Eat Well Stay Well
FSA Food Hygiene and Nutrition grant winner 2006-07
This project was set up following a successful bid for a grant from the Food Standards Agency, to promote food safety and nutrition among a vulnerable group, based in the home. Older people are considered a vulnerable group in relation to food safety, as the consequences of suffering from food poisoning are far more severe, the recovery rate is reduced, and they are physically less able to manage the symptoms than the majority of the population. Older people also have specific nutritional requirements in order to maintain good health, of which many are unaware. It was thought that older people would be less likely to consider the consequences of an inappropriate diet, resulting in potential health problems such as weight gain/loss, impaired mobility, osteoporosis, and a reduction in the ability to recover from periods of illness. 23,000 of Chelmsford’s population (14.6%) are over 65 years of age.
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the project was to promote ‘key’ food safety and nutritional messages, thus reducing the health risks for older people associated with poor food hygiene practices and poor diet in the home.
The objectives were to:
- Work with older people to improve their level of understanding in relation to the safe handling and keeping of high risk foods, to reduce the risk of illness associated with consuming badly stored/handled food.
- Work with older people to improve their level of understanding in relation to their specific nutritional requirements, to protect against ill health and to maintain a good quality of life.
- Distribute simple resources for older people, enabling them to implement changes in their food handling practices or their diet, as necessary.
- Create links with professionals and volunteers who work with the elderly, providing information enabling them to reinforce the ‘key’ messages for food safety and nutrition, particularly following the conclusion of the project.
Partners
- Local authority - regulatory services (CBC Environmental Services)
- Local authority – other (CBC Corporate Strategy (responsible for implementing the CBC Older Persons Strategy), CBC Equality and Diversity Team, CBC Corporate Communications, and Essex County Council Social Services)
- Primary Care Trust/NHS (Mid Essex PCT ‘Healthy Living Solutions’ Team, Mid Essex PCT Health Promotion Advisor, Mid Essex NHS Trust Dietetics Team, and District Nurses)
- Community group/voluntary organisation (Age Concern (Chelmsford), Age Concern (Essex), various Church-based Lunch Clubs, Members of the Partnership Action Group (Help the Aged, Guinness Trust, Royal British Legion, Chelmsford CVS), Blind/Partially Sighted Club, local Retirement Club, and League of Friends)
- Other (Northumbrian Water, Chelmer Housing Partnership, and National Osteoporosis Society)
Methodology
Initial links were made with Age Concern, Chelmsford (a major provider of daily lunches for older people) who identified shelf life, labelling and fridge temperatures as key areas of misunderstanding in relation to food safety among older people. The key food safety messages were therefore based on the handling and storage of high risk food. Age Concern also expressed concern over the availability of convenience foods, as potentially undermining the healthy eating message, particularly for those living alone.
The Mid Essex NHS Trust’s Dieticians then helped to develop the key nutritional messages, and ‘Healthy Living Solutions’ of the Mid Essex PCT agreed to assist with the promotion of the messages. Having decided on the key messages, the project was given the title ‘Eat Well Stay Well’, a logo was designed and promotional material produced. A pack was developed, containing leaflets on food safety and nutrition specifically for older people, a fridge thermometer, and a fridge magnet to serve as a reminder. The packs were intended primarily for the elderly themselves, but were also distributed, along with briefing notes, to professionals and volunteers working with them.
Links were made with the CBC Corporate Strategy Team and the Partnership Action Group (a group of 17 organisations and individuals established to drive the delivery of the Council’s Strategy for Older People), enabling us to ‘tap into’ existing organisations. The first main target group was the elderly themselves:
The project was launched at an Over 55’s Information Day, which was facilitated by CBC and the CVS as part of the ‘Meeting the Needs of Older People’ Strategy. Environmental Services and Healthy Living Solutions both provided information stands and gave presentations (food safety and nutrition respectively) to the 200 elderly people who attended the event. 179 information bags were distributed.
Having made links with Chelmer Housing Partnership, we attended 18 coffee mornings or similar events, in sheltered or supported housing schemes, where we spoke to a total of 185 elderly residents, and distributed over 600 information bags.
We attended 10 lunch clubs, where we spoke to a total of 303 people, and distributed over 350 information bags. 1040 information bags were distributed on our behalf to elderly householders, via the following organisations:
- Age Concern, Essex, Home Support Workers (140)
- Royal British Legion (50)
- PCT Falls Prevention Classes (75)
- Essex County Council Social Services (25)
- Blind/Partially Sighted Club (25)
- Help the Aged Fitters (100)
- District Nurses (150)
- Guinness Trust Handymen (50)
- WRVS Meals on Wheels (400)
- Retirement Club (25)
Our second target audience was the organisers, professionals, volunteers and carers, who work with the elderly on a regular basis, as they would be in a position to reinforce the messages, and continue to promote them after the conclusion of the project. Briefing meetings were held with some organisations such as:
- Age Concern
- Essex CHP Scheme Managers (Team Meetings)
- Help the Aged Committee
- WRVS Meals on Wheels
- Guinness Trust
Briefing notes were distributed to all the organisations with which we had made links, to brief them about the project and to inform them of the key messages. Staff and volunteers were nearly always involved at events and presentations. A seminar was held at the conclusion of the project, specifically for the professionals and volunteers.
