A NEW project has been launched to improve health and wellbeing of locals in a Borders town.

‘Healthy Hawick’ is a joint initiative between the town’s schools, Scottish Borders Council, NHS Borders, Live Borders and other local organisations and charities.

It aims to encourage healthier lifestyle choices, from exercise to food. The project is part of the work of the Teviot and Liddesdale Learning Community Partnership and will focus on different themes.

The first theme is ‘Nurture’ and a newsletter is being published to encourage people to nurture themselves and those they care for.

Councillor Carol Hamilton (Cons, East Berwickshire), SBC’s executive member for children and young people said: “Health and wellbeing is one of the key priorities identified by the Learning Community Partnership.

“We know that there is already a great deal taking place in Hawick to support people’s health and wellbeing but Healthy Hawick is an opportunity for everyone to work together and make sure that people can access the wide range of advice and support that is available.

“A particular focus of Healthy Hawick is working with Hawick High to support our young people to make positive choices about their lifestyles as those choices can have a real impact on their health and wellbeing in the future.”

To find out more email health.improvement@borders.scot.nhs.uk or visit the pop-up shop on the town’s High Street on February 5-7.

Staff from SBC’s community learning and development team, Live Borders, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, MacMillan Move More, NHS Borders Healthy Living Network, Screening and Lifestyle Advice teams will be available at various times over the three days.