(Above: Parents and pupils having fun at a family health session funded
by Education Bradford at Low Moor Primary School)
Highfield Healthy Lifestyle was established in 2001 as a Healthy Living Centre funded through the New Opportunities Fund (the Big Lottery). The programme initially for 5 years was set up to reduce health inequalities in Holme Wood and Bierley, Bradford, both areas in the top 10% of the Governments Index of Deprivation (2001).
From 2008 the organisation changed the status to a Community Interest Company, Limited by Guarantee.
Seven years of development have enabled us to build on our levels of expertise and also to build strong links within the communities of
We are also constantly looking at ways to work with developing issues high on the health agenda of our local community e.g. obesity, sexual health and oral health.
- Our mission:
To reduce health inequalities in our area, contribute to a better standard of living by promoting healthier living through increased awareness, provide beneficial activities which are fun and popular.
- Our aims and objectives:
Reduce number of smokers, increase awareness of healthy eating/lifestyle, promote good oral health, promote wellbeing in disadvantage groups e.g. visually impaired, increase number of residents engaged in physical activities.
- Core values:
In developing our work we work in consultation with residents and also with community and statutory sector organisations in the area.
- How we are organised:
There is a core staff team of 6, with sessional workers giving added support. We have volunteers attached to projects who give support to the core team.
The core staff team each have responsibility for specific areas of work, whilst also multi tasking to provide a seamless service across all the projects.
· Our partners:
Our partners include the P.C.T., Family Learning – Education Bradford, National and Regional Healthy Living Centre Alliances, South Bradford Sports Alliance, Holme Wood Community Council and all community groups working within the South Bradford Area. These partnerships are developed through regular attendance at meetings. We contribute to the partnerships through our involvement in decision making processes and posts on various boards.
· How we are financed:
We are funded until 2011 to run a range of projects for the P.C.T.
Family Learning, Education Bradford fund us to deliver accredited and non accredited courses in primary schools across the Bradford District.
The Football Foundation are funding us to work with primary school children and their families to reduce obesity and promote sport .
The Older People’s Wellbeing Fund are funding a Wellbeing Café and support group for the visually impaired.
We also take on a range of freelance work throughout the year by request.
- Where we operate:
The majority of our work is in the Bierley and Holme Wood areas of