After working with local Mental Health NHS Trust Mersey Care for 3 years, Liverpool Chamber member LIPA (The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) are bringing their innovative project, ‘Mad About Dance’, to businesses across the city, in an effort to combat stress and anxiety in the workplace.

Project manager Lydia Bates explains “It almost seems too good to be true, but dance can have a restorative and protective effect for people, even if they consider themselves to have two left feet.

“Our dance teachers work in a way that is responsive to each group, so even people who have never danced before can benefit.”

One in four people will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives and the risks are increased when times are tough and people have additional stresses on their lives. But an activity like dance, that connects body and mind, can help relieve some of that pressure and decrease levels of stress and anxiety, which in turn can lower rates of sickness absence and ‘presenteeism’.

By providing opportunities to be active, to connect and to keep learning, Mad About Dance provides 3 of the 5 ways to wellbeing that are proven to make a real difference to your life.

Companies who are would like to learning more about the project, or who are interested in introducing dance into their workplace are invited to call Lydia on 0151 330 3136 or to e-mail training@lipa.ac.uk

More information on the Five Ways to Wellbeing here

Health@Work are offering free places to SME’s on the “Impact on Depression” training course for line managers (delivered by Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health).

Wednesday 20 October 2010
1.00pm – 4.00pm
(refreshments will be available from 12.30pm)

And

Thursday 21st October 2010
1.00pm – 4.00pm
(refreshments will be available from 12.30pm)

at the Health@Work offices,
Second Floor,
Orleans House,
Edmund Street,
Liverpool, L3 9NG

This workshop is designed for managers to enhance their knowledge about mental health problems, the relationship between mental health and the workplace and how to manage a staff member who may be experiencing a mental health problem, such as depression or anxiety.

Through the use of DVD case studies and structured discussions, participants will become more confident in the principles and planning required to intervene early if they are concerned about an employee, as well as develop ongoing management strategies, such as return to work plans.

The course is aimed at managers, supervisors and team leaders.

If you wish to book onto either of these sessions, please email Claire.Bridson@healthatworkcentre.org.uk stating the course date, name, contact address, email address and telephone number.

Alternatively, call Claire on 0151 236 6608

Website: www.healthatworkcentre.org.uk

Six weeks Lifestyles membership for the price of four during the summer hols!

Plus other great activities!

With a packed programme of FREE activities for children over the summer holidays why not take advantage of our fantastic six weeks membership for the price of four and indulge in a leisurely swim, book yourself on one of our range of classes or burn off some of that excess stress in our fitness suite while we help to entertain the kids.

Total, Plus, Aqua, Aqua Plus and class memberships available with no obligation to extend after 6 weeks!

Buy your membership online at: www.liverpool.gov.uk/lifestylesoffers or call in to your nearest centre.

To find your nearest Lifestyles Centre call 0151 233 5433.

New Nine Hole Power Play
Friday 27 August 2010
£5 including green fees
(under 18s free)

Power Play Golf is a new nine-hole form of golf, based on a stableford format where there are two flags on every green. You can score extra points if you take a “Power Play” and go for a black flag.

Prizes awarded for:

Men’s best points total (nett) 1st 2nd and 3rd place

Ladies best points total (nett) 1st 2nd and 3rd place

Junior best points total (nett) 1st 2nd and 3rd place

Tee times between 12- 1.30pm

Barbecue, and trick shot at 4.00pm show by David Edwards, former European Tour Professional

Further details available on www.liverpool.gov.uk/golf
Liverpool Municipal, North Ingoe Lane Junction M57, Kirby, L32 4SS
Tel: 0151 546 5435

Free Family Fun Day at Liverpool
Municipal North Golf Course
Friday 27 August 12noon – 6pm

• Free group lessons for all the family - Beginner, Intermediate and Short Game Lessons 12noon - 3pm
• Barbecue and video coverage of Golf Competition with light hearted commentary and prize giving by Sky Sports David Edwards
• World’s Premier Trick Shot Show by former European Tour Player and world record holder David Edwards - 4.00pm
• Yoga for Golf session 11am- 12 noon
• 9 Hole Power Play Golf Competition - Open to all – prizes to handicap golfers and non-handicap golfers. Tee times from 12noon - 1.30pm
  •Register now for free golf lessons - places limited
  • Power Play Golf competition - Adults £5.00 - 18 and under free

Power Play Golf is Golf’s equivalent of 20/20 cricket – golfers play 9 holes with each green having two flag placements with additional points for choosing the more difficult flag to attack.
For further information visit  www.liverpool.gov.uk/golf

Liverpool Municipal North Golf Course, Junction 6,
M57, Ingoe Lane, Kirkby, Liverpool L32 4SS

2 October, 11am - 4pm, Sefon Park

What’s it all about?
UK Yogathon 2010 is a community event for the North-West that aims to bring together businesses, schools, and individuals through the practce of yoga as part of Liverpool 2010 Year of Wellbeing as well as raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Objectives
Our main objectve is to promote the practce of yoga as an actvity which is available to all. It is an actvity which does not conflict with cultural or religious views and can be practced with any level of flexibility, experience and age. Yoga is non-compettve; it is about personal development and improving your health and wellbeing, not about getng your leg behind your head!

