-Wales Obesity Pathway and the management of chronic conditions

agenda. Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation is currently taking place of this initiative which started in September 2010.

More detailed information about funding, rationale, links with policy, aim and objectives, evidence, partners, monitoring and evaluation methods, sustainability and lessons learned are available from the Good Practice Scheme Database section of the Physical Activity and Nutrition Networks website.

Public Health Good Practice Scheme

To download the latest Nutrition Course Update for those that have passed through the Community Food and Nutrition Skills, visit the Community Food and Nutrition Skills page in the Community Initiatives section

of the Physical Activity and Nutrition Networks for Wales website www.physicalactivityandnutritionwales.org.uk. Please contact Beth Preece if you would like a hard copy of the Nutrition Course Update.

Increasing Dietetic Capacity Scheme – Community Food and Nutrition Skills Training

Page 6: Bitesize - Wales

6

Pink Ladies Eat Healthy in the Afan Valley!The Community Dietitians involved in the Increasing Dietetic Capacity Scheme in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board arranged the second update event in November 2010 for all those community workers and professionals who have achieved the Level 2 Community Food and Nutrition Skills. The event provided an excellent opportunity to share knowledge and resources and update on relevant issues. At the event a presentation “Pink Ladies Eat Healthy in the Afan Valley!” demonstrated how the learning from the course can be implemented and adapted for local need:

In 2010 a group of young mums came together to take part in a construction project – pink high visibility jackets got them the name of the Pink Ladies! After the construction project the mums decided they would like to learn how to feed their families healthy food on a limited budget. A partnership was formed between Communities First, The Upper Afan Forum, Genesis, the youth service to develop the project.

The mums felt that the OCN Community Food and Nutrition course was too theory focussed and they wanted a more practical aspect. The Get Cooking OCN was incorporated in the course so the participants could get the practical skills they wanted, whilst still gaining accredited qualifications. The courses were adapted and delivered by the Wellbeing and Health Project Development Officer for Communities First and 10 ladies embarked on their healthy eating journey.

To give the course a focus, the mums worked towards the preparation of a celebration for their children at

the end, where they prepared a party using the new healthier recipes they had learnt. In between the theory the focus was on learning great skills like how to ‘shop clever’ on a budget, cook healthier alternatives to things the children love and hide a variety of vegetables in foods the children would eat! The mums all changed one thing a week to improve the diets of their families such as swapping to semi skimmed milk.

As a result seven mums achieved both OCN qualifications with all carrying on to further education. Two mums started up a Kids r Us voluntary group and all took steps to change their own and their families diets on a long term basis.

In addition to the Pink Ladies group further community cookery courses having been taking place in Neath Port

Talbot. These have been facilitated by three Communities First Development Officers - David Meadows and Sarah Hill from Neath East Communities First and Hilary Griffiths from Briton Ferry West who have all achieved the Community Food and Nutrition Skills qualification. These have included

• an intergenerational after-school cookery club in Cwrt Sart Comprehensive School

• taster sessions with the Neath East youth forum resulting in four participants planning a three course meal for the local walking group

• a healthy eating and cookery project for the Survivors of Domestic Abuse (S.O.D.A.) group, funded by the WCVA Communities of Interest funding scheme.

For more information please contact Julie Davies on [email protected] or 01639 873042.

Spotlight on... Cooking in the Community

Page 7: Bitesize - Wales

7

The Cook and Eat project was set up by Community Justice Interventions Wales (CJIW), a registered Welsh charity aimed at helping those that are disadvantaged within the community, to teach participants how to cook healthy nutritious meals.

Participants take part in a free 12 week course where they learn new skills in cookery and basic nutrition. Throughout the course not only to they learn the technical skills needed but also have the opportunity to complete nationally recognised qualifications in food hygiene and nutrition from Agored Cymru (formerly the Open College Network).

Participants come and cook a meal that they are then able to take away with them, ensuring that for at least one day per week they are eating healthily. The menus are purposely designed around a very small budget to reflect the participant’s actual income, which are predominantly basic benefits often resulting from

unemployment, substance use or homelessness.

The hope is that they then take what they have learnt and use it, to benefit both their health and their wallets! It also has the added benefit of reducing the need to offend to acquire food and to act as a diversionary activity to reduce substance use.

CJIW have courses running across North Wales being held in colleges, community centres and even churches until April 2011 and have around 150 participants a year. For more information please contact Gareth Morris on 01978 366941.

Community Justice Interventions Wales and North Wales Drug Interventions Program Cook and Eat Project

Swansea Community Farm one of only two city farms in Wales; is based in Pontarddulais Road, Fforestfach, Swansea. The farm engages with an increasing number of children and young people and encourages them to think about their lifestyle choices.

