Public sector organisations across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan have joined together for the virtual launch of a new movement which aims to encourage and support people to move more and to eat well.
The Move More Eat Well Plan 2020-23 aims to inspire individuals to make positive lifestyle changes and improve their health and wellbeing at a time when building human resilience has never been more important. The plan is relevant to all age groups and outlines ten priority areas which includes: healthy travel, healthy workplaces, healthy communities, and healthy educational settings to name a few.
Local people are encouraged to join the #MoveMoreEatWell movement. A range of ideas, tips and local opportunities to embrace positive lifestyle changes will be shared over the forthcoming months. All partners involved in leading the movement aim to create an environment where physical activity and healthy food choices are the easiest choices to make.
Despite the restrictions placed on Wales over the past few months, a number of local projects have adapted and successfully continued to provide opportunities for communities to make healthy choices. South Riverside Community Development Centre (SRCDC) has worked with Grow Cardiff as part of the ‘Cardiff Growing Together’ project to run a number of veg plant give aways to residents in Riverside, encouraging families to take part in growing over the lockdown. Cardiff Salad Gardens grew plants for the give away alongside Bute Park Nurseries. As a collective, they ran online workshops so people could learn to grow their own veg too. The sessions attracted considerable numbers of local people, all of whom took away salads, vegetables and herbs to grow at home.
In the Vale of Glamorgan, the Council’s Sport and Play Development Team have conducted a survey with families to understand the impact of COVID-19 on their physical activities. The results so far look promising, with the majority of respondents reporting that they have either done the same level of activity or more activity since the outbreak of COVID-19. The team will then use this data to inform future support and activity programmes.
Executive Director of Public Health for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Fiona Kinghorn said: “We are so pleased to be working closely with such a wide range of partners across Cardiff and the Vale – all of whom share the same passion and determination to spread the endless benefits of living as healthy a life as we can.”
Cllr Huw Thomas, Chair of Cardiff Public Services Board and Leader of Cardiff Council said: “Now, more than ever, the advantages of eating nutritious food and keeping fit and active should be widely shared. We want to encourage individuals and families to get involved with, and be inspired by the #MoveMoreEatWell movement. We can all play a key part in building the strength and resilience of our local communities.”
Cllr Neil Moore, Chair of Vale of Glamorgan Public Services Board and Leader of Vale of Glamorgan Council said: “COVID-19 has disrupted all of our lives, and for many has made exercising and sticking to a healthy diet more difficult but now is the perfect opportunity to start afresh and set ourselves a new challenge as we begin to rebuild our new normal.”
Charles Janczewski, Chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “Anybody can be a part of the #MoveMoreEatWell movement by pledging to move more and eat well for themselves, and their family, friends and community. People of all ages and all sporting abilities can set their own challenges and feel the physical and mental benefits of leading a healthy life.”
For further information about the Move More Eat Well movement, visit: www.movemoreeatwell.co.uk
