A report for the period 1 July to 30 September 2018 from Baildon Community Link
Health & Wellbeing Events in partnership
Significant work has taken place in quarter 2 in preparation for two health & wellbeing events that will take place early on in quarter 3. The first event is scheduled to take place at the Link on Tuesday 9th October in the morning and the second is scheduled to take place at St James' church on Tuesday 16th October in the afternoon (see poster below). I have identified both the Link and St James' church as good venues for our health and wellbeing events, confirmed by statistics on long term health and disability (as outlined above).
I have organised both of these events in partnership and in line with what local people from the respective areas have told me that they would like to find out more about. As a community development worker, I have considered the statistical information available to me as a starting point, then moved on to discussing the events with residents in each area, including visiting and chatting to regular users and volunteers at St James' church where I learnt from volunteers that they struggle to bring new people through the doors for events. Recognising this as a challenge I've undertaken a large scale leaflet drop based on our statistics and street lists and engaged volunteer support with this, enabling us to cover 1200 households and 90 shops and local businesses.
Partnership Work
We have worked in partnership with local GP Practices this quarter, including Cliffe Avenue and Newton Way PPGs , including help with advertising design, printing, promoting, volunteer recruitment, and user support. We have shared information about our health and wellbeing events and sought appropriate support, pleased to accept the offer from the Chair of Newton Way PPG to facilitate a mental health stall at the St James' church event.
We have worked with Windhill Community Centre to deliver 3 sessions of advice each week at the Link, helping local residents with issues including debt, benefits, housing, tax credits and employment.
Two local pharmacies are supporting our forthcoming health and wellbeing events, bringing information about what a health and wellbeing pharmacy is and does, including help with eating well and scales which will allow residents to get weighed, including a BMI check and a body fat check with free print out and advice.
We have helped HALE with recruitment for a new dementia singing group, trips and outings and for an intergenerational event. We have also been able to help with advertising and promoting services as requested, space, event support and with general community development worker counsel.
HALE has supported our two health and wellbeing events by offering a short healthy heart talk and free blood pressure checks, which we have now discovered that local pharmacies are able to offer as well.
We supplied BDAG with 10 copies of 2 relevant booklets for a dementia friends workshop and continue to support with managing the financial arrangements for the group as they cannot find a volunteer willing to take this on yet (a small petty cash system). We continue to provide free room hire, though with support from a town councillor the group are currently seeking funding.
We helped a local painting group with art installation ideas and storage arrangements.
Local relationships
This quarter we have targeted our weekly outreach and detached work on the streets close to the Link as well as in the South East Ward, including displaying posters for our new groups (the PPG cafe, the new film club and our social activity days) at all willing shops and businesses in that area. See relevant publicity below. Through established relationships with residents living in that area we have had a number of notable outcomes including the following: we have identified a local resident willing to do a talk for members of our social activity days (facilitated by another residents and myself as community development worker), a future reminiscing session is planned. One resident contacted the Link as he couldn't get out and about due to chronic health problems and again, our relationship with another local resident living nearby meant that we could arrange for him to visit with an activity timetable to share. I followed up with a further visit and posters for our two health and wellbeing events. We have also been able to match residents up to support each other in quite practical tasks, as a result of our knowledge of residents who live within that area. For example, one resident who loves dogs but doesn't have a dog of his own was able to look after another residents dog whilst she was on holiday (they live a couple of streets apart). Another resident was able to support with some regular volunteering. I was able to support two residents, whose cat went missing, seeking help from another known resident who volunteers for cats protection.
A member of the Cliffe Avenue PPG group approached me because they were looking for help to advertise the group as they hoped to attract new members. I helped with advertising via social media and local notice boards and also suggested the opportunity for the group to come along to the fun day in June to promote the group. Several members took up this opportunity which they found worthwhile and they are following up some interest.
Food Bank
6 parcels given out this quarter, including to local residents affected by benefit sanctions.
Community Outreach & Support
A very successful second quarter.
12 outreach sessions undertaken.
1 new group for baby and toddlers sustained after funding stopped (40 beneficiaries).
12 new members join toddler group.
6 local parents signposted to alternative provision for toddlers (our group full). St Hughs closed down, so referrals to Families Info Unit.
1 resident (chronically ill) visited at Charlestown area, following on from contact with the community centre - resident intends to attend one of our forthcoming health and wellbeing events.
9 new members join the new film club. Second and third film club planned for October and November.
3 additional participants at our weekly PPG coffee morning, including one who normally only goes out once per week for her shopping and by and large doesn't see anyone else.
6 new social day care clients.
1200 residents living in our target area receive posters about our forthcoming health and wellbeing events.
90 local shops and businesses receive posters for our forthcoming health and wellbeing event.
2 new youth club volunteers (1 adult and 1 youth Queens Award placement).
2 new community cafe volunteers (1 weekly, 1 ad hoc).
1 new film club volunteer.
3 residents signposted to volunteering opportunities.
Increase in food bank donations.
1 home advice appointment organised for local resident suffering severe stress and anxiety.
1 new cafe referrals (new neighbour).
Contact with 2 new Baildon residents.
Signposted 2 people to Carers Resource.
13 partners offer support for our health and wellbeing events
Bingley bubble joins in with our health and wellbeing event.
2 residential complexes (Ivy Bank, Greenbank Court) visited and appropriate leaflets distributed.
New Film Club
A huge success. 9 local residents plus 1 volunteer with community development support enjoyed our first film screening and intend to come again. This new venture is helping to address heightened local loneliness on a Sunday and all members enjoyed a cup of tea and a chat after.
Ongoing Work
I have continued to support individuals and groups including provision of food parcels and referring local residents to the advice worker who is based at Baildon Link on Tuesday mornings. On average half a dozen significant conversations continue to take place each week with local residents popping into the Centre seeking my help or support. Issues include mental health (seeking closer work with the Cellar Trust, including exploring options for a talk for local residents about coping with stress and anxiety), loneliness, worries about neighbours, friends or relatives who are elderly, poorly or isolated, housing issues, health, finance, etc Some residents are looking to get involved and can
access clubs and groups at the Link or the wider community and some can volunteer. I signpost according to interest and viability.
Quarter 3 Development Work
Baildon Link look forward to continuing our partnership with Baildon Town Council during the coming third quarter, including plans to deliver the two planned health and wellbeing events, continuing to support the new volunteer led film club on Sundays to benefit local people, promote opportunities to volunteer and continue to support the new PPG coffee morning here at the Centre.
In addition, we will look to engage local organisations in our activity box scheme, explore potential further work at local sheltered housing complexes within our target area and during outreach work local concerns about Brook Hill that emerged (common land being taken) last quarter still need to be explored. I will look to work closely with relevant professionals from the District and Town Council alongside near neighbours to try and resolve this issue.
Lucy Maddison
