THE HUNTLY FOOD AND HEALTH PROJECT FINAL REPORT

This report has been written and compiled with assistance from all the group members.

Contents

Introduction

Training for Trainers

Let’s Make Food Fun – work in Schools

Food Access Work with Homestart

Confidence to Cook Sessions for young Mums

Healthy Helpings Project

Adult Education – Food skills at the Linden Community Centre

Huntly Food Check and Huntly Hairst

Physical Activity and the Huntly Food and Health Project

Walk to Health Project

To the Future

Financial Report

Project Plan Phase 1 and 2

Introduction: This multi agency project was set up with the aim to tackle the eating habits, health and well being of the people living in the Huntly area of Aberdeenshire. The Huntly Food and Health Project was established in November 2005 in response to identified issues relating to the diet and lifestyle of the community where despite external appearances, there is considerable deprivation.

The multi disciplinary group initially consisted of members of NHS Grampian, including a dietician, catering advisor and food access advisor; Homestart, Surestart, VSA, Aberdeenshire Council, Outreach and Community Learning, the Credit Union and the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership. The first meeting was dedicated to a development

day, coordinated by REAP (Rural Evaluation and Planning). This was an excellent start to the project as it got the group to focus on what work around food and health was in the best interest for the people living in Huntly and the surrounding area, and then how it could be achieved. Two phases of the project were set out with aims and how to achieve the objectives with funding through Food in Focus, Grampian’s Food & Health Improvement Strategy. With a strong local membership that is dedicated to improving health, the group has supported the project work and networked locally to make the best of available resources through joint working. The project has raised awareness of the issues that impact on life circumstances in Huntly and have supported work to improve them, specifically with the emphasis on food access and healthy eating.

Over the last two years the project has managed to reach all the aims and objectives that it set out to achieve although interestingly they have been or are on course to be achieved in a way that may be different to how it was thought to be achieved initially. A good example of this is the café facility in the Linden Centre, which after much consideration in how to engage with the local authority on how the food offered could be improved. Recently Wendy Hamill (Community Development) and Joanne Roberts (Health Improvement Officer) are liaising with the centre staff to support improvements in both the layout of the dining and kitchen area and the food offered. A copy of the framework for the project plan is included with this report.

Training for TrainersFiona Mathew, Catering Advisor for NHS Grampian, facilitated a workshop on Confidence to Cook -Training for Trainers which gives professionals the opportunity to update themselves on the key healthy eating messages, know what resources are available to use with local groups and input from a dietician and oral health professionals. Participants also receive a Confidence to Cook recipe pack and some practical cooking skills and practical exercises to use with groups to put theory into practice. Attendees included local Health Visitors, Linden Community Centre Staff and a member of the Homestart team. Once this and the hygiene certificate were completed, these professionals can then take local groups through the Confidence to Cook course in a local setting. Some of the feedback on the course was as follows.

Gained good knowledge & ideas Good food Lovely food Great fun Good sharing Useful stuff to pass on & use at home Enjoyed sharing, cooking & eating Easy meals Look forward to next week Thought provoking, informative & great fun Great place, good company Lots of good tips & advice Good debate / discussion – gained information & ideas & had

fun” Helpful tips & good to concentrate on one subject New tips Good ideas

Food Work in Schools

The following article in the Huntly Express captures the food skills work that was completed at a Primary Scholl level. The fourteen feeder primary schools for Huntly were approached and asked if they would like to participate in the ‘Lets make Food Fun’ workshops that had previously done in other areas of Aberdeenshire successfully. Of the fourteen schools approached, eleven participated and provided positive feedback.

Come along and find out at a f un with f ood evening to be held

at our school.

All pupils should be accompanied by a parent/ guardian

LETS MAKE FOOD FUN

Food Access Work with Homestart.

Fiona Brown, Senior Co-ordinator for Homestart Devron, identified a need in Huntly for food access work to be done with their clients. She looked to the Huntly Food and Health Project to support her in this through providing two kits of basic cooking equipment, and by providing spaces for local health professionals and volunteers in the Confidence to Cook and Training for Trainers courses provided by NHS Grampian – resource packs with recipes, budgeting and information on healthy eating are included with this.

