Victoria County to host physical activity summit in December
St. ANNES — The physical activity strategy for Victoria County will be examined by community leaders and government partners during a physical activity summit at the Gaelic College next month.
The Dec. 2 summit is hosted by the Victoria County Action Network as part of efforts to highlight successes of the strategy and to investigate potential updates and improvements to it.
“It’s been a couple of years since we’ve developed our strategy, so we want to bring everybody together to discuss the issues and challenges,” said Vince Forrestall, the naturally active physical activity strategy co-ordinator for Victoria County.
“Maybe something like this, because it is a living document, it may bring in something new that’s out there we aren’t aware of or haven’t heard about.”
Feedback he’s heard to date suggests the strategy has been helping people in the community become more active.
“I’ve noticed and I feel it. I’m getting requests for funding from community, groups and leaders are a lot more aware of my position, the strategy and what’s available. I find we are supporting a lot more projects and initiatives.”
He’s also hearing success stories of people being active and losing weight.
“You can look at our workplace wellness with pedometer challenges that have started. I think people are realizing physical activity and healthy eating need to be a component of their lifestyle.”
The summit will lead into the inaugural Cape Breton Island Physical Activity Summit in May, sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.
The keynote speaker for the summit will be Monika Dutt, the medical officer of health for the Cape Breton District Health Authority.
Other speakers include Dr. Chris Milburn, an emergency department physician, and Claire MacLean from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Local success stories will also be part of the day and sessions will cover actions to take for the islandwide summit in May.
“We’ll have the motivational speakers on the issues to educate our residents on the issues facing their health — cardio, respiratory and healthy eating — and to inspire our leaders, organizations, community groups and service providers to continue the momentum and continue to offer affordable quality programming and events that contribute to healthy residents and facilities and services.”
Groups and organizations that want to participate can register by emailing Forrestall at vince.forrestall@countyvictoria.ns.ca or by calling 295-0387.