Food for life
The coastal strip from Skegness to Mablethorpe has been identified by Lincolnshire PCT as most at risk from obesity and related illness’s. Martin Walmsley and Tracy Brown of East Lindsey District Council’s Food For Life project outline thier aims to overcome these problems by delivering healthy eating cook and taste sessions in village halls and community centres along the coastal strip.
Food for Life started in January 2008 and is part of the council strategy encouraging “participation in activities with a health benefit” The project has full support of the leader of the council and is lead by ELDC and Lincs PCT. ELDC has taken on the project as it wants to reduce inequalities towards exercise and diet related issues and to promote 5 a day and the eat well plate.
Aims and Objectives
- To deliver ‘cook and eat’ sessions focusing on healthy menu planning using healthy fresh ingredients and healthy cooking methods.
- To develop a programme of activity in specifically identified areas.
- Food safety training to be set up and run .
- Evaluation mechanisms set up.
- Promotional campaign developed .
- Retailers report in changes in purchasing .
Partners
Lincolnshire PCT and East Lindsey District Council
Methodology
The two project officers work in conjunction with both health trainers and exercise referral specialists who are based in sports centres in Skegness and Mablethorpe and along the coastal strip. The Food for life team, the Health trainers, and exercise referral specialists all work for Health, Arts and Sports in East Lindsey District Council.
1. The key method by which the project delivers its message is by ‘cook and eat’ sessions. The focus of these sessions is on healthy menu planning and healthy fresh ingredients using healthy cooking methods. Sessions are based around the new Eatwell plate and 5 a day messages . Recipes are planned by the food for life team and a trained chef who both have a level 4 diploma in nutrition The Cook and taste sessions are delivered in Village Halls and community centres in Ingoldmells, Chapel St Leonard’s and Mablethorpe on a weekly basis. In addition the project has delivered ‘one off’ sessions in Tesco, Sure Start centres, Mablethorpe youth centre, Lincs Wolds group, Marisco medical practice in Mablethorpe, Mablethorpe Football Club and after School Centre, and Skegness library. The team also give advice and talk to prospective clients in sports centres about their dietary needs.
2. The cook and eat sessions also sell fresh fruit and vegetable boxes to clients at a 50% reduction to cost (the client pays £2 for a box that would cost between £4 & £5) The boxes are provided by two local producers who grow what they can themselves, keeping the boxes seasonal.
3. The project has a weekly recipe slot that goes into the Mablethorpe Target newspaper, as a cut out and keep feature.
4. From June 08 the project will be delivering the Level 1 Food Safety Qualification to our clients; this is an accredited qualification from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
5.From July 08 the project will be starting to work with Police Community Support Officers in Mablethorpe and surrounding areas to deliver Food Safety training and healthy eating advice to local young people.
Promotion
The project is advertised in relevant local press, leaflets are delivered (5,300 up to now) with community magazines and newsletters. To pomote the project locally it is ensured that clubs and halls that are at the heart of the communities are used. Posters are in doctors, Gymns, Shops, Tourist information, pubs, clubs, food shops.
In addition Health Trainers listen, support and sign post clients to local services including our project and Exercise referral specialists work with GP referred patients with BMI over 30 , obesity related illness’s and also refer clients to our sessions.
Resources
The project is funded by Lincs PCT through East Lindsey District Council. The team consists of one Food For Life Officer, and one Food For Life worker.
Outgoings include: Rent on village halls, community centres etc.
Catering equipment – enough for 3 venues plus enough to cover other events, portable stove.
Promotional banners, promotional portable work station, information booklets (FSA, British H/Foundation, Dairy council, diabetes UK)
Evaluation
The project has had 95 different people attend 55 sessions up to the end of May 08, some clients attending a session every week. In the period 11.04.08 – 02.05.08 we sold 135 boxes of fruit and vegetables.
The projects success is measured against Choosing Health Action Planning.
Lessons Learned
Getting people to attend the cook and taste sessions in the village halls has been difficult. We realise we need to keep promoting, keep repeating the message, keep advertising, get out into the community and raise our profile, working with ERS & HT to get a whole message across.
Future Developments
The project has met with the local Community Cardiology Nurse who is going to promote Food For Life to her clients in the area, also been passed on to diabetic team. The project is also trying to establish working partnerships with Lidl and CO-OP stores in Mablethorpe.
Other key aims: Set up and run more food safety courses. Establish retailers reports to show in changes in purchasing. Carry on delivering more cook and taste sessions. Expand our working area inland from the coast
Contact Details
Contact Name: Martin Walmsley
Job Title: Food for Life Officer
Phone: 01754 897418, 07950046758
Email: martin.walmsley@e-lindsey.gov.uk
Organisation: East Lindsey District Council
Address: Room 236, First Floor, Town Hall, Skegness, Lincs, PE25 1DA