Healthy Living in Blackburn with Darwen

The health of people in Blackburn with Darwen is generally worse than the average in England. Men from the most deprived areas have over 8 years shorter life expectancy than men from the least deprived areas and women live less than six years as long in least deprived areas. Male life expectancy is the fifth worst in England.

There is real hope though in some of the excellent community schemes and although I have blogged before on SAMS and on the community at the Energy Zone  I really wanted to focus on the Healthy Living aspect of the work for the community today.

The Energy Zone has a food co-op which is open Monday 8am - 1pm and Thursday 8am - 1 pm it sells fresh fruit and vegetables at cost price and fresh free range eggs. It is run by volunteers and ensures that the community at Roman Road has fresh fruit and veg on its doorstep at a reasonable price twice a week. The facebook page is full of information and interesting food advice including recipes.

Community food co-ops are a great idea where buying power is pooled and by ordering food in bulk direct from suppliers and asking for donations a group of people can buy good food at more affordable prices. They are run by the community for the community and on a not for profit basis, relying on the support of volunteers. Every food co-op is unique because it reflects the community it serves.

Having a food co-op can mean increased access to a supply of local fresh fruit and vegetables in areas where previously there was limited access unless transport was used. Food has less packaging and therefore generates less waste and the co-op helps to raise awareness of healthy eating and healthy living. Volunteers get increased self esteem from any type of work but with food co-ops they also get confidence and a sense of purpose clearly linked to their local community.

This is a sure sign of community engagement and is a sociable focal point for communities which may feel disenfranchised and isolated. You can find out more about food co-ops here and also where your nearest one is if you are not near the one at the Energy Zone.

Alongside the food co-op the energy zone also has a community gym. This is run on a not for profit basis and is open to everybody in the community who is over 16. Gyms can be expensive so this one is very low cost in order to help people to maintain fitness and health even on low incomes. There are classes such as spin and zumba which can also help to ensure that the community can get together and have fun socialising whilst exercising.

Again the gym is run by volunteers and is not for profit. Both of these facilities are part of the Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living scheme which has its own website.

There can be a tendency to think that health improvements are all about healthcare but what this really highlights is that improving the health of communities is about so much more. Involving communities in their own local schemes and making sure they are what the community wants are central to improving both physical and mental  health particularly in communities which are struggling to survive whilst the economy worsens.

With schemes like those at the Energy Zone and the links to recycling and waste reduction there is real hope in communities and incredible energy going into supporting and volunteering to help them improve.