Respond to community health survey

MORE than fifty people have already responded to a Bendigo Community Health Services survey on healthy eating, active living, smoking and vaping.

The survey, the first of its kind by the organisation, will run until the end of the year.

It was launched with pop-up stalls at Lansell Square in Kangaroo Flat and Bendigo Marketplace on 24 and 31 July.

BCHS facilitator and health promotion officer Christine Steele said the survey was an opportunity for Bendigo people to help the organisation improve its programs and services.

“The survey is a chance for all Bendigo residents to use their voice and share their experiences, thoughts and beliefs about the struggles and motivations of eating healthy, being physically active and stopping smoking and/or vaping,” she said.

Ms Steele said the issues of healthy eating, active living and smoking and vaping now underpinned much of the BCHS health promotion work and were chosen as survey focuses for that reason. “We want to create programs that fit the community’s need… and evaluate the ones we are currently offering,” she said.

“We’ve had a lot of people very interested.”

Ms Steele said the public launch events also had attracted a lot of interest.

The survey can be completed on the BCHS website and its social media, with the organisation also working with community groups and other services to reach as many people as possible.

Those efforts include pamphlets at community events and printed versions with prepaid envelopes for surveys to be returned. The survey can also be completed in BCHS waiting rooms.

“This survey really is a chance for anyone living in the Bendigo community to help shape the future of health promotion locally,” Ms Steele said.