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In the warm autumn sunshine, local organisations worked together on 15 September to deliver the West Connects Health Festival to local school children and the communities of West Glasgow.
Over 500 people attended this "GRAND" event, which was held at the fantastic new Scotstoun Stadium. Julie McCarthy, West Glasgow CHCP Health Improvement Manager explained that the Festival "was about promoting awareness of the wide range of health improvement opportunities in West Glasgow and encouraging residents to make use of them." She added, "The festival was part of GRAND week which aimed to raise awareness and increase knowledge of alcohol and drugs issues and services, while getting communities involved in tackling alcohol and drugs issues."
Over 200 primary school children from the local area attended the Festival and 'had an exhausting and fun time learning about health and taking part in a number of games, activities and competitions, including the inflatable assault course, cycling, football and rugby taster sessions', said another one of the events' organisers.
Other Festival highlights included massage, dance displays from different cultures, Tai Chi, mask-making, a showcase of health inspired art work created by local groups, information stalls and access to health resources and services.
The Lowdown is a partnership between Young Scot and the Scottish Government, a brand new information website and phone line, aimed specifically at young people in Scotland.
The new website, www.getthelowdown.co.uk, provides information on mental wellbeing, physical health, sexual health and relationships of all kinds. Each page features relevant and detailed information that is easy to read and understand. Young people can also access health information through interactive games and tools. Four games are featured, each linking to key topic areas: Mind, Body, Relationships and Sex. A central aim of the website is to signpost young people to their local health information services through the contacts directory.
The Scottish Government passed the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Bill on 27 January 2010 and it received royal assent on 3 March 2010. This contained various measures:
Increasing numbers of young people are drinking at dangerous levels causing short-term problems with many more vulnerable and at risk of developing alcohol problems in the future. It is increasingly important and relevant that services find accessible, attractive methods of communicating alcohol information to this group.
Research indicates young people want to know more about their alcohol intake and how it compares with that of their friends. Web based screening and interventions could make information more accessible and increase access to support. They offer a service to those young people who are put off by the prospect of discussing their drinking with a health or other professional.
The Alcolator is a user-friendly web based programme, designed for young people, with three features:
The Alcolator can be accessed directly at www.alcolator.com or via the Sandyford website http://www.sandyford.org/
An excellent website about being safe when visiting Glasgow city centre at night has been relaunched http://www.playsafeinglasgow.com/ - why not take a look? The key messages of Play Safe, a campaign linked to NHS, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Community and Safety Services, Strathclyde Police and other partners are: Drink Safe - lots of tips on how to do this and how to avoid falling over so that you can ... ... Look Safe - stay in control of yourself by keeping within your alcohol limits and continue to look good Play Safe - keeping safe by socialising with people you feel safe with and who are looking out for you and remember to ... Travel Safe - tips about getting home safely and planning this before you set out.
Looking to update your calendar for 2010? Remember to include the following dates - more information will follow about these events:
GRAND (Getting Real About Alcohol 'N' Drugs) Week 11th-18th September. GRAND is Glasgow-wide and aims to raise awareness and increase knowledge of alcohol and drugs issues and services, involve communities in tacking alcohol and drugs and build partnerships and networks between communities, services and organisations.awareness and increase knowledge of alcohol and drugs issues and services Alcohol Awareness Week 7th-13th October. Alcohol Awareness Week is a national campaign to raise awareness about the effects on alcohol consumption on individuals, families and communities.
This section will be updated regularly with any developments. If your organisation has a piece of work supporting the prevention and education work on alcohol please email us and let us know.
