June 2013 - Oshwal Centre
June 2013 - Oshwal Centre
June 2013 - Oshwal Centre
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Kavita Shah, 27, is a Natural<br />
Health (North Finchley)<br />
Nutritionist, having studied BSc<br />
Nutrition at University of<br />
Nottingham and MSc Nutrition<br />
at King’s College London. She<br />
has been involved in a range of<br />
voluntary work within Harrow.<br />
Let’s hear what Kavita says<br />
about her voluntary work.<br />
Interview with<br />
Kavita Shah<br />
Harrow Heroes Award<br />
How did you get involved in volunteer work?<br />
While looking for work in 2010, I contacted the<br />
Nutritionist who works for the NHS Harrow Public<br />
Health team and she got me involved in the work<br />
that they do which involves helping to set up and run<br />
Cook & Eat sessions and Healthy Eating<br />
Workshops, providing nutritional support for families<br />
and providing staff training within the 16 Children’s<br />
<strong>Centre</strong>s in Harrow.<br />
What has been the best bit about working at<br />
Children’s <strong>Centre</strong>s in Harrow?<br />
Being able to make a difference to people’s health<br />
and wellbeing. Meeting new people and working<br />
with children.<br />
How did it feel to win the 2012 Harrow Heroes<br />
Award?<br />
I didn’t even know I had been nominated for the<br />
award so when I received the invite to the awards<br />
ceremony I was quite surprised. I felt very pleased<br />
and honoured to have won the award and I think it is<br />
fantastic that volunteers are shown appreciation with<br />
such awards.<br />
How can someone get involved in the volunteer<br />
work you do?<br />
They can contact me directly (you can provide my<br />
email address kavita-shah@hotmail.co.uk) or they<br />
can contact Lauren Hayes- Public Health Officer<br />
NHS Harrow (lauren.hayes@harrow.gov.uk)<br />
What advise / tips / guidance would you give to<br />
people to help understand the importance of<br />
healthy eating?<br />
Everything in moderation! Try and eat fruit and<br />
vegetables raw, as cooking / heating foods destroys<br />
many of their vital nutrients. Avoid eating deep fried<br />
foods which contain saturated fat as this type of fat<br />
increases the cholesterol in our blood and high<br />
levels of blood cholesterol increase our risk of heart<br />
disease and stroke. Exercise is also very important<br />
in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As little as 20<br />
minutes of walking a day can have benefits to your<br />
health.<br />
What would you like to see happen with regards<br />
to the Children’s <strong>Centre</strong>s in Harrow? i.e. what<br />
additional resources / support is required?<br />
Additional funding to help staff set up cooking/<br />
healthy eating workshops is always required.<br />
What would you like to see happen in terms of<br />
health and wellbeing within the <strong>Oshwal</strong><br />
community?<br />
A reduction in type 2 diabetes which is very common<br />
in the <strong>Oshwal</strong> Community. Also for the community to<br />
understand the importance of uncontrolled type 2<br />
diabetes, as in the long term this can lead to a<br />
variety of other health complications.<br />
Tell us about your experience<br />
If you or someone you know does voluntary work<br />
outside of our community, we would like to hear<br />
from you. Email us at oshwalnews@oshwal.org.<br />
<strong>Oshwal</strong> Youth Magazine of O.A.U.K. 6 <strong>June</strong> <strong>2013</strong> Edition