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Who are the ‘champions’ who make things happen and make a difference in all sorts of settings, from village halls, schools, playgroups to sport and leisure centres - many as volunteers, others as professionals ? |
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How do we expand the capacity of our natural environment to provide leisure activities? |
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How can we develop more family-focused lifestyle opportunities ? |
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How can we encourage active workplaces which develop healthy lifestyles? |
These are just some of the questions asked by Partners in the Active Communities Development Group. |
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Do Activity Stay Health y |
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DASH - Do Activity Stay Healthy .
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DASH began officially in Feb. 2004, after 3 months of planning. It was piloted at Dunster First School. This was the school of choice due to the proactive head teacher and its involvement in the Healthy Schools programme. Tracey Milton whose background is in nursing, and is a multi skills coach with SASP, coordinates the scheme. Tracey was working at Dunster delivering multi skills, it was evident that some of the children were overweight, and would benefit from regular sessions of physical activity and healthy eating advice.
From the outset this needed to be a family centred scheme as if the family did not become engaged then the sessions would be of little benefit. These children need to maintain these lifestyle changes.
Scheme profile
The head teacher sent out a letter to all pupils in school {115 in total}, inviting them to join the scheme. We were offering:
1. An initial meeting with parents at appropriate time with crèche facility.
2. A Home Visit to assess lifestyle issues.
3. The scheme itself consists of 3 sessions of physical activity x 40 minutes starting at 8 am, plus 10 minutes per week health education input.
From the pilot at Dunster School, 42 replies came in. Out of these 13 children were selected that we felt would benefit most with peer groups also taken into consideration.
The scheme has proved very successful and is soon 2 years old!
We have also rolled it out to 9 other schools – Minehead Middle School,
St. Michael’s First School, Wiveliscombe First School, Minehead First School, Old Cleeve First School, Holway Park School, Taunton, Halcon School, Taunton, Porlock First School and Hamp Primary School, Bridgwater. All are proving very successful and challenging. We monitor the programme by the shuttle test every 6 weeks and regular questionnaires, although we veer away from the ‘Fat Club’ angle. Children have lost significant weight whilst attending, however even more pleasing is the fact that the whole family has been involved and lifestyle changes maintained, children’s self esteem has improved markedly and also their fitness levels continue to rise.
We are also now monitoring concentration levels with pleasing results.
We look forward to taking this project further and incorporating the ideal across the county. Neighbouring PCTS have also adopted DASH as their way forward for tackling childhood obesity |
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What? - Adults and Children together - taking part in Physical Activity and Sport
as regular exercise through active play in a fun and enjoyable way.. |
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When? Where? - It can start at home and continue through PlayGroup, Nursery,
Children’s Centre, Pre-School, School and Clubs. |
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Why? -
Grown-Ups - Can improve their skills, confidence and motivation to get
actively and positively involved with children in play and learning.
Children - Can become more physically active . . . feel better about
themselves and can improve their chances of success as they grow up. |
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Who? - Babies, toddlers, children of all ages . . .
Parents, Carers, Educators,
Childminders, Health Visitors, Teachers,
Volunteers, Playgroup Leaders . . . |
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Further information on Family Learning and how to get involved - click here
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P.E & Sport in School 
