The Health Improvement Commission is working to support the Island Games organisers in making the Games ‘family friendly’ by working with venues to ensure that families have a positive, healthy experience.
The team want to give the whole community the opportunity to come together to celebrate all that is good about being active, eating well, and having more options at the bar than alcohol.
They have been working with local businesses on food provision and delivery and are proud to be supported in their efforts by Adventure Cycles, Ian Browns, and the Channel Islands Cooperative Society.
The Commission has worked closely with the Island Games committee on the food provision to both athletes and volunteers during the games. The Eat Well team were able to advise the Games Committee on the scope of work for the food that will be provided for the athletes at Beau Sejour during the games ensuring that their four key aims are adhered to; reduce salt and sugar, reduce processed meats, increase fibre, and increase fruit and vegetables.
The Eat Well team have also worked in partnership with the Games Committee and the CI Coop to organise the delivery of food to the volunteers when they are stationed at their various locations during the games. This includes a healthy packed lunch each day and more than 7,000 pieces of fruit.
Director of Volunteering, Wayne Bulpitt, said the team of more than 1,200 volunteers would be very grateful for the nutritious boost: “A volunteer army marches on its stomach so it’s brilliant that lunches are going to be made and delivered to the volunteers. We have more than 1,200 volunteers who will performing a myriad of roles, including marshalling, supervising car parks, coordinating medal ceremonies, driving minibuses, commentating, editing social media posts, and chaperoning Jet the puffin.
“Some of the roles are physically strenuous, such as helping the baggage handlers at the airport, mopping up sweat on the basketball courts, setting up seating, and moving the hurdles at Foote’s Lane. These volunteers will be extra thankful that they don’t have to worry about bringing along a lunch.
“Events like the NatWest International Island Games, show what can be achieved when people, businesses and charities work together. We have been overwhelmed by the support from the community, it is very heartening to see so many embracing the Games and stepping up to help. We are especially grateful to partners such as the Health Improvement Commission who are helping us to convey the importance of nutrition in our diets, whether athletes or volunteers, and we are delighted to be part of their “eat well” initiative”
At the opening ceremony, the Commission will have a team of volunteers handing out fruit prior to the commencement of the ceremony. There are expected to be 10-12 thousand people in attendance, so this is a fantastic opportunity for the Commission to spread the ‘eat well’ message.
During the week of the Games, the Commission is also offering fruit to primary schools who will walk to nearby Fanzones, enabling pupils to feel a part of the Games and to watch the athletes competing.
The CI Coop is generously supporting both events with 3,000 pieces of fruit for the opening ceremony and over 700 pieces of fruit for the children at the Fanzones.
A spokesperson from CI Coop said: “We’re delighted to be able to provide the athletes and the island’s school children with fresh fruit at the Island Games Opening Ceremony. It’s so exciting that the games are coming to Guernsey, and this was a great opportunity to get involved and help spread the ‘eat well’ message.”
This work complements the Health Improvement Commissions Food 4 Sport campaign which is asking the community to think about the food they eat when they are being active in their daily lives.
The teams at Adventure Cycles and Ian Browns are working with the Commission’s Be Active team by loaning cargo bikes to enable them to travel between sports and venues, distribute fruit and attend the fan zones.
The Commission’s team will be walking, cycling and making the most of free bus use all week and are working to encourage islanders to do the same via walking route posters, additional cycle parking and encouraging park and stride.
“We know the roads are going to be busy with the number of people arriving in the island, so wherever people can plan in advance to choose active travel or make use of the free buses, we hope they will,” said the Commission’s active travel officer Alex Costen.
The Commission has also been working closely with schools to encourage families to consider active travel the week of the Games, with several schools organising a walking bus. All children will also be walking to the organised fan zones to watch the sports.
