Once again Goodwood South shows the way with their two elected members (Jennie & I) the only two who coudl join the mayor for his recent “round table” discussion on Healthy & Active Communities
We had a great discussion last week discussing things healthy, with some really good thoughts put on the table for council to consider.
Key Points to come out are as follows:
·
Health is not only about playing sports. Health needs to be viewed as inclusive of physical and mental health.
· Council’s primary role in ‘healthy and active communities’ is in providing infrastructure for both physical activity and for social connection (mental health).
· Community gardens,( e.g. Fern Ave) encourage positive physical and mental health
· Windsor Nature Garden is viewed favourably as a facility to increase physical activity, however bike signage needs to be improved. Views that it should be a shared bike/ pedestrian path.
· People’s ‘disconnection with community’ has a detrimental role in health and recovery times from illness.
· Goodwood Community Centre should cater more to those community members who work, by providing health and well being programs after hours and on weekends.
· The important role ‘dog walking’ plays in physical health and support for dog parks which also enable community integration.
· Coffee shops often act as ‘community centres’.
· Public campaigns needed to further encourage healthy eating.
· Definitions of ‘healthy community’ should also include a pollution fee and safe community.
· Physical activity on the decline due to technology and competition with ‘in house’ entertainment options.
· Importance of building resilience, defined as the ability to deal with stress or changes in personal conditions.
· Importance of maximising the use of shared spaces.
· Role of ‘Community Gardening kits’ in encouraging healthy eating and sustainability.
In answer to the question “What could encourage you to be more ‘healthy and active’?” we got these responses
· Pedometer program/ community walking challenge
· Being able to walk to other activities
· Free activities
· Trolleys that could be walked home (for additional step count on pedometers)
In answer to this question “What could encourage the community to be more ‘healthy and active’?”
· Organisation of walking groups
· Promotion of pedometer program (Council purchases or gives discounts on pedometers – perhaps as incentive for paying rates on time)
· Use ‘meet up’ ap to advertise online opportunities for people to meet with other members of their community
· More access to dog parks
· Organised historical walks
· Using visitor schemes to take people out walking with others
· Link physical and social connections program with providing a walking maps of coffee shops, including the distance between each.
· Outdoor exercise programs in the Village Green
· Encourage community centres, schools, kindys, coffee shops etc. to invite the community in to build connections
· Big Yoga event on Unley Oval
· Letting people know schools and other community facilities are open after hours for community access for recreation
· Regular come try activities
· Improved communication on what is already available
· Public health campaigns
· Walking paths that are well lit and functional
Target Groups were identified as follows:
·
Elderly – in particular those in nursing homes, (encouraging them to be part of the broader community)
· People with physical disabilities
· Young people – need to understand their needs
· Mums of young children
· Target elderly for bike riding.
For your information
this information will help with Development of a joint City of Unley/ Mitcham Public Health Plan, Development of a healthy communities program proposal and to help us review our Recreation and Sport Plan