Learning from practice

Care homes across Wansbeck were invited to join an accreditation scheme.

The scheme sent staff, managers and cooks on a five-a-day awareness training session, and signed them up to a commitment to provide five portions of fruit and vegetables to every resident, every day. Menus must be submitted for inspection.

Three 90-minute training sessions have been provided so far, with staff from homes meeting at a healthy living centre. Care home managers have allowed staff the time to attend. Administration time has been spent inspecting submitted menus and distributing certificates.

The scheme was very cost-effective as 'five-a-day' materials were readily available. It proved an excellent opportunity for partnership working between the Wansbeck Healthy Living Centres and the Northumberland Primary Care Trust Five-a-day Team.

This initiative has been making an impact on the health of hundreds of older people in care homes, as staff awareness has increased. Not only are menus being adjusted to include more fruit and vegetables, but staff are now offering fruit as mid-morning and afternoon snacks.


Taken from IDeA’s ‘Year of healthy communities’ calendar - a year's worth of practical inspiration on simple steps you can take to promote health across a wide range of services.
• www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=4425634
IDeA is the improvement and development agency for local government
• www.idea.gov.uk