All meetings should finish with a sing song
Our Health and Wellbeing Network meeting last week welcomed Tom Visconti from Going Local, Kath Saner from YADA and Emma Crowter from Sompting Big Local.
On Wednesday 13 December we came together for a health and wellbeing network on the theme of Making Connections. We discussed local needs, the challenges of reaching a community that is stigmatised and how to reduce social isolation through singing.
Jess Estcourt, Relationships & Development Manager, outlined recent changes in National Lottery funding and the many resources available on our new website
Mel Willson, Volunteer Centre Coordinator, outlined how the Volunteer Centre works and the support available to both member organisations and people looking to volunteer.
Tom Visconti, Going Local, shared an update about social prescribing. Currently, the top 3 issues that have a negative effect on patient health are loneliness, housing and money problems. See the slides below to learn more about how social prescribing works locally.
Kath Saner, YADA, gave a presentation on how they support women who work in the sex industry. In particular, she spoke about how the language Yada uses helps to build connections with the women they support. See the slides below to learn more about language, outreach and the benefits of a trauma informed approach.
Janice Hoiles, Adur and Worthing Councils, spoke about the Local Community Network (LCN) which is made up of statutory and voluntary organisations working together to reduce health inequalities. The LCN meets every 3 months and in between subgroups look at and take action around inequalities in Mental Health, Physical Activity, Food and Safeguarding.
Tom Goodridge, NHS Sussex, spoke about the Insight Bank onto which groups can put their findings from working with their communities and which will inform strategies and plans. It is also a useful place to find information which might help you with funding bids. You will need to register on the NHS Sussex intranet so why not take a look?
We rounded off the event with Emma Crowter, Sompting Big Local, presenting her research into the benefits of community singing just for the sake of it rather than as a performance. She led a rousing rendition of jingle bell rock. See the slides below to learn more about how singing improves the health of individuals and communities.
