A coalition of local authorities and community groups were on hand last week to offer residents of Eastmoor advice on a range of issues – from housing needs to employment opportunities – at a special fare held at St. Swithun’s Community Centre in Wakefield as part of a ‘Week of Wellbeing’.
Health walks, cooking and eating sessions, art workshops, Indian head massages and courses of positive thinking were just some of a variety of events that were held at the centre.
Residents were encouraged to take up the opportunity to try out different activities to improve their health and wellbeing – and to feel good and have fun in their local community by visiting the centre and discovering what’s happening in their area.
One such resident was Julie Oldfield, who had already introduced herself to the ‘Boxercise’ classes that run every Monday evening at St. Swithun’s. She said: “It’s really good fun and a great way to keep fit and stay healthy.”
Julie, 53, from Gisburn Road in Eastmoor, has recently taken part in Wakefield and District Housing’s (WDH) Smarter Lifestyle Programme, which has been working in partnership with the Council and NHS Wakefield District to improve the wellbeing of residents on the estate.
“I was struggling a bit at one point,” admits Julie, “but WDH referred me to the Family Intervention Programme (FIP) and helped me with my finances. From day one they’ve been brilliant – I’m delighted. I’m certainly much healthier and happier now.”
"WDH [...] helped me with my finances. From day one they’ve been brilliant – I’m delighted. I’m certainly much healthier and happier now.”
Julie Oldfield - WDH tenant
Jo Parkin, Community Development and Health Practitioner for NHS Wakefield District, said: “This is all about helping people through those post-Christmas blues, when some of us feel a bit down and need something to perk us up.
“The aim of the day – and the week as a whole – is to get the local residents down to the centre so they can see for themselves what a great range of activities there are to get involved in.”
Jill Westmoreland-Harris, a Health Inequality Officer for WDH, says that the week is all about mental health as well as physical health.
“People have come along to get their blood pressure checked for free, and if they’ve been worried about anything – from their own personal health to things like money, which can affect their mental health and outlook on life – they have spoken to people who have helped and reassured them.
“Today is a great resource for them. They can speak to WDH, the police and health authorities – and they can also see what activities take place at the centre at the same time.”
To find out how WDH could improve your wellbeing call their OneCALL service on 0845 8 507 507 or visit their website at www.wdh.co.uk. To find out what activities are taking place at St. Swithun’s Community Centre ring 01924 361212.