Health worker wins national recognition - can we count on your vote?

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Team Leader for Health and Culture, James Brindle, is a finalist in the Local Government Channel Awards for 2010. His nomination in the Community Engagement Category acknowledges the range of innovative health programmes he has launched in District, which are dramatically improving the lives of those taking part.

Voting for James takes place at http://www.localgovernmentchannel.com/awards#/c/community_engagement_2010/ from May 17, 2010. Voting remains open until July 8. The result of the Local Government Channel Awards for 2010 will be announced at the Local Government Associations Annual Conference in Bournemouth at a special event hosted by Radio 2 Presenter of Panorama host, Jeremy Vine.

"The Lincolnshire Coast faces series health issues. Many people are inactive and unwell", explained James, who is up against four other Councils from across the Country. "We must be proactive in addressing these issues and encourage people to be fit and active."

James has brought much needed funds, equipment and skills into new programmes to tackle these issues. He has helped to secure £4.6m to deliver facilities and programmes since April 2006, with a further £167K going direct to community groups he has supported. In doing this James has become a leading figure in sports and cultural development across the UK.

"The work the Council is doing is about improving the lives of the people we serve and giving them new opportunities to improve their health," explained finalist James. "I speak to lots of people taking part in these programmes, some who have lost as much as six stones in weight, and they tell me that they have a new found confidence and are achieving things they once never thought possible. There are some real success stories in our community because of the District Council’s work and it should act as encouragement to other that dreams can be achieved."

In the past year alone, James and his team have enabled over 1000 people to achieve their dream of losing weight and gaining confidence through the pioneering exercise referral programme, HEELERS. Rather than been prescribed medication, people are referred onto the programme by their Doctor.

Ron Henson from Alford, has been taking part in the HEELERS programme for 18 months, he praised the project: "Since joining the scheme I have lost over five stone in weight and it has totally transformed my life, I am now able to go back to work and take part in everything the East Lindsey Health Team has to offer."

Food for Life has been another successful programme run by James and his team. By giving cooking demonstrations in community halls and the Tesco Store in Skegness 1,200 families have learned how to cook simple, wholesome, inexpensive family meals in the last year.

James has also pioneered the use of Nintendo Wii’s, new-age curling, health walks and beach sports, to increase participation in low-cost activities for all ages. East Lindsey now hosts to the European Beach Volleyball Tour and this summer will also see Rugby, Football and Cricket taking place on the beach in Skegness.

Another project to kick off is FAB Kids. Worryingly, in the East Lindsey district alone 20.2% of children are classed as obese, this is higher than any other District in the region. The Council’s Exercise Referral Specialists will be working closely with young people with weight and emotional issues in the coastal resorts of Skegness and Mablethorpe as part of a 12-week programme.

This summer SO festival will also involve more community engagement work led by James. As well as a world class performance by Transe Express, which opened the Vancouver Olympics they will be a programme of local community art too. For more information on the SO Festival 2010, visit www.sofestival.org