Health Development

Welcome to the Health Development Unit
of Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council

HealthQuest logo HEALTH QUEST

Phase IV Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme

This programme is run in conjunction with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at Leighton Hospital and targets clients who are recovering from a heart attack or heart surgery.

Clients complete 3 phases of a cardiac rehabilitation programme at Leighton Hospital, and the Phase IV element provided by the Borough Council encourages them to maintain those lifestyle changes which are necessary for them to continue in good health.

The programme essentially provides 9 weekly low intensity gym-based circuit-training sessions in a safe and sociable setting, which allows clients to rebuild their confidence with regard to exercising. The class is very similar to the one provided in the hospital as part of the Phase III stage. Clients also receive information about exercising in general and may access other Council facilities at a reduced rate.

Many clients use the service as a stepping-stone to move on to independent exercising, whilst a large number continue to attend for months and years. The programme is funded through client fees and support from MCHT.

WEIGH2GO

Weigh2Go is a weight loss programme, which helps participants to improve their lifestyle by increasing levels of physical activity, receiving information on healthy eating and recording progress. The programme consists of open access exercise sessions, goal setting, client support, nutritional advice and recording of progress through weighing or body measurement.

Currently there are 4 Weigh2Go sessions per week, located throughout the Borough. Evidence suggests that obesity levels seem to be higher in lower socio-economic and lower income groups. Consequently, the charge is only £1.50 per session and 2 sessions are delivered within priority wards, (Coppenhall and Grosvenor).

GROUP ACTIVITY PROGRAMME

GAP stands for Group Activity Programme and is for 13 to 16 year olds, who would like to be more physically active, require some support with weight management issues, and increase their confidence through taking part in a range of activities. (Access to this programme is via referral).

The programme consists of a weekly structured session, led by an Instructor, incorporating a different activity offered each week, including walking, football, trampolining, badminton, fitness suite, step aerobics, circuit training and swimming. Parents are encouraged to attend either to watch or ideally join in the session to support their child.

To promote independent use, a voucher is issued to clients to enable them to attend another activity session during the same week. Parents are also offered vouchers to encouraged them to take part in these sessions to support their child.

HEALTHLYNX

Healthlynx is the umbrella name for the range of programmes delivered by the Health Development team in local schools to promote physical activity with young people.

The basic format takes the form of a 6 week programme aiming to incorporate health and fitness related activities into the PE curriculum. A varied timetable is offered, with the emphasis on individual participation activities, including aerobics, martial arts fitness, body conditioning, circuit training, pilates/yoga and a final interactive workshop involving a variety of activities and exercise theory.

The initiative targets those pupils who don't take part in PE on a regular basis or who do not enjoy taking part in team sports. This programme is currently being delivered to Year 9 girls at Ruskin Sports College following similar programmes for Coppenhall High and St Thomas More.

The initiative is supported by funding from Excellence in Crewe, secured for the next 3 years.

STEP BY STEP

Step By Step is a walking programme incorporating two elements; firstly the provision of weekly led walks throughout the area of Crewe and Nantwich and secondly the design and production of literature to promote independent walking. Since April 2003, the programme has expanded from two to four led walks per week.

The led walks are measured at around 1.5 2.0 miles and target the sedentary population. Currently the number of participants in the scheme ranges from walk to walk, from as few as 8 to as many as 60. The independent walking aspect is currently being developed in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University and is scheduled to be launched in spring 2004.

VINTAGE LEISURE

Vintage Leisure aims to improve the mental, physical and social well being of its participants through easy access to a range of leisure activities in Older People's settings, including;

Sheltered Housing
Residential Homes
Day Care Settings
Community Groups
Respite Centres

The Vintage Leisure programme was short listed for the Health Challenge Awards 2003 and was awarded 'highly commended'.

The programme currently offers six core activities to participants, which involve a combination of physical, mental, sensory and social aspects, including:

Chair-based Exercises
Mobility Exercises
Relaxation Techniques
Boccia/Bowls
Sing-a-long with the George Formby Association
Introduction to Aromatherapy/Reflexology

Healthcare3

Sessions are held on a weekly basis, for the duration of one hour, over a period a 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the group's availability. The age of participants who currently take part in the programme is from 50 to 90 years of age.

The programme is part funded by CCC Social Services and CCPCT and supported via resources from Age Concern.

Wishing Well logo WISHING WELL HEALTH LIVING PROJECT

Wishing Well is a multi-agency, community-led project, aiming to improve the quality of life of West End residents through the delivery of a weekly programme of multi-activity sessions at different venues in the West End of Crewe, Grosvenor, St Barnabas and Coppenhall wards). The content of the programme is agreed by local people and a number of sport and exercise activities and cook'n'eat sessions have already taken place.

Currently the varied programme of activities is being delivered at Broad Street School, Ludford Family Centre, Underwood West School, Marshfield Community Centre, Our House, Leighton Primary School and the Leighton Centre. Activities include Yoga, Parents and Tots, Dance, Football, Over 60's, Alternative Therapies and After Schools Clubs, Cook'n'Eat and Playschemes.

The scheme was awarded £643,551 by the New Opportunities Fund for a 5 year project with support funding from CNBC, Cheshire County Council and Central Cheshire PCT.

Contacts
Craig Mckeith Health Development Manager
Tel: 01270 537240

Joe Doran Health Projects Co-ordinator
Tel: 01270 537241

Donna Williamson Health Projects Co-ordinator
Tel: 01270 537242

Karen Simpson Health Projects Administrator
Tel: 01270 537234

E-Mail: Leisure@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk

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