The strategy launch took place at Witton Park Arena
Published Friday 21 April 2017 at 11:18
Blackburn with Darwen Council has launched its new strategy to improve physical health in the borough.
The Eat Well, Move More, Shape Up strategy is a three-year plan to encourage residents to move more, eat well and maintain a healthy weight.
It aims to encourage positive lifestyle changes that enable local people to improve their health and wellbeing by supporting an environment where physical activity and healthy eating is the easy choice for everyone throughout their lives.
Partnership working will be encouraged among health, community and voluntary organisations from across the borough and links to national campaigns such as Sport England’s ‘This Girl Can’ and Public Health England’s ‘One You’.
The strategy was launched at an event at Witton Park on Wednesday, April 19.
As part of the practical steps to improve physical health as laid out in strategy, the Council has adopted a charter further committing the organisation to promoting healthy weight in the borough.
The Local Authority Declaration on Healthy Weight is the work of the Food Active partnership – a collaborative programme made up of Public Health Directors across the North West.
It contains twelve common commitments that all Local Authorities that sign up to it agree to pursue, along with a set of themes specific to the local area.
These include: working with primary schools to incorporate a daily one-mile run into their timetables and Couch to 5k in secondary schools; working towards becoming a ‘sugar
smart’ and ‘breastfeeding-friendly’ borough and supporting childcare establishments
on plans around healthy food and physical activity.
The drive to improve physical health comes on the back of news earlier this year that Blackburn with Darwen residents are making the borough the most active it has ever been, according to a new national survey.
The Council’s re:fresh programme alongside work from many community groups in the borough, such as the Couch to 5k, Witton Parkrun and Darwen Running Group, have all played a significant part in promoting good physical health in recent years.
Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
One of our major priorities is to support our residents to live healthier lives. We want to give people support to keep them well and stop them from becoming ill. This three year strategy has been developed with residents, businesses, health and care professionals, doctors and nurses.
It sets out all the things we can do to achieve our aim. It shows the Council’s and our partners’ commitment to make Blackburn with Darwen a healthier place.