Lurgan men can cook and dance

Lurgan Young at Heart Men’s Club are brushing up on their cooking skills and learning to dance thanks to the Southern Investing for Health Partnership (SIHP).

The Club, whose members are mainly in the 60+ age group, encourages members to actively engage in physical and social activities, promoting a greater understanding of the links between exercise, diet, health and wellbeing.

The cookery and dance programme was funded by the SIHP’s Small Grants Programme (a partnership supported by the Public Health Agency). The 13-week cookery sessions provided the opportunity for members, many of whom live alone, to broaden their knowledge of basic food hygiene and how to prepare healthy nutritional meals. The dance classes introduced members to a fun way of keeping fit.

Commenting on the success of the programme, Paul Gibney, Secretary of the Club said: “Thanks to the small grant from the SIHP, members thoroughly enjoyed participating in this programme of dance and cookery sessions. We now plan to have a Tea Dance a few times a year as a social event. The cookery sessions were very successful, men who had little experience in the kitchen are now cooking for their partners, friends and families.”

Comments from other members of the Club who participated in the programme were positive:

“I never knew cooking and dancing could be such fun when put together.”

“Now that I am retired I can cook a healthy meal for my wife and go dancing again.”

“Keeping fit using dance and learning how to cook a proper meal -fantastic.”

“Proper cooking, proper dancing, I should have done these years ago.”

Cathy Devlin, Investing for Health Officer for the Craigavon and Banbridge area, added: “We all know the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating in reducing obesity, lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of some cancers. The SIHP through its small grants programme is delighted to be able to support this excellent programme of events encouraging healthier lifestyles through greater health and fitness awareness."

For further information on the Southern Investing for Health Partnership log onto www.southernifh.com