SHOPPERS took time out to think about their health as they browsed through an unusual exhibition which helped to launch a multi-million pound scheme aimed at improving the quality of life for Bolton people.

Officially launching the Healthy Living Project, Mayor Cllr John Walsh, said that Bolton was at the forefront of a scheme with the potential to change people's lives for the better.

Twenty four separate groups are being funded by a £1 million grant from the New Opportunities Fund to bring healthy lifestyles to residents living in some of the poorer parts of the town.

Schemes include healthy eating projects, parent craft classes, gardening programmes, setting up credit unions in schools, teaching pensioners how to be readers in schools, providing fruit at a luncheon club, helping teenage parents get involved in sports, helping disabled youngsters take part in sporting programmes, community help for people with mental health problems and encouraging women to leave abusive relationships.

They also want to improve access to healthy food and set up healthy lifestyle groups for ethnic minority communities.

Displays at the exhibition in Victoria Square included one from The Wildlife Trust encouraging people to grow their own vegetables and the Octagon's Active 8 players' promotion of their play which is to tour schools to tackle the subject of teenage pregnancy.

The National Children's Homes displayed their plans to improve the lives of parents across the borough by introducing various baby skills classes.

Cllr Cliff Morris, executive member of Bolton Council's social services, said the initiative showed how different organisations in Bolton are working together to improve health in the town.

Cllr Morris said: "The over-riding theme of these projects is to improve health and tackle health inequalities through combating poverty and supporting disadvantaged communities." "It has become clear that no one organisation is able to provide the wide range of services needed to address all the needs of local people."

Head of Bolton's Primary Care Trust, Mrs Pam Senior, said: "This is all about Bolton people determining what really makes their lives better.

"The schemes are so varied. It is an exciting project for Bolton. It means mutual help and support from children to older people and vice versa.

"If people are happy then their health improves and this has a longer term effect of reducing the need for hospital admissions.

"If people are mentally healthy then they are more like to be healthy. It is a totally different approach."

Schemes will be run by The Octagon's Active 8, Age Concern, Alcohol & Drugs Service, Bolton Association and Network of Drop-Ins, Bolton's Over 50's Group, Bolton's Befriending Foruum, Bolton Carers Support, Bolton Community College, Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club, Bolton Council's Social Services, Bolton's Patient Council for Mental Health, Bolton West Indian Association, BYPAS(Bolton Young People's Advice and Support Services, Comment Development Trust, Community Education Service, Bolton Primary Care Trust ,Fortalice, Harvey Early Years Centre, Horwich Tuesday Club, MhIST (Mental Health Independent Support Team), Volunteer Reading Help and The Wildlife Trust.

Caption: Little Caitlin Bradbury, of Tyldesley, aged two, takes a bite of her tasty apple at the exhibition.

SHOPPERS took time out to think about their health as they browsed through an unusual exhibition which helped to launch a multi-million pound scheme aimed at improving the quality of life for Bolton people.

Officially launching the Healthy Living Project, Mayor Cllr John Walsh, said that Bolton was at the forefront of a scheme with the potential to change people's lives for the better.

Twenty four separate groups are being funded by a £1 million grant from the New Opportunities Fund to bring healthy lifestyles to residents living in some of the poorer parts of the town.

Schemes include healthy eating projects, parent craft classes, gardening programmes, setting up credit unions in schools, teaching pensioners how to be readers in schools, providing fruit at a luncheon club, helping teenage parents get involved in sports, helping disabled youngsters take part in sporting programmes, community help for people with mental health problems and encouraging women to leave abusive relationships.

They also want to improve access to healthy food and set up healthy lifestyle groups for ethnic minority communities.

Displays at the exhibition in Victoria Square included one from The Wildlife Trust encouraging people to grow their own vegetables and the Octagon's Active 8 players' promotion of their play which is to tour schools to tackle the subject of teenage pregnancy.

The National Children's Homes displayed their plans to improve the lives of parents across the borough by introducing various baby skills classes.

Cllr Cliff Morris, executive member of Bolton Council's social services, said the initiative showed how different organisations in Bolton are working together to improve health in the town.

Cllr Morris said: "The over-riding theme of these projects is to improve health and tackle health inequalities through combating poverty and supporting disadvantaged communities. It has become clear that no one organisation is able to provide the wide range of services needed to address all the needs of local people." Head of Bolton's Primary Care Trust, Mrs Pam Senior, said: "This is all about Bolton people determining what really makes their lives better.

"The schemes are so varied. It is an exciting project for Bolton. It means mutual help and support from children to older people and vice versa. "If people are happy then their health improves and this has a longer term effect of reducing the need for hospital admissions.

"If people are mentally healthy then they are more like to be healthy. It is a totally different approach." Schemes will be run by The Octagon's Active 8, Age Concern, Alcohol & Drugs Service, Bolton Association and Network of Drop-Ins, Bolton's Over 50's Group, Bolton's Befriending Foruum, Bolton Carers Support, Bolton Community College, Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club, and Bolton Council's Social Services. Others taking part are: Bolton's Patient Council for Mental Health, Bolton West Indian Association, BYPAS(Bolton Young People's Advice and Support Services, Comment Development Trust, Community Education Service, Bolton Primary Care Trust ,Fortalice, Harvey Early Years Centre, Horwich Tuesday Club, MhIST (Mental Health Independent Support Team), Volunteer Reading Help and The Wildlife Trust.

Shoppers get

tips to improve

quality of life