Faith Lives
ARISE!
Happy Healthy
Neighbourhoods by Ben Woollard
A healthy happy neighbourhood is one where the air is good to breathe, children can play, schools are safe and communities are well connected.
Christian and member of St Philip’s church - launched a campaign for cleaner air in our city after discovering he had lung cancer, having never smoked a cigarette in his life. He regularly took part Unfortunately, many areas in local park runs, and when of Sheffield do not live up he noticed his running times to this standard. Because getting worse, he went to of the depth and breadth the doctor, who diagnosed of the causes and effects of him with lung cancer. When environmental problems, investigating the potential campaign groups can causes, he struggle to discovered We would like to be heard. If work with Sheffield’s that Sheffield’s only there carcinogenic was a single environmental air may have call to action, groups to help paint led to his presenting cancer. He a clear vision of a simple learned that changes we happier, healthier unlawfully can all make in future, and to mark dangerous our daily lives out the steps we can levels of to help make all follow to get there. nitrogen our areas dioxide, carbon into happy dioxide and fine particulate healthy neighbourhoods. matter in Sheffield’s air is We would like to work with damaging our health. Air community groups across pollution affects every organ in Sheffield to help paint a clear the body in a plethora of ways; vision of a happier, healthier it increases rates of diabetes, future, and to mark out the cancer and asthma for all steps we can all follow to get age groups and is particularly there. To invite people from harmful to children. across Sheffield to be part Following his diagnosis of something constructive: and awakening to the issue building happy healthy of air quality James threw neighbourhoods, together. himself into campaigning. James Wilson - a committed
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His tireless dedication, even with his life-limiting illness, inspired and educated many people. He died in 2021, and while his passing is a great loss for his wife, children and Sheffield, he continues to be an inspiration for us to improve our air, our green spaces and ultimately our neighbourhoods. James was not the first to suffer from an illness rooted in poor air quality. But what if his life and legacy could inspire us to turn the tide? The communityled development of happy healthy neighbourhoods could help. There are simple things we can do to adapt our local area and our lifestyle choices so that all of us can enjoy our neighbourhoods more. “The happy healthy neighbourhood campaign is a great way to keep up the momentum of James’ work to reduce air pollution in Sheffield and extend his legacy in improving the health of our families, friends and neighbours”, explained Happy Healthy Neighbourhood campaign team member Jona West. There are many routes we could take to our happy healthy neighbourhoods.
