Healthy fun at Hillhouse
Summer event is a huge hit with local families
Over 150 families attended a ‘Health and Wellbeing’ event in Hillhouse as part of a summer programme organised by Community Links.
The six-week Hillhouse Summer Programme – which was funded by NHS Lanarkshire and the STV Children’s Appeal – allowed families to spend time together and take part in a range of fun and games during the holidays.
As well as enjoying the activities on offer – including a bouncy castle, arts, crafts and board games – children and parents also took part in interactive sessions to learn about the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoking and how to keep fit and healthy generally.
Paul Hayward, social marketing officer for Community Links, said: “We have been working closely with NHS Lanarkshire for a number of years to help raise awareness around smoking and second-hand smoking in local communities and help create opportunities for parents to learn about the risks of smoking and second-hand smoking.
“The health and wellbeing event in Hillhouse was a huge success and provided an ideal opportunity for us to speak directly with families.
“It is important that parents – particularly parents with young children – are a positive role model for the children, whether or not they are a smoker”.
A number of other organisations also attended on the day including Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Ltd, Landed Peer Education Service, NHS Lanarkshire Stop Smoking Service and Health Improvement Team – there was even an appearance by ‘The Bear’ from Jenny and the Bear.
Colin Anderson, smoking prevention and education manager for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “This sort of event is an excellent example of how partnership is central to ensuring people in Lanarkshire have the best health possible and we are proud to support this work.
“One of our key messages in relation to this are of work is that we want every adult, whether they smoke or not, to be part of the movement to make sure all children are protected from the harmful effects of second hand smoke.”
Community Links would like to thank everyone for coming along.
For further information about Community Links, call (01698) 827 583 or visit their Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ Communitylinkssl.
And for advice about stopping smoking, contact the NHS Lanarkshire Stop Smoking Service, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0300 303 0242 or text 81066.