Addressing smoking and health among women living on low income II. TAPS Tiree: a dance and drama group for rural community development

Abstract

This is the second of three articles, all of which are published in this issue of the HEJ, on the Women, Low Income and Smoking Project, initiated by ASH Scotlarld and funded by the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS). The project explored new ways of working to address smoking and health among women living on low incomes. Nineteen community-based initiatives, located across Scotland, were funded over three years to March 1999. In this second article we consider one of these initiatives, based on the island of Tiree off the West Coast of Scotland. 'TAPS' is made up of a variety of community- based activities, using health and fitness, drama and dance to encourage women (often isolated) to paiticipate in community development. Two facilitators from TAPS were successful in an application for funds to produce a Christmas pantomime which featured health-promotion themes, including smoking and related problems. This initiative illustrates ways in which women can engage in community capacity-building, activities, enhancing self-esteem, confidence and a sense of achievement. It is an example of the positive use of health promotion within community development.