Healthy
Living Programme (HLP)
Building on the belief that - ‘happy people
are healthier people’ – the Healthy Living
Programme aims to encourage people to lead healthier
lifestyles. The initiative is funded by the New Opportunities
Fund, a distributor of National Lottery money, and
was launched on 29th January 1999 with a national
budget of £300 million.
The programme was launched on the Island in September
2001 aimed primarily at the most disadvantaged people,
and all the £1 million available is now committed.
NOF funding for some of the projects will finish
in 2005. However the projects are envisaged to go
from strength to strength with funding from other
sources.
The emphasis is on community involvement and responsiveness
to the expressed and required needs of local population
groups. The Healthy Living projects taking place
on the Island can be divided into four themes for
ease of reference:
• Skills development for healthier lifestyles
•
Promoting well-being in community settings
•
Complementary health activities
•
Making it easier to take part in sport and leisure
The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership co-ordinate
the programme on the Island, but it is also closely
linked to the NHS Plan – Our Healthier Nation – as
well as the broader national health strategy.
Healthy Living Options Scheme (HeLO)
Why?
Not all illnesses can be cured by traditional medicines,
and people are turning to other methods to ease
their ailments. Stress, back problems and asthma
are examples of illnesses that are on the increase
and don’t always require medical intervention.
The HeLO scheme provides these other options. Participants
can take part in physical activity, the arts, osteopathy
or social activities for next to nothing (Arts
on Prescription and Music for Healthy Communities
do not charge for their activities). It is hoped
that, in time, such projects will reduce people’s
dependency on an already over-burdened health service.
How?
In most cases people can self-refer. The contact
details are provided under each project. If you
are in doubt of your ability to participate in
the activity, please contact your GP.
All projects accept referrals from medical practitioners
(Health Visitors, District Nurses, Mental Health
Practioner, GP). The exercise referral schemes will
ONLY accept referrals from GPs as such projects are
suited to those with more serious medical conditions.
Your GP should have a prescription form that he/she
will need to complete. You will then need to contact
the project leader/ leisure centre to find out availability
etc.
Please note, as this is a new scheme not all medical
practitioners refer to these projects.
It is hoped that new projects will be offered under
the HeLO scheme in the future. If you know of a project
that could become part of the HeLO scheme, please
get in contact through the links below.
For more information about either the Healthy Living
Programme or the Healthy Living Options contact either:
natasha.koerner@iwep.com or debbie.sagar@iwep.com
The Healthy Living
Projects on the Isle of Wight:
Protective Behaviours Project
The programme is a simple and effective process
that enables people to identify and deal with
any situation
in which they do not feel safe. They are built
on the principles that we all have the right
to feel
safe all of the time and there is nothing so awful
(or too little) that we cannot talk about it with
someone.
Protective Behaviours can be used for:
• To prevent violence and other forms of bullying
•
To resolve conflict and interrupt cycles of abuse
•
To support school behaviour policies
•
As a technique for crisis intervention
•
To counsel people ‘at risk’ or survivors
of abuse
•
For fun adventure and to secure a fuller, safer life
The project delivers training to teachers across
the spectrum of age groups so that all children can
benefit. These teachers then, in turn, become trainers – ensuring
the project’s sustainability.
| Organisation: |
IW Council |
| Project Website: |
www.iwight.com  |
| Project Leader: |
Sue Lightfoot |
| Tel: |
01983 568972 |
| E-mail: |
sue.lightfoot@surestart-ryde.co.uk |
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Ryde Young People’s
Inclusion Project
Based in Ryde High School, this scheme seeks innovative
ways to address health inequalities in Ryde. Positive
mental health requires a person to feel included
and valued while poor health has a direct impact
on the overall performance of children and young
people in school and their social interaction in
the community as a whole.
Inclusion in education is part of this experience.