The newly developed farm cafe area is proving very popular - with young people assisting in all aspects of running the cafe. This improves their numerical skills, and gives them experience with dealing with the public as well as a greater understanding of food hygiene. A healthy options meal is cooked and a discussion is had about its nutritional qualities and the importance of a healthy diet.

Most of the produce in the cafe is either grown on site or is fair trade organic produce. Enabling the children to cook and have a greater understanding of their own eating habits is empowering them to take the same messages and skills home to their family and friends.

For more information contact Alyson Williams on [email protected].

Swansea Community Farm Child and Youth Work

Page 8: Bitesize - Wales

8

Super Council Chef in Cardiff Cooking Demonstrations

At Cardiff Catering’s community cooking demonstration, ‘Live N Cooking’, at Llanedeyrn High School in October, Executive Chef Martyn Payne’s soup was announced as the clear winner when his quickfire dish was put to the taste test.

The challenge was part of an initiative by Cardiff Catering to spread the news that cooking can be fun, quick and easy.

Martyn rustled up two easy dishes – homemade meatballs in a tomato and basil sauce with wholewheat fusilli pasta, and chicken jambalaya – while talking the audience through each step of the process. Supporting Martyn throughout the day was a team of school cooks from Llanedeyrn High School - Linda Comer, June George, Shelia Porter and Wendy Saunders. Members of the local community had a chance to quiz Martyn on the techniques and ingredients he was using before being treated to a taste of the delicious finished product.

Recipe cards were also available for the audience to take away and try cooking the dishes themselves at home.

The Live ‘N’ Cooking event was aimed at promoting cooking to children, young people and their families and to show the importance of eating a healthy, well-balanced diet as part of a healthy lifestyle. Other activities on the day were hosted by Christina Powdrill and Gareth Thomas from Appetite for Life team, supported by Chris Davies and Rachel Jones all from Cardiff Catering, showing children of all ages how to make their own tuna layered salad with a homemade chive dressing.

Following the Llanedeyrn community event, Martyn and his Live ‘N’ Cooking roadshow will be visiting a number of high schools throughout the city with the healthy eating message.

Fun with Food and Fitness ClubF-Factor the Big Lottery Funded Way of Life Project has engaged children across Denbighshire to attend FUN clubs (Fitness & Understanding Nutrition). Following on from fitness testing in schools, children who generally don’t do many sports or would like to learn new cooking skills have been invited with a parent to attend the FUN clubs. In Corwen, a group of families learn about nutrition and take part in fun fitness activities

twice a week. Interactive educational activities focus on the Eatwell plate as well as specific nutrients, healthy lunchboxes and cooking - Halloween offered a great opportunity to experiment with pumpkin soup.

For more information please contact Richard Griffin, Project Manager on [email protected] or 07825 823414.

Page 9: Bitesize - Wales

9

Super Council Chef in Cardiff Cooking Demonstrations Community Food Co-operative Programme

The RRU is delighted to announce that Welsh Assembly Government funding has been confirmed to continue to expand the Community Food Co-operative Programme across Wales until March 2012.

The project has gone from strength to strength and now has almost 300 co-ops running across Wales in many different venues such as schools, churches, community centres and workplaces.

If you would like to be a part of this successful health initiative please go to www.ruralregeneration.org.uk for more information or contact Debbie Neale, General Manager on 01978 851581 or [email protected].

Newport Community food co-op has recently started in the area of Pillgwenlly, Newport. It runs every Wednesday from 11am – 1pm from Pill Millennium Centre on Temple Street using two different suppliers

– Harry Wheeler for the traditional fruit and vegetables (£2.50 per bag) and Mr Faisal Raza from Harrow Street who provides the produce for the exotic bags containing sweet potatoes, okra, cho cho, bitter melon, yams, plantains etc (£4.50 per bag).

The food co-op has been supported by the Rural Regeneration Unit (RRU) in partnership with the South East Wales Race Equality Council (SEWREC). SEWREC works with many of the diverse communities in and around Newport, including Pill which has a large Asian and Caribbean community and by providing the exotic bag, are supplying items that are traditionally used in their cooking.

Year 8 and 6th form pupils from Brecon High School have started a food co-op for the local community supported by Hannah James from the Rural Regeneration Unit and Shelley Powell local Community Development Dietitian. The pupils meet at Thursday lunchtimes to pack the fresh fruit and vegetables.

Produce is being sourced as locally as possible with well known local wholesaler Philip Jones supplying the produce from his premises in Goytre, near Abergavenny.Mr Jones currently supplies around thirty other food co-ops in the South Wales valleys.

For more information about food co-ops, please contact Hannah James, Rural Regeneration Unit on 029 2023 2943 / 07717 205438.

