If the answer to New Zealanders’ wellbeing resides in physical and mental health and social connections, then Sport Canterbury’s question is: where do we start?

According to Chief Executive Julyan Falloon, the Regional Sports Trust is growing its reach to reflect a new approach influencing the health and happiness of communities across the Canterbury West Coast region.

“Our Community Sport team works closely with schools and sports clubs, promoting the value of participation and physical literacy. Our 16-strong team of Physical Health Advisors supports health professionals to issue Green Prescriptions, linking individuals to local activity providers and resources on nutrition and motivation.”

In 2017, Sport Canterbury welcomed the opportunity to incorporate Healthy Families Christchurch into the organisation, an initiative focused on prevention, and creating healthier choices for Canterbury whanau in places where they live, learn, work and play.

“Through this initiative, our team brings together community leaders with shared interests and goals,” Falloon explains. “This is similar to the approach we have always taken with sporting leaders and health professionals, since the beginning of our Regional Sports Trust in 1989. What is different now, is we are seeing support across New Zealand to look at wellbeing holistically.

“You can participate in sport and be active, but your sense of community, workplace and food security also have a tremendous impact on wellbeing.”

The Healthy Families Christchurch team currently consists of Dave Jeffrey (Manager), Holly Griffin (Systems Innovator) and Sara Essig Webb (Strategic Communications Manager).

“Imagine if everywhere across the Canterbury West Coast region was a healthy place to be, where it’s easy for people to connect, be active, eat well and be smokefree.”