News

Stockton staff and students get in gear for Health Week

(17 February 2006)

In a bid to get fit and healthy Durham University, Queen’s Campus, Stockton is holding its own ‘Health Week’ to encourage healthy living among its staff and students, and help them beat the winter blues.

Staff from the Sports Development Office at Queen’s Campus have put together a week long, varied programme of activities and information to encourage better exercise, better eating and better awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The health kick begins on Monday 20th February 2006 and is open to all staff and students. Steve Wright, Sports Development Officer said: “The activities will include yoga breathing techniques, free blood pressure tests, massages, five-a-side football, lunchtime walks and cycle rides. We are also providing free healthy drinks and fruit as part of the drive to show how exercising and diet can improve health.” Queen’s Campus are working in partnership with the local Primary Care Trust, NHS, Stepping out in Stockton and Community Health organisations to provide displays and exhibitions promoting healthy activities and lifestyle, including information on drugs and alcohol awareness. The ‘Health Week’ is part of a longer term project by the Sports Development Office at Queen’s Campus to integrate University sport and health activities with health agendas in the Tees Valley, aiming to contribution to the regeneration of the area. Durham University Sport and Health programme has developed the concept of Centre for Life at Queen’s Campus in order to promote health and sport within the University and to develop the health and quality of life among people in the Tees Valley through community integration. The sporting facilities at Queen’s Campus are used by a variety of local groups, including Stockton Town Junior Academy, Hockey Academies, the Tees Valley Drug Intervention programme and many local businesses as well as providing student-taught dance and drama classes to local primary school children.