Please contact the Food Development Worker If you would like further information on opening or finding a food co-op, please contact your local Food Development Worker:

June Jones (North Wales) 01766 890637 / 07717 202215

Natalie Edwards (North-East Wales) 07772109695

Hannah James (South-East Wales) 029 2023 2943 / 07717 205438

Jessica Meller (South-East Wales) 07918 715 719

Richard Reast (South-West Wales) 01443 402317 / 07918 715718

Brecon High School

Page 10: Bitesize - Wales

10

Noticeboard

Ten year food challenge for WalesWales’ Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones has set a ten year challenge for the food and drink industry in Wales at the launch of the food strategy ‘ Food for Wales, Food from Wales 2010-2020’.

Following extensive consultation and agreement with industry and stakeholders, the strategy takes a much broader food system approach, linking to cross cutting issues such as climate change, health and sustainability. This ambitious new agenda gives both industry and citizens the best possible future to meet the challenges ahead.

The Strategy includes strengthening the Welsh food culture, helping consumers make informed choices, a whole school approach to food and developing cooking skills, citizen and consumer empowerment, creating new public spaces for producers and consumers, production of food that contributes to a healthy diet.

During the launch, the Minister called on the industry to work in partnership with Government to secure a prosperous future for the Welsh Food and Drink sector.

Level 4 Certificate in Physical Activity for Persons with Mental Health ConditionsFitness Wales is now running the Level 4 Certificate in Physical Activity for Persons with Mental Health Conditions.

This new course, the first at Level 4 in the UK has been designed to equip the instructor with the knowledge and skills to be able to design, deliver, monitor, adapt and tailor exercise programmes for individual clients with mental health conditions. It includes:

• The symptoms, effects, management and treatment of a variety of mental health conditions

• Activity and exercise programming

• Models of behaviour change

• Person centred working

• Working with a range of clients and health professionals

Aimed at the Level 3 Exercise Referral instructor, the minimum entry requirements are nationally recognised qualifications in:

• Level 3 Exercise Referral

• Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology.

For more information contact Fitness Wales on 029 2057 5155.

Page 11: Bitesize - Wales

11

Active Kids Get Cooking 2011 Special ChallengeActive Kids Get Cooking is an initiative which recognises, supports and promotes excellent healthy eating work and cooking in early years settings, primary, middle, secondary and special schools throughout the UK, supported by Sainsbury’s, The Design and Technology Association and The British Nutrition Foundation. They are inviting applications from schools for its 2011 Special Challenge:

“Create a dish and accompaniments inspired by a ‘family favourite’ with a new twist to serve to your family or friends.”

A range of resources are available from the Active Kids Getting Cooking website www.activekidsgetcooking.org.uk to support the development of entries for the scheme. Closing date for receipt of entries is 9 May 2011.

The twelve finalists will each win £100 for their school and attend a special awards event where three overall winners will be announced. Overall winners will receive an additional £400. For queries please contact [email protected].

Sport Wales launched their Vision for sport in Wales on 14th January 2011 and are calling on families to play their part in getting the nation active. The Vision outlines Sport Wales’ priorities for sport as well as the big shifts necessary in order to deliver increased participation and improved performance.

Sport Wales Chair Laura McAllister explained:“Across the public sector we face some significant challenges in the coming years and sport is no different. In order to ensure that we continue to deliver for communities in Wales we have developed this Vision to provide focus on what we need to do. The sports sector has responsibility for delivering some important parts of the Welsh Assembly Government’s wider sport and physical activity agenda and it is only through working together that we will solve some of the challenges ahead.”

“We want to see everyone feel the benefits from sport and realise that families are important in helping us to achieve this, this is why we are asking them to promise to commit to making 2011 the year that we see a step change in participation and performance in Welsh sport.” added McAllister.

“We all know that if you don’t take regular exercise, it can lead to a range of health problems as well as a more general poor sense of wellbeing. We have stated within the Vision that we want every child and

young person to be able to access at least five hours of sport every week, and in order to achieve this we need not only statutory partners working together, but also all families and communities in Wales creating and facilitating sporting opportunities. We need our decision makers to champion sport not only in and around schools but making the links to community provision as well, so that five hours a week is easily accessible for all children and young people.”

Sport Wales has consulted on the Vision with its key partners – local authorities, governing bodies of sport, schools amongst others – and believes that the time is right to refresh the approach to sport in Wales in order to continue to grow participation and improve performance.

Make sure you’re right up to date follow www.facebook.com/sportwales and www.twitter.com/sport_wales

Sport Wales Launches Vision Urging Everyone to Make a Promise

Page 12: Bitesize - Wales

12

Campaigns and Resources

Diabetes UK Cymru Know Your Facts campaign and World Diabetes DayWelsh rugby players have supported efforts to raise awareness of the impact of diabetes and the role that increasing physical activity can have in preventing the disease.

