Healthy Places Healthy Futures creates  environments for children and young people in  Victoria to thrive 

The refreshed Healthy Places Healthy Futures initiative launched today supports more  than 2,500 Victorian schools and early learning services to create environments that promote health, learning and lifelong wellbeing, where good health is part of everyday life for all  Victorian children and young people. 

The initiative, formerly known as the Achievement Program, makes it easier for schools  and early childhood services to take action on what matters most for children’s health  and wellbeing, including nutrition, physical activity, mental wellbeing, smoking and  vaping prevention, sun protection, and sustainability. 

More than half (54%) of registered member schools and services are located in the  most disadvantaged areas of Victoria, helping ensure that all children and young  people can benefit.  

The initiative brings current and future health and wellbeing activity together under  one practical framework along with curated resources, professional learning  opportunities and support from more than 200 health promotion practitioners across  the state. 

Overport Primary School in Frankston uses Healthy Places to unify its approach to  student health and wellbeing. The ~700 student school is a longstanding Healthy  Places member, with local support from the health promotion team at Bayside Health – Peninsula Care Group. 

Assistant Principal Jill Wathen led the school’s adoption of the Healthy Places  Framework. 

“As part of Healthy Places, we’ve made meaningful changes across our school from  strengthening key policies, to empowering students to lead real change. What’s made the biggest difference is having the clear Healthy Places Framework that brings our  leadership team, students and community together, so we take a consistent, whole school approach to health and wellbeing,” Mrs Wathen said. 

“Healthy Places recognises the work we already have in place. It's helped to align our  leadership team, our students and our community to make sure we're all on the same  page and working towards the same goal, which is to promote health and wellbeing  across our school,” she added. 

Overport Primary School’s Student Health Ambassador program is a shining example  and has empowered students to take an active role in promoting wellbeing. 

Cancer Council Victoria CEO, Todd Harper AM acknowledged the Victorian  Government’s continued commitment to prevention and supporting children’s health  and wellbeing through Healthy Places. 

“Schools and early childhood services are among the most powerful places to shape  lifelong health. Healthy environments support children’s wellbeing today and help  prevent chronic disease, including cancer, later in life,” Mr Harper said. 

Head of Healthy Places, Dimity Gannon said the initiative supports a growing network of  schools and early childhood services across Victoria. 

“Healthy Places is supporting health, wellbeing and learning in both regional and  metropolitan schools and services, reaching over 550,000 children and young people  across almost every Victorian local government area,” Ms Gannon said. 

To become a Healthy Places school or service visit the website here.