Foyer Health: Foyer Health Launch Events: Year 2 Foyers

Bristol Foyer

Forty people attended the Health Launch Event at Bristol Foyer in December 08. Foyer residents decorated the reception and other public areas of the Bristol Foyer the night before, so everyone had plenty of energy on the day.

The 'Staff in Spandex' were hilarious and dressed up as 80s exercise legends. The Wii Fit and Wii Sports were brought out for the first time at the Launch. They were until then kept a big secret and were a major cause of excitment on the day! There were also exercise videos, healthy food and fruit juice provided at reception.

The Mezzanine on the first floor became the Health Promotion Section, where there was a NHS smoking cessation group providing information on lung capacity and other smoking advice. There was also a Princes Trust display, the Young People's Drug and Alcohol team came along with their suitcase of 'drugs' and a Health Promotion Specialist brought lots of information on cycling and sport facilities in the area.

Staff and residents all had a go at Boxing, Yoga and Street Dance taster sessions. Meanwhile, a college group who deliver weekly sessions at the Foyer, ran a Ready Steady Cook session in the training kitchen.

Since the Launch Event, Bristol Foyer has held smoking cessation groups and has made good links with Health Promotion specialists, who have offered residents free bicycles. Other benefits include a sports link with the local authority who has provided free gym membership to all 16-22 year olds at the Foyer.

Plymouth Foyer

The Health Programme was launched at Plymouth Foyer during its 8th Anniversary celebrations. There were two big reasons to celebrate and Plymouth Foyer held a fun-filled festive open day with performances by local school children, staff and residents, and the launch of the Foyer Health Scheme. Agencies from all over Plymouth and members of the public came along to join in on a very successful day, including staff from the Plymouth City Council, education and training providers in Plymouth, other supported housing projects, volunteer services, Social Services, some Plymouth Foyer ex-residents and members of the public.

Some agencies brought leaflets and stands offering relevant information and advice to Plymouth residents, and two representatives from the local gym did some basic health checks. The importance of a sensible diet and appropriate amounts of physical exercise were high on their agenda and residents received ten free passes to the gym for a year.

The entertainment for the day came from pupils from Stoke Dameral Secondary School as well as St. Peters Primary School, who wowed everyone with their versions of some classic Christmas carols.

Some brave members of the team also sung some classics, kitted out in their seventies outfits!
The day was finished off with entertainment from Teresa and her African Drums, so the young people and foyer staff showed off some of their hidden talents too.

Meanwhile, the young health champions at Plymouth Foyer made and served freshly made juices and smoothies, which were very popular with everybody. They also handed out recipe cards with some ideas of healthy meals.

Other residents were involved throughout the day by giving visitors a tour of the Foyer as well as meeting and greeting them at the door. The Foyer held a raffle and received many donations.

It was a really successful day and residents have asked for smoothie sessions to be organized for the future.

Blackburn with Darwen

The Health Programme kicked off at Blackburn with Darwen Foyer with a day for all to have a go at activities. There were yoga, aerobic and smoothie making sessions. Everyone enjoyed a healthy buffet lunch, made by the residents and Re:fresh came along to sign people up for free local gym memberships. Residents took lots of information away with them too, as there were stands and presentations from a range of organizations, including the NHS stop smoking team, the BwDCoucils Health and Fitness Team and Lifeline, Drugs and Alcohol misuse workers.

Wisbech Foyer

Wisbech Foyer staff and residents enjoyed a trip to Strikes, the local ten pin bowling alley. Everyone had a laugh egging each other on and there were lots of tasty fruit juices on offer too. It was the icebreaker event for the Health Programme launch and it was a big success!

The Christmas party offered lots of tasty, healthy food that was bought and prepared by a group of residents. There was a range of food on offer, including chilli con carne, jacket potatoes and healthy snacks, like dips and breadsticks. One of the dishes the residents prepared was the Chunky Chicken and Peppers recipe, provided by the Foyer Federation, which was extremelly popular! There was music, singing and dancing, and definitely lots of festive spirit!