The Cessnock Healthy Lifestyle Network and Mount View High School are working to expand an exciting wellbeing campaign into the wider community.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The network and the school have worked in partnership to promote the Five Ways to Wellbeing framework, which was developed by the New Economics Foundation.
The framework outlines five actions people can take to enhance their personal wellbeing – connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give.
Cessnock Healthy Lifestyle Network chairperson Caitlin Bialek said the network has a goal to optimise health and wellbeing amongst all residents of the Cessnock LGA – which has some of the highest rates of lifestyle risk factors (such as smoking and obesity) and chronic disease in Australia.
“It’s really important that we band together to improve statistics,” Ms Bialek said.
Cessnock City Council has incorporated the Five Ways to Wellbeing framework into its 2017-21 Health and Wellbeing Plan.
Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent said council embraced the opportunity to take part, as the conversations about wellbeing could have positive impacts across the community.
“Each of us have a role to play in promoting healthy choices and leading healthy lifestyles,” he said.
Mount View High School principal Desley Pfeffer said the campaign could make a real difference to wellbeing in the Cessnock community.
Ms Pfeffer said point five – ‘give’ – is where the Cessnock community shines.
“Giving is like gold dust for wellbeing, and this community does it so well,” she said.
The network has selected a number of people from local businesses and organisations to learn more about the campaign and to champion the cause in the local community.
The ‘Night of Champions’ was held at Kirkton Park last Tuesday, with Positive Psychology Institute managing director Dr Paula Robinson as the guest speaker.
Dr Robinson said while wellbeing is a complex topic, if done well, it can improve communities quite substantially.
With the champions spreading the word, the Cessnock Healthy Lifestyle Network will now review expressions of interests, and plan and implement the next steps for a full community campaign.
Ms Pfeffer said this could include displaying signage in public areas, promoting the program in schools and businesses, and community events aligned the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
“Cessnock could even become a wellbeing tourist destination,” she said.