People who have taken part in the courses have included two Surestart workers, one co-ordinator, one family centre worker, two health visitors, Homestart worker and two volunteers.This support has proved to be most useful and has helped to integrate the importance of healthy eating in a practical way into their client’s lives. This is done on a one to one basis in client’s homes and in groups in the family centre.

Comments back from users have been favourable with at least eighty per cent suggesting that having been given the opportunity to participate has changed how they view healthier eating, and that it has improved their uptake of healthier foods. Users suggested that the concept of budgeting had been helpful when shopping at either of the two newly opened supermarkets in Huntly, and that indeed with basic equipment and reasonably cheap fresh food items it was possible to feed their families, and make ‘tasty ,wholesome meals’. It is good to note that after two years use, the equipment is still in good order and complete. It is available for use at the family centre. Although mainly confidential, some details of this work are available on info@homestartdeveron.org.uk

Confidence to Cook Sessions for Young Mums

When the group was first set up, a need was identified to promote healthy eating to young mothers / parents in a different format. We, the health visitors, wanted to be more proactive and not just give them verbal advice. We felt there was a need to provide practical skills in

cooking healthily for their families. Having attended a two day work shop in Confidence to Cook (facilitated by NHS), and then attended a one day work shop in food hygiene, we were prepared to facilitate sessions ourselves at the newly opened family centre

We already have a ‘Baby to One Year’ group in Huntly. We decided to talk to the mothers to canvas their opinions. From their vocalized interest we were able to run two separate sessions of confidence to cook at the family centre in Huntly. We received funding from the Huntly Food and Health Project. We ran our first group in March 2007 and the second in June 2007. A total of 14 mothers attended the sessions. We provided crèche facilities to enable the mothers to be able to participate in the practical sessions.

Our objectives for the group were as follows: They would cook more confidently in their own homes. Eat more healthily by cooking with less fat, salt and sugar and to

eat more fruit, vegetables, and higher fibre foods. To consider low cost food options. To give people the opportunity to work in a group.

The outcomes for the group were as follows: They learned new cookery skills. They tried new recipes at home. They felt more confident to cook. They liked everything and wanted more sessions. They enjoyed

being together and learned from each other. They liked the information pack we made for the group to take

away with them. On reflection of the sessions, whilst our aims for the sessions were met, it is difficult to say what difference it has made for Huntly in general. However we feel that the 14 mothers who attended will be able to share their knowledge and are now cooking more healthily for their families.

We enjoyed running the two groups as we were able to engage with the mothers and everyone learned from each other.

From a health and safety point of view, the kitchen used at the family centre is rather limited in space, and if we continue to offer these sessions, we would need to reconsider the numbers in each session or find another venue.

We would like this piece of work repeated as it ticked all the boxes for the Public Health agenda. It should be noted that it has not been

possible to run another planned group in November 2007, due to the unavailability of crèche workers. In order to proceed, accessible crèche facilities are required for all practical groups that we run.

Moira Auchnie – Health Visitor facilitating a confidence to cook session at the family centre in Huntly.

Healthy Helpings Project

The role of the dietitian (Sophia Lumsden) was to provide dietetic knowledge and support to the Huntly Food and Health Project group and to link in with other projects/initiatives that could benefit the Huntly area.

The Healthy Helpings Project was then brought to the group as an idea of piloting it in the Huntly area. The idea was then discussed with the local GP practices and it was agreed that Huntly would be used as a pilot area. Promotional material was displayed in the practice and client contacts and referral details were recorded at reception. GP’s were consulted in order to approve client participation from a clinical perspective. Maximum uptake for the sessions followed. The referral criteria included clients with a BMI over 25 with no co-morbidities. The

sessions were run from May to July 2007 in Huntly Health Centre, and they were facilitated by a dietetic assistant. There were 10 clients that attended the session.

Aims and Objectives of Healthy Helpings:

Aim:

● Provide an 8 week course in a group setting that will support individuals with a BMI over 25 with no co-morbidities to achieve and maintain a healthier weight.

