This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Health Minister Chills Out With Glasgow's Kool Kids
26/01/2001
Health Minister Susan Deacon today enjoyed a healthy lunch with youngsters from Kool Kids, a project dedicated to encouraging healthy lifestyles in a deprived area, and was on hand as they participated in games and physical activities.
The Greater Pollok Kool Kids Project aims to increase access to physical activity and healthy choices for nine-to-ten year olds at 18 primary schools in the area.
Susan Deacon, who launched the Project at Cardonald College, Glasgow, said:
"This is an excellent example of our policy of giving children the best possible start in life by improving child health and children's services.
"Greater Pollok is a deprived area affected by severe health problems - for example, more than half the children are born into households where one or both parents smoke, almost ten per cent of babies are of low birthweight and more than ten per cent of the workforce are permanently sick.
"Research has shown that very few children are involved in out-of-school activities, fun or sport and ten per cent do not leave the house at all after returning from school.
"This is exactly the sort of area where we need to take positive action to ensure children are not permanently disadvantaged by adverse health factors such as these.
"The project will provide training opportunities in children's play for teaching staff, parents and local people and will employ local sports coaches to undertake the activities.
"Through a series of interactive workshops children will explore attitudes and key issues around healthy eating, hygiene, oral health, smoking and physical activity.
"The barriers presented by poverty will be addressed through subsidised access to sport and leisure activity and transport to them, as well as after-school activity and free membership of the Kool Kids Club.
"The Scottish Health Plan commits us to spending much more on projects like this to improve the health of the population. All Scotland's share of the resources from the tobacco tax has been allocated to the Health Improvement Fund, which will see investment of more than £100m by the year 2003-04 in the biggest-ever drive to improve Scotland's unenviable health record.
"But Government action alone cannot bring about the changes that are needed to improve people's health. We have to work hand in hand - the Executive, health professionals, health boards, local authorities, voluntary organisations, individuals and communities - to bring about the changes that are necessary.
"Work done at local level, like Kool Kids, is vital to help reduce health inequalities - local needs identified and tackled by local people and communities. That is the best way to guarantee a project's success".
Dr Carol Tannahill, director of health promotion at Greater Glasgow Health Board, said:
"Youngsters at this age have a great deal of will and can, with support and encouragement, introduce new eating and exercise habits back to their families, benefiting parents and the children.
"The project provides fun, free access to games and activities at schools which otherwise would not be available within the community.
"The Kool Kids project listened to what the kids wanted and needed as part of a healthy development and put supports in place to address their needs.
"It is a reflection of many people's hard work, research and commitment that has today resulted in the pilot project being rolled out to all 18 primary schools in the area for the next three years".
During her visit to Cardonald College Susan Deacon took a healthy buffet lunch with local children who designed a healthy meal specially for the occasion and watched as youngsters took part in a parachute game.
BACKGROUND
- In September 1999, following publication of the Greater Pollok Health Review, a successful bid was made to the Social Inclusion Partnership Board for funding to pilot a children's health club in two primary schools (Darnley Primary School and St Marnock's Primary School). The pilot ran for 12 weeks with Ali Paton, the radio presenter and former Gladiator (Siren) as patron.
- Following an evaluation report on the pilot project, a successful bid was made for an extension to all 18 primary schools in the area for three years. The project is supported by Greater Pollok Social Inclusion Partnership, the Greater Glasgow Health Board, Glasgow City Council (Education Department and Culture and Leisure Services) and Barnardos.
- Cardonald College has been involved in the pilot project, with HND students employed on the project and gaining work experience.
News Release: SE0158/2001
26 Jan 2001