Innovation: Munich Action Workshops for Health (MAGs)
Germany
AAI Domains:
Participation in society (voluntary activities, social connectedness)
Independent, healthy and secure living (care to children and older adults)
Health promotion and active ageing take place across the whole of the life course and in a wide variety of forms. It is never too early or too late in the life course to take steps that can improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities through active participation in healthy living activities.
In many European countries this is traditionally the domain of public health medics and specialists who seek to influence the social determinants of health and to change individual’s lifestyle health behaviours although voluntary organisations also play an important role. In an era when obesity and lack of physical activity are major threats to public health, the ability of people to active age over the life course can be aided by social innovations.
The Munich Action Workshop for Health (MAGs) is a non-profit association that can trace its roots back a self-help centre, health food store and centre for community initiatives established in 1989. In 1993, as part of the Office for Healthy Initiatives informed by the WHO Healthy Cities programme, it became MAGs with a mission to promote health, culture and personal responsibility through encouraging and supporting the development of health living environments and active neighbourhoods.
MAGs works creatively with citizens and a wide range of local actors in the three large districts of Munich – Giesing, Berg am Laim/Ramesdorf and Neuaubing/Westkreuz – to develop a range of innovative projects that will improve the health and well-being of people of all ages. MAGs provides lifestyle advice and encourages physical activity through engaging with citizens in small neighbourhood meetings that discuss the local situation and develop appropriate solutions with local people and a range of social actors.
MAGs has developed a number of healthy schools projects that involve a healthy breakfast club, cooking classes, gardening for healthy eating, physical fitness classes for teenagers along with yoga and relaxation classes. These involve supporting teachers to make changes in schools and encouraging volunteers to play a role in supporting children to a better start in life through cooking healthy breakfasts or supporting children with their education on health and well-being.
Health promotion aimed at adults includes running events to promote healthy lifestyles and a programme of events for health and well-being in Weissensee Park in the Giesing district over the summers of 2014 and 2015. The MAG’s-Mobile has provided a mobile hub for health promotion activities across the city since 2004 and covers topics including exercise, nutrition, relaxation, addiction and the prevention of violence as part of an integrated model of urban development that has health promotion as a key component.
There are meetings and projects aimed at older people to promote physical activity and social interaction and this included a fashion show in cooperation with a housing project for unaccompanied refugees from Sierra Leone to encourage participation and interaction. MAGs is supported by a variety of charitable foundations, public funding and donations from the general public and was recognised by the Chancellor’s Office with an award for social projects in 2014.
In relation to active ageing, MAGs provides a range of opportunities for voluntary activity for people to engage with healthy living activities such as participating in the healthy schools programme. It is providing a form of care for children and older adults based on enabling and empowering them to lead healthier lifestyles. It also develops local solutions based on co-creation and involving local people to create social connections for health and well-being.