Archived decisions

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES - HEALTHY HAMPSHIRE

1. The importance of encouraging the residents of Hampshire to adopt an active health lifestyle is recognised in the vision and themes of the Community Strategy for Hampshire 2004-2007. The Recreation and Heritage Department already provides a number of services, particularly through sports, arts and the countryside service that aim to increase the number of people, and the time that they spend, taking part in an active lifestyle.

2. In order to encourage more people to adopt such a lifestyle the department is proposing that the Healthy Hampshire project for 2005-2007 be embarked upon. The project aims to inspire more people to walk and cycle and plans to achieve this aim through, inter alia, holding targeted events around the county to showcase the range of activities that contribute to people's health, improving the infrastructure and accessibility of countryside and green space around towns and developing more activity with partner organisations.

3. As part of the Hampshire Youth Games, Parallel Games (for young disabled people) and the Mini Youth Games to be held at Aldershot in June, 2005 it is proposed to hold a Healthy Hampshire : Healthy You festival which might include guided walks and guided cycle rides, fitness testing, health checks, a GP surgery to discuss health/fitness issues and discounts and taster sessions at local gyms and leisure centres.

4. The Executive Member has welcomed the principle of the Healthy Hampshire project and has expressed support for the proposed 2005 Healthy Hampshire : Healthy You Festival and has stressed the need to strengthen and promote partnerships with other relevant agencies and voluntary bodies.