Improving Health and Wellbeing

Our Vision

By working in partnership with local people and organisations, the physical and mental health and well-being of all our communities is promoted, sustained and improved. Urban and rural residents have healthier lifestyles with good understanding of healthy eating, enhanced access to green open spaces and greater opportunities for physical activity. As they get older, resident's good health and wellbeing continues through easy access to quality health care facilities.

Our Priorities

To increase the life expectancy of adults and reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease
To improve the quality of life of older people, especially those with limiting long term illness
To reduce health inequalities
Improved life choices for people with mental illness

These link to the following Local Area Agreement priorities:

To support and improve the leading of healthy lifestyles and well-being of adults and children and young people
To improve the quality of life and independence of older people and those with a long term illness
To reduce levels of inequality within the community

WFM Health and Wellbeing sub-group

This group meets every couple of months. The latest set of minutes are attached below.

Health and Wellbeing Group minutes Nov 2009

How are we doing?

Click on the following link to go to the most current health profile for the Wyre Forest District http://www.communityhealthprofiles.info/

Local Area Agreement Performance Information

What are we doing?

Wyre Forest Matters Health & Wellbeing Fund

Do you have an idea for a project or activity that will improve health and wellbeing?

Do you need funding to get it started?

Could your group or organisation do with some money for equipment, venue costs or to get a new group or project off the ground?

If this sounds like you, you could be eligible for a grant from the Health & Wellbeing Fund. Worcestershire Primary Care Trust has given WFM this money to help deliver improvements in health in your community.

There are two funding pots – amounts up to £100 and amounts over £500
Amounts up to £100 - this fund is for things such as venue costs, printing, creche facilities, etc. To apply to this fund, all you need to do is complete a simple application form and return it to the address below.
Amounts over £500 - the funding is available as follows:

Deadline for applications: Friday 7 May 2010

Projects should address:

Improving breastfeeding rates
Reducing the number of pregnant women who smoke
Reducing the number of people who are overweight or obese

We would particularly welcome projects that:

Promote healthy lifestyles
Reduce health inequalities, especially for vulnerable groups
Improve health outcomes for our worst off communities

For more information and an application form for either of these funds please contact:

Christina Attwood, Health Improvement Co-Ordinator

Worcestershire Primary Care Trust

01562-732576

christina.attwood@wyreforestdc.gov.uk

C/O Wyre Forest District Council

Duke House

Clensmore Street

Kidderminster

Worcestershire DY10 2JX

Application forms are also available by clicking on the links below.

Application Form - up to £100

Application Form - £500 +

Worcestershire Welcomes Breastfeeding – Wyre Forest Pilot

A scheme to sign up cafes, restaurants and other public places to be breastfeeding friendly. We are doing it because Wyre Forest has the poorest breastfeeding rates in the county. The target group is new mothers and existing breastfeeding mothers. The Pilot will be launched Spring 2010.

Health Trainers

Offer lifestyle advice to those who would like to improve their health and wellbeing. We are doing it because unhealthy lifestyles is the main cause of early death and long-term illness, especially amongst the worst off communities. The target group is the known hotspot areas but anyone else from Wyre Forest can access the service.

Activity Referral Scheme

A 12 week fitness and health education programme run at The Glades Leisure Centre. Clients are referred by their GP (or other health professional). We are doing it because increasing physical activity has known health benefits, especially for those people who already have a long-term health condition.

Postural Stability Training

An intensive, evidence-based exercise and mobility programme suitable for older people who have fallen or who are at risk of falling. The programme improves strength and balance and improves confidence. We are doing it because we have an ageing population and falls can result in injury (e.g. fractured neck of femur) and can result in loss of confidence leading to social isolation. The target group is older people. The first Postural Stability Programme will start in Spring 2010.

Health Improvement Fund – Round 3

The Fund will open on November 30^th. There will be a focus on projects that address teenage pregnancy, alcohol support services and activities for older people.

Community Leadership for Health Fund

A fund to champion healthy lifestyles in local communities.

last updated on 22nd Jan 2010