"Go for your life" coming to a workplace near you
20 July 2007
Western District Health Service project officer Fran Patterson plans to increase health and fitness levels in our workplaces, as part of her new role for Southern Grampians Challenging Stereotypes – Going For Our Lives project.
The project to tackle the challenges of obesity and declining levels of activity received a State Government grant of $614,000 over 3 years , and is one of a $3.6 million for six new community initiatives (only two rural) to increase physical activity and healthy eating for all Victorians.
Western District Health Service is the lead agency in the project, in partnership with the Southern Grampians Shire Council and the Southern Grampians and Glenelg Primary Care Partnership.
Ms Patterson, who has previously worked as an Occupational Therapist for WDHS and CRS Australia, has been appointed project officer. She said the “Challenging Stereotypes” Project has been funded for three years, and the project would be aimed at adults, to increase physical activity and healthy eating patterns.
Where the project differs from other healthy lifestyle programs, is that it aims to foster behavioral changes in the workplace. Ms Patterson commented that ‘with current high levels of employment and more sedentary jobs the level of physical activity we include in our daily lives is decreasing.
“Yet there is much we can do to improve our own health, and well-being and physical dexterity. As we spend a significant part of our day at work and evidence suggests that we will be retiring later, healthy productive workplaces are important for our community,” she said.
“The aim is to set up some workplace programs which are sustainable. To help make this happen I will be seeking expressions of interest to participate on an reference group, which will develop and oversee the Going for our lives project.
“The reference group will be formed by the end of July and I am looking forward to working with both small and large employers,” Ms Patterson said.
Ms Patterson already has some ideas she would like to propose to that group, such as physical training in the workplace, cycling to work, pedometers to measure daily activity and corporate challenges.
Anyone interested in speaking with Fran Patterson should contact her on 55518450.
Walking the Talk. WDHS Speech Pathologist Sue Cameron walks every Friday with the new Go For Your Life project officer Fran Patterson, who is hoping the exercise habit will catch on.
