Case Studies
National Osteoporosis Society - Dudley NOS Support Group
The National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) has over 130 local support groups throughout the UK helping to make life brighter for those living with osteoporosis, and their families.
NOS support groups play an active role in their local communities – from providing advice, to fundraising for specialist bone scanners at their local hospitals.
Since forming in 1997, the Dudley NOS Support Group has been keen to raise awareness of osteoporosis and the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise in preventing the disease among local youngsters.
Working with the Dudley Health Promoting Schools Service, the group has taken its message to thousands of pupils attending the borough’s 112 schools.
Youngsters were taught how to protect their bone health through individual school visits and group workshops with other local organisations, including the Police and Fire service.
With charity mascot Oscar the skeleton in tow, Group Chairman Ken Strike and Secretary Betty Holden captured the children’s imaginations.
Ken said: “It was a bit daunting at first, especially when talking to assemblies of 400-500 pupils, but in the end proved to be a very rewarding experience.
The children and the teachers really appreciated our workshops and enjoyed talking about healthy living.”
As a result, their efforts gained recognition from the Dudley Health Promoting Schools Service which presented the group with an award at a recent ceremony.
Ken added: “The Health Promoting Schools Service is a wonderful tool and we are delighted to have been given the opportunity to get involved.”
Click here to visit the National Osteoporosis Society's website.