By promoting inclusive policies and empowering young
people through education and training, the project
ensures that all young people in Ryde receive an
equal service regardless of gender, ability, sexual
orientation, religion, class or race.
The project also works in The Barry Lawrence Centre
in Ryde promoting healthy lifestyle options and engaging
community members in activities such as yoga and
cooking on a budget.
| Organisation: |
The Children’s Society |
| Project Website: |
www.the-childrens-society.org.uk |
| Project Leader: |
Becky Haydock |
| Tel: |
01983 616607 |
| E-mail: |
isle-of-wight-inclusion@childrenssociety.org.uk |
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Soundbeam
A revolutionary way to encourage those with communicative
problems to express their thoughts and emotions is
now available in homes across the Island. Delivered
through Independent Arts, a charity set up to provide
creative and therapeutic activities particularly
for those who are mentally or physically disabled
and older people, Soundbeam has previously been made
available to those using respite care and living
residential homes, with very few sessions actually
delivered in the home. Independent Arts are looking
at ways in which this beneficial technology can benefit
those who don’t access residential or day care
centres.
Soundbeam is a musical device that allows the person
to compose their own music. There is no right or
wrong way to “play” the Soundbeam- the
person using this equipment (with the assistance
of a qualified operator) has complete control over
what is played, and how long for.
Soundbeam thus provides those with communicative
problems the chance to share their feelings (if they
so choose), and to have control in how they express
these.
Soundbeam is not just about expressing emotions.
It’s also about being creative. In Northampton,
Soundbeam users have formed a band and are in demand
to play at conferences, award ceremonies and other
events. The incredible feeling of belonging, and
of being useful, is an amazing boost to self-confidence.
Not only do the composers hear the sounds their movement
creates, but the physical vibrations caused by sound
provide a powerful physical and psychological stimulus.
Soundbeam is most effective for people with learning
disabilities and physical disabilities. Those who
are able to visit day centres and other facilities
provided across the Island are stimulated by activities
including craft classes, computing courses and physical
activity tapered to their specific needs. Soundbeam
provides that little extra magic. It is ideally suited
to working with both individuals and groups, and
although there is a cost to providing this service,
the rewards for people taking part cannot be priced.
This project is part of the HeLO scheme. Participants
can self-refer or can be referred by their medical
practitioner.
| Organisation: |
Independent Arts |
| Project Website: |
N/A |
| Project Leader: |
Suzanne Hudson |
| Tel: |
01983 822437 |
| E-mail: |
independentarts@care4free.net |
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Sports College
Funding through the Healthy Living Programme was
sought as part of a large-scale and expansive project
to allow Carisbrooke High School to attain Sports
College status. In order to achieve this, the school
needed to achieve a great number of sources of
funding for particular areas of the project. NOF money was granted because the project has a
clear fit with the ideals of healthy living and more
specifically the Healthy Schools initiative. The
funding was specifically granted for the provision
of peer mentoring, health promotion/awareness and
the teaching of stress management in the school setting.
| Organisation: |
Carisbrooke High School |
| Project Website: |
www.carisbrookehighschool.co.uk |
| Project Leader: |
Nikki Thompson |
| Tel: |
01983 524651 |
| E-mail: |
nikkithompsonchs@hotmail.com |
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Trustline The Island’s Youth Trust employs a group of
trained counsellors to answer calls made to the Trustline
which was set up specifically to help young people,
parents and carers seeking advice on a whole range
of sensitive issues that it might otherwise be impossible
for them to receive elsewhere.
Trustline is publicised through a variety of local
events and through the Youth Trust time-table which
is given to all pupils when they start High School
on the Isle of Wight.
Currently Trustline is available on a Friday and
Saturday night, 9pm- midnight, but funding is being
sought to extend these hours.
