66 Day Challenge success
Sir, The Mid Argyll 66 Day Challenge launch event on Wednesday October 17 proved a huge success, as more than 70 people took the opportunity to try a range of new things and gain inspiration for improving their health and wellbeing in the lead up to Christmas and beyond.
There was something for everyone. From taster sessions in tai chi, zumba and yoga to making mindfulness beads, from new taste sensations in Buddha bowls to hand massage and brain teasers. You could measure your blood pressure, hydration levels or waistline or get help to stop smoking, start walking and thinking positively.
In the context of health and wellbeing, this was a truly inspiring event. We were delighted, not only with the turnout on the day, but with the range of participants who ran stalls, led exercise taster sessions, demonstrated crafts and produced delicious food which was healthy, tasty and just a bit different.
I have received a lot of positive feedback from people who attended and from stallholders. For example, Slimming World had four new people sign up, Argyll Chemist registered 17 people for its pedometer challenge and a number of people signed up to register an interest for a new tai chi group at the MS Centre, to name but a few.
Now our job is to build on the interest the event has created and keep up the momentum through to Christmas.
It is heartening to see so many people engage with the challenge. It is not only those who were able to attend the launch event. There are lots of groups meeting regularly who are involved – the Self-Help Diabetes Group, Keep Well Furnace Group, Blarbuie Woodlands and the MS centre for example.
It goes to show how much can be achieved with a small group of organisers, a relatively small amount money and a huge amount of creativity and commitment. I believe that people are increasingly recognising the need to take responsibility for their own health and the important role communities and community groups play in this. We are already being asked when the next event will be and, while we can’t answer that just yet, I’m sure there will be a next event.
The event was funded by the Health and Wellbeing Network. If you would like to keep up with the Mid Argyll 66 Day Challenge, check out our page on Facebook. Antonia Baird, chairwoman, Mid Argyll Health and Wellbeing Network.