TWO community nurses based in Marlborough have invented a board game to help people with learning disabilities produce health action plans.

Health action plans contain information about who to go to for help to keep healthy such as GPs, nurses, opticians and dentists, and tips on how to stay healthy.

Sandra Stephen and Vanessa Taylor, based in Postern House, Marlborough, developed the board game.

They were helped by Henry Dixon, Sean Bird and Alex Anderson, co-tutors at Marlborough Resource Centre.

Mrs Stephen said: "We needed to find a way of engaging people with the whole idea of health action plans and the board game certainly appears to be working.

"Cards picked up around the board ask questions and give tips on all areas of health and when the counter lands on a blue square the player wins a gift.

"Vanessa was able to obtain some health care products as a one off to pilot the project which varied from shampoo and toothbrushes to foot cream.

"Some people with learning disabilities are not aware of what health services exist or how to access them and one of the aims of action plans is to signpost them to the correct service."

Health action plans are promoted in Valuing People, a white paper published in 2001 which promotes civil rights, independence, choice and inclusion and states that all people with learning disabilities should have a health action plan.

Mrs Stephen is appealing for help in getting the game professionally produced as it could be used throughout the area and in schools.

Anyone who can help should contact her on (01672) 517600.