The Yogathon is designed to be fun for children and adults alike, and to stmulate their interest in taking care of themselves. Yoga traditonally teaches life-enhancing values and provides us with ‘tools’ for everyday life and we believe it is a fantastc way for everyone to enjoy happier, healthier lives.

How it works
The main event is set to be held on the 2 October, 11am - 4pm in Sefon Park Liverpool, where we will bring together over 5000 people for a Wellbeing festval involving dancing, music, storytelling, pamper tents, stalls of fair-trade gifs, health andwellbeing informaton as well as partcipants performing a set number of the Sun Salutaton Yoga poses which they are being sponsored to complete.

This will be a wonderful day of celebraton for children, their families and the wider community, with fun yoga sessions and the presentaton of certficates to all, plus thanks and prizes for those who have been partcularly successful in their fundraising.

In order to reach this stage we are offering free Yoga in the Park sessions across the North West in the months building up to the event to safely teach people the Sun Salutaton postures.

Currently these are to be held in Princes Park and Sefon Park, however if you would like to help us to expand this we would be more than happy to assist you in making arrangements (so please don’t hesitate to get in touch!)

We will also be going into schools to teach children the important role that yoga can play in their everyday lives, as well as going into workplaces and hostng yoga based networking events for the business community.

What we need from you
More than anything we need the help of our local community to get as many people interested and involved as well as helping to promote yoga to a wider audience.

To do this, we are simply asking you to promote it to any current yoga classes being held within your organisaton, and to any other parts of your organisaton you think may be interested in this project or who it would be beneficial to.

If you would like to get more involved and put together a team of yoga students then we are happy to provide you with all the promotonal materials you may need, as well as helping you set up an outdoor yoga session in your local park.

What does it cost?
The cost of registraton is £9 per person and for this they receive an informaton pack, access to the yoga in the park sessions and an additonal free full yoga session (which can either be hosted by us or you on arrangement).

Children will only be charged £3, but will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times

There are a range of additonal incentves for reaching sponsorship targets – for reaching £25 they will be given a Yogathon 2010 T-shirt, for £50 a Yoga mat, for £75 a pamper set and for £150 a Luxury Pamper Treatment.

If you’d like to get involved contact Sam on 07504032277 or e-mail: LiverpoolWellbeing@post.com

It doesn’t matter if you run it or if you walk it, but we’ll encourage you to get off your bum and just do it!

And here’s how- there’s just eight weeks to the event on 12 September 2010.

Every Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm we are teaming up with Synergy Fitness Centre in Lord Street. You don’t have to be a runner, although if you are, we’ll be able to help you improve your times!

Synergy’s expert trainers will help you get going, encourage you into general exercise and give you advice on footwear and nutrition.

And to gain your commitment, to make it seem real, we’re going to ask you to pay! Its a bit like joining a gym but with a real result at the end. For just £100 we’ll give you the 8 training sessions, book your place in the 5k team challenge and give you your very own running vest.

If you would like to help us to raise money for our charity Sunflowers then that’s up to you, but a there’s nothing like philanthropy to get you all going.

If you would like to sign up just email Jenny Stewart ( the original couch potato!) at jenny.stewart@liverpooolchamber.org.uk

Six weeks Lifestyles membership for the price of four during the summer hols, plus other great offers!

With a packed programme of FREE activities for children over the summer holidays why not take advantage of our fantastic six weeks membership for the price of four and indulge in a leisurely swim, book yourself on one of our range of classes or burn off some of that excess stress in our fitness suite while we help to entertain the kids?

Total, Plus, Aqua, Aqua Plus and class memberships available with no obligation to extend after six weeks!

Buy your membership online at: www.liverpool.gov.uk/lifestylesoffers or call in to your nearest centre.

Download this info leaflet to find your nearest Lifestyles Centre or call 0151 233 5433. [PDF]

Offer running from Monday 19 July to Tuesday 31 August.

FREE golf taster sessions for families with Lifestyle Fitness Centres and Liverpool Municipal golf courses!

The Echo Community Golf Tour tees off with over 300 participants due to take part in this unique project.

The city’s Lifestyle Fitness Centres and two Municipal golf courses will be host to a program of FREE golf taster sessions for families.

How to get involved
Choose a session time that suits you and your family, contact the centre hosting the session and book into a taster session in groups of two family members. Participants will receive a free coaching taster session and a complimentary off peak game at one of our golf courses.

What will you learn?
In each 15 minute session you will learn the basics of the Grip, Stance, Posture and Swing. Most importantly you will learn what a great game golf is for learning life skills whilst having fun with the rest of your family.

What do you need to bring?
Just a pair of comfortable training shoes! All clubs and balls will be provided by the professional.

Who can attend?
Any family can attend no matter what standard – complete beginner, improving novice to the more accomplished golfers. The most important thing is that you come along, get active, have fun and participate.

In addition participants will be able to take advantage of free travel to the Ladies British Open at Royal Birkdale, in July. Under 16s will gain free admission provided they are accompanied by an adult.

