: Monday 2 Feb 2009 16:02:21

I currently work for a Physical Activity Programme for over 45's for Bolton
PCT and am working in partnership with a colleague from Workplace Health. We are looking to develop a pedometer challenge for workplaces and aim to roll this out across Bolton. I would appreciate any advice or information from those of you who have previously done any work in this area.

Anna Roberts

Get Active Co-ordinator

: Wednesday 4 Feb 2009 09:40:23

Hi Anna

I used to work on the Walking the way to Health Initiative across the NW region, at the time the Countryside Agency (CA) as they were known then (but are now Natural England), did pilot some work on workplace pedometer projects, including pedometer leagues. This was funded by CA and Sport England and the pilot was run by Andy Ramwell at M/cr Met. Uni, they developed some computer software to make it easier to administer a pedometer league in workplaces (especially large workplaces where staff were returning their step counts).

The best contact I can give you is Mitch Counsell, Natural England - he was involved in all of this and also currently rolls out the Dept. of Health/ NHS pedometer programme, Tel: 01242 533 303/ 07748 304 621 or Email: mitch.counsell@naturalengland.org.uk

Best wishes
Angela Matthews

New Deal for Communities - Fitton Hill and Hathershaw

: Wednesday 4 Feb 2009 09:43:41

Hi Anna

I have coordinated pedometer challenges for the Getting Manchester Moving (GMM) project (www.gettingmanchestermoving.org).

We decided to hold them at supermarkets across Manchester. This meant we had a guaranteed number of people attending at a large venue. We set up our health stands in the foyer and handed out goodies bags for 3 hours (the goodies bags included pedometers, information on healthy eating / physical activity, smoothie cards). We asked that participants signed up to GMM when they collected a goody bag. A few health stands were present, including community food workers (distributing free fruit smoothies) and health trainers.

The idea was to encourage shoppers to take those extra steps whilst doing their food shop. Maybe you could set up a competition for those at work?

If you need any further info please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Jane Parker
Getting Manchester Moving Coordinator
City in the Community
City of Manchester Stadium

: Wednesday 25 Feb 2009 17:42:07

Dear Anna

My name is Vicky Bowen and I am the author and national trainer to ‘Health Matters’ and ‘Busy Feet’.

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you and your colleagues about what we are doing and how we are supporting thousands of preschool settings and schools nationally. Please see www.healthmatterseducation.co.uk for details on the following:

• National feedback and comments
• Health Matters - Infant, Junior and Primary schools (Including OHSL resource)
• Busy Feet - Preschool settings
• CPD/Training opportunities

We are working in partnership with afPE, The Association for Physical Education and have recently been successful in obtaining The Professional Development Board Status for Physical Education which is accredited by Edge HillUniversity.

‘Health Matters Education’ is committed to promoting healthy eating and physical activity amongst children and young people. The resources demonstrate how Preschool settings and Primary Schools can implement a more ‘active and creative’ EYFS and curriculum. There are also opportunities to engage parents in many of the suggested activities. We have produced a range of high quality teaching resources for Preschool settings and Primary Schools all of which have been designed to engage all and promote young children to lead healthy active lifestyles.

‘Health Matters Education’ supports many of the national Government agendas that are facing schools and Early Years settings currently in terms of increasing levels of physical activity and the Health agenda. All the nutrition content has also been approved by The Foods Standards Agency.

We hope you find the attached information useful. If you would like to receive hard copies of any of the attached please forward me your postal address, thank you.

On behalf of ‘Health Matters Education’ we are confident your settings and schools will enjoy using these resources and that all will find them useful, engaging and fun!

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if I can be of any further assistance to you or if you. I would welcome the opportunity to meet you if this would be of interest to you.

Many thanks

Vicky Bowen - Author and national trainer to Health Matters Education
01938 579163 or 07746 19 31 31
www.healthmatterseducation.co.uk