Stafford 'Life Bites' Family Health Project

STAFFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL recently launched a ‘Life Bites’ family health project, which was set up to give 8 selected families a healthy kick-start to the New Year. The project, which started on Monday 8^th January, is lead by Clare Newton SBC Sport Development Officer. The aim of the project is to provide families with the opportunity to take part in a wide range of free activities to improve health, fitness and wellbeing.

'Life Bites’ families have a unique opportunity to have fun and learn about food and fitness. The 12-month project is funded by the Children’s Fund, which was set up to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people nationally by providing increased and better services for them.

The ‘Life Bites’ project will identify the specific needs of each participant and help them develop a healthier lifestyle. This will involve looking at diet, activity levels and general health issues, to bring about long-term improvements in health, fitness and wellbeing.

Throughout the project, support and mentoring will be available from a team of specialists, including Clare Newton Sport Development Officer, Kate Rutter Health Promotions Officer, Rosemary Connelly LA21 and Fitness professionals from Riverside Recreation Centre lead by Diane Leek Fitness Studio Manager and Rob Howitt Assistant Centre Manager, who will encourage families to work together to help each other become healthier.

The link with Riverside Recreation Centre has already provided access to exciting opportunities for the families including personal gym programmes, exercise classes and swimming. Children will have the opportunity to sign up for courses, register for swimming lessons and take part in specially organised family studio based exercise classes. With all of these options families will soon feel the benefits of their new healthy lifestyles.

Life Bites Children have been issued with their own personal Physical Activity Diary.  Within the diary children are to record their daily physical activity, if sufficient activity has been undertaken.  Prizes are awarded every 4 weeks.

The project leaders are also looking into setting up some super market tours and a course of healthy cooking demonstrations with support from Jane Brown, Dietetic adviser along with organising some family walks and bike rides with guidance from SBC LA21 team. 

For further information regarding  ‘Life Bites’ please contact Clare Newton: 01785 619308 Email: cnewton@staffordbc.gov.uk or Kate Rutter: 01785 619685 Email: krutter@staffordbc.gov.uk.