Bristol Public Health backs Healthy City Week

Bristol City Council’s public health team is encouraging residents to get involved with the wide range of activities on offer during Healthy City Week, which is organised by the Bristol Green Capital Partnership with support from Bristol Health Partners.

Now in its second year, the week kicks off later this month and is bigger and better than last year with a huge range of events on offer across eight days from 15-22 October. With a focus on health and sustainability, and the links between our wellbeing and that of our environment, events are taking place in neighbourhoods across the city for everyone to enjoy.

This year the council’s public health team are hosting a number of sessions including a thought-provoking discussion to challenge decisions-makers, exploring how health can become part of all policies. Alongside this, events targeted at communities who want to improve their local environments, a guided walk, and sessions offering gym trials, taster classes and health checks are designed to inspire residents to lead healthier lives. Towards the end of the week the team are jointly hosting a day of activities at Easton Community Centre where the Health Champions will be on hand to chat to residents.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said:

“One of my priorities is to help create a resilient, sustainable, clean and healthy city. The can only be achieved by working together across agencies and within communities, so it’s great to see initiatives such as Healthy City Week helping people build new connections across neighborhoods.”

As well as Public Health’s events, there’s a whole host of other activities taking place with over 150 different organisations involved. At the Healthy City Week Hub, based at 1 St Georges Road and hosted by Triodos Bank, people can enjoy a programme of talks, debates and seminars looking at a range of different issues throughout the week.

Councillor Fi Hance, Cabinet Member for City Health and Wellbeing, said:

“The council and many of its partners share the ambition to make Bristol a healthy and sustainable place to live and Healthy City Week is a good example of the joint work taking place to move towards that goal. There are some deep health inequalities in our city as in some parts you are likely to live well for 16 years less than other areas. We can’t let this continue so I’m really pleased to see activities spread across a range of neighbourhoods. I’d strongly urge anyone who wants to take those first steps towards better health to get involved.”

Becky Pollard, Director of Public Health, said:

“Healthy City Week 2016 will bring to life some of the key themes and challenges outlined in my recent Annual Report. For public health, our top priorities are around getting people more physically active, helping people to eat well, stop smoking and cut down on the booze, and this week gives us a unique opportunity to continue the conversations we’ve been having around these themes. The importance of prevention for improving health should not be underestimated and this week is a great opportunity to shine a light on some of the measures that work, whilst reinforcing the message that wellbeing doesn’t have to cost the earth.”

For more information about Healthy City Week download the full programme (PDF).

Public Health events during Healthy City Week

Monday 17 October

Bristol City Council: Putting health in all policies & making prevention everyone’s business
2–5pm
Conference
Room, City Hall
Free,
book online

A
healthy city is one where public bodies have ‘health in all policies’ allowing
all residents access to healthy, long, fulfilling lives – policies which
address the wider determinants of health such as housing, education, work,
transport, food, air and water quality. This event will be led by the Director
of Public Health, Becky Pollard, with speakers from Public Health England. It
will bring together policymakers, decision takers and neighbourhood
representatives in a masterclass and launch a toolkit which can help embed
health into all policies.

Wednesday
19 October

Healthy neighbourhoods checklist with SHINE Health Integration TeamIntegration
Team
7–9pm
Free,
book online

A
joint Bristol Health Partners and Bristol City Council Public Health Project.
What keeps people and communities healthy in the places they live? Our session
is aimed at communities who want to improve their local environments and
stakeholders who support them. You will:

• Hear from residents making their
  neighbourhoods healthier places to live
• Contribute to the healthy
  neighbourhoods checklist
• Develop the Healthy Neighbourhood
  Award

Bristol Public Health hosts a community conversation
11am–3pm
The
Hub Lockleaze
Free,
drop-in

Join
the Health Improvement Team and Boing! for a family friendly event. We’ll talk
about the health and wellbeing issues that matter to Lockleaze residents. Let
us know what you think we should all be doing to tackle them. Have a Health Check
and a free 12-week gym referral (for people who are not currently active).

Thursday
20 October

Well, Well, Well! A day of activities from Easton Community Centre and BCC Public Health team
2–8pm
Easton
Community Centre
Free,
drop-in

Could
you be happier and healthier and support family and friends to be too? What
healthy activities are on offer in Easton and nearby? Come and chat to health
and community workers, try out free classes (e.g. pilates, circuits), learn
about the community bike loan scheme, food buying groups, benefits of green
exercise, health champions and more! Drop-in or for more info call 0117 352 1283,
visit Facebook page, email [email protected].

Saturday
22 October

Bristol Public Health: Stoke Park
Sculpture trail walk
10am–12noon
Free,
contact organiser to book

Join
Walk leaders Ruth and Hayley for a wander around the sculpture trail on the
beautiful Stoke
Park. This will be a gentle walk and is open to all abilities. Email
[email protected] to
book a place or call 0117 922 3465 (Tues, Thurs, Fri).

Stress-Busting Day at Southmead
Community Centre
10am–5pm
Free,
drop-in

Visit
the centre for a day of stressbusting activities and freebies – including
workshops and information on: Pottery, Tai Chi, massage, Dance, Yoga, Healthy food,
Sound therapy, Smoking Cessation, Debt advice and more. Contact
Natalie on 0117 922 4890 or [email protected]. Facebook
page: Southmead Community Centre.