Good health to Gwynedd

Gwynedd will be part of a national programme to promote a healthy lifestyle from 21 to 26 September as it celebrates the National Healthy Living Week.

A wide-range of activities have been planned for the week with the aim of helping people to make changes to their lives which could improve their health.

Llinos Owen, Gwynedd Council Health and Well-Being Facilitator said:

“Our aim is to give people a choice of places and facilities where they can get information about things that affect the health of Gwynedd residents.

“We want people to understand that small changes can make a world of difference to their health - simple changes such as taking less salt with their food, a little regular exercise and knowing where there is advice available are far reaching.”

During the week, a series of different activities have been arranged with partners which include:

• A variety of activities including free play, painting, wall climbing, bouncy castle, smoothies bike and a gift for each child and much more has been arranged with the Gwynedd Play Officer, Ceri Jones at Arfon Leisure in Caernarfon. Activities will be held on Wednesday, 23 September from 3.30pm until 4.30pm and on Saturday, 26 September from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
• Gwynedd Club Challenge sponsored by the Gwynedd Health Challenge. These event have been organised in conjunction with Marcus Politis, Gwynedd Council Disability Sports Development Officer. The activities include:
• - 21 September: Wheelchair Tennis for 10+, from 6pm until 7pm at Caernarfon Tennis Centre
• - 25 September: Climbing for all disabilities age 8+ at the Pavilion Leisure Centre in Barmouth from 5pm until 6pm
• - 26 September: Sailing for individuals who are blind or partially sighted age 14+, at Plas Menai, the National Water Centre from 1pm to 4.30pm
• The smoothies bike(which creates a smoothie as you ride) will visit various secondary schools during the week and will work with the efforts of the Council’s 5x60 Officers
• Health and Welfare Session for Voluntary Carers. On Friday, 25 September an educational session will be held in the morning on aspects of healthy eating and nutrition. A Nordic walking taster session will be held in the afternoon. The event which is organised in conjunction with the Gwynedd Carers Outreach Service will be held at Capel y Drindod, Pwllheli from 10.15am to 2.30pm.
• Launch of the latest MEND Programme - MEND – Mind, Exercise, Nutrition... Do It!! A fun course for families of children between 7 and 13 whose weight is above the healthy range for their age and height. The Programme helps children and their families to control their wage and to live healthier lives. The next course will begin at the end of September at the Arfon Leisure Centre in Caernarfon 5-7pm Monday and Wednesday evenings.

For more information about the Healthy Living Week in Gwynedd, contact Llinos Owen on 01286 679 731 or e-mail: Llinosannowen@gwynedd.gov.uk