Session 11

Topic:  Wellness Programs

Convenor: Lu Bush

Note Taker:  Becky King

Participants: Steve Fredenmaker, Tim McNamee, Joe Neil, Elmer Nagye, Kathleen Roberts

Key themes, outstanding questions, observations:

KEY THEMES:

v     Williamson came together on health issues + trying to promote downtown on weekends.  Got local hospital to sponsor local walking day and to also do health screens, used downtown to promote walking, had it marked – trying to get community involved in exercising downtown – also did a historical walk – can see people walking downtown.  Tug Valley on the Move.  Also wanted to promote downtown business area and also the safety.  Also have Tug Valley Runners Association.  Also had a path for bikers (path marked out for bikers)  Need to do more consistent; also had CEO’s on group – started a diabetics clinic – will be certified in November, connect walking trail west end to downtown flood wall

v     Need to find way to keep people active in the winters – schools? Need Place for indoor aquatic exercise (Anstead) how do you find the space and pay for electricity and heat?  How do we keep it open?

v     Williamson Housing Authority had funding to support a city pool and senior classes – talking about bringing the program back

v     Are there communities that have begun comprehensive programs? Who could we talk with? Wellness really needs to start at a young age.  Need a comprehensive program to reach everyone.

v     Need to change the mindset of the community!

Existing Resources

v     Governor has taken an interest in wellness, First Lady Chairs Healthy Lifestyles Coalition – some grants have been made available

v     Ripley has a great program through Main Street

v     Morgantown has a great program

v     WV Wellness Council also is a good resource

v     WVU and other colleges have tools and resources

v     WV on the Move

v     St. Albans has a new facility

v     Other ideas that Williamson team suggested: Tug Valley’s Biggest Loser – program may be revisited in the future based on  the reality show; start a group walking association, wellness club, applied for walk- able community grant

v     Insurance liability is a barrier to using other facilities (schools) along with older buildings that have asbestos

Ideas:  

v     Salem – Architects/BP got approval from BOE to do a walking trail around the school.  Companies are donating materials. Trail will be finished by spring – will need to get parents involved, college involved, businesses involved, and a theme, get free pedometers (WV on the Move)

v     Start biking, hiking clubs

v     Need ongoing programs instead of one-time events

v     Challenge other communities to a “weigh off”!

v     Need to be proactive – a healthy community is an active community!

What kind of assistance is needed from the outside?

v     Funding for community centers

v     Funding to help promote fitness

v     Offer scholarships to build a wellness center

v     How to conduct a community health assessment

v     Incentives for wellness programs at the local level

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