Don't Sit Get Fit

Steve Grimsey, Activity Development Co-ordinator for the Don’t Sit Get Fit Project for Dartford , joined the Living Well team in May 2008.  Together with Community Nutritionist Maya Hodgson, he works with young people aged 8 – 14 across the borough to promote physical activity and healthy eating – proving that healthy living can be fun!

Don’t Sit Get Fit is a project promoting healthy weight in children and young people across Dartford. The team works in a variety of settings such as Primary and Secondary schools, youth clubs, scout groups, sports clubs, and ethnic and minority groups, to improve the lifestyles of local young people through providing the opportunity to participate in various activities whilst educating participants on the benefits on leading a healthy lifestyle.

School Intervention Scheme: This provides the opportunity for primary and secondary schools to be involved in the project and has proven to be very popular. This is a 4 week course educating students on the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle, looking at healthy eating and activity through teaching sessions, interactive games, drawing and sports. These sessions tie in with the national curriculum as well as Healthy Schools objectives.

Bollywood and Bhangra: The team is working with BME Health Worker Dil Nota to delivery Bollywood and Bhangra courses to primary school children in the area. The younger children are being taught in a novel way, linking different dance moves to different fruits and vegetables. This increases awareness of the 5 a Day message while getting them moving!

Inter Activ Ate: Working with Healthy Schools, the BME Health Worker and Community Chef Meryl O'Shea, the team are promoting cultural awareness while delivering the healthy living message. They are working with Year 4 pupils, looking at how people in different countries live, what they eat and what games and they play. They have the opportunity to see the foods, cook a dish from that country with the Chef, and try a national sport.

Dartford Dynamos: A referral scheme for children who are at risk of unhealthy weight, looking at increasing confidence, learning new skills, trying new sports, and incorporating physical activity and a healthy diet into their day to day lives.

How we can help: If there are concerns in your areas of work or community and you think the project can help in providing guidance and advice to young people with regards to health please don’t hesitate to contact the team. The project can provide exercise sessions, health advice in regards to weight management, and try to help with any ideas or initiatives you may have.

Steve Grimsey - Activity Co-ordinator

Tel: 01322 311201

Email: dsgfdarford@yahoo.co.uk

Maya Hodgson - Nutritionist

Tel: 01322 622 132

Email: maya.hodgson@nhs.net