AN ACTION plan has been set up to improve the health and welfare of Bolton people next century.

Delegates drew up the agenda during a "positive thinking" conference at Bolton Town Hall.

The conference was aimed at building on the Health for Bolton initiative, launched seven years ago.

As well as reflecting on the successes of that initiative, the conference also looked ahead to future targets.

It attracted 150 delegates, including health professionals and people from many sections of the community.

Chris Bailey, from the Bolton Specialist Health Promotion Service, described the conference - entitled "Making New Connections" - as a great success.

Chris said: "One of the highlights was a 'Tree of Dreams' collage in which we asked every delegate to write on a leaf what hopes and dreams they have for Bolton in the next millennium."

Among the delegates' dreams were "To see a cleaner, greener Bolton;" "For local people to become really involved in decision making," and "If all the people here worked together we would really change the world."

Chris added: "Let's hope that some of these dreams can be achieved."

The conference also included a number of workshops for delegates and a keynote speech from Dr Viv Speller from the University of Southampton.

There was also information on the Health for Bolton Community Fund.

The fund, co-ordinated by the Health for Bolton Community Development Group, gives financial support to schemes organised by small voluntary groups.

These schemes have an emphasis on health issues as well as making Bolton a better place to live.

Just two of the many groups to have benefited from the Health for Bolton Community Development Fund are Age Concern, who received a grant to train two volunteers as aromatherapists, and Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club, who received funds for an anti-drugs scheme.

It is hoped that by supporting these groups targets set for the health of Bolton will be reached.

Voluntary groups can apply for a Health for Bolton Community Fund grant of between £50 and £500.

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