Promotion
Much of the initial publicity and recruitment was achieved through a direct, personal approach to various organisations, using contacts already in existence through the CBC Corporate Strategy Partnership Action Group.
Posters were distributed to organisations which had suitable premises in which to display them, such as:
- CHP sheltered/supported housing schemes
- Age Concern, Chelmsford
- Age Concern, Essex
- Royal British Legion HQ, plus 9 branches in Chelmsford
- Salvation Army
- Chelmsford CVS
Briefing notes for organisers/professionals/volunteers/carers were distributed to all the organisations which worked with us, or which distributed information bags to the elderly on our behalf.
Articles appeared in various publications, including:
- Age concern, Essex, Newsletter (550 clubs and organisations)
- Chelmsford CVS Newsletter
- Royal British Legion monthly circular
- League of Friends Publication (Broomfield Hospital)
- CBC website
- Press release following the seminar
An information stand was provided at the CBC Equality and Diversity Forum, where contact was made with organisations such as Mid Essex NHS PALS, various Disability Services, and Parish Councils.
The project was concluded with a seminar for professionals and volunteers who work with the elderly, attended by 50 delegates.
Activities / Sessions
The first ‘event’ was held on 13th October 2006, and the final one on 15th February 2007, spanning a period of 18 weeks.
Quizzes were held at 5 ‘pilot’ lunch clubs over a 2-week period at the beginning of the project. The quiz was conducted at a time to suit the organisation of each particular club, either before or after the meal. Some members needed help to complete the quiz, drawing staff/volunteers into the activity. Names were placed into a ‘hat’ and a prize given for the winning draw.
The project was then launched at the CBC Over 55’s Information Day on 24th November 2006, consisting of an information stand and formal presentations on food safety and nutrition.
10 Lunch Clubs were visited (including the 5 ‘pilot’ ones) during the 18 weeks, when a presentation was given both on food safety and nutrition, and information bags distributed.
18 CHP events were attended during the 18 weeks. The structure of these events was more informal, usually consisting of informal ‘chats’ to small groups of people over coffee. Information bags were distributed, including spares for friends and neighbours.
The CBC Equality and Diversity forum was attended on 13th January 2007, where we provided an information stand.
The 5 ‘pilot’ clubs were revisited over a period of 4 weeks towards the end of the project, when members were asked to complete the quiz again.
The seminar was held on 15th February 2007, to which representatives of all the organisations, which had participated in the project were invited. Registration and a healthy lunch was followed by presentations on Food Safety, Nutrition, Water for Health, Osteoporosis and Keeping Active.
Funding
The project was funded by £10,000 grant from Food Standards Agency, plus substantial Officer time funded by CBC.
Expenditure:
- Design /printing £800
- Information/Promotional Materials £7000
- Quiz Prize Vouchers £200
- Seminar £1000
- Officer time (3/4 time for 4 months) £6500
- Total £15,500
Management / Staffing
The Principal EHO compiled the application for the FSA Grant and made the initial contacts, such as with CBC Corporate Strategy and the NHS/PCT. Promotional material was developed by the Principal EHO, 2 other EHOs and the CBC Corporate Communications Team.
The running and management of the project was then taken over by an EHO, who spent approximately ¾ of her time developing and implementing it over a 4-month period. Assistance was provided by a second EHO and the student, as and when necessary.
The CBC Over 55’s Information Day was manned by 3 EHOs (one of whom gave a presentation), plus assistance from another EHO and the student.
The Seminar was manned by the Principal EHO, 2 other EHOs, the student, CBC’s Corporate Strategy Officer, and an Administrative Assistant. It was chaired by CBC’s Cabinet Member for the Environment.
Resources
Type of venue
Venues for events were mostly CHP Sheltered Housing Schemes, and Churches. The CBC Equality and Diversity Forum was held at the Essex Records Office, and the seminar at the CBC Civic Centre.
Equipment
Display boards were required for the information stands at the Over 55’s Information Day, the Equality and Diversity Forum and the Seminar. Equipment for presentations was required at the Over 55’s Information Day (provided by the host Church, and CBC Corporate Strategy/IT) and the Seminar (provided in the CBC meeting room and supplemented by CBC IT)
Promotional Materials
Project logo designed and produced with assistance from CBC Corporate Communications. Quizzes and briefing notes produced in-house (with advice from Mid Essex NHS Trust Dieticians) Posters – some produced in-house and some obtained from NAGE Information bags – bags themselves designed and produced with assistance from CBC Corporate Communications.
