About Us
WAKEFIELD DISTRICT HEALTH TRAINERS
Hi, my name is Debbie Harrison I am a Health Trainer. I am based at the Glasshoughton Healthy Living Centre.
- Looking to become healthier?
- Want to get fitter?
- Looking to change your lifestyle?
- Do you lack motivation?
- Don’t know where to start?
A Health trainer could be just what you are looking for. Health Trainer is a free service, working with 16 years and above with individuals on a one to one basis in their local community. Health Trainers will motivate, encourage and direct individuals to the right places as well as setting individual goals with them. To find out more, arrange a meeting with your local Health Trainer, or to make a referral please contact 07900052957.
Email debbieh@wdpct.nhs.uk
My name is Rachel Rayner and I am the Children and Families Coordinator at the Centre. We run a number of sessions for pre- schoolers and their parents during the week in partnership with the Workers Educational Centre (WEA), Jo Jingles, Sing and Sign and Higgles. These sessions include music, messy arts and crafts, cookery, Busy Babies and Little Learner courses and many more. We also run 2 parents and toddler sessions, Blooming Babies and Flower Pot tots. I work in partnership with the local schools and children centres to provide many exciting out of school activities for all ages of children during term time, and clubs/ workshops in the holidays. Most recently we have run drama, art and dance out of school activities. There are also courses for adults which have included, WEA Helping in Schools and Helping in Schools with Special Needs, managing positive behaviour sessions and a pre school learning alliance Level 1 course. We have a registered crèche at the centre which is used for some of the adult courses. We have recently been awarded a Big Lottery grant for Family Learning which will fund a whole range of new activities over the next 3 years. If you would like to find out more about our family learning programme please contact me at the centre.
About me:
I trained as a primary school teacher and then worked as an assistant head of a children’s activity centre for disadvantaged and special needs children in Leeds. I then had a short career break to have my 2 beautiful girls and began working for the WEA teaching a course called Busy Babies. I then wrote and developed a course called Messy Monkeys which is still running. I taught both of these courses at the Glasshoughton Centre and when a position as Coordinator came along I applied and was successful in taking up the role. I have now been here for just over 2 years and am really pleased to have received funding from the Big Lottery to continue for another 3! The whole community has really benefited from our extensive and exciting selection of activities and I look forward to working with you all in the future.
Email Rachel.Rayner@wdpct.nhs.uk
My name is Vicky Wilkinson and I am the Community & Public Health Development Nurse based within the Centre. I am employed by Wakefield District PCT to promote key public health messages and healthy lifestyles within the community.
I attend groups within the Healthy Living Centre, or you can arrange an individual appointment for a routine health check or to ask any other health questions you may have. Alternatively I visit community groups or events to discuss and promote health topics.
I provide training on health improvement for individuals and groups, working in partnership with a range of other agencies. This can be parenting support, infant feeding, healthy eating or weight management. Information on future courses will be posted on this website and around the Centre.
I train mothers who have breastfed their babies to become Breastfeeding Peer Supporters, who then go on to support new breastfeeding mothers. Peer Supporters are registered with the Wakefield District Primary Care Trust Volunteer Scheme, and provide breastfeeding support and information through a telephone support service and a weekly support group. The group meets at Ash Tree Children’s Centre, Ashton Road, Castleford every Wednesday between 9.30-11.30. There is always a trained advisor available at the group or you can contact a Peer Supporter by calling 0845 6024832. For further information about breastfeeding, peer support and support groups in your area go to the following websites:
www.wakefielddistrictpct.nhs.uk
Email: PALS@wdpct.nhs.uk
www.wdco.org
My name is Paul Downes and I am ‘Sports and Active Lifestyles Development Officer’ based at the Centre. I am employed by Wakefield Metropolitan District Council and funded through Sport England until 2008. My main objective is to raise participation rates at the Glasshoughton Healthy Living Centre and Castleford’s surrounding areas. I am a member of the newly branded Sports and Active Lifestyles Team and I also work in partnership with all other Wakefield and District Primary Care Trust staff based at the Centre.
I am a member of the Glasshoughton Community Forum and attend their monthly meetings. I also hold an important role within the newly formed ‘Castleford Sports Alliance’. The Glasshoughton Centre is the ‘hub’ for this alliance and I am the first point of contact for anyone who needs information in any sporting or leisure pursuits within the area.
I have completed numerous projects since I started working at the centre back in January 06. These projects consist of: Eureka project, Street Sports Sessions, Food is Fun and the Annual Fun for All Event. I also help out the sports clubs affiliated with the centre and I look at ways to develop their teams on and off the field by applying for funding from regional and national funding sources. Just recently the Glasshoughton Cricket Club had a £9K grant approved for the installing of an all weather wicket for next season.
I also work closely with the local schools and youth services to provide top quality sports facilities and all year round provision with guidance on coaching and sporting pathways. The groups that I deliver that run term time are:
Active Kids Club which is Tuesday’s 4 - 5pm
Glasshoughton Youth Football Project Wednesday 3.30 – 4.45pm.
Connect 3 Project – Childhood Obesity Project
I also manage the Glasshoughton Welfare U19 Football Academy side that plays in the Northern Youth Alliance on Tuesday evenings and I also sit on the committee of Glasshoughton Welfare Football Club.
Email Paul.Downes@wdpct.nhs.uk
My name is Vanda Dunnachie, and I am a Community Worker with Age Concern Wakefield District, and I am based at the Glasshoughton Centre. My working week is 18 ½ hours which I work Tuesday to Thursday.
I run a Men’s group every Wednesday morning 10am to 12 noon at the Centre. We have topical discussions, fun quizzes, domino’s & pool knockouts, ten pin bowling and guest speakers. We also have excursions to places of interest - Ripon, Bridlington & York, to name a few.
I also run the Glasshoughton Stroke Group fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons 2 to 4pm. The group is for all Stroke survivors and their partners/carers in Glasshoughton and the surrounding areas. This is a very friendly, informal self help group, who meet to chat, have a laugh and share their experiences
I also support many other groups in the area and if you would like information about these groups, then please call in at the Centre or phone 01977 51 1234. If I’m not in the office you can leave a message or I can be contacted
on 07726 901 678
Email Vanda.Dunnachie@wdpct.nhs.uk
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