August 29, 2006 – LSP 5/06

Victory Park, Leiston will be the venue on Saturday, September 2, for the third of the summer’s Quality of Life events offering helpful advice and information for all sections of the community.
 
Organised by Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership and Suffolk Strategic Partnership, the event from 10am to 3pm aims to put people in touch with the local organisations that can help them and will also be promoting how a healthy lifestyle can improve quality of life.

“Not everyone who has problems or poor health knows who they can turn to. This event has lots of information on organisations including the voluntary sector and Suffolk Coastal District Council who can help them,” said Councillor Sherrie Green and member of the Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership.

“There will also be lots of information on how a healthy lifestyle can help you feel better and among the stalls will be information on activities for both ends of the age spectrum, personal and community safety, rural projects and healthy walks,” continued Councillor Green.

Among the organisations taking part are Leiston’s Citizens Advice Bureau, Leiston Adult Centre, Suffolk Acre, Stepping out in Suffolk, Leiston Scouts and Suffolk Police.

Information about Suffolk Carers, Age Concern, East Suffolk MIND, Homestart Coastal and the Patient Advice and Liaison Service will be available as well as lots of tips on a healthy lifestyle from healthy eating and physical activity to preventing falls and responsible drinking.

To encourage people to take up exercise there will be some gentle seated exercise sessions, or for those who want to get more active there will be some fitness equipment to try out. A member of the Leiston Leisure Centre will be on hand to give information on what is on offer at the Centre. Children will be able to try out a sailing training dinghy in the safety of dry land or join in activities put on by Suffolk Coastal’s Active Leisure Team and the CYDS Youth Group.

People who want to get more active in their community by giving up some of their spare time to support the efforts of the voluntary sector, can visit the SAVO (Suffolk Association of Voluntary Services) stand to find out how they can become involved.

The event is also about getting feedback about the services on offer in the district. At the adult consultation kiosk visitors will be able to ask questions about services, what they would like to see improved and what they think is already working well and should be maintained. Children and young people can use the ‘Big Brother’ pod – a quiet area to express their views on what they feel about the area, local services and what they would like provided or improved.

“We hope lots of local people will come along and find out what is going on in their area and get useful information and advice that could help them improve the quality of their life,” added Councillor Green.