SUGAR SMART Carlisle is excited to announce that they have been awarded a grant of £10,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.
The funding will enable them to continue making inroads into raising awareness, about the negative impact overconsumption of sugar has on Carlisle district residents physical and dental health. SUGAR SMART UK was set up by the Jamie Oliver foundation and Sustain with an aim to help areas across the UK tackle excessive sugar consumption.
The decision to award this grant recognises the good work already being delivered by SUGAR SMART Carlisle who are driving positive changes within the community. As a result of this good work to date, SUGAR SMART Carlisle has recently:
- Featured as good practice at Public Health England’s Northern conference with 120 School leaders. SUGAR SMART Carlisle ran a workshop showcasing work to date.
- Been recognised nationally at a SUGAR SMART celebration event in London.
Attitudes and awareness about overconsumption of sugar is increasing through national and local projects such as SUGAR SMART, however there is still a long way to go in making sure Carlisle’s children and adults’ excess weight and dental decay statistics fall over the coming years.
In Carlisle:
- During 2013-15, excess weight amongst adults in Carlisle district was recorded as 68%.
- During 2014-15, 32% of five-year olds had dental decay.
- During 2016-17, 37% of Year 6 pupils in Carlisle district were recorded as overweight (including obese).
These figures continue to highlight the need for action and awareness.
SUGAR SMART Carlisle has already created a range of free to use resources for individuals and organisations; such as information leaflets/posters, quizzes, games and challenges. They are currently developing toolkits that can be accessed by organisations and communities across Carlisle district which will be made available soon, thanks to the funding provided.
SUGAR SMART Carlisle doesn’t operate on its own, they have many valued partners across different sectors supporting the work being done in a variety of ways, such as; Carlisle Primary Schools Council who met to discuss the topic ‘Sugar’ in partnership with SUGAR SMART Carlisle; attendance at local and national employers Health and Wellbeing Days; a Carlisle Youth organisation who carried out a Smart Swap drive; and local college students who created reduced sugar recipes and a SUGAR SMART Carlisle video.
SUGAR SMART Carlisle is extremely grateful to all their partners and other organisations/individuals who have and continue to support their work reducing excess sugar consumption across Carlisle district.