Bradford College

Healthy College Week 2011

Bradford College is proud to announce the launch of its annual Healthy College Week 2011. This is part of a series of innovative initiatives developed by Bradford Healthy College Manager, Jane Marshall.

This year a record number of visitors are expected to attend the annual event, which is now in its third consecutive year.  To celebrate the launch of Healthy College Week, a series of posters were also devised by students from the National Diploma Art & Design Photography and the National Diploma Art & Design in Visual Arts and Communication.

As part of Healthy College Week, students and staff were treated to tasty Jamie Oliver style ‘pass it on’ cooking tips. Tutor Colin Burt and award winning professional cookery student, Chris Godding were delighted to show visitors how to make the perfect omelette. 

Student Jack Batson had never made an omelette before, commenting on the expert food tutorials, Jack said: “I think it’s brilliant. I’ve learnt something new that I can try out at home.” Tasting the omelette he had just cooked, Jack smiled and added: “It tastes good… I’m pleased!”

Other initiatives available included: free porridge all week for staff and students, scrumptious healthy eating taste testers, pampering Indian head and body massages, advice on drugs and alcohol, fitness testing, nutritional advice, boxing, balloon man, healthy heart check from Heart Research UK, bone density screening and giant chess!

GCSE Humanities student Ifrah Mushtaq attended the event with friends from her course and said: “I think it’s good, we’ve all got a lot out of it. We feel grateful to be part of a College that values our health and wellbeing… it really does makes a difference to our college experience.”

Bradford College Receptionist, Julie Haley has lost a staggering 3 and a half stones in weight since she attended the last Healthy College Week over a year ago.  Speaking about the impact Jane Marshall’s health led initiatives have had on her overall heath and wellbeing, Julie said: “Part of the inspiration for losing weight and becoming healthier is because of Healthy College.  I came here last year and had a health check.  I realised I was really unfit and decided to do something about it.” Julie added: “The fact that we’ve got a Healthy College Manager we can seek advice and information from, is great… it makes a massive difference!”

Jane Marshall commenting on Julie’s weight loss said: “It’s great to hear that Julie’s been inspired by attending these events, that’s what they aim to do.” 

Reflecting on the benefits of holding a Healthy College Week, Occupational Health Manager, Rita Ogden said: “You can’t put a value on events like this, which raise awareness on health.  If it’s keeping staff healthy, it’s keeping them at work, demonstrating that the Healthy College Programme does work.”

Students and staff had a staggering choice of health led initiatives to choose from during the week long event, including the opportunity to have a bone density test scan performed on the heel bone. This follows a rise in the incidence of Osteoporosis, which is estimated to affect 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 60 years. The effects of the condition can be catastrophic, but are largely preventable with early detection and lifestyle changes for those found to be in the higher risk groups.

Visitors were also set the ‘100 calorie challenge’, where they discovered what a 100 calories looked like - and how long it took to burn off.  As an alternative to a physical workout, students and staff were given the opportunity to give their brains a mental workout, with chess tournaments organised by Bradford College Lecturer, Nigel Redmond. Sports and Leisure students Grace Booth and Mohsin Abbas had never played chess before they attended the Healthy College Week, now with a new found love of the game that promotes mental agility; they plan to take it up.”

Akarsh Hussain studies Business and Administration and attended Healthy College Week for the first time.  Speaking about his experience of attending the event, he said: “I think it’s amazing! I’ve never seen so many activities held at the College all at once.  I’m going to start with a blood pressure check, followed by a fitness test.”

Jane Marshall is committed to the vision and implementation of a holistic approach to health, for all staff and students. Commenting on the success of event, Jane said: “It’s going really well, we’ve been incredibly busy and we’re offering more initiatives than previous years.” Jane concluded: “I’m delighted to hear staff and students are really benefitting from being part of a Healthy College - and it’s having a positive effect on their health.”

•  Health College Gallery