The Good life
Parents and toddlers from Cannock Chase Children’s Centre have a spring in their step unearthing the wonderful opportunities available to them on their doorstep and many for the first time. Working in partnership Cannock Chase Council’s Arts Development, ‘The Good Life!’ initiative uses creative and responsible approaches in raising the profile of Cannock Chase AONB as local ‘health’ resource.
The partnership wish to convey no matter what your circumstances we are all rich to have Cannock Chase AONB and its visitor centres on our doorstep. This important message is enabling many to improve their quality of life.
Through engaging local families to enter a programme of wholesome experiences, they work alongside artists Catherine Tarbuck and Richard Franks to express their discoveries. Contributing to the holistic approach the district is taking to reduce obesity, the participants are soon learning that having a healthier lifestyle does not have to be expensive and is within their grasp. Linking a healthy theme to each visitor centre, excursions provide the perfect health promotion opportunity, such as healthy eating with Shugborough Park Farm, the benefits of play by visiting the Toys Gallery at the Museum of Cannock Chase and the importance of physical activity at Birches Valley.
The Good Life participants act like mystery customers and openly discuss their experiences with others. Their findings through the first phase of the project have been incorporated into adult and child size aprons as a keepsake of what they have seen and found along the way.
The project is proving to be a great success with parents loving it and wanting more, so watch this space for the results! The initiative was support funding via the Staffordshire Arts Development Officer Group and Arts Council of England.
The Good Life project is also running in conjunction with an Arts and Health Development Programme supported through Staffordshire University, Catherine and Richard are currently working towards a Certificate Level 3 in Arts and Health work.
Should you request further details please contact: lisajshephard@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
