Health trainers Stephen Hutchinson and Iqbal Ahmed
Dec 07, 2010 12:00 AM
A community football match where England played Poland has helped
highlight the dangers of smoking and to raise awareness of the vast
range of services available to help people quit.
NHS North of Tyne Healthy Communities Collaborative (HCC) in collaboration with Newcastle United Foundation (NUF) and the North East Polish Community Organisation supported the annual event.
Over 100 people attended the festival where NUF health trainers Iqbal Ahmed and Stephen Hutchinson, who work in the West End of Newcastle and Ashington, were on hand.
Many of the men who came along to play have been using Iqbal and Stephen’s services for over a year and are beginning to reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.
Over 70 dads took part on the day with another 30 spectators watching the football action. Nine teams in total entered the competition; three from Ashington, two from Newcastle West End sessions, one from Street League and three from the North East’s Polish community.
The foundation through its partnership with the North of Tyne Healthy Communities Collaborative cancer awareness project, has recently established the link with a group of Polish men and a team of 20 keen football players turned out for the competition and to pick up advice about leading a fit, active lifestyle.
Poland Five won the overall festival and Ashington One scored the most goals. Both teams won a VIP guided tour of St James’ Park.
With a captive audience, the foundation took the chance to pass on important health messages. The North of Tyne Healthy Communities Collaborative ran a cancer symptoms awareness quiz and gave out information about the signs and symptoms of lung, bowel and breast cancer while players rested pitch side.
Marlena Weber from the North East Polish Community Organisation said: “This event was a great opportunity to talk about the symptoms as bowel, lung and breast cancer.
“Mostly of the men were surprised that breast cancer could affect them. We had some great feedback from those who attended the day and they definitely want to get more involved in the project because they are all such big football fans.”
With Christmas fast approaching raising awareness about sensible drinking also featured. As well as highlighting the risks to the players, as they were resting between games, the health trainers organised to a dribbling competition.
Richie Bennett, 34, a sales manager from Blyth enjoyed taking part, he said: “I thought it was great, it was a good way of getting everyone together without being too competitive.”
Angela Wheaton, HCC Project Support Officer, said: “I was delighted to help facilitate this event and promote our important cancer symptoms awareness message to men from the Polish and Ashington communities.”
Foundation health trainer Stephen Hutchinson said: “The football festival was a good chance to bring together all the men we have been working with over the past 12 months. It is a fun event but there are serious health messages we need to get out there so the format works really well.”
NHS North of Tyne Healthy Communities Collaborative (HCC) in collaboration with Newcastle United Foundation (NUF) and the North East Polish Community Organisation supported the annual event.
Over 100 people attended the festival where NUF health trainers Iqbal Ahmed and Stephen Hutchinson, who work in the West End of Newcastle and Ashington, were on hand.
Many of the men who came along to play have been using Iqbal and Stephen’s services for over a year and are beginning to reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.
Over 70 dads took part on the day with another 30 spectators watching the football action. Nine teams in total entered the competition; three from Ashington, two from Newcastle West End sessions, one from Street League and three from the North East’s Polish community.
The foundation through its partnership with the North of Tyne Healthy Communities Collaborative cancer awareness project, has recently established the link with a group of Polish men and a team of 20 keen football players turned out for the competition and to pick up advice about leading a fit, active lifestyle.
Poland Five won the overall festival and Ashington One scored the most goals. Both teams won a VIP guided tour of St James’ Park.
With a captive audience, the foundation took the chance to pass on important health messages. The North of Tyne Healthy Communities Collaborative ran a cancer symptoms awareness quiz and gave out information about the signs and symptoms of lung, bowel and breast cancer while players rested pitch side.
Marlena Weber from the North East Polish Community Organisation said: “This event was a great opportunity to talk about the symptoms as bowel, lung and breast cancer.
“Mostly of the men were surprised that breast cancer could affect them. We had some great feedback from those who attended the day and they definitely want to get more involved in the project because they are all such big football fans.”
With Christmas fast approaching raising awareness about sensible drinking also featured. As well as highlighting the risks to the players, as they were resting between games, the health trainers organised to a dribbling competition.
Richie Bennett, 34, a sales manager from Blyth enjoyed taking part, he said: “I thought it was great, it was a good way of getting everyone together without being too competitive.”
Angela Wheaton, HCC Project Support Officer, said: “I was delighted to help facilitate this event and promote our important cancer symptoms awareness message to men from the Polish and Ashington communities.”
Foundation health trainer Stephen Hutchinson said: “The football festival was a good chance to bring together all the men we have been working with over the past 12 months. It is a fun event but there are serious health messages we need to get out there so the format works really well.”