Objectives:

● increase knowledge around healthy eating and physical activity● provide a holistic approach to lifestyle change with an emphasis on active learning● to support participants to make lifestyle changes by the setting of realistic and achievable goals

It was felt by both the healthy helpings co-ordinators and the clients that the pilot was a success. The evaluation of the pilot was positive against the objectives stated above. The pilot achieved weight reduction or weight maintenance in clients. There was increased knowledge around healthy eating and physical activity demonstrated. The content of the course was shown to be relevant to clients and of a high quality and the benefits of a group setting were evident.

The only aspect of the pilot that could be improved upon was that there should be some follow up arranged for the clients. It was felt by the clients that it would be more difficult to lose more weight or sustain the weight loss they had achieved if there was no regular follow up. Ways of implementing follow up are being considered and hopefully there will be more sessions rolled out.

The Healthy Helpings Project would be of benefit to the Huntly area if it were to be a continuous and ongoing resource/facility that would help people with weight management. The Healthy Helpings group will be considering making changes in order to develop the NHS Grampian’s care pathways for weight management to include a programme like the one stated above.

Adult Education –Food Skills at the Linden Community Centre

The Adult Education - Confidence to Cook Course was organised in partnership with Community Learning & Development, Gordon Schools Huntly and the Huntly Food & Health Project. The initial proposal was to provide a Free Confidence to Cook course for two small groups of approximately 6 participants. The classes will be held at the Gordon schools once a week during the day for 2hrs over a total period of 12 weeks allowing each group to participate in 6 classes. A fully staffed creche would also be required.

Aims To increase the confidence of the participantsTo increase awareness amongst participants of the benefits of cooking healthily from basic ingredientsTo address misconceptions that cooking and healthy eating can be complicated, time consuming and costlyTo break down barriers that prevents learningTo identify future learning needs of participantsTo empower participants to implement skills learned into their daily life

Target GroupsTarget GroupsLow Income & UnemployedVulnerable AdultsSingle ParentsYoung People 16 – 25yrsTraditional Non participants

We will continue to liaise with partners to identify target groups. Barriers to Learning

Physical, Mental or Social BarriersLack of Self ConfidenceWorried about literacy issuesLack of childcareLow income & rural isolation.

In addition to removing the above barriers there was an identified need to give opportunities for access, to the wide range of programmes available through partner organizations e.g. Banff & Buchan College. Once a group is formed it is easier to identify the individual need and signpost accordingly. We are currently unable to employ new tutors until after the Review and re-structuring of Community Learning and Development within the Council which should be in place by April 2008. Two prospective tutors have been put through the Training for Trainers course and will have to go through the full recruitment and selection process when this is possible next year. When a tutor is appointed they will liaise with Community Learning and Development to ensure that the course and the needs of the participants are fully evaluated. A full report will be produced at the end of the 12 weeks. It was initially proposed that the Gordon schools could possibly provide facilities for a 2 hour class and preparation time once a week during the day for 12 weeks. The alternative would be to use the “working kitchen” in Huntly (Huntly Kitchen Project) when it is up and running. This may be more accessible at the times required than the school.Unfortunately due to the fact that the council is in the process of going through a review and restructuring we have been unable to recruit and appoint a tutor to teach the Confidence to Cook courses. This has meant that any further progress has been delayed until April 2008. For further

information contact Paula Jones, Adult Education Co-ordinator for Huntly and Insch.

Huntly Foodcheck, which evolved into the inaugural ‘Huntly Hairst: A Halloween and Food Festival’ – Donald Boyd, Town Coordinator, Huntly.

When the project started out, the intention was to follow the Foodcheck process of the Action for Market Towns network of which Aberdeenshire Towns Partner (APT) Huntly is a member. The Foodcheck seeks to identify all the different organisations and individuals involved in producing, processing and distributing food within a particular area and encouraging them to work better together to add-value to local produce. Community consultations carried out at the start of ATP’s work in Huntly had shown that food was one of our town’s (potential) strengths. ATP has since been instrumental in establishing the regular Huntly Farmers’ and Producers Market and so it seemed a logical next step to encourage the other food-related businesses in the town to work more closely together.

During the preliminary steps pf undertaking the Foodcheck it became clear that the Huntly and District Tourism Action Group (HADTAG) was planning to organise a food festival with the same aim - getting local businesses to work better together to promote local produce. The HFHP group decided therefore that the Foodcheck aims could be better met through working with HADTAG and supporting the Huntly Food Festival.

