£300,000 for Healthy Habits
Published on 15 November 2019 03:15 PM
£300,000 to help local people build Healthy Habits
Hundreds of North Tyneside residents will get extra help to make lifestyle changes and reduce their risk of preventable diseases, thanks to a £299,705 grant to Age UK North Tyneside and YMCA North Tyneside.
The three-year award from NHS North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group will enable the groups to develop a Healthy Habits scheme helping older people and young adults to make lifestyle changes around issues like unhealthy diets, alcohol, smoking and physical inactivity.
‘Healthy Habits’ is an early intervention service, supporting people to take control of their own health, and make sustainable lifestyle changes. The service will be aimed at younger people entering adulthood, and adults entering older age, recognising the importance of life transitions for all of us.
Dawn McNally, Group Chief Executive for Age UK North Tyneside, said: “We have consulted older people across the borough and they have told us their health, social interaction and independence is their priority as they get older.
“The Healthy Habits service will enable us to support people over 50 as they manage this transition into later life. The activities we will help people to support each other in making lifestyle changes, while learning new skills in a social atmosphere.
“We are thrilled to have the service starting in early 2020, working with YMCA North Tyneside. We would also like to thank North Tyneside CCG for providing grants so that local organisations can support their priorities for improving the health and wellbeing of North Tyneside residents.”
Dean Titterton, Chief Executive Officer for YMCA North Tyneside, said: “Over the past 18 months, we have been working with young people to identify their biggest concerns and shape our plans for the future.
“Time after time, health was raised as one of the most pressing issues. Health affects every aspect of a young person’s life – from education to employment and relationships, good physical, mental health and emotional wellbeing has a huge impact.
“We are really excited about this new funding and the chance to empower more young people to become healthier in body, mind and spirit.”
The scheme is one of nine projects to benefit from grants announced by NHS North Tyneside CCG earlier this month.
Dr Richard Scott, a local GP and the CCG’s Clinical Chair, said: “Community and voluntary organisations in North Tyneside can make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing.
“Good health is everyone’s business, and these community-led schemes can help people take steps to improve their own health and wellbeing, as well as helping the NHS use its resources wisely.”