From smoke-free policies to walking routes and cookery projects, St Martin’s Community Centre is becoming a testing ground for healthier living in Guernsey.
St Martin’s Community Centre is being reshaped into a healthier living environment through a partnership with the Health Improvement Commission for Guernsey and Alderney.
The Commission has been working with Centre Operations Manager Rebecca Silk and her team to introduce changes designed to support healthier everyday choices for people using the centre.
As part of the partnership, the site has introduced a smoke- and vape-free policy, aimed at supporting tobacco harm reduction and protecting the health of centre users. Measures have also been put in place to encourage active travel, including new bike parking and mapped walking routes around the parish.
Key features
· Introducing a smoke- and vape-free site policy, supporting tobacco harm reduction and protecting the health of all who use the centre.
· Improving active travel options, with convenient bike parking and newly mapped walking routes around the parish to encourage movement and connection with nature.
· Supporting healthy eating, through cookery projects for young people and valuable use of the kitchen space for St Martins Primary School.
· Promoting social connection and wellbeing, with inclusive activities like Singing for the Brain with Alzheimer’s Society, toddler groups, and access to green space for play, relaxation, and community enjoyment.
Healthy eating has been supported through cookery projects for young people and the use of the centre’s kitchen by St Martin’s Primary School, while social connection and wellbeing are promoted through activities such as Singing for the Brain with Alzheimer’s Society, toddler groups and access to green space for play and relaxation.
Lucy Cave, Tobacco Harm Reduction Officer at the Health Improvement Commission, said environments play a key role in shaping behaviour.
“We know that behaviour change doesn’t happen in isolation – it’s shaped by the environments people live, work and socialise in,” she said.
“By working with community venues like St Martin’s Community Centre, we can help make healthier choices the easier ones, whether that’s quitting smoking or walking more”.
The work also reflects a commitment to reducing health inequalities, by embedding health-promoting features into a space used by families, older adults and young people, ensuring equal access to opportunities for healthier behaviours.
Rebecca Silk said the partnership had helped turn the centre’s wellbeing ambitions into action.
“We want the centre to be a place where people feel welcome, supported and inspired to take care of their wellbeing,” she said.
“Working with the Health Improvement Commission has helped us take practical steps to make that vision a reality.”
The Health Improvement Commission said it continues to work with community partners across the island to build healthier spaces and support long-term behaviour change.
