Department of Health
A gateway to the strategies, policies, programs and services delivered by the Department of Health.
- To promote physical activity and healthy eating through a fun and engaging weekly after school program for children and young people from the Dover area.
- Focusing on children aged 0-12 to promote social inclusion in a safe environment and to learn from local role models and leaders from the community.
Dover Give It A Go after school program aims to promote healthy eating, physical activity and social inclusion for children and young people in Dover. Hosted at the Dover District School, Dover Give It A Go runs the weekly program with fun games, and engaging activities such as arts and crafts and provides a healthy afternoon tea.
Parents from the local community identified the need for a local, low cost after school activity and worked with Huon Valley Council to successfully receive a Healthy Tasmania Innovation Grant.
The program is attracting over 20 students each week, with many seeing the program as a weekly highlight. They have enjoyed participating in group activities, socialising with children of different ages and having new learning experiences such as trying new foods and making cardboard box outfits. Students have opportunity to engage in the different activities and have enjoyed the healthy food options available at the programs. Intergenerational learning was a high point for some migrant families new to Dover, with children sharing their newly acquired self-defence skills with their family.
Parents have praised the creativity of the program leaders in providing new experiences for children such as self-defence, first aid and creative writing sessions. These weekly sessions have built stronger community connections, with students given the opportunity to engage with local services, including doctors, police officers, fire brigade and artists.
The council have recognised what a valuable resource the program is for the Dover community and have successfully sought sponsorship from local businesses to continue the program under its new name Arvo’s at Dover in 2020.
Images: Children having fun at Dover Give It A Go