Working with the Drugs Task Force identified the preventative opportunity

The Healthy Fingal coordinator in consultation with the Drugs Task Force identified an opportunity to offer a preventative programme focussed programme involving physical activity and health education. Much of the work the local Drugs Task Force are involved in is around crisis management, so this programme was developed to be a pre-crisis initiative to inform, educate and help users reflect on their drinking habits in a non-judgmental way, while highlighting the supports available for people with problem drinking. Over 35’s footballers were identified as a cohort of people who are interested in physical fitness but who may be involved in binge drinking and links with a local team were made to recruit participants.

A specific solution was formulated and put in place

Healthy Fingal in conjunction with the team at the Drugs Task Force devised an  8-week programme of engagement. Participants came together once a week with a mixture of alcohol education and physical activity training designed to suit the participants’ needs. The target age range was between 35-50yrs and the programme needed to take place in a gym or area of sufficient size to deliver physical activity in a safe manner. The initiatives objectives were to educate participants about alcohol, provide some facts on alcohol consumption and information on binge drinking and alcohol measurements to better inform and reduce alcohol consumption and increase physical activity.

While the initiative took place over 8 weeks, the alcohol awareness element was delivered over 5 weeks and it started on week 3 to gently introduce the topic to people. The sessions took place in the area were participants were based and were held in the local gym who created a separate area for the group activity, this helped create a link and relationship with the user and gym owner. The alcohol sessions were delivered by the Drugs Task Force with each module lasting 20-25min and were done in an interactive and informal manner with 40minute gym sessions delivered by gym staff. It was very beneficial having both elements collocated.

The positive impact on those who took part

To help with evaluation all participants completed a survey around their drinking habits and physical activity levels at registration, programme completion and 3 months after the programme to assess their drinking and physical activity levels at each time period.

29 men signed up to the initiative with an age break down as follows:

An average of 12 people attending weekly with a peak attendance of 19 and a low of 6 . There were 7 people who did not attend any of the sessions. 16 people completed the end of initiative evaluation with 75% of respondents indicating an increase or maintenance in their physical activity levels levels when compared to the beginning of the programme and of the 16 respondents who completed the end of the initiative information in relation to the number of binge drinking days over a two week period this seen a reduction from 1.94 days of binge drinking at the beginning of the programme to 1.10 days on completion of the programme.

What was learned from this particular group

This is a very busy cohort of people with the majority being at a stage in life of having young children and parental responsibilities on top of work commitments. The biggest factor in non-attendance was around a lack of time but all participants enjoyed the classes when they could attend. The gym sessions are something that a lot of players don’t do (again due to time constraints) so it is hoped the gym sessions contributed to fewer injuries as well as their general health and wellbeing.

Some of the comments from participants included:

“Enjoyed the practical part looking at [alcohol] measurements. hard to take in the stats. a handout or link to drug and alcohol support would have been good to have.”

“Although you think you know a lot of the stuff, it was good to have it reinforced.  The tutor was excellent and to hear alcohol called poison definitely hit home.”

“Very informative and a real eye opener on alcohol consumption and the negative effects on our health”

“Really enjoyed the sessions I made it to. With home commitments I missed a few but they were excellent.”

“Very good and enjoyable to do as a group. Maybe a bit more guidance needed for people who were not as familiar with [GYM] equipment /technique etc”

Interested in a something similar for you club or community?

If your sports club is interested in taking part in a Balance in Motion Programme please contact Niall Mc Guirk [email protected] 087-120-6431. You can find out about the other many and varied activities and initiatives offered by Healthy Fingal here. Funding for this programme was provided via the Healthy Ireland Fund.