Trustline is completely confidential. Trustline’s
number is 01983 530099
| Organisation: |
Isle of Wight Youth Trust |
| Project Website: |
N/A |
| Project Leader: |
Eileen Monks |
| Tel: |
01983 529569 |
| E-mail: |
eileen@iowyouthtrust.co.uk |
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West Wight Healthy
Lifestyles
It isn’t necessary to spend huge amounts of
money on kit and club membership to lead a healthy
life. Simple, effective and, equally importantly,
cheap ways to good health include:
• Walking the dog
•
Walking to the shops
•
Vigorous housework
•
Giving up smoking
•
Taking time out to relax
At the West Wight Sports Centre trained exercise
consultants encourage people living in the West Wight
area to adopt a generally healthy lifestyle as a
compliment to, or instead of, formal exercise.
Referrals to the exercise consultants are made by
family doctors at the Brookside Health Centre, and
the scheme complies fully with national guidelines.
As part of the HeLO scheme, this provides 4 free
sessions with a qualified exercise consultant over
a three month period. The consultant will give advice
on exercise and a healthier lifestyle and provide
a tailor made programme. Recommended activities may
be based at the sports centre or other venues, depending
on the interests and fitness levels of the individual.
| Organisation: |
West Wight Sports Centre |
| Project Website: |
www.westwightsportscentre.org.uk |
| Project Leader: |
Clare Griffin |
| Tel: |
01983 752168 |
| E-mail: |
clare.griffin@westwightsportscentre.org.uk |
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West
Wight Sports 0 – 12
By encouraging the participation and enjoyment
of physical activity by children under the age of
12, their physical health will improve - therefore
encouraging social interaction and enabling physical
activity to become a way of life.
Due to the rural nature of the West Wight area and
the fact that it is a natural extremity on the Island,
often other facilities available to many are inaccessible
to the community. However, for this project transport
is provided throughout the West Wight to enable children
to be included in all the activities on offer.
| Organisation: |
West Wight Nursery |
| Project Website: |
N/A |
| Project Leader: |
Sylvia Richards |
| Tel: |
01983 752175 |
| E-mail: |
sylvia@stsaviorsrc.iow.sch.uk |
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Wight Leisure Referral Scheme
This project develops a structure and mechanism
for recommendation from GP’s and non-medical
professionals for people to take up regular exercise
as part of their everyday lifestyle. As part of the
HeLO scheme participants will be offered a free initial
consultation with a qualified exercise professional.
If then desired, an exercise consultant will design
a tailored exercise programme and participants will
be asked to pay a fee of £20.00 that will allow
unlimited attendance (subject to instructor agreement)
to the fitness suites for an 8 week period (£2.50
per week). A concessionary rate is available also
to those who qualify.
The Wight Leisure referral Scheme is currently being
delivered in two leisure centres; Medina in Newport
and The Heights in Sandown.
| Organisation: |
Wight Leisure |
| Project Website: |
www.wightleisure.com |
| Project Leader: |
Alex Minns & John Sands |
| Tel: |
01983 823828 & 01983 823830 |
| E-mail: |
alex.minns@iow.gov.uk & john.sands@iow.gov.uk |
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Youth Leisure Access Scheme
This project was initiated in order to improve
the general fitness of young people under the
age of
15 across the whole Island, targeting those specific
groups who are otherwise socially excluded. This
price-reducing scheme will lead to increased levels
of physical activity through the provision of discounted
access to leisure facilities across the Island.
Young people have the option of the One-Card,
paid for
monthly allowing them access to most of the Wight
Leisure facilities, or the Junior Registration
Card that allows discounted casual entry into
the facilities.
Other concessionary schemes are available for those.
For more information contact the relevant leisure
centre. It is also believed that by giving young people
a positive avenue for their energy and focus, the
dual problems of petty theft and vandalism can be
targeted.
| Organisation: |
Wight Leisure |
| Project Website: |
www.wightleisure.com |
| Project Leader: |
Alex Minns |
| Tel: |
01983 823828 |
| E-mail: |
alex.minns@iow.gov.uk |
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