Northern Health has launched a wellness initiative that will support and empower those living with and beyond cancer.
WellAhead, co-designed with consumers, aims to foster the physical and social wellbeing of people facing challenges living with, and beyond, cancer, through an inclusive range of activities.
These include an Old Blokes Shed, knitting and craft support groups, Northern Health Community Choir, yoga, meditation, and classes for seniors from Whittlesea University of the Third Age, U3A.
Medical Oncology director Dr Frances Barnett said the program marked the beginning of the focus to improve the long-term benefit of Northern Health patients.
“At Northern Health, we have been aware for a long time that our lack of promotion of well-being has been a gap in the services we provide to our cancer patients,” Dr Frances Barnett said.
Other groups part of the program, including Whittlesea U3A, were pleased to support the program helping others.
“Whittlesea U3A has observed over time the benefits seniors enjoy from participation in our classes and activities on their health and wellbeing,” Whittlesea U3A president Glen Wall said.
“We are pleased to support the Northern Health WellAhead program, to enable participants to enjoy the more than 130 classes, we offer at a reduced rate.”
Project Manager transformation unit and choir director Alison Davies said Northern Health Community Choir was delighted to provide support through program participation.
“The choir is an inclusive forum, that welcomes membership not only from our staff but also members of the local community,” she said.
WellAhead aligns with Northern Health’s commitment to ‘Staying Well’, providing services outside the hospital setting, with a focus on health and wellbeing in the community.
