In the spring of 2024, Kate Bruchacova embarked on an inspiring collaboration with the Lakes Region Mental Health Center through their impactful InSHAPE program. Together with Andrea Preston, the Co-Facilitator and Health Mentor, we enhanced wellness learning into an engaging, hands-on experience by conducting seven distinct series of classes. Andrea's unwavering support and coordination allowed us to offer a range of activities that would have been impossible to manage alone - especially the more labor-intensive cooking series.
Our shared goal was to make wellness accessible, practical and enjoyable, and our partnership bore remarkable fruit. One of the standout initiatives was the "Walk N Talk" series, hosted amidst the scenic beauty of the Belmont Beach and the WOW Trail. These sessions combined physical activity, outdoor mindfulness and nutrition education in a way that resonated deeply with participants. Each class began with a refreshing 40-minute group walk, offering a chance for open conversations about health and personal goals, followed by a group stretch and a nourishing taste test under a lakeside gazebo.
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Conversation during the walk often proved more transformative than traditional classroom settings, as participants connected with their health goals amidst the calming embrace of nature. They noted how the natural setting not only uplifted their spirits but also helped them focus on mindful movement and small, achievable health goals.
Andrea Preston's kind words underscore the impact of this collaboration: "Kate is wonderful at creating an inclusive environment for our patients, making them feel valued, respected and comfortable. They often share how the education they've received has fundamentally changed their views on food and nutrition. Kate has been a huge asset to our program." This partnership highlighted the power of community-driven wellness education in addressing chronic diseases. It also emphasized the vital need for supplemental funding to sustain and grow these programs, ensuring greater accessibility and effectiveness.
Working alongside Andrea and the Lakes Region Mental Health Center has been a truly rewarding experience, and I'm deeply thankful for the opportunity to make a lasting difference in our community's health journey.
NH SNAP-ED publishes new page that highlights how the program improves health outcomes in New Hampshire.
Check out SNAP-Ed Works for New Hampshire page
The University of New Hampshire Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Direct inquiries to unh.civilrights@unh.edu. USDA this institution is an equal opportunity provider. The preparation of this document was financed under a contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services. This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP.
