Big Way Of Life

The Carmarthenshire Play Learn and Grow Healthy project (based in Ammanford, Carmarthen, Llanelli and Newcastle Emlyn) has been a three year 'Healthy Friends' theme project, working primarily with children aged 7/8 and 10/11 through a 'buddying' project, and extending to reach younger children and their families from the age of two upwards.

Research suggests that nutrition and levels of physical activity are two modifiable behaviours if positive lifestyle choices are introduced in childhood.

The project, which began in November 2008 and ended in October 2011, aimed to raise awareness of the value of physical activity and healthy eating, and to introduce ideas for 'buddying' in a traditionally non-educational environment. Often work in this area is focused on health programmes delivered through schools; however, this project provided 'learning through play'.

Activities were predominately focused on 'buddying' with junior aged children attending out of school childcare clubs and childminders. Training and support was given to all children who volunteered to become 'buddies'.

In addition to the 'buddying' element with older children, some resources were trialled with younger/pre-school children. This ensured that the messages and associated resources reached a wider community at an earlier stage and that the children, families and childcare workers became familiar with the content. The impact of the project was evaluated with the children, parents and childcare workers.

The project was funded with £425,797 from the Big Lottery Fund's (BIG) Way of Life (WOL) initiative, which aimed to develop new and innovative ways of promoting healthy eating, activity and play among children through projects that involve the whole family.

Bi-lingual activity cards written for 'buddies' to use were developed and piloted throughout the project. Ongoing consultation with the children and professional agencies informed the development of the cards. Each participating setting received a pack containing 70 cards, which focused on physical, nutritional and evaluative activities. The cards were well received in all settings and have been successful in engaging children in out of school childcare clubs, childminders and preschools.

Data was collected termly using interactive, fun computer questionnaires and the following progress has been made: -

Nutritional Behaviour

71% of participants improved (51%) or maintained (20%) their daily vegetable intake. (Of those who maintained their levels 76% were already eating between 3 and 5 portions a day.)

Physical Behaviour

78%% had improved (40%) or maintained (38%) their physical activity levels. (Of those who maintained their levels 92% had already stated they were participating in physical activity)

Nutritional Awareness

76% of the participants' improved (33%) or maintained (43%) their nutritional awareness. (Of those who maintained their levels of knowledge 95% knew they should be eating 5 or more portions a day.)

Physical Awareness

76% improved (40%) or maintained (36%) their awareness levels. (Of those who maintained their levels over 75% had already stated they should be exercising more than 3 times a week.)

Nutritional Attitude

93% had improved (38%) or maintained (55%) their attitude towards eating vegetables. (Of those that maintained their level, 96% stated they liked eating vegetables a lot.)

Physical Attitude

91% improved (16%) or maintained (75%) their attitude towards physical activity. (Of those who maintained their levels 96% of the participants already stated they enjoyed taking part in activities a lot.)

Staff involved in the Play, Learn and Grow Healthy project made the following comments:

• "The Play Learn and Grow Healthy Project has been a great success with the children in my setting, they loved growing and eating all of the fruit and vegetables and cannot wait to start growing some more. They also enjoyed all the exercises." - Out of school childcare club
• "This has been an excellent project, it enhances what we already do, encouraging healthy choices. We all look forward to Helene's visits, answering the questions on the lap top, playing the games and the chat! We appreciate all the resource cards with great activity ideas, many we do on the beach which is close by. The sport equipment received is truly magnificent and we are truly grateful. We always have a lot of fun! Thank you very much." - Childminder.

A celebration of the Play, Learn and Grow Healthy project's achievements was held at the Haliwell Centre, Carmarthen on the 7th October.