New programs to support active lifestyles and improve Canberra’s eating habits have been announced in the latest round of funding from ACT Health’s innovation grants scheme.
Eight local organisations have been selected to roll out the programs, which are designed to encourage the community to think outside the square and find innovative solutions and creative ideas to build a healthier Canberra.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris congratulated the winning organisations and said their projects would help give the ACT the edge it needed to improve standards of living and encourage more healthy lifestyles.
“When 80 per cent of the burden of disease and injury in the ACT is caused by chronic conditions, we need to tap into the intellect, ideas and creativity of our people and organisations to develop programs that will change habits and encourage change as early as possible,” Ms Fitzharris said.
She said grant recipients include Amaroo School, which will conduct a student-led project that aims to increase the range of healthy foods available for purchase by students and staff at the School; and Community Services #1, which will deliver a nutrition education program specifically tailored to the needs of their client groups.
Ms Fitzharris said Narrabundah Early Childhood School would deliver a nutrition education program that focuses on healthy lunchboxes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families who attend its Koori preschool; while Nutrition Australia ACT will deliver a professional development module for secondary schoolteachers so they have increased knowledge and confidence to teach nutrition education.
She said Pedal Power ACT would deliver a skills-based program that supports families to confidently teach their children to safely ride a bicycle; and St Clare’s College would conduct a student-led project that aims to enhance the healthy food and drink environment at the school.
Ms Fitzharris said the Food Cooperative Shop would pilot a series of free cooking and nutrition classes for Australian National University students to provide them with the knowledge and skills to prepare healthy and inexpensive meals; while the University of Canberra will conduct a project that encourages older Canberrans to participate in physical activity in a range of natural outdoor settings across the ACT.
Each organisation will receive funding up to $15,000 to develop their program.
