Around the Regions

Central Heart Health Coalition

Twillingate/New World Island Food and Fun Camp 2001

Once again during summer, the Central Heart Health Coalition was pleased to offer the Food and Fun Camps free of charge to children ages 8 - 12 years. The camps provide an opportunity for children to learn the importance of healthy eating, active living and being smoke-free through participation in cooking classes and active living sessions.

As this was the second year for the Food and Fun Camps, the Central Heart Health Coalition felt fortunate in being able to build on the program by hiring the same community recreation and dietitian students as the previous year, which allowed the opportunity to improve on the camp activities, teaching guide and evaluations. The students were hired through the Student Work and Service Program under the Community Services Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. This continued coordination enabled the Coalition to increase the number of week long day camps, covering both the Twillingate and New World Island communities, and to double the number of children participating in the camps from 21 to 42.

The Food and Fun Camp Program was developed by the Nutrition Focus Group, an initiative of the Twillingate/New World Island Primary Health Care Enhancement Project. This intersectoral group includes health professionals from both Health and Community Services - Central, the Central East Health Care Institutions Board, as well as a local school principal and a community volunteer.

The pre and post tests clearly show the learning that is achieved during each camp. The camp evaluations indicate the children participating would recommend the Food and Fun Camps to their friends.

For further information on the Food and Fun Camps, please contact Kim Osmond, Site Coordinator, Twillingate/New World Island Primary Health Care Enhancement Project, at 884-2586.

Twillingate Indoor Walking Program

The Twillingate Indoor Walking Program had its beginning in 1995 when two Twillingate residents visited an Indoor Walking Program in Gander and quickly realized that this type of program would be very beneficial to their community. The residents gathered information and purchased walking tapes and other materials necessary to run their own walking program in Twillingate. The next step was to find a place large enough to accommodate the walkers during the winter months. The local United Church was approached and permission given to use the hall free of charge to walk once a week. The program was then up and running with the residents of Twillingate having a place to walk indoors during the winter months to help improve their health.

Over the next five years, the Twillingate Indoor Walking Program ran once a week. Each week, an average of 10 walkers would get together for a chat with friends; to do their warm-up exercises; walk for 30 minutes; and, finish with cool down exercises. Donations were collected and given back to the church for youth programs and to local charities, such as the Hospital Auxiliary; Firemen; Association for Community Living; and, the Ministerial Food Bank.

Last year, a number of weekly walkers requested to have indoor walking more often than once a week. Once again the local church agreed to help out and the program now runs three mornings and one evening a week with as many as 40 participants gathering to walk and talk.

At the request of a nearby community, a similar program is being started for residents of the Summerford area. For further information on the Indoor Walking Program, please call Carol Oake at 884-5974 or Kim Osmond at 884-2769.

Update from the Central Tobacco Awareness Coalition (CTAC)

• Youth Smoking Survey 2001
  The Youth Smoking Survey 2001 was completed with approximately 1600 grade 6 - 12 students at thirteen schools in the Central Region. The survey data has been entered into a data base and work is progressing on the compilation of information. CTAC is planning to release the study results in 2002.
• CTAC Logo Contest
  CTAC is running a contest for grade 7 - 12 students in the Central Region to design a CTAC logo. The contest will help raise awareness around smoking issues; and, hopefully, result in a logo CTAC can use on their promotional materials. Winners of the logo contest will be announced during National Non-Smoking Week 2002.
• Poster and Coloring Contest
  Expanding on last year's promotion for students in grades 4 - 6, CTAC is sponsoring the following two smoking awareness contests: a coloring context for grades K-3; and, a poster contest for grades 4 - 6. As with the logo contest, the winners will be announced during National Non-Smoking Week 2002.

Bits and Pieces...

• To help raise awareness around both CTAC and smoking issues, CTAC did a radio and a newspaper interview.
• CTAC sent letters to members of parliament in support of Bill S-15, the Tobacco Youth Protection Act.
• The "Smoking Sucks" posters were distributed to all Health and Community Services - Central offices.
• CTAC members met with the former ACT Executive Director, Brent Smith, and later with the new ACT Director, Todd Benson, to provide input on the new strategic direction for ACT.

Active Living a Part of Early Childhood Committee

The Early Childhood Committee in Springdale is made up of representatives from various community sectors including Health and Community Services - Central, educators and parents. The Committee came about as a result of a survey conducted in the area by Health and Community Services - Central.

As a result of the survey, many issues of concern regarding the needs of young children and their families were identified. Based on the current research which shows "Early childhood experiences have a great effect on subsequent health, well-being, competence and coping skills", the Early Childhood Committee has undertaken the following activities: story time at the library; car seat safety clinics; and, a support group for parents of children with learning differences. Heart healthy activities including a family sliding party and a bulb planting event along a main road in Springdale, have also been organized. The bulb planting, partly sponsored by the Central Heart Health Coalition, will have a future benefit when the spring flowers add to the beauty of the town.

The Early Childhood Committee meets monthly to discuss community needs in order to help children and their families. We welcome any new members and/or any new ideas. If interested, or for more information on the committee, please call Lily LeDrew at 673-4309.