Healthy eating grants available to over 65's voluntary groups

The Food Standards Agency Wales is providing the grants as part of its contribution to this year?s Keep Well This Winter campaign. The KWTW initiative is co-ordinated by the National Assembly for Wales, and provides information and support to people aged 65 and over, to enable them to keep well during the winter months. FSA Wales? contribution is to lead on healthy eating throughout the campaign.

Groups interested in making a bid are advised that there is no set format to follow when deciding on their event or initiative. Luncheon clubs, coffee mornings, cookery demonstrations and talks are just a few examples, but applicants are welcome to submit any proposal specific to the needs of the elderly community they serve.

The only qualifying criteria are that the event should be held in Wales, focus on healthy eating, be aimed at the over 65?s and be achievable between October this year and February 2002. Applications for vulnerable groups and the socially and economically disadvantaged are particularly welcome, as research has shown that these groups can often have poor diets that can in turn contribute to other health inequalities.

Jayne Griffiths, who will co-ordinate the bids for funding, said: "Healthy eating plays an important role in the health of older people. It can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and some cancers, aid recovery from illness maintain independence and lead to a better quality of life. A good diet is especially important during the winter, when people can be at their most vulnerable to illness.

"There are no set rules for applicants to follow. The possibilities are probably endless, and we believe that local groups are best placed to know what is needed at a local level, and by whom. We are looking to these groups to suggest what would help them, and to submit a bid accordingly to gain from the funding that we have to offer."

For further information, please contact

Jayne Griffiths,
Food Standards Agency Wales
First Floor, Southgate House
Wood Street
Cardiff
CF10 1EW

Telephone 029 20 678910

Fax 029 20 678918/9 or e-mail
Jayne.Griffiths@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Applications must be received by 31 August 2001.

News contact: Kathryn Corcoran (029) 29678915

Note to editors

1. Submissions for funding should consist of the following: a summary of the proposal; past experience, including examples of previous projects involving the target audience; cost; a timetable for delivery; details of the organisation(s) involved, and contact details for the organiser or applicant.

2. One of the Food Standards Agency's roles includes providing advice to the public and Government on nutrition and diet. In providing this advice, its aims it to achieve long term improvements in the diet and nutrition of the population and a reduction in inequalities by enabling and encouraging the disadvantaged and vulnerable to improve their diets.

3. The National Assembly for Wales: key partners in the Keep Well This Winter campaign are: Age Concern Cymru; Care and Repair Cymru; the Food Standards Agency Wales; National Energy Action; the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the Wales Youth Agency. The campaign is further supported by the National Association of Citizens? Advice Bureaux, the Welsh Local Government Association and NHW Direct Wales.

ENDS

1st Floor, Southgate House,
Wood Street,
Cardiff CF10 1EW

Telephone: 029 20 678915
Fax: 029 20 678918/9
kathryn.corcoran@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk