The First Bite! April ‘‘‘04‘04 --- June ‘‘‘05‘050505
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The First Bite! April ‘‘‘04‘04 --- June ‘‘‘05‘050505 Swansea Food Connections - The First Bite! 2004 - 2005 CONTENTS Page Number ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SUMMARY INTRODUCTION A NEED IDENTIFIED STEERING GROUP 1 STAFF 2 WHO FUNDS THE PROJECT? 2 SWANSEA FOOD CONNECTIONS IS BORN 2 LOGO 2 WHERE DOES THE PROJECT OPERATE? 3 HOW DOES THE PROJECT WORK? 4 WHAT DOES THE PROJECT AIM TO DO? 5 - 6 WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED SO FAR? • Establishment of the Steering Group 6 • Making initial links with people working in the 12 areas 6 - 9 • Mapping of activities/facilities in these areas 10 - 14 • Identifying needs in relation to food 15 - 17 • Promotion of Swansea Food Connections’ existence 17 - 19 • A pictorial flavour of some specific activities 20 - 28 THE FUTURE • An Event 29 • A Pamphlet 29 • Training 29 • Mapping and Networking 29 • Support and Development of Initiatives 29 IN CONCLUSION 30 Swansea Food Connections - The First Bite! 2004 - 2005 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Swansea Food Connections has received tremendous support from a wide range of organisations and individuals too numerous to identify by name. However, we would like to say a special thanks to all those members of the 12 communities who have worked with us so far, and we look forward to closer work in the future. We must thank all those on our Steering Group who have helped guide and nurture us through our first year. In addition we would like to thank all those statutory, and voluntary agencies/organisations/networks who have helped us and worked with us both on the ground in the communities and at a more distant level. For their inspiration we would like to make particular reference to East Sussex Food and Health Partnership and Community Food Enterprise, Newham, who have shown us a vision of what is possible. We thank our colleagues in the Swansea Public Health Team for their constant support and encouragement, together with staff of the Velindre NHS Trust, in particular the Finance Department, who have kept us on track with our funding. Last but not least we thank the Big Lottery for the financial contribution that has made this work possible, and for their belief in the idea. Asha, Jenny and Viv Swansea Food Connections - The First Bite! 2004 - 2005 SUMMARY This is the first annual report on the work of Swansea Food Connections, for the year 2004/05. We hope that it will give people a flavour of the work undertaken over the first period of the three year funded project. In the report we have looked briefly at how the need for the project was identified and the process of setting it up. Based on existing understanding and knowledge that there are inequalities in access to, and availability of, healthy food choices, Swansea Food Connections has the task of looking at this in 12 communities in Swansea - Blaenymaes, Bonymaen, Castle, Clase / Caemawr, Dulais East, Gorseinon East, Graigfelen/Clydach, Hafod, Penlan, Plasmarl, Port Tennant and Townhill / Mayhill. The report outlines the community development method of working, within a Health Promotion context, where the aim is to support local community groups and activists to look at the issues, and find ways to deal with them. By supporting local action it is hoped to encourage long term sustainability, thus encouraging long term improvements in health and well being. We have looked at the progress made so far, set against the original aims identified for the Project, and have given some examples of specific activities that we have been involved in. In addition we have highlighted the next steps for the Project in the forthcoming year, which have grown organically from what we have learnt from the communities themselves. The report is not only aimed at our funders, The Big Lottery, but is also for the 12 communities we aim to assist, and for all those with whom we have worked in partnership with over this period. We hope that it will also act as a catalyst for those with whom we have not yet had the opportunity to work, and as further inspiration for those already starting to take action. The issue of food is huge for all of us! Through careful recording of information, together with photographic evidence, and through looking back on the work done (reflective practice), we are able to monitor progress, evaluate the work and make adjustments where necessary. We hope that all who read this report will share with us any thoughts they may have, which will help guide us. We always welcome constructive criticism as well as positive support! Asha, Jenny and Viv Contact us on 01792 784858 or at Raglan House, Charter Court, Phoenix Way, Llansamlet, Swansea, SA7 9DD, or email asha.boyce, jennifer.evans, viv.makin @nphs.wales.nhs.uk Swansea Food Connections - The First Bite! 