Diabetes UK Cymru has sent 50,000 postcards to every GP surgery and GP practice to launch its Know Your Facts campaign, which is being supported by BBC Radio Wales star Chris Needs, who has Type 2 diabetes, and Cardiff Blues and Wales player Jamie Roberts.

It aims to dispel key myths about the condition and highlight how people can reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes with a healthy balanced diet and by getting active. Copies of the postcard are still available by calling 029 2066 8276.

Jamie Roberts, who also is studying to be a doctor, said:

BMA ymru is also supporting the campaign. Dr Richard Lewis, Welsh Secretary of BMA Cymru, said: “The Know Your Facts campaign is an excellent initiative to improve the Welsh public’s understanding of diabetes.”

Members of the Welsh rugby team swapped their kit for T-shirts to support World Diabetes Day 14 November 2010 and highlight how healthy lifestyles can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

James Hook, Shane Williams, Tom Prydie and Chris Czekaj © Huw Evans Agency

“I am supporting Diabetes UK Cymru’s Know Your Facts campaign to highlight that there is no mild form of the condition as all types are serious. ”

Jamie Roberts Photo: Courtesy of Cardiff Blues

“As a professional rugby player, I also want people to know that they can reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, by getting active, being a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet.”

Page 13: Bitesize - Wales

13

SmallSteps4Life ‘How to Guide’SmallSteps4Life is a fun ‘health challenge’ approach, which aims to help all children and young people, their families and whole-school communities initiate and sustain healthy lifestyle changes.

ContinYou, a national learning charity that aims to open up learning opportunities that are accessible to everyone, was commissioned by the Department for Health to develop the SmallSteps4Life ‘How to Guide’ and accompanying practitioner workshop. The resources were tested in two pilot areas: one in Wales and one in England.

The purpose of the guide is to support those who work with children, young people and their families to deliver SmallSteps4Life challenges through extended services settings and community focused schools provision.

The guide is available from www.continyou.org.uk/ss4l. To find out more about SmallSteps4Life go to http://smallsteps4life.direct.gov.uk.

In addition to asking the players for their support, Diabetes UK Cymru marked the day by lighting the Millennium Stadium blue as part of the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) worldwide Blue Monument Challenge.

Matthew Rees, who captained the squad during Ryan Jones’ injury, said: “It is with great pleasure that we are supporting World Diabetes Day. ”

Dai Williams, National Director of Diabetes UK Cymru, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to the Wales players for taking the time out of their busy schedules to support World Diabetes Day.

“Diabetes is rapidly rising across Wales and by marking World Diabetes Day in this way, we hope to have put diabetes firmly in the public spotlight.”

“As a squad and as individual players we are all very much aware of our responsibilities as role models to young children in Wales and Type 2 diabetes is a disease that can be directly related to a lack of exercise. ”

Right: Millennium Stadium lit blue for World Diabetes Day © Wales News Service

Page 14: Bitesize - Wales

14

Public Health Wales is responsible for producing and distributing the Bitesize newsletter but has outsourced the distribution of the Newsletter to RMG: Research and Marketing Group. If you are not happy for your contact details to be passed on to Research and Marketing Limited for the distribution of the Bitesize newsletter please contact Public Health Wales at 14 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LJ or telephone 029 2022 7744. February 2011 © Crown Copyright

About Us

Bitesize is the hard copy newsletter of the Physical Activity and Nutrition Networks for Wales aimed at community food and physical activity initiatives.

Please send your contributions for future issues of Bitesize to Beth Preece at Public Health Wales, 14 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LJ or email [email protected].

The website www.physicalactivityandnutritionwales.org.uk contains a wide range of information about

nutrition and physical activity in Wales. Visit the website to register as a member of the Networks.

An Advisory Board guides and oversees the work of the Physical Activity and Nutrition Networks for Wales.

If you would like to input or feedback into the work of the Networks please contact 029 2022 7744 or visit the About Us section of the Physical Activity and Nutrition Networks Wales website.

Events

International Play Association (IPA) World Conference 2011 – Playing into the Future – surviving and thriving is taking place in Cardiff City Hall between 4 – 7 July 2011.

The 18th conference of the IPA offers four days to share evidence, experience and examples of good practice with colleagues from around the world.

For more information visit www.ipa2011.org.

Ponthafren Association, Newtown, Powys are holding a series of free workshops entitled Food & Mood on a budget facilitated by Annie Green:

2nd March 11.30am – 1pm

6th April 11.30am – 1pm

4th May 11.30am – 1pm

25th May 11.30am – 1pm

For more information ring Jane or Nicky on 01686 621586.