The inaugural festival was held on the first weekend of November 2007 to coincide with the November Farmers’ Market and the now traditional Halloween in Huntly celebrations. Entitled Huntly Hairst, (the local word for Harvest) the Festival was voted a success by both locals and visitors alike, and importantly the food businesses involved also considered the event a success in terms of attendance, takings and enthusiasm for the products on offer. The programme ran from Friday afternoon through to Sunday evening. Highlights included:

An extended Huntly Farmers’ and Producers Market with cookery demonstrations and tastings, and information stall from amongst others the National Farmers Union and the Royal National Countryside Initiative. (The HFHP will man a stall at any similar event in the future but could not do so this year.)

The first running of the new Huntly Food Trail encompassing five local Huntly food-related businesses

A Ready Steady Cook challenge involving the heads of both the local primary and secondary schools

The Best Stovies in the World competition A Sunday lunch provided by the Food From the Braes producers

just outside Huntly.

In order to attract publicity and attendance at the event, the organisers engaged the services of Nell Nelson, STV’s ‘The Woman Who Ate Scotland’. This generated the desired media interest (both locally and nationally) and gave the event extra cachet.

Over the course of the weekend, probably 2,000 people would have participated in the events. These ranged from the very young (fancy dress competitions and cow-milking on Huntly Square) to the elderly in terms of the Sunday lunch and the extended Farmers Market. The organisers did not target a specific group this year but wanted to open the event up to the whole community and visitors in order to promote local food as widely as possible.

The organisers have since held an evaluation meeting and, in general, are very happy with the outcomes for the reason outlined above. From my point of view as town coordinator the initiative was also a success in that it:

brought different local groups and individuals together in organising the event

generated widespread positive publicity for Huntly generated significant economic benefit for the town of Huntly on

the days of the festival (and through speaking to local food retailers also since)

Created a legacy in the form of the Huntly Food Trail, and accompanying brochure.

The best indicator of the event’s success is that the organising groups want to do something similar in the future. Any future event may have to be moved to an earlier moment in the year (e.g. September) to increase the probability of good weather and to take advantage of more visitors in the area. The full food check can be viewed on Hinet at www.hi-netgrampian.org

Physical Activity and the Huntly Food and Health Project

In 2006 the Huntly Food and Health Group were planning phase two of the project. A point was raised at the monthly group meetings that physical activity was integral as part of a healthier lifestyle and went hand in hand with healthy eating. The group contacted Neil Buchanan, Physical Activity Coordinator, for NHS Grampian in order to see how this could be included in the aims for a healthier Huntly. Information on the Walk to Health project was given along with some pedometers for the Health Visitors to use in the interim, until formal group walks were introduced locally. These were to be handed out to clients who wished to start monitoring their physical activity levels. Clients were given the pedometers for a six month period and were asked to complete a questionnaire at the end to establish if they felt that having used the pedometers was of benefit. There were mixed reactions, with 65% suggesting that they were beneficial and encouraged them to be more physically active and take more exercise. Indeed one participant found it so helpful in her effort to change her lifestyle to a healthier one that by using the pedometer and changing her eating habits she lost three and a half stone over the period and with her husband actively supporting her, he lost weight also.

By September 2007, the Walk to Health Project was introduced in Huntly.

Walk to Health Project – Freda Nicolson, Health Walk Co ordinator.Project Aim“Walk to health will seek to contribute towards the achievement of national and local physical activity targets and the improved health and well-being of participants through the implementation of a walking

programme in targeted areas and specific population groups in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.”

Pilot Walking GroupsA pilot walking group was established through Huntly Mental Health. This is a voluntary organisation that provides support to individuals with mental health problems. The decision to implement one of the pilot groups in Huntly was based on consultation with local health professionals and key community contacts. Huntly Mental Health made a specific request to be involved in the project indicating that they felt their clients would benefit greatly from being more physically active. The benefits of physical activity to mental health and wellbeing are well documented adding greater weight to the inclusion of this group in the pilot phase of the project.