Contents of bags included NAGE leaflets on ‘Staying Healthy for the Over 50’s’ and ‘Have you Got a Small Appetite?’ (as advised by Dieticians), leaflet on the Key Food Safety Messages (produced in-house), fridge thermometer and fridge magnet (designed and produced with assistance from CBC Corporate Communications)
A small quantity of shelf life tags were obtained, with the idea that they may help elderly people identify high-risk food that had been kept too long in the fridge. However, because of the size and complexity of the tags, we distributed them only to the Age Concern lunch club, and asked for feedback. Subsequent comments have suggested that the tags are indeed too small – arthritic fingers have difficulty popping the bubble to activate the tag.
Seminar
Delegate packs – included quiz, briefing note, note paper, seminar programme, biography of speakers, list of delegates, and list of useful web site addresses.
Evaluation
5 of the lunch clubs agreed to be ‘pilot’ groups. Their members completed a quiz at the beginning of the project (total of 127) and again at the end (total of 139), as a means of measuring whether knowledge had improved. As anticipated there was only a marginal difference in the results, indicating that the information they had been given had made little impact.
There were mixed reactions to the presentations at lunch clubs and coffee mornings, ranging from apathy to enthusiasm among the elderly themselves. Organisers were generally very enthusiastic.
The information bags were well-received, particularly the fridge thermometers, which generated much interest.
Examples of quotes following an event, include:
- ‘It was so good to see you come back – we wanted the answers to the quiz’
- That was really good – just the right amount of information for them’
- What a good idea – this tells us everything we need to know’
- ‘I worked for the Borough Council for 30 years, and this is the first time they’ve given me anything’
- ‘I’ve got to 96, so I don’t think I can be doing much wrong’
- ‘That was really handy – I’ve learnt something today’
The seminar was well attended, reflecting the general interest in the project. Following the seminar, delegates were asked to complete evaluation forms. 18 responses were received, generally indicating that people enjoyed the seminar and found it useful. They confirmed that the information had been pitched at an appropriate level, with comments such as:
- ‘Good presentation’
- ‘Just right’
- ‘Clear and straightforward’
Everyone who replied said they felt able to pass the information on to older people they have contact with, although one requested a copy of the powerpoint slides.
Other, general comments included:
- ‘Very useful information’
- 'Thanks for today – useful information, particularly osteoporosis and food safety’
- Very useful – keep the messages going – needs reinforcing many times’
- ‘The food provided today was excellent and so healthy’
Lessons Learned
The CHP coffee mornings were often poorly attended. Events were publicised in advance, and scheme managers did their best to generate support. In order to reach more people, sufficient information bags were provided for distribution to all residents. Following the results of the quizzes, it was obvious that the key messages were not necessarily ‘getting through’ to the elderly. This was expected, to a certain extent, which is why the project also focussed on educating and informing professionals and volunteers, who are in a position to reinforce the messages. It was originally anticipated that we would ask carers to carry out checks on the elderly in their care, and to provide feedback on any concerns they had. It quickly became apparent that this would not be appropriate in terms of human rights, and the idea was abandoned.
Sustainability / Future Developments
The project began on 13th October 2006 with the first quiz, and concluded on 15th February 2007 with the seminar, spanning a period of 18 weeks.
Although the project has officially finished, it is intended that the organisations, which have worked with us will continue to promote the key messages, as a result of having briefed staff, volunteers and carers, through briefing notes, individual events and the seminar. Residential homes for the elderly were not included in the project, as it was aimed at older people who choose and handle food in their own homes. However, residential homes were invited to the seminar, and several attended.
The CBC website will continue to carry the Eat Well Stay Well information pages, which may continue to generate interest and queries. The League of Friends publication will carry publicity on the project, inviting requests for information. The Mid Essex NHS Trust’s PALS service will be provided with leaflets, following a request at the Equality and Diversity Forum.
Corporate Strategy has planned 2 further Over 55’s Information Days for 2007. Materials have already been provided for distribution, for estimated audience of 400 total. Booked to attend 1 further lunch club, to speak at their AGM in April 2007. Copies of powerpoint slides will be distributed to seminar delegates.
As a result of the project, and following a suggestion from the Cabinet Member for the Environment, CBC intends to concentrate on health issues, including food safety and nutrition, in the development of the older person's calendar for the year 2008.
Contact Details
Other Resources:
- Eat Well Stay Well Quiz
- Eat Well Stay Well 10 Key Messages
- Eat Well Stay Well Briefing Note
- Eat Well Stay Well Covering Letter
- Eat Well Stay Well Invitation to Seminar