Issued: 29 Aug 2024
NHS Highland, The Highland Council, Partnerships for Wellbeing and Highland Drug and Alcohol Action Team are today releasing information on three weeks designed to showcase and raise awareness of the importance of being healthy now and for the future. In January this year thousands of school pupils and people from communities across the region took part in the first Healthy Highland Week which was part of the launch celebrations for Scotland's Year of Highland Culture and the Healthy Highland Year.
NHS Highland chair Garry Coutts said: "Our environment should be an inspiration to us when we think about improving our health and that's why we are taking part in Highland 2024. There are lots of activities people can take part in as individuals, families or groups and we're taking this opportunity to highlight them."
The forthcoming three themed weeks focus on weight, schools and alcohol. You can find out how to take part in existing events or register your own event at www.healthyhighland.com which also includes a link to information and a photo gallery of impressive events and community projects that have been taking place throughout the year led by Partnerships for Wellbeing. The gallery already features inspiring pictures from the schools events which took place earlier this year.
Dr Eric Baijal, Director of Public Health, NHS Highland commended all the initiatives that have been launched during this special year by local community groups and the partner organisations. "Healthy Highland 2024 is about creating a cultural legacy and I can't think of a better legacy than a fitter, healthier population."
Ian Murray, Head of Community, Learning and Leisure echoed the importance of how special themed weeks can lead to sustainable ventures. "Since January we have heard that some of the activities people tried then have really taken off and for a little amount of input the outcomes have been really impressive. Young people in Alness for example tried out spinning classes as a taster session and the community has now invested in cycles and trainers allowing young people to continue to use that as a way of getting regular exercise"
Fiona Hampton, director of Highland 2024, said: "The first Healthy Highland Week was a great success and helped to launch the year of celebrations as part of Highland 2024. It is great that the momentum has continued throughout the year, these additional showcase weeks will highlight the importance of health in the Highlands this year and beyond."