This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Deacon announces Scotland's first healthy living centres
03/11/2000
The first four Healthy Living Centres to be established in Scotland were announced today by the Scottish Health Minister, Susan Deacon.
The projects represent the beginning of a network of HLC across Scotland. Funded by £34.5 million from the New Opportunities Fund, these centres will provide a focal point for communities to develop better health at a local level. Each centre will take a different form to reflect local needs.
Speaking during a visit to the Inverkeithing Project, Susan Deacon welcomed the new Healthy Living Centres, which will give local people the opportunity to take steps to improve health in their communities.
"There are encouraging signs that Scotland's Health is improving but we still have a long way to go. In particular, we need to work to help close the health gaps between rich and poor.
"During the next two years, a network of Health Living Centres will be established across Scotland. Backed by ?34.5 million from the New Opportunities Fund, these centres will enable and empower communities to improve health at a local level. Each project has been developed by community groups, health professionals and voluntary organisations working together to develop solutions which are relevant to local needs.
"Improving health is at the heart of the Executive's agenda. We are determined to tackle the root causes of ill health and have made this a priority across government.
"Scotland's share of the tobacco tax - £26m this year and for each of the next three years - has been used to establish a health improvement fund for Scotland. Practical measure, like breakfast clubs, fruit in nursery schools and smoking cessation support are now being developed in communities across Scotland.
"Improving the nation's health requires a national effort. Government is leading the way but our job is not to preach but to support and empower individuals and communities in improving their own health. Today's announcement is a major milestone in taking that partnership forward."
BACKGROUND
1. The New Opportunities Fund (NOF) aims to tackle inequalities in disadvantaged communities through partnership working in the areas of health, education and the environment.
2. The Healthy Living Centre Initiative has the potential to make a major contribution to Scotland's health, particularly in reducing health inequalities. There is no blue print for Health Living Centres but they are expected to demonstrate new and innovative ways of working and of addressing wider social, economic and environmental influences on health. In total £300m in UK Lottery funding has been allocated to the Initiative over three years (until the end of 2002), with the NOF allocating £34.5m to Scotland.
3. Communities are involved at every stage of each project, from design to delivery. The maximum grant available is ?1m with the final decisions on grant applicants made by the NOF Board, who are advised by the NOF Scottish Healthy Living Centre Committee. Projects must be tailored to local need, be for the public good - and not for private gain, include partnership funding and/or contributions in kind from other sources, and must pay particular attention to areas of social and economic deprivation.
4. There are 4 healthy living centres being announced today:
a) The Inverkeithing Project, led by West Fife Local Health Service, has been awarded almost ?400,000 to address the health issues of young people, families with infants, and young children, through providing a base for services such as playgroups, nursing advice, dietary advice and money advice. The focal point for the project is a community flat.
b) The New Ways Project in West Fife has been awarded £666,625 to help the most deprived areas in the region, and will particularly target people with alcohol and mental health problems, and socially isolated parents. The lead organisation is West Fife local Health Service, part of Fife Primary Care Trust, which will deliver most of the services through local health centres.
c) Stirling Health Hub has received a grant of £1m to establish a base for staff to provide outreach services and wellbeing activities to six regeneration areas, including three coalfield communities. The lead organisation is Stirling Health and Wellbeing Alliance, with the Hub being located on a site in central Stirling. It will serve young families and older people who currently suffer from non-clinical depression, anxiety, strokes, cancers, CHD and poor physical health. There will also be a focus on men's health.
d) The Health Hit Squad: Empowering Communities has received almost £400,000 to work with the residents of 17 regeneration areas in East Ayrshire, using a staffed mobile resource unit to operate an extensive outreach road show programme, aimed at identifying and tackling local health inequalities. The lead applicant is East Ayrshire Council. A wide range of services will be offered including cancer awareness, drug and alcohol advice, healthy lifestyle library, relaxation techniques, stress management and healthy cooking.
News Release: SE2840/2000
3 Nov 2000