The Building Healthy Communities Challenge aims to empower towns with fewer than 5,000 people to take control of improving their health by providing funding and assistance to implement a community-led health initiative.
WNSWLHD Health Promotion Coordinator Hayley Vaughan said Manildra and Grenfell’s initiatives were selected by an independent panel, and will receive $8,000 in funding along with intensive support to deliver and promote their projects.
“We are so excited to announce Manildra and Grenfell as our two finalists, but the interest we received was overwhelming so we need to congratulate and thank all of the communities which put forward their ideas,” Ms Vaughan said.
Manildra’s initiative will offer a range of group wellbeing activities each week throughout the challenge period, to promote both physical and mental health across all age groups and encourage social connection across town.
“Manildra’s initiative will offer physical activities like walking groups, yoga and fitness classes, and lap swimming, among many more. It will offer health assessments and provide dedicated mental health education sessions,” Ms Vaughan said.
“Local health professionals, qualified instructors and volunteers will deliver group activities while a number of local sporting clubs, businesses and organisations are also enthusiastically supporting the program.
“All the activities will be tailored for individuals to promote practical, regular patterns of exercise, and held outside business hours to encourage participation by everyone which will help foster connection between different age groups.”
Grenfell’s initiative will promote sustainable, healthy eating and physical activity, by building and utilising shared community garden beds, and using local, expert knowledge to build skills around growing and utilising fresh produce.
“The community will be able to collaborate by growing and sharing freshly-grown vegetables and produce. Working together will also promote the importance of physical activity, time spent outdoors and community connection,” Ms Vaughan said.
“Local experts will help people develop the skills they need to grow and maintain fresh produce, and also provide education on the type of traditional Aboriginal foods which can be grown and how they can be prepared in healthy meals.
“Along with community garden beds, a greenhouse will also be established at Grenfell Multipurpose Service to help our aged-care residents participate. They will work directly with local school students to plant and care for seedlings.
“Importantly, much of the produce grown will be donated to Grenfell Food Hall and recipe cards will be developed and shared too, to improve access to healthy meals for people who may have difficulties accessing fresh produce.”
WNSWLHD Health Promotion Officer Kelly Cook said following the challenge period the independent panel will assess the success of each initiative and crown a champion to receive an additional $4,000 in funding support.
“The challenge is designed to promote longevity and sustainability of projects so they can be delivered long beyond the challenge period. Our team will also continue working with the champion town to embed their project long-term,” Ms Cook said.
“We are hopeful both of these initiatives will become regular community activities. So a key aim for our team during the challenge period is to help the communities build the skills they need to deliver a sustainable program, regardless of who is crowned champion.”
