Fresh Ideas
Lynn Smyth is the Fresh Ideas worker at East Brighton eb4U (East Brighton New Deal for Communities), which is one of the Government's New Deal for Communities areas. Lynn has set up several clubs, activities, workshops, and a fruit and vegetable voucher scheme, in order to increase access to a healthy diet and contribute to reducing levels of obesity.
Aims and Objectives
eb4U is a Government funded regeneration organisation for East Brighton. In 2000 the area was awarded £47.2 million of New Deal for Communities funding, which is to be spent over the next 10 years to help regenerate the area. Decisions about how the money should be spent are made by various boards and panels, which are made up in the majority by East Brighton residents. The work is being lead by the health4all team, which is made up of a range of people from voluntary and statutory organisations in Brighton and Hove, and their role with local people and local organisations is to look at new ways of improving health in the area.
The Fresh Ideas worker has the responsibility of promoting healthy eating and developing access to fresh food products. The main aim is to increase access to a healthy diet and contribute to reducing levels of obesity (with access referring to affordability, awareness, acceptability and availability).
Partners
- Brighton and Hove City Council
- MIND
- The Carers Centre
- Addaction
- East Sussex Food and Health Partnership
- Brighton and Hove Food Partnership
- South Downs Health NHS Trust
- East Sussex Primary Care Trust
- Sussex Downs and Weald Primary Care Trust
- Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust
- Local communities
- Local businesses
- Local schools
Methodology
The work carried out is based on the issues and concerns of local residents and these are conveyed via a Food Interest Group (FIG), which has been set up. The Group consists of local residents, health visitors, and statutory representatives and during their meetings various requests and ideas are suggested upon which work is based.
For example one request was for a local affordable slimming club, and another was more accessible, affordable fruit and vegetables. These projects and others are listed in more detail below. At the end of each year the success of the projects is evaluated, also taking into account the results of MORI polls, which measures the consumption of fruit and vegetables in the area.
The following lists the main activities/groups/training schemes:
Bulge Beaters
As previously mentioned the Food Interest Group requested a local affordable slimming club to be set up. Bulge Beaters concentrates on emphasising healthy eating and lifestyle changes rather than dieting, and a core group of 12 members regularly attend the weekly sessions. In addition to weighing themselves the members also receive presentations and information provided by the local community dietician, the local community cook and the local sports co-ordinator. Other activities outside the regular meeting times are organised such as swimming, and fun runs. There was very little funding needed to start the group, which was initially provided free space by the local community centre. Lynn helped organise a constitution and open a bank account and a Community Chest grant of £400 was provided to pay for scales, produce stationery and pay a years rent. The group is now self-sustaining though income from the regular charge for attending.
Shape Up Programme
Members of this group are those that have been referred to the programme by their doctor, dietician or other health professional. The programme aims to:
- Limit further weight gain
- Reach a realistic weight
- Eat healthier more regularly
- Improve health
- Improve self-confidence
The 12 week programme is run in partnership with the community dietician who provides advice and support on a range of issues, with each week focusing a new topic, for example shopping, cooking, eating out and physical activity. The sessions are held in the local leisure centre, which in itself is a benefit to the members, some of whom may have never visited a fitness facility.
B.E.S.T – Baby Early Support Team
This idea began as a result of the Breast Feeding Initiative which is an NHS national programme aiming to increase the number of mother’s breastfeeding. Initially the intention had been to set up a breast feeding support group however after consultation with local mothers it was decided to instead have a bottle and breast feeding group. Each week local mothers are encouraged to attend where they can feed their babies either by breastfeeding or bottle. It is hoped that by having some mothers breast-feeding, others will be encouraged to do so. In addition to being given information packs about how to feed your growing child, parents can also learn about weaning, how to cook for your child, and they also have the opportunity to have pampering sessions, and receive visits from the local midwife and breast feeding councillor.
Fruit and Vegetable Voucher Scheme
This scheme aims to increase the accessibility of fruit and vegetables for local residents, and meet targets of 5 fruit and vegetables a day. Young families, i.e those with babies and under 4 years receive 5 sets of £2.00 vouchers, which they can use at 3 shops in the local area. The first roll-out has now been evaluated and because the vouchers are unique to each family it was possible to identify who had not been using the vouchers and also when they had been used, and where they were being spent. It was recognised that those families who had yet to use their vouchers were all in an area at some distance from the nearest participating shop. Before the next set of vouchers is released the local shops in these areas will be encouraged to participate in the scheme.
Food Co-op
The Food Interest Group requested for a local food co-operative to be set up. The Fresh Ideas worker has worked with local residents to set up the Food4all Co-operative, which successfully began in March this year, and so far has 70 members. The shop is open once a week and local residents are encouraged to join the co-operative for free, where affordable fresh fruit and vegetables are available.
Training
The Fresh Ideas worker also helps develop and deliver / or co-ordinate training for residents e.g.
- Fresh Ideas Community Food Training – this course is provided 4 times per year for all interested Brighton and Hove residents where they taught how to run a successful food project - for example how to set up a community café.
- Food Hygiene Training – local Environmental Health Officers provided training to local residents so they can obtain the Basic Food Hygiene Certificate; a qualification recognised and requested for in the food industry.
- Events – Each year events are held at which speakers from statutory and private organisations provide information on various issues. For example the last event was timed to coincide with National Breast Feeding Awareness week and parents learnt about weaning, breast-feeding and toddler feeding.
Support
Support is also give to other local food groups including the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership, and its working group the School Food Action Group, the Fresh Ideas Network and also at any local events and food work in the area, for example working alongside the community cook and oral health practitioner in local school breakfast clubs
Funding
In addition to receiving funding from eb4u, the health4all team also receive money from the Big Lottery Healthy Living Centre Initiative.
Evaluation
Each initiative is evaluated, the Shape-Up Report is attached. In addition to this, MORI poll surveys are carried out in the area measuring the uptake of fruit and vegetables. Since the last report in 2002 there has been a considerable increase in fruit and vegetable consumption in the East Brighton area. As well as looking at the statistical evidence of her success the Fresh Ideas worker has also seen the positive impact she has had on the local residents through her every day work. Local children all know that they need to eat 5 fruit and vegetables a day and parents are now aware of the importance of their diet on their own and on their children’s health.
Lessons Learned
- It takes time to get to know local communities and gain their trust, get to know key members of the community
- Dress appropriately (no suits!)
- Join in with the activities – and pay your way. When Lynn attends Bulge Beaters she wants to support them and that means paying to attend
- Link in with local statutory bodies and schools
- See what’s already happening in the area, don’t duplicate work – instead assist and support others
- Be flexible
Future Developments
The funding by Central Government for New Deal for Community Areas is set to last for 10 years and will end in 2010. In addition to this funding some of Lynn’s work has been paid for by the National Lottery Healthy Living Centre Initiative. The local Primary Care Trust also has recently given some additional funding towards the fruit and vegetable voucher scheme. Some of the projects are already self-funding and it is hoped that with the increased interest by local residents in their diet other projects will be initiated. The Head of the health4all team represents the NDC on Brighton and Hove's Health City Partnership and there is reference to the team in the City’s Community Strategy. eb4U is also working with the City Council to match the Local Area Agreement and NDC outcomes. In these ways eb4U is ensuring that lessons learned are continued by statutory service providers
Contact Details
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