The Stay Healthy Live Longer Project is a multi-agency initiative between the Preston Road Neighbourhood Development Company, Surestart Marfleet and the Eastern Hull Primary Care Trust. The project offers a comprehensive health promotion package looking to reduce the rates of premature death and contribute towards reducing the risk factors of coronary heart disease.

The two local communities of the Preston Road NDC and Surestart Marfleet rank highly in the most recent index of multiple deprivation. Statistics from the Public Health Development Team show Preston Road residents are 60% more likely than East Yorkshire residents to die prematurely from heart disease. As the Marfleet ward is in the top 10% of deprived wards in England on the Health Index of Multiple Deprivation, it’s reasonable to assume that this statistic is representative of both areas.

The overall project aims to tackle obesity, lack of take-up of physical activity and high rates of smoking in the two communities. The project will encourage people to make small, easy, sustainable lifestyle changes that are conducive to good health. We aim to make the changes appealing and affordable to residents. In response to local residents’ requests, we will be providing slimming clubs that encourage healthier eating patterns and the uptake of regular physical activity. We are in the process of setting-up consultations with local residents to determine what they would like included in the project, such as what types of taster physical activities they would take part in. The results of this will form part of the package, which also includes stop smoking classes, health MOTs and other health promotion initiatives.

The above health promotion package builds on to the nutritional services already available in the areas, an example being cooking sessions. These classes aim to improve knowledge, skills and confidence in cooking healthy meals on a budget. The classes also aim to make people aware that healthy meals can be tasty and more affordable than pre-prepared meals.

Currently we offer a course called “Meals in Minutes”, where participants can take home to their families what they’ve cooked in the course. We give participants a variety of healthy recipes and encourage them to cook these at home. Evaluation has found that participants are cooking recipes we give them and they are improving their skills and confidence in cooking healthy meals.