Funding boost to fitness

3:33pm Tuesday 15th January 2008

MORE than £18,000 has been awarded to health and well-being schemes across South Somerset in a bid to get people healthier and fitter.

The money has become available following a meeting of a partnership group headed by South Somerset District Council, Somerset County Council and the local Primary Care Trust.

Granting innovative healthy-living schemes up to £2,500, the South Somerset Health and Well-being Partnership contributes to a 'healthy living pooled fund' each year in order to tackle health inequalities in the area and promote healthy lifestyles.

Top grants were given to schemes ranging from a Wincanton-based 'grow your own healthy food' initiative for pre-school children to an 'improve your physical health' group based in Chard for adults with long-term conditions.

Crewkerne district councillor, Cllr Angie Singleton, who is chairman of the partnership group, said: "We also granted nearly £2,000 to a healthy eating advice scheme that shows parents how to wean babies onto a healthy diet, and give information on breastfeeding to young mums.

"Cllr Sylvia Seal, South Somerset's portfolio holder for well-being, said: "We have backed an unprecedented range of healthy living projects this year, which will no doubt make a real difference to each and every person who learns something new or kick starts a healthier lifestyle.

"These are exactly the sorts of projects that we need to get people involved in.

"In June, the partnership also awarded £10,000 to the Balsam Healthy Living Centre at Wincanton and Shine - the new Healthy Living Agency covering Yeovil and Chard.A total of £30,000 is left in the fund for 2007-08 and the partnership will be opening up the fund again for new applications in the near future.

If you would like more information please contact South Somerset's voluntary sector development officer Alice Knight on 01963-435061.