Carleton Street Community Development Association Women’s Group applied for a grant to help fund an eight-week health challenge to help improve their health and well-being.

Charmain Jones, community development officer with the group, said, “There was a lack of knowledge of health and fitness issues within the group and with the help of funding this challenge will improve their physical, mental and social well-being.”

The challenge included talks on a range of health issues including depression, ovarian cancer, blood donation, diabetes, strokes, addictions and healthy eating.

Participants were also issued with pedometers and in addition to walking they received nutritional advice on the importance of fruit and vegetables.

As part of the scheme, the women were also introduced to a number of taster sessions including Scottish country dancing, pilates, aerobics, bums and tums exercise class, salsacise and boxercise.

Charmain continued, "Twenty local women aged between 20 and 75 years took part in the eight-week programme and have benefited greatly from the wide range of talks and exercise based classes on offer. All this would not have been possible without the funding from SIHP.”

Lyn Donnelly, manager Southern Investing for Health Partnership, added, “The SIHP through its Small Grants Programme is delighted to support the Carleton Women's Health Challenge which aims to encourage healthier lifestyles through greater health and fitness awareness. Those who took part in the challenge will come away with a greater understanding of the benefits of healthy activities and good nutritional habits.”