The overall aim of this project was to increase levels of physical activity and perception of wellbeing. An additional outcome sought was the involvement of individuals from the wider community. This was based on the notion of promoting greater integration and reducing the stigma associated with mental health problems. Whilst seeking to include others, a key objective was to maintain a targeted approach in order to ensure we reached the inactive population. To attract a wider audience links were formed with the Healthy Helpings pilot. It was through the Huntly Food and Health Group that I became aware of this pilot initiative. As the project included a physical activity element the health walks were viewed as an excellent follow on activity for participants. All who took part were contacted and invited to attend the health walks.

The walks began in early September 2007. To date 4-6 individuals have attended the walks. As the project is still in its early stages it is difficult to assess its impact. The goal will be to increase numbers participating in the programme and recruit volunteers to ensure its long term sustainability.

To the Future

Whilst this report marks the end of the ‘food access’ aspect of the project, it leaves a legacy of the potential for a community kitchen and developing the social capital of the town and community of Huntly.

The Huntly Food and Health Group took a multi-agency approach to working with the community to improve the eating habits of local people, of all ages, and to address food access issues. Part of the group’s success comes from the impact of group cohesion gained from being able to provide a range of interventions but also from the empowering nature of professionals from different services working together with shared values and goals.

The range of work supported by the project has provided a robust platform to tackle the wider health improvement and health inequalities agenda.

Additional funding from Food in Focus (NHS Grampian Food and Nutrition Strategy) to develop a training kitchen is one sign of the group’s success. This is developing into a project in itself and already a wide range of services and community groups have identified ways in which it can be used to support their work. Indeed it is already seen as a potential support for promoting early nutrition and breastfeeding, through to providing cooking skills for older people living on their own, disaffected young people, the youth café, mental health groups, or other vulnerable individuals, families.

Over the course of the project the members have developed a more holistic view of health than the title may first suggest. As the group developed so did the awareness of how inextricably linked health issues are. Health and well-being is affected by a wide number of determinants and life circumstances. It was this understanding that led to the Health Improvement Awareness Event on the 11th of October 2007, an opportunity to take stock, raise awareness, share knowledge, identify needs and agree priorities. It was apt and significant that Kevin McDermott of REAP facilitated the event as he had done so successfully 2 years previously to kick start the Food and Health Group and project. Twenty eight people from a broad range of services and community groups participated and Mental Health and Wellbeing was identified as the priority closely followed by weight management.

The group recognises to build social capital (or stronger healthier communities) local people need to feel supported to take more responsibility and control over the health of their community, with empowerment being the central objective.

It is significant that although the group has taken on the wider Health and Wellbeing agenda it has decided to retain its title and develop its own logo. Early in 2008 the HFHG will meet to agree outcomes and actions for the development of Mental Health and Wellbeing in the community and a sub group has been established to take forward the training community kitchen. This report not only celebrates an ending but also the beginning of a new challenge.

HUNTLY FOOD AND HEALTH PROJECT FINANCIAL REPORT

Project Supplier/Invoice Amount Cheque

payment Running total

Starting Account

£ 5,000.00

AberdeenShire Council

Refreshments – Linden Centre. Meeting

£ 10.00 437 £ 4,990.00

Homestart 2 x Kitchen Utensil Kits

£ 200.00 438 £ 4,790.00

NHS 18714 Lets make food fun (1 school)

£ 84.60 449 £ 4,705.40

NHS 19498 Lets make food fun (1 school)

£ 54.60 457 £ 4,650.80

NHS 19497 Lets make food fun (9 schools)

£ 923.55 456 £ 3,727.25

NHS C 2 Cook £ 313.72 469 £ 3,413.53 NHS T4 Trainers £ 340.00 482 £ 3,073.53 NHS C 2 Cook £ 112.00 500 £ 2961.53 NHS T4 Tainers £ 186.82 501 £ 2774.71 Aberdeenshire Council

C2Cook Adult Education. Linden Centre

£ 993.22 511 £ 1782.49

HFHP Huntly Hairst Food Directory

£1,000.00 563 £ 782.49

Aberdeenshire Council

Refreshments –Linden Centre Meeting

£ 9.60 564 £ 772.89

Community Kitchen Project

Com Kitchen, Linden Centre

£ 772.89 £ 0000.00