Programs and Resources

Western Health can support communities interested in any of the programs or resources listed below.  The Wellness Facilitator can assist groups with applying for funding opportunities and offer other support as needed. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact the Regional Health Educator (709-784-5355) or contact a Wellness Facilitator in your area:

  • Bonne Bay and Area; Port Saunders and Area:
  • Bay of Islands and Area; Deer Lake, White Bay South and Area:
  • Port aux Basques and Area; Burgeo, Ramea and Area; Bay St. George and Area:

Programs

Guidelines for Reducing Sedentary Behaviour at Work Places in NL

The workplace is an important setting for physical activity promotion. Working adults spend half of their waking hours at work and 30 or more years in the workforce. As a health promoting agency, with a vision of healthy people and healthy communities, Western Health is sharing resources with employers and work places throughout the region to mitigate workplace sedentary behaviour (prolonged sitting) and support working individuals to achieve their optimal level of health. The Guidelines for Reducing Sedentary Behaviour at Work Places in NL contains evidence to explain why this approach is good for both business and employees, and identifies resources and opportunities to implement at the workplace to build a culture of moving more at work.

 

Go Healthy with Ticker Tom Program
The Go Healthy with Ticker Tom Program is a fun and interactive program designed to get healthy living messages to children and youth ages 6 - 12 enrolled in summer recreation programs. The goal of the program is to create awareness in children and youth of the key healthy living messages: eat healthy, be active, and stay smoke-free.  The program is put into action with the help of Ticker Tom... a cat with some cool healthy living messages to share!

Recreation leaders can receive training (1.5 hours) on how to use this program to support their community program(s). This program includes facilitator manual, resource bin, promotional items, the Ticker Tom puppet and scripts.

Ticker Tom Puppet
The Ticker Tom Puppet is an interactive way to deliver health messages to young audiences. Suitable for use at Family Resource Centres, schools, lifestyle clinics, health fairs and other community settings. Ticker Tom Talks cover key messages on healthy eating, physical activity and being smoke-free.

To book the puppet, contact the Regional Health Educator.

•           The dialogue is designed for two people (One as Ticker Tom and one other leader).

•           Questions are asked to children in the audience.

•          The puppet show ends with a physical activity link to GoNoodle, but other movement break can be substituted.

Kids Live Well Marathon
The Kids Live Well Marathon is a 28-day program, encouraging children and their families to adopt 4 key health promoting behaviors: healthy eating, physical activity, outdoor play and healthy sleep habits.

On registration day, each participant signs a pledge sheet indicating that they will participate in daily health promoting behaviours: healthy eating, physical activity, outdoor play and good sleep. 

Throughout the marathon, weekly check-ins offer special activities and opportunities for learning more about other topics such as sun safety, injury prevention, screen time, and more. At each session, participants receive toe tags to celebrate their success with adopting health behaviours.  The program concludes with a community walk or other special event. 

Action! Bin
Intended for children ages 2 and up.  Action! Bins provide a variety of equipment for games, and free play: balls, tossing scarfs, bean bags, activity dice, spot markers and more. These bins provide practical ideas, equipment and activities for teachers, program planners and coordinators to promote inclusive and diverse physical activity.

Obstacle Course
This resource is available to community groups to provide physical activity on site for children ages 4 and up. Suitable for indoor and outdoor activities, as long as there is adequate space. The Obstacle Course incorporates many aspects of physical literacy:  hopping, jumping, tossing, throwing, and balance. Physical activity can be incorporated into community events such as community festivals, Come Home Year events, winter carnivals and many other community gatherings within the Western Region. The course only takes a few minutes to assemble and includes instructions and program materials.

Community Walking Groups
Walking is beneficial, economical, easy, does not require equipment and is an option for just about everyone regardless of their age or where they live. Communities walking programs provide a host of benefits which include not only health benefits but social, mental and psychological benefits. Walking programs can be developed for anyone regardless of age. Stroller walks, mom/dad and toddler, teen walks, seniors walking programs, etc. can all be created depending on the demographics of the community.  Western Health has information and resources for communities or groups who would like to start a walking program in their area.

 

Resources
The following presentations can be delivered by Community Health staff. The Physical Activity Guidelines for each age groups can be viewed and downloaded by clicking the title. Visit https://csepguidelines.ca/ to keep up-to-date on the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines with the latest articles, research and initiatives.

Screen Time and You
This interactive presentation, intended for students in grades 3- 5, discusses the importance of being active every day and highlights why too much screen time is not healthy.

Sleep
This presentation is intended for young adults 16 – 24, and provides information on the importance of sleep, sleep hygiene and tips to promote healthy and sufficient sleep.

24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years 0 - 4
For healthy growth and development, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers should achieve the recommended balance of physical activity, high-qualitysedentary behaviour, and sufficient sleep.

24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth
For optimal health benefits, children and youth (aged 5–17 years) should achieve high levels of physical activity, low levels of sedentary behaviour, and sufficient sleep each day.

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults (18-64 years)
Following these guidelines can reduce the risk of premature death, coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, colon cancer, breast cancer, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis and improve fitness, body composition and mental health status.

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Older Adults (65 years and older)
Following these guidelines can reduce the risk of chronic disease and premature death, maintain functional independence and mobility, as well as improve fitness, body composition, bone health, cognitive function and mental health.

24-Hour Movement Guidelines during Pregnancy
Research shows the health benefits and safety of being active throughout pregnancy for both mother and baby. Physical activity is now seen as a critical part of a healthy pregnancy. Following the guideline can reduce the risk of pregnancy-related illnesses such as depression by at least 25%, and the risk of developing gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and preeclampsia by 40%.

Pregnant women should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week over a minimum of three days per week; however, being active in a variety of ways every day is encouraged.

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines For Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
Guidelines for adults (aged 18-64 years) with minimal to moderate disability resulting from either remitting or progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. You may wish to speak to a health professional to find out what types and amounts of physical activity are appropriate for you.