Friday, 23 March 2012

Women’s Wellness Programme To Pilot In Upper Hutt

A new programme, jointly organised by Orongomai Marae and Upper Hutt City Council’s Activation and Community Services, aims to improve health and wellbeing for local women.

UPPER HUTT, Wellington NZ, 23 MAR 2012—A health and wellbeing programme designed for women is being piloted in Upper Hutt next month. A holistic approach to health, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of women and family/whanau wellness, the course aims to provide women with a lifestyle choice for healthy eating, a healthy environment, and exercise.

The programme is made up of three modules. ‘Healthy lifestyles’ engages specialists to explain the benefits of a healthy diet along with other personal health issues such as eyesight, podiatry, blood pressure, breast and ovarian cancer, and stress management. ‘Healthy homes, happy whanau’ addresses issues related to the home which affect the health of a family, including hygiene, environmental health issues, budgeting advice, pregnancy care, and natural household cleaners. ‘Exercise for life’ looks to introduce the benefits of regular exercise options that can fit into already established family life and routines.

The programme, which first runs from 10 April to 14 June, is provided jointly by Upper Hutt City Council’s Activation and Community Services, and Orongomai Marae. Participants will attend the course for 4 hours per week, split into two evening sessions at various locations around the city. Funding for the programme is being provided by the District Health Board through the Ministry of Health’s HEHA (Healthy Eating – Healthy Action) strategy.

Participants will be given an opportunity to learn about growing their own food, cooking and eating budget conscious and healthy meals. There will also be local gym visits to see what they can offer around exercise programmes and classes.

Although the pilot programme is focusing on addressing the needs of women, it has been designed to be adapted to suit other groups within the community. It can be implemented as a whole, or broken down into one or more of the three modules.

The programme includes a follow-up component. Participants will be contacted one and six months after completing the course and interviewed on their progress. At these times they can also discuss any assistance they may need to continue with their healthy lifestyle.

Organiser, Kim Cheeseman from Upper Hutt City Council’s Community Services Team is calling for participants, “Numbers are limited, but if the programme is a success, it could possibly run more regularly.”

To join the programme pleases contact Belinda McMurray on (04) 529 0081 or 027 479 3156, or email belinda.mcmurray@uhcc.govt.nz by 10 April.

For more information, go to www.upperhuttcity.com/page/1445/April2012.boss

About Upper Hutt City Council

Upper Hutt City Council is the steward and custodian of Upper Hutt City, providing governance, infrastructure, and community services and resources, and promoting opportunity in the city for business, recreation, lifestyle, and leisure. Upper Hutt City is located 30 km north-east of Wellington City (41°07'34" S, 175°04'06" E) and boasts 70% of the region’s parks and reserves, along with state-of-the-art entertainment and leisure facilities.

ENDS

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