Gwauncelyn Primary School children admire their artwork on Cwm Taf’s new delivery van
Gwauncelyn Primary School children were excused from lessons this morning to admire their artwork on a brand new health board delivery van.
The ‘Your Medicines, Your Health’ team was set up three and a half years ago to educate the public on the importance of taking, storing and disposing of prescription medicines properly. Their strap-line of ‘Take them if you can, tell us if you can’t’ is aimed at raising awareness of taking medicines as prescribed by their GP and if they can’t, for whatever reason, then to talk to their pharmacist or doctor.
When the ‘Your Medicines, Your Health’ team wanted to get the message out to school pupils they joined forces with the local education service and creative practitioners to develop a three stage teaching pack. Pupils learn by using creative practice about safe medicines use and how to get the health message effectively communicated in the community.
Ten-year-old Sophie said: “I can’t believe that my artwork is now on a van for everyone to see. I loved learning about screen printing and feel important that I’m helping people to understand my message about taking medicines properly.”
Project Manager Alison Warner said: “Feedback shows that there are many people that take their prescribed medicines incorrectly and put themselves and their families at risk or they keep re-ordering unwanted medicines just-in-case.
“The school arts project was so well received by children involved in the pilot that Llwynypia Primary School teacher, Lisa Chinnock, offered her services through the Public Health Team and worked with myself and a local artist Nancy Evans to produce the teaching pack.
“It’s fantastic to see the children’s faces light up when they saw their art on the delivery van today, and to know they have more of an understanding about medicines is great.”
