Community Links - ASH Scotland

Community Links (South Lanarkshire) are Supporters of Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation. They have been working closely with NHS Lanarkshire to help raise awareness around smoking and second-hand smoke with the local community. Community Links have been helping to create opportunities for parents to learn about the risks of smoking and second-hand smoke. Funded by NHS Lanarkshire and STV Children’s Appeal, Community Links organised a ‘Health and Wellbeing’ event at Hillhouse & Earnock Community Centre earlier this year.

The event was arranged for families to enjoy and to spend quality time together and take part in a range of fun and games during the school summer holidays. As well as enjoying the fun activities on offer - including a bouncy castle, arts & crafts and board games - children and parents also took part in interactive sessions to learn about the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke and generally how to keep fit and healthy.

Parents and carers attending the event were invited to participate in an informal discussion. Community Links used a hands-on kit for creative engagement called Ketso, as the tool for engaging with the parents and adults attending. There was even an appearance from ‘The Bear’ from Jenny and the Bear —a story aimed at young children to highlight the dangers of secondhand smoke.

A number of other local organisations were involved on the day including: 

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

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South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture Ltd

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NHS Lanarkshire Stop Smoking Service

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Landed Peer Education Service

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NHS Lanarkshire Health Improvement Team.

Community Links pledged support for Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation in March 2017 as part of supporting the health and wellbeing of people in South Lanarkshire. It shows their commitment to make Lanarkshire a healthier, wealthier place to grow, learn, play and work. For more information and to pledge your support: www.ashscotland.org.uk/charter