Health Events

Museums and Galleries

Fit for Life

Portland Basin Museum, Ashton-under-Lyne
18th April - 16th October 2008

Our health has come a long way over the past two hundred years. We have overcome many killer diseases, we have access to more varied foods than ever before and our living conditions have never been higher. In fact we have doubled our life expectancy. This brand new exhibition uses old objects and handson activities to explore these changes, and asks what changes we could still make. The exhibition also features new artwork by artist Lucy Campbell-Maguire. Through a series of stunning photographs Lucy tells the story of ten Tameside people who are living with or have overcome ill health.

Fit for Life activities

Drop into Portland Basin every Tuesday and Thursday 12.00noon - 4.00pm throughout the school holidays for free art workshops.

School workshops

If you are teacher, why not bring your class to Portland Basin for our ‘healthy Schools’ workshop. For more details call the Education Manager on 0161 343 2878. Free coach provided.

Energy Event

Portland Basin Museum, Ashton-under-Lyne
May Day - Monday 5th May 08 at 11.00am - 4.00pm

Get your sports gear on this weekend as we launch the 'Fit for Life' exhibition with our Energy Event - come and join in the fun!

Tameside's Healthy Options

Setantii, Ashton Town Hall
29th May - 26th September 08

This exhibition links Setantii with Portland Basin Museum as both explore the ‘Healthy Options’ that the Borough offers to its residents. It features photographs of local groups and information about what is on offer throughout Tameside.

Internal Spaces; Artwork by Daksha Patel

Central Art Gallery, Ashton-under-Lyne
22nd May - 26th July 08

Using photography, print making and drawing Patel creates work exploring medical models of the body and the subjective personal experience of our bodies. Her large scale photographic prints dissect the surface of the skin to imitate how medicine probes the body. Her etchings rely upon the sense of touch to evoke the presence of the body, with her soft ground etchings being direct imprints of the body. All the works suggest different ways of knowing the body. Contact 0161 343 2878 for more information about what is on at Tameside’s Museums and Galleries.

Libraries

Healthy Living at the Library

There are 13 Libraries in Tameside and all have books and information on health conditions, and staying fit and healthy. It is free and easy to join. Call 0161 342 2031 to find out where your nearest library or visit the Library webpages

There's more to your library

Children’s activities in Libraries Summer 2008

This Summer Tameside Libraries are running a reading challenge called Team Read. Children who sign up to the challenge to read 6 books receive rewards when they return their books. Many Libraries will be running sport themed activities during the Summer holidays as part of the Team Read Challenge. Watch out for details in the Tameside What’s On booklet, in Libraries and online at www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries

Tameside Patient Information Centre

Based at Tameside Hospital and run by Tameside Libraries, the Patient Information Centre provides confidential health and care information to Tameside General Hospital patients, people in the community with diagnosed health conditions and their carers. This is a free service. The centre is open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm. Telephone 0161 331 5332.

Libraries have:

• Health information including medical dictionaries and guides to prescription medicines
• Books on living with diagnosed conditions
• Low fat and healthy recipe books
• Self-help books for common problems such as anxiety and depression.
• Stories to relax with
• Sport and fitness books
• A database of local groups and organisations including health support groups

Tameside’s Libraries are bright and welcoming, with many being refurbished in the last few years. All Libraries offer free internet and email access and host regular activities for adults, families and children. Come and join us.

Countryside

Tameside’s Countryside can seriously improve your health!

“The countryside can be seen as a great outpatient department whose therapeutic value is yet to be fully realised”

(Source: Natural Fit by Dr William Bird)

Tameside’s countryside is a great place for exercise and, as well as being good for the body, it’s good for the soul! Research has shown time and time again that it is not just physical health benefits that are associated with visiting the countryside. It also provides opportunities to relax, find peace, inspiration and contemplation, thereby improving the sense of well-being.

As well as the many informal activities that you can make use of in the countryside of Tameside, from the widespread availability of walking and cycling routes to spending time with the family having a picnic, the Countryside Service also provides more formal opportunities for health and well-being such as...

Countryside Events and Activities

A great way to enjoy the countryside and start to improve your fitness is to join Tameside Countryside Service on one of the many activities offered as part of the countryside events programme. There is something for everyone, from bird box building and hedgelaying to short woodland strolls and all day rambles over the moors. As well as the obvious health benefits the events are a great way to meet people and make new friends and above all else they are FUN! The latest events programme can be found by visiting our Countyside Events or by telephoning 0161 330 9613.

Volunteering

More than 1100 days each year are completed by volunteers working in the countryside of Tameside and are an essential part of the Countryside Service. Approximately 80% of volunteering is devoted to physically active activities such as conservation projects and assisting with the events and activities programme. More details about the Voluntary Ranger Service can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/voluntaryrangers or by telephoning 0161 330 9613

Children’s Wayfaring Courses

Fun and interactive map reading courses are being designed and installed at Park Bridge, Lymefield and Stalybridge Country Park. Packs will be available in time for the August school holidays and further details can be obtained by telephoning 0161 330 9613.

Sports

There are many ways you can keep fit and healthy in Tameside. Whether you are into badminton or basketball, keep fit or karate there is bound to be something that is right for you. An active lifestyle improves physical and mental health and can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and stress.

For full details of what is available go to www.tameside.gov.uk/sports/directory/a-z and www.tameside.gov.uk/events/sport

Sports Development in the Community

Sports Development delivers over 40 hours of easily accessible community sports provision each week during the evening and weekends. Sessions including dance, football and multi sports for 7 – 16 year olds are delivered at a variety of venues including Tameside Sports Trust facilities, schools, multi use games areas and park venues. For more information about the Community Sports Activities please contact:

Steve Hampson on 0161 603 5268.

Sports Development can also provide people who are interested in becoming club members with details of local sports clubs including club venues, details of training nights and relevant club contacts. For further information about club development work please contact:

Andy Dwyer on 0161 603 5266.

For more information on the range of initiatives offered by Tameside MBC Sports Development visit the website.

www.tameside.gov.uk/sports/development

Did You Know

• Regular exercise can half the risk of coronary heart disease, particularly in men who walk briskly.
• It is estimated that by 2020 half of all children could be obese.
• The risk of having a stroke is three times higher in those who do little or no exercise.
• Regular walking can help to reduce weight and maintain weight loss.
• Regular exercise significantly reduces the chance of developing Type II diabetes.
• Mortality is halved in retired men who walk more than 2 miles every day.
• The World Health Organisation estimates that depression will become the greatest source of ill health by 2020.