Bassetlaw District Council has been helping residents to stay safe in the sun this summer at its three Green Flag award-winning parks and Kilton Forest Golf Course.
As well as encouraging people to slip on a shirt, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses, suncream stations have been installed to get people to slop on lotion at its Splash Parks in Langold Country Park, The Canch in Worksop, Kings’ Park in Retford, and at Kilton Forest Golf Course.
The initiative hopes to raise greater awareness of sun safety and help to reduce the chances of developing health issues related to over-exposure to the sun, such as sun burn and skin cancer.
The new sun cream stations have been funded by the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance thanks to a £10,000 grant, which was secured by Bassetlaw Place Based Partnership. This one-off funding is expected to support the scheme for a minimum of two years.
Cllr Lynne Schuller, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said:“We want people to enjoy our parks and a big part of that in the summer months is staying safe in the sun. Over exposure to the sun can cause a greater risk of getting skin cancer.
“Almost 9 in 10 cases of melanoma skin cancer could be prevented by staying safe in the sun and we hope this advice in our parks and the addition of sun cream stations will help people to stay safer in the sun and enjoy our open spaces for longer.
“We would like to thank the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance for the grant that has enabled this work to take place, and the Bassetlaw Place Based Partnership for securing this funding on our behalf.”
The suncream dispensers have been installed close to the toilet facilities or changing rooms at each park and in the pro shop at Kilton Forest. As well as being perfume free, the suncream is SPF 50, UVA, UVB, UVC and is sweat and water resistant.
Cllr Darrell Pulk, Cabinet Member for Environment and Energy, added: “This is a great addition to our parks. Whether you are out for the day and forget your suncream or run out, these stations will help to raise awareness of the importance of sun safety with our visitors and help families cut the cost of being out in the sun.”
Lee Eddell, Deputy Director, Bassetlaw Place Based Parnership said: “We are proud to be working with South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance, Bassetlaw District Council and local organisations including Aurora Wellbeing Services, Barnsley Premier Leisure, Citizens Advice North Nottinghamshire, and local GP practices to support this sun safety initiative as part of our broader commitment to reducing local cancer rates through education, early detection, and prevention.
“By raising awareness of the need for suncream at these popular outdoor spaces, we are taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of skin cancer and other sun-related health issues in our community. We encourage everyone to take advantage of these stations and to be mindful of their sun exposure, especially during the summer months.”
We are also making visitors aware that if you have had an allergic reaction to suncreams or similar products in the past, please do not use these products. If in doubt, apply a small amount to your skin first to test for a reaction. If you do suffer a reaction, discontinue use, and seek urgent medical attention.
For further information on cancer signs and symptoms visit the Bassetlaw Cancer Awareness Information Hub: www.aurorawellbeing.org.uk/cancer-info/
Pictured left to right: Helen Azar, Head of Health Inequalities Bassetlaw Place Based Partnership, Cllr Darrell Pulk, Cabinet Member for Environment and Energy and Cllr Lynne Schuller, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing.
Last Updated on Friday, August 23, 2024