This community development project aims to develop local, social marketing, healthy lifestyles campaigns in partnership with local people, organisations and business. The project started in 2009 and undertook a series of community research which identified the barriers to healthy eating and physical activity experienced. Findings included;
- People where trying very hard to eat healthier
- People wanted to develop their skills and knowledge in healthy eating
- Some people where making healthy food and wanted to share their recipes to inspire others
- Due to low incomes people found it difficult to buy the fresh food they wanted if it wasn’t on ‘special offer’
- People wanted encouragement to take up physical activity by showing the benefits of being fit
- Physical activity was expensive
- Physical activity wasn’t family focused
The results of the research then informed solution focused ideas that became the social marketing campaigns.
Muirhouse Million Steps.
This was a family walking event highlighted the local walking routes within the community. This free physical activity event attracted the local schools, organisations and local people. The local FE college developed the branding for the event, support was given from local businesses for the ‘goody bags’, local projects gave physical activity discounts for the ‘passport the health’ and members of the local community used the event as a fundraiser for community projects. It was a great event, see the photo in the corner!
Healthy Heroes
Working with local people this project aimed to show the positive aspects of physical activity. The group took photos of local people involved in physical activity. The images where exhibited within the local arts centre and became part of a local billboard and bus stop campaign.
Its Yummy Mummy
Working with a group of local women from Muirhouse and West Pilton they devised a master chef style competition to encourage local people to share their healthy and economical recipes. Recipes were received from across the community, from different ages and cultural groups and support was given from local business and a graphic design company for the design and printing of the cookbook.
Contact Community Healthy Lifestyles Co-ordinator, Lisa Arnott for more information.