Medway Mile 2012
The Medway Mile is set to be bigger and better than ever this year; the family-friendly occasion marks the start of the London 2012 games, with the Opening Celebrations being screened in the Rochester Castle Gardens the same evening.
The 'A Better Medway' Public Health Team will be at the event promoting healthy lifestyle choices through some fun activities for all the family.
Medway Stop Smoking Service will also be on hand to give advice to those who want to join the thousands of Medway residents who plan to go smokefree with their help in the 2012.
A Better Medway are teaming up with event organisers in the Sports Development Team to create a smoke-free zone in the Rochester Castle Gardens, where the main focus of the event takes place. People who smoke will be offered nicotine replacements to use during the event (while stocks last).
Resister online to secure your place in the Medway Mile here.
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Your Opportunity to Say YES to the Test
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Become a Volunteer Walk Leader
Are you interested in motivating others to enjoy the local environment and discover new places to walk in your neighbourhood?
If so, become a Volunteer Walk Leader in the Medway Area!
Volunteer Walk Leader Training is a one-day course for people willing and able to lead or help lead walks in their local community. Volunteers will learn about the roles of a walk leader, design and risk assess he...alth walk routes and will also have the opportunity to practice their new skills with other volunteers.
. Meet other new Volunteer Walk Leaders
. Experience a demonstration health walk
. Gain knowledge on the health benefits of walking
. Find out how to support your local scheme
. Enjoy free, relaxed and informal training
Medway Health Walks supports free walking groups across Medway and encourages people to use local parks and green spaces for improved health and wellbeing.
Can't commit to a regular walk? Become a Walk Route Planner, it can be done when it suits you and is a very important role.
Dates of next training: 18 July, 18 September
Venue: Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham
For an application form contact:
Hazel Gallagher, Active Travel Coordinator.
Phone 01634 331371 or email hazel.gallagher@medway.gov.uk
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‘Smoke-Free Play’ project aims to improve playgrounds
The culmination of a recent project run by Medway Council and NHS Medway was rolled out in November 2011 – tackling smoking in children’s play areas.
A new range of eye-catching public signs has been installed in parks across Medway showing the message ‘please do not smoke in our play area’.
Medway Public Health’s ‘A Better Medway’ team have installed the signs in response to strong support from Medway residents. Recent local research showed that both smokers and non-smokers were in favour of making children's play areas smoke free.
The brightly coloured signs feature drawings by Medway children, selected from hundreds of entries to the Smokefree Play drawing competition that ran throughout the summer at several public events including the Medway Mile.
The project aims to make people aware of the health benefits that a smoke free play area can have on children.
Research by Medway Public Health Team shows that when children see adults smoking in a family-friendly public place it can normalise smoking. Children who grow up thinking that smoking is a normal part of adult behaviour are more likely to take up smoking themselves.
By encouraging smoke free play areas across Medway, the project aims to make them cleaner places for children to enjoy.
The new signs are now on display in 80 play areas across Medway.
For information, advice and support to help you stop smoking visit www.smokefreemedway.co.uk or call the Medway Stop Smoking Service on 0800 234 6805.
A Better Medway is brought to you by NHS Medway and Medway Council. Visit www.abettermedway.co.uk or follow them on Twitter @abettermedway for news and information on local Health Improvement services, programmes and events.
Listen to a mini-podcast interview about the project below.
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Medway Health Walks - Sunday Monthly Walk
From January 2012 we have been running a Sunday walk on the last Sunday of the month at different locations around Medway. All of our walks are free and led by trained Volunteer Walk Leaders.
Walking is a gentle form of exercise and good for all ages and abilities. Led walks are a great way to meet new people, and you can do
these walks independently or with friends and family.
We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and bring a drink and weather-proof coat when attending a walk. If you have any questions on any aspects of Health Walks please get in touch. Dogs on leads are also welcome on most walks.
For more information on the Group Walks and to get involved please phone Hazel Gallagher on 01634 331371 or email hazel.gallagher@medway.gov.uk.
Listen to the Medway Health Walks being discussed recently on BBC Radio Kent below:
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Medway Stop Smoking Service - Virtual Online Groups
Medway Stop Smoking Service provided by NHS Medway was the first in the country to offer online group support - a facility that has now been adopted by a number of other stop smoking services in the country. The concept is that they basically recreate the original group sessions that work well in the local area, and transfer it to an online environment. The online groups are made up of real people in Medway wanting to quit smoking, and all sessions are hosted by a trained NHS advisor.
All Medway residents are eligible to apply for the online groups. Simply register on the Medway Stop Smoking Service website and apply from your member's area. Once accepted, simply select an available group and logon for your first session!
Call 0800 234 6805 to register or for more information on the virtual groups, local groups or drop ins available.
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Active Medway Cycling Groups
Cycling is a handy way to get around and get fit at the same time. If you are a beginner, start slowly and increase your cycling sessions gradually. You can add a social element by riding with friends, family or a cycling group.
Active Medway Cycling Groups is a new scheme that aims to encourage adults to get more confident on their bikes with free, guided cycling sessions. The groups take place across Medway at various times and are suitable for all abilities. The An Active Medway team have been working in partnership with British Cycling to train volunteer Ride Leaders, who will lead the groups. If you own a bike, but could benefit from having some more confidence to venture out onto the roads on your own, these groups will be ideal for you.
We aim to help build people’s confidence in a supportive group environment, helping you to overcome fears about road safety and build your fitness levels as a beginner cyclist.
To find out more details, or to book onto an Active Medway Cycling Group, please phone the Physical Activity team on 01634 333720 or email cycling@medway.gov.uk
Find out about cycle skills, routes and clubs in Medway here.
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