This summer, NHS South West London and Merton Council offered voluntary groups grants of up to £1,000 to help people improve their health, with a particular emphasis on women and girls, older people and those living with disabilities. Voluntary groups were invited to run fun sessions to get people talking about what would encourage them to be more physically and socially active.
Health and care organisations normally conduct surveys, focus groups and consultation events. This scheme takes a new approach, offering free, fun activities connected with the subject under discussion. By partnering with voluntary sector organisations, with experience of designing activities people enjoy, the scheme involves residents who might not give their views through traditional methods.
Our voluntary sector has planned a fantastic range of events to get people talking and I hope as many people as possible will attend.”
The research contributes to Merton’s drive to become London’s Borough of Sport, by encouraging people to move more in a way that suits them, helping them reap the health and wellbeing benefits of an active lifestyle. As well as promoting walking and cycling, the campaign will link people to activities they might not know existed.
The 15 successful bids cover a range of activities – from bowling and yoga to dance and Zumba. Thanks to the grant programme, Age UK Merton is running monthly sports mornings for older people with activities that can happen whatever the weather including indoor golf, quoits and bowling. As well as trying new activities, participants can chat about challenges they have getting active.
Wimbledon Guild will gather insight by hosting discussions with popular older people’s social groups. And new mums can give their views while taking part in a programme of fitness and mindfulness aimed at helping combat post-natal depression.
Mark Creelman, NHS South West London Executive Director for Merton said: “We are looking forward to hearing from Merton residents about how we can help people get more active in the best way for them. Our voluntary sector has planned a fantastic range of events to get people talking and I hope as many people as possible will attend.”
Mark Williams from Wimbledon Guild said: “At Wimbledon Guild, we ensure that our customers are involved in our service design and we always value their feedback. This grant provides a crucial opportunity for us to take the time to talk to them and understand the challenges they are facing. We will be holding group discussions at some of our activity classes and also speaking to people one to one.”
More examples of projects include:
- Commonside Community Development Trust is offering a day of dance featuring Zumba and line dancing at the New Horizons Centre.
- FiveASide Theatre company is hosting a series of Saturday community event focussing on African Caribbean heritage, healthy diets and physical wellbeing.
- The Polish Family Association is organising an exploration trip of green spaces for Ukrainian refugees with a chance to enjoy nature in a peaceful, stress-free environment.
The initiative follows the hugely successful Beat the Street interactive game which ran for six weeks this spring and saw more than 22,500 people – a tenth of Merton’s population – rise to the challenge by walking and cycling at total of 250,000 miles around the borough.