LABOUR leader Ed Miliband today saw first-hand the amazing work being supported by The Health Lottery – and declared it was “making a really big difference to the health of the nation”.
Ed Miliband declared The Health Lottery was making 'a really big difference' to the UK[JONATHAN BUCKMASTER]The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) Green Gym project engages with local people to offer outdoor physical activity through participation in community-based environmental projects.
This not only provides great benefit to the community by improving their green spaces but also helps the volunteers overcome issues such as isolation, anxiety and loneliness which can develop into more serious mental health issues.
Mr Miliband was joined by The Health Lottery founder Richard Desmond [JONATHAN BUCKMASTER]If we are going to solve the health needs of the nation it is this kind of intervention that is going to make a really big difference
After strolling around the scheme in the grounds of St Catherine’s Hospital chatting to volunteers Mr Miliband was persuaded to pick up a spade – although he admitted he was less than green-fingered in his own garden.
He said: “I am incredibly impressed by what The Conservation Volunteers are doing, talking to the volunteers they are obviously getting a lot out of it.
“There is a double benefit here because it is helping people who have mental health issues, not just to enjoy the area, they are cleaning up the area and improving it.
“It is really good that we see the benefits of the Health Lottery and what it is actually doing to help an organisation like TCV to engage in volunteers.”
Mr Miliband and Mr Desmond visited The Conservation Volunteers project [JONATHAN BUCKMASTER]He added: “It can make a real difference just talking to the volunteers who are having a great time in the sunshine today. They are getting a massive amount out of it.
“For the future if we are going to solve the health needs of the nation it is this kind of intervention that is going to make a really big difference to actually make the health of the nation better.”
Express Newspapers owner Mr Desmond said: “I always like to come up and see where the money goes. We have given away around £48m which without the Health Lottery would not have gone to good causes such as this.
“I think projects like this are tremendous.
“When we started three years ago this is exactly what we envisaged.”
The project in Doncaster engages with local people to offer outdoor physical activity [JONATHAN BUCKMASTER]“These are values that I care about and I am delighted that Health Lottery players have raised almost £2m to help support TCV and the fantastic work they do.”
Doncaster Central MP Rosie Winterton added: “This project is a combination of not just the traditional ways of helping people with mental health problems but actually helping with all round well-being. You can see how much people benefit from being outside and doing something that is constructive but also physically demanding. It is all very important for overall mental health.”
Mr Miliband praised the Health Lottery for its support of local communities [JONATHAN BUCKMASTER]
Volunteer Malcom Cottom, 67, a retired teacher, said: “Projects such as Green Gyms are fantastic in helping prevent people develop mental health problems. People who have been long-term unemployed and lost the ability to socialise can get involved and slowly rebuild their confidence.
“In recent months we have had two people gain employment after working with us.”
Mr Desmond and Mr Miliband with CEO of Asda Andy Clarke [JONATHAN BUCKMASTER]Chief executive John Hume said: “We are really excited to be funding organisations such as the TCV. “We are supporting people with mental health needs and those that are isolated who might not come together at other times.
“People have told us today just what an important part of their lives this is.”
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