MEWN Cymru Mentro Allan Project - Changing Lifestyles

MEWN Cymru is the lead organisation of the Changing Lifestyles Project, which is one of 15 Mentro Allan projects in Wales. Mentro Allan (which means ‘Venture Out’) is a collection of projects, all funded by the Big Lottery Fund and supported by a national partnership. Each project has one aim in common which is to increase the physical activity levels of sedentary people in Wales by increasing their recreational use of the local, natural environment.

Changing Lifestyles Aims & Objectives

Increase the activity levels amongst the BME population of Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan who take no exercise through a series of outdoor pursuits.
To raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle in Black & Ethnic Minority people in Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan.
To provide the opportunity for BME people in Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan to adopt healthier lifestyles.
We will research the needs of BME people in the target areas by conducting focus groups. Once the gaps in current services have been identified, the project will endeavour to ensure that these needs are met by engaging with mainstream outdoors facilities providers to raise awareness of issues of ethnicity and faith and educating them about the needs of the target group.
Research indicates that 30 minutes of moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) per day for at least 5 days each week is the ideal target. The project proposes a series of activities designed to take beneficiaries from their current sedentary state to a point approaching this ideal.

Funding Source

Funding Source: Big Lottery Fund
Funded Until: March 2011

Types of Activities

• Walking tours of Cardiff Bay for all ages and abilities
• Coastal walks
• Yoga in the park
• Introduction to Aerobics in the park
• Tai Chi in the park
• Gentle cycling
• Visits to local attractions
• Community gardening

Partners

MEWN Cymru will be working in close partnership with the following organisations to successfully deliver the project:

• Vale of Glamorgan Public Health Team
• Black Environment Network (BEN)
• BTCV Cymru
• Sports Council for Wales
• Cardiff Public Health Team
• Cardiff Health Alliance
• Communities First
• Countryside Council for Wales
• Cardiff Council (BME Leisure Project)