All participants will be invited to a family fun golf day and barbecue at Liverpool North on Friday 27 August 2010.

For details of all sessions visit www.liverpool.gov.uk/golf

Family Fun Day
Friday 27th August
12 noon – 6pm

Join us on for a free family fun day with free golf coaching and skills challenges!

Have a go at the 9 Hole Power Play Golf Competition – Anyone can play (£5 for adults, free for children)

Watch a ‘Trick Shot’ show and enjoy a delicious barbecue and healthy food demonstration!

Register now for free coaching and competition by contacting Jason Dolman, 0151 233 6366, jason.dolman@liverpool.gov.uk

Former Everton player, Ronnie Goodlass, is driving the charity, Health Through Sport.

It has an excellent record of working with people from a variety of marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds.  A key concern of the organisation is the desire to assist the development and behaviour of young people, particularly boys and young men.

Health Through Sport is dedicated to providing a football coaching service that not only attracts vulnerable young and not so young people but also helps them to change their chaotic lifestyles. Read more about their valuable work

http://www.healththroughsport.co.uk/

With the headlines dominated by uncertainty through the new coalition government, stories of companies losing money and the unemployment toll rising, workers have good reason to be concerned.  Worryingly, a high percentage of people will suffer from some kind of stress-related illness.

Worrying about the effects of the recession can become a vicious circle because tension in the workplace increases as concerns over money and job security grow. This can bring about the development of chronic mental health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety, and can in turn lead to absence from work.

A survey conducted by Westfield Health* found that 73 per cent of respondents had suffered from stress at some point in their lives, with 39 per cent having taken time off work because of it. 

Stress is a serious matter for both the sufferer and the company he or she works for.

Westfield Health’s Chamber Primary Health Plan includes a 24-hour counselling and advice line, which provides employees with round-the-clock access to specialist teams of qualified and experienced counsellors, lawyers and medical staff.

The plan also offers up to six face-to-face counselling sessions, enabling employees to talk through issues in person.

The Chamber Plan is available to all members of Liverpool Chamber. For more information, please visit www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber, call 0845 602 1629 or email businessenquiries@westfieldhealth.com

* Westfield Health Survey – January 2008

Well done to Neil Grundy of McGrath Associates. He successfully completed the Liverpool Triathlon. He was the fastest Chamber member, and came a more than respectable 23rd out of 500!

Neil’s given us a ‘run down’ of his race:

‘It was hot! But how nice and cool was the water!

I tried to take it easy during the swim at first to get warmed up. I went to the front of the pack this time and got hit by numerous arms and legs at the start. I was slightly slower than last time but I made it.

I loved the bike section, flat and as fast as you can go. I’m still not happy with the bike time, I need to get stronger so I can make some time up over the longest section of the race. Came in off the bike slightly slower and had to run (dad’s run) the long footpath back to the transition area.

Set off running back up the transition area and went the wrong way! I had to slightly double back but nothing too serious. I was starting to feel it 2-3k in and was glad to get water and a gel on board during this section.

I really had to push on the last 2k, the tank was running low approaching the finish line. My time was 1hr 20min 12sec (23rd overall), with which I was well pleased. As expected, a great crowd cheering you on all the way.

I’ll be back next year and will try to improve!

Innovative South Liverpool Charity, Rotters Community Composting has won the special 2010 Year of Health and Wellbeing category in the Merseyside Innovation Awards.

The category is an extra award in 2010 and has been sponsored by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool PCT to promote the five ways to Health and Wellbeing; Connect, Be active, Take notice, Keep learning and Give.

Rotters Community composting have been running a scheme called Fork to Fork designed to help people of all ages throughout the community of South Liverpool.

Fork to Fork aims to increase the number of people in Speke and Garston who grow their own food, and enjoy a healthier lifestyle by using locally grown fresh produce in their diet and by taking part in gardening activities.

Teresa Latta, Project Manager commented: “Fork to Fork is innovative because it is educational and encourages people to exercise within a nice social environment without realising they are doing it.

The service is already has beneficiaries from primary school ages to age of 90!

Our aim is for the model to be replicated within other areas of Merseyside.”

Rotters are the only company on Merseyside who have a license to compost food waste. The waste is made into compost which is used on three sites used by the community groups to grow their produce.

Teresa continued: “We are generating changes for both individuals and their neighbourhood by helping people to learn skills and gain confidence in growing their own food and using their own space or local allotments. Local people are now growing food cheaply and we are helping them identify cheap or free sources for tools and seeds.

“The scheme also generates greater community pride in the local facilities, particularly with the engagement of young people, so that there is less chance of vandalism taking place. Social sustainability creating links between different parts of the local community, particularly young people and over 55s, to lead to greater community cohesion.”

 “Gideon Ben-Tovim, Chair of Liverpool Primary Care Trust, said: “I’m delighted that a special category has been introduced to this year’s Merseyside Innovation Awards to mark the Year of Health and Wellbeing.

”Throughout 2010 we’ll be encouraging everyone to think about making small, achievable steps towards a healthier lifestyle, and it’s fantastic to be able to recognise a scheme which is making such a positive contribution to this area.”