Wiltshire's winners for health (From This Is Wiltshire)

Wiltshire's winners for health

1:29pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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Doorway, a drop in centre for homeless people in Chippenham, was among the winners of the Wiltshire Health and Wellbeing Awards.

The charity won the award for action to prevent alcohol and drug abuse.

Doorway operates a twice weekly drop in centre at the Salvation Army Hall, offering meals, music improvisation activities, information and support.

It is aimed at single adults who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Many have complex problems involving mental health, education, life skills, drugs or alcohol and unemployment.

Doorway project manager Lisa Lewis said the charity is very proud to be recognised.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust won the award for improving mental health with a project aimed at helping people to get active in nature.

Erlestoke Prison won the AstraZeneca award for action to reduce health inequalities with a programme it runs to train prisoners to work with other inmates to promote and support behaviour change.

Trish Cowie of Age Concern Wiltshire was highly commended in the Liquid Media award for outstanding contribution to improved health for her work as active ageing co-ordinator.

There were more than 200 nominations of individuals and organistions for the awards. The ceremony was held at the Corn Exchange, Devizes, last week.

Maggie Rae, Wiltshire’s director of public health, said: “The quality and variety of the nominations is truly remarkable.”