Protection against the sun and heat in Overbetuwe
As a result of climate change, solar heat and UV radiation are posing increasing health risks. Children are particularly vulnerable. With support from the ZonMw healthcare funding organisation and the GGD community health service, the municipality of Overbetuwe has set up a project to tackle such risks. The project ties in nicely with another municipal project, which is to plant trees in schoolyards. With this new project, the municipality sought to further improve protection against heat and UV radiation.
What measures have been taken?
The municipality aimed to provide especially children and outdoor athletes with faster and easier protection against heat and UV radiation. Attention was focused on the creation of temporary shade, sunscreen dispensers and transparent information.
- Shade cloths and trees
Schools qualified for shade cloths, free of charge. Such cloths temporarily provide shade, until the planted trees have grown sufficiently tall. Initially, few applications were submitted, but through contacts with a supplier, via the Dutch Skin Fund, responses picked up. - Sunscreen dispensers
Municipal staff distributed the dispensers and posters to sports and scouts clubs themselves. This worked well; clubs felt involved and immediately started using the dispensers. - Collaboration
Several municipal departments were involved from the start, and the GGD community health service was consulted extensively. Thus, the work kept proceeding at a high pace. - Communication
The municipality signed the Zonvenant declaration of intent to prevent skin cancer and received Skin Fund posters and flyers free of charge. The GGD Healthy School consultants will shortly be discussing this theme with the schools.
Personal contact and free campaign material
Delivery of the dispensers by municipal staff boosted commitment to the project among sports clubs. For example, they also shared personal sunburn stories. Another good thing was that signing the Zonvenant declaration gave the municipality free access to professional campaign material.
Lessons learned
Are you interested in setting up a similar project? The municipality of Overbetuwe has the following tips:
- Start your communication early in the year, and involve partners, such as the Skin Fund and the GGD Healthy School consultant right away, as schools and clubs tend to plan far ahead.
- Find shade cloth suppliers who actively contribute ideas. This makes it easier for schools to fit the shade cloths.
- Ensure personal and low-threshold contact with the schools and clubs. This will garner more support for the use of the dispensers and shade cloths.
Contact
Carin Wüstefeld
Municipality of Overbetuwe
c.wustefeld@overbetuwe.nl
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