Tasters of a healthier future

Mark Lankshear

The BCAF Health group have submitted proposals for work in the first year of the New Deal. Work has already begun consulting targeted groups about issues affecting their health. At the November meeting, 12.30pm at St. Peter’s Church, Lyons Street, the group will start work on the plan for year 2, all are welcome.

Learning to listen

The Year 1 proposals include taster health sessions at centres like SADACCA, a complementary therapies conference, an extension of the Handy Person Scheme for older residents and training for local people in community health development. By training local people the group plan to develop a pool of people who can work to plan for future years of the New Deal. They will consult and work with a wide range of groups to prevent ill health and improve services.

The Health group has recently heard about the needs of Asylum seekers and drug use in the area. We are developing a website where people can find information and raise health issues. As the group works to become increasingly aware of health needs in Burngreave we are also seeking to forge links with the planning of mainstream services.

9 years to go

The Health Group is acting as a theme group for the New Deal and is working with other theme groups to develop the Burngreave Support Network, Language Support, and improvements to community transport. Over it’s 10-year lifetime there is New Deal funding for projects that improve access to health care and quality of life. The group knows that it must help those with health needs take control if the money is not to be wasted and is finding new ways to get in touch with local people.

What to do in 2002?

The Health group have open meetings once a month to oversee progress. The November meeting will begin the work of planning action for Year 2 of the New Deal, which begins in April 2002. All are welcome to raise suggestions and ideas at the meeting. Much of the work of the group goes on quietly behind the scenes, visiting different groups and working on the details of proposals and projects due to start in January next year. If you would like to raise an issue or get involved with the groups work, come along to the meeting, or get in touch with Joy on tel. 2796920 or 2796932.

A Healthy Interest

If you'd like to write for the health pages or help on the health website get in touch with me through the Messenger office (2420564), email me at healthpages@drmark.f9.co.uk or visit the trial health pages at www.drmark.f9.co.uk/Healthpages