Get involved – Health and wellbeing

There are many ways you can help achieve our vision for Health and wellbeing. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started.

Individuals and families

Get active—five hours of exercise each week can make a real difference to your health and wellbeing.
Contact your local council to find out about free and low cost recreation facilities and activities in your area.
Learn about ways to improve the health of your mind and body to get more out of life.
See your doctor early to help prevent a small health problem becoming a bigger one.
Quit smoking or support someone else trying to quit.
Prepare for pregnancy and parenthood by attending education classes run by your health centre or hospital.
Cook more meals at home from fresh ingredients rather than buying take-away.
Drink alcohol responsibly at low risk levels.
Practice the five sun-safe behaviours—wear a hat, shirt, sunscreen, sunglasses and seek shade.

Start a community garden that can grow into a community kitchen and share healthy meals.
Spend time with people who make you laugh—they say laughter is the best medicine.
Make community connections by joining a local sports or social club.
Start a walking group with your neighbours.
Ask your local gym or recreation centre to sponsor a neighbourhood weight loss or physical activity challenge.
Check in with your friends and neighbours—be aware of the signs of mental illness and where to find help within your community such as help lines and support groups.
Offer to help someone in your street with gardens and lawns.
Get a group together and apply for a grant to improve local opportunities to live a healthy lifestyle.

Offer flexible and innovative working arrangements to improve work-life balance.
Provide facilities to encourage walking or cycling to work and exercising during lunch.
Assess the health needs of your employees and create a plan to address them.
Provide health management programs such as quit smoking support, flu vaccinations, corporate weight loss challenges and counselling services.
Make sure your business is accessible for people with a disability.
Encourage healthy options at office morning teas, meetings, corporate events and celebrations.
Think about registering a corporate team to take part in a fun run for charity or sponsor employees who are participating.

Ensure policy and legislation supports active and healthy lifestyles.
Consider more connected bikeways, walking paths and gym equipment in public spaces to encourage active lifestyles.
Promote health screening programs and provide the community with information about wellbeing on government websites.
Continue to provide schools with useful tools such as tuckshop menu planners to encourage healthy eating.
Assist organisations, charities and not-for-profits that provide health and wellbeing support to vulnerable members of the community.
Make sure green space is factored into planning for urban areas.