2004 - 2005 INTRODUCTION An eventful year has passed since the inception of The Big Lottery funded community food project, set up under the Swansea Public Health Team. A considerable amount of work has been undertaken and links made with an increasing network of local community members and people working with them in the target areas and the wider Swansea area. In addition links have been made to national networks and organisations. Working in partnership, the project has begun to focus on locally identified need relating to access and availability of healthy food. A NEED IDENTIFIED Evidence showed that the diets of the people of Swansea were (not eating) healthy (Health In Wales 2001/2002 - National Assembly for Wales (2000) Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2000). The research showed that there were inequalities in diet between those on higher and lower incomes, and the most striking difference was in the variation in the amounts of vegetables and, in particular, the amount of fruit, eaten by those with lower incomes. Evidence also showed that those on low incomes, or those who had to rely on public transport, often found it difficult to access shops offering healthy food choices. In addition, the food available to them was likely to be more expensive. Thus the need to reduce the inequalities was identified. The need to establish such a project was also linked to the work on the Health, Social Care and Well-being Strategy for Swansea. This aims to improve the health, social care and well-being of all the citizens of Swansea, by ensuring that everyone is supported to achieve the best level of health and well-being possible. It also aims to ensure that communities and individuals are well informed and, as far as possible, take responsibility for their own health and well-being. Taking a preventative approach, one of the aims of the Strategy is to encourage organisations to work together to promote healthy food, and link this to physical activity. At a national level, the need for such a project was linked to the Welsh Assembly Government and Food Standards Agency Nutrition Strategy “Food and Well Being, 2003”. This aims to improve the diet of all people in Wales, particularly prioritising low income and vulnerable sectors of the population. THE PROJECT STEERING GROUP Nothing would have happened if it had not been for the insight and forethought of a group of committed individuals representing a variety of organisations in Swansea, who had the vision and initiated the process of setting up the project. Key to this process were the Swansea Public Health Team and the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Swansea NHS Trust. Since the start, the Steering Group has expanded to draw in a variety of people with varying knowledge and expertise in community and health related fields, who now guide the project and support the project team. 1 Swansea Food Connections - The First Bite! 2004 - 2005 STAFF Initially the Project was to consist of three members - a Community Nutritionist, a Community Food Development Worker and an Administrative Assistant. From a start date of 5th July 2004, Asha Boyce (nee Jadhav) was employed as the Community Nutritionist and Viv Makin as a part time Community Food Worker. It was not until November that Jennifer Evans, joined the team as a part time Community Food Worker. Administrative support is provided by the Swansea Public Health Team. WHO FUNDS THE PROJECT? The Project exists from funding secured through The Big Lottery out of its Cancer Prevention Programme. The grant covers a three year period which will end in June 2007. The major part of the funding goes towards salaries of the workers with additional money to help establish projects, and to cover training, administration, transport and travel. A total of £298,508 has been granted. The funding is held by the Velindre NHS Trust and its Finance Department oversees all the financial aspects of the Project. SWANSEA FOOD CONNECTIONS IS BORN There was some hilarity amongst the staff when brainstorming ideas for a name for the project, but Swansea Food Connections emerged from the myriad of weird and wonderful suggestions. The Steering Group, much to the relief of the workers, opted for this name out of a small selection of possibilities. The idea of links within and between communities in Swansea, and the wider global connections with our existing food systems, seemed to hit the nail on the head. It is something that can be built on, with a vision for a whole network of inter- related community food projects, linking to local producers and providers where possible. LOGO A distinctive logo is always helpful in promotion, and so the Steering Group opted for the linked apples - the apple reflecting the idea of healthy eating and the linking apples standing for the interconnectedness of communities both locally and globally particularly in relation to food.