Change4Life BEGINS TOWN TRANSFORMATIONS

The Department of health’s Change4Life scheme has allocated £30 million to be shared out around nine ‘at risk’ towns in a bid to improve the health of the residents.

Dudley, Halifax, Sheffield, Tower Hamlets (London), Thetford, Middlesborough, Manchester, Tewkesbury and Portsmouth will be given a share of the money to develop cycle paths, better areas for walking, healthier eating options and more green, open spaces.

Tower Hamlets’ strategies involve raising awareness of healthy eating by implementing an award scheme for businesses selling healthy food.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson stated that the healthy towns were part of a bid to improve the health of England as a country.

‘Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face,’ he said. ‘Healthy towns must promote healthy living in innovative ways to help residents to be more active.’

For more information on the Change4Life programme and how you can get involved, please visit www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/