This document discusses two public health programs - Active Families and Health Promoting Homes - that aim to promote physical activity and healthy eating habits among families. The programs were developed through partnership between various government and community organizations. Evaluations found that the programs helped families remain active and eat healthier, through an engaging holistic approach. Maintaining partnerships was valuable for effective targeting of families and local adaptability of the flexible frameworks. Opportunities exist to further integrate the programs and take a "total place" approach amid current economic challenges.

1. ‘Active’ Partnership
Séamus Mullen
Pubic Health Agency

2. Outline
Partnership Working to achieve 2
Programmes:
• Active Families Programme
• Health Promoting Homes
Future Direction:
• Joint Working Arrangements

3. • Developed by Western IFH Adulthood and Teenage
Transition sub groups delivered by PHA/Local
Councils/Community sector
• University of Ulster Research – parallel problem
• Role Modelling Methodology
• 12 week programme – must have parents and teenager
involved
• 14 Active Families Trainers based in community setting

4. Pilot Phase:
• Parents show positive shift in perceptions of their level
of fitness
• Young people:
– Positive shift in morning eating habits/fruit consumption/water intake
– More emotionally positive
– Self-esteem raised
• Strong correlation between parents reported behaviour
and youths perceptions – understanding increased
through programme
• Year 2 changed method of engagement

5. Health Promoting Homes
• Targets prevention of obesity in children
• Integrated approach – personal development/nutrition/
physical activity
• Family setting
• More than 500 families participating to date
• Surestart/HLC Delivery Mechanism
• Winner of OFMDFM Best Practice in the Public Sector for Partnership
Working
• Won HPSS/Institute of Healthcare Management Award for Partnership
Working in 2007

6. Outcomes
Evaluation has shown that:
• Families remain engaged in physical activity and
healthy eating habits
• Partnership working enabled effective targeting
• Flexible framework enabled local adaptability and
encouraged ownership
• Lifestyle improvements validate holistic approach

7. Value of partnership
Referral mechanism
– Local knowledge
– Existing databases of vulnerable, disadvantaged
and hard to engage participants
Genuine community buy-in
Creation of local delivery Partnerships

8. Challenges/Opportunities
• Need to integrate programmes
• Adverse economic climate is an opportunity
• Stocktake of physical activity initiatives
• Gap analysis and joint promotion/common
corporate agendas
• A ‘Total Place’ Approach?