Young people from Scotswood have been enjoying an historic health boost, thanks to a community project.
The pupils – from Bridgewater Primary School and Scotswood Village Nursery – have been learning about local history through sessions encouraging exercise and healthy eating. These have included space hopper jousting and lessons about foods from the past.
The activities have been run in partnership between local charity Healthworks and Newcastle Castle, using funding provided by New Tyne West Development Company – The regeneration partnership behind The Rise development, in Scotswood.
Lisa Conroy said: “The sessions have been brilliant! The children have enjoyed learning about the history of their local area, getting active and comparing the food we eat today with that of generations past.
“NTWDC have been so generous in supporting our community projects in recent years. This has included supporting our history walks, providing smoothie making bikes and helping us run air fryer cooking course during the pandemic. We’d like to thank them again for this donation and for making these fantastic and fun sessions possible for the children.”
Healthworks is a North East based charity that works across the region to support people of all ages to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Celebrating its 30th year, the charities recent impact report estimated that its community interventions could have saved the health and social care system over £40million.
As part of this latest initiative, Healthworks has also secured three passes to the castle. They are being made available to eligible Scotswood families, so they can take their children for a visit – located on Castle Garth, near the High Level Bridge.
NTWDC is the housing-led regeneration partnership between Newcastle City Council and Keepmoat. It is behind The Rise development – a project with plans to build 1,800 homes in the west end of the city.
Local community and charity groups have benefitted from up to £75,000 each year from a fund set up by NTWDC. It has been used to support a range of educational, art and environmental initiatives which celebrate the area’s rich history.
NTWDC representative, Keepmoat’s Geoff Scott, added: “It was great to come down to the castle to see one of these excellent sessions in progress! Who would have thought some medieval madness could generate so many learning opportunities for the young members of our community – both about the area in which they live and around staying healthy. Well-done to Newcastle Castle and to Healthworks for identifying another opportunity to make healthy lifestyles fun.”
David Silk, Learning Manager, Newcastle Castle, said: “We worked with Healthworks last year, to help deliver healthy meals for participants attending our summer holiday activities – so it’s been great to get stuck in to this new project with them. Healthy eating and living are so important – especially for young children – and combining this with an opportunity to learn about the heritage of the area in which they live, seemed like a great idea.”
*Picture caption: Adults (L-R) Healthwork’s Lisa Conroy, Newcastle Castle’s David Silk and Keepmoat’s Geoff Scott, with children from Bridgewater Primary School and Scotswood Village Nursery.