28 Aug 2009

Phoenix Centre lands healthy living award

The Phoenix Centre Community Support Service in Wallsend has received an award for helping its service users develop a healthier lifestyle.

The Community Health Care Forum, in conjunction with North Tyneside Primary Care Trust and North Tyneside Council gave The Phoenix Centre an "Outstanding" award for its work.

The award was presented by John Harrison, the elected mayor of North Tyneside, to one of Mental Health Matters' service users, Carole Davey, who has been actively involved in the Healthy Lifestyle groups.

Carole said: "It was wonderful and really boosted my self confidence to recieve this award on behalf of Mental Health Matters."

Some of the healthy lifestyle options on offer at The Phoenix Centre include Healthy Cooking on a Budget. Walk This Weigh (a short walk and a weight management class including nutrition advice) and Tai-Chi, as well as longer walks to places of interest for more experienced walkers.

The centre also has an allotment where food is grown for use in healthy cooking sessions. The centre was awarded £500 from the Elected Mayor's Wellbeing Fund, to improve the allotments, including improving the paths and raising one of the trenches to make them more accessible to those with impaired mobility or back problems.