Healthy partnership with Vinnies wins top gong

An innovative partnership project with St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (Parramatta Central Council) which encourages community members to access a free telephone health coach has been recognised in the 2018 ZEST Awards. 

The ZEST Awards celebrate and promote the great work being carried out by community service sector organisations and volunteers.

The winning project, which is a collaboration with Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains local health districts, saw the Get Healthy Information and Telephone Coaching service promoted at 21 Vinnies stores. 

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Population Health deputy director Christine Newman said the initiative was developed to ensure people in disadvantaged areas had easy access to health advice and information.

“We targeted areas where people are more likely to experience socio-economic hardship and have a greater risk of developing chronic diseases,” Christine said.

“These groups of people are also less likely to engage in health promotion programs.

“I’m glad we were able to reach these community members at Vinnies stories.

“Phase one of this project made a positive difference in increasing awareness of healthy eating and active living behaviours. 

“Phase two of the partnership is currently underway, which aims to build on existing engagement with communities experiencing adversity, by implementing health promotion. 

“Congratulations to everyone involved for delivering this fantastic community project.”

If you’d like to sign up for your free telephone health coach tap or click here.

The telephone coaching service is an initiative of NSW Health’s Make Healthy Normal campaign.