Wellbeing Service community update

The Wellbeing Support Service has been busy connecting and facilitating community members to local activities. Loneliness and isolation is a big issue for many people and our wellbeing team works hard to find the right activities and support for those that wish to socialise and try new things. Most of our community members are surprised at how much is going on in their local area. This was true for Mr H, who was referred to the Wellbeing Support Service by the Citizens Advice Bureau to see if we could help him feel more connected as he was feeling very lonely. 

 

A Wellbeing Support Service Coordinator set up a friendly ‘getting to know you’ meeting. This is either done face-to-face or on the phone. For this community member, he asked to meet in a local café as it offered him the opportunity to “get out of the house”. It was clear how engaged he was to try new social activities and meet new people to combat his loneliness. This was such a joy for the coordinator as they were able to match Mr. H with a variety of activities for him to choose from. 

 

Within a week he had joined the social-led walks run by Maidenhead United Community Trust and became a regular walker. These walks also include a coffee & chat afterwards in Desborough Bowling Club which inspired and motivated Mr H to give bowling a go. He took the initiative himself and booked some 1-2-1 lessons! 

 

We also know the importance of keeping our brain stimulated and having a variety of activities throughout the week to create a routine. So when we found out that one of Mr H’s biggest passions was photography, the Wellbeing Support Service Coordinator found a local Camera club which he tried and was wowed by photographs from other members. 

 

Knowing how vital emotional support is we got him on the waitlist for Men’s Matters, a men’s only support group. It didn’t take too long for a spot to come up and after the first meeting Mr H said it was “hilarious”! We also referred him to Friends In Need so he could join their weekly coffee morning as well. 

 

So Mr H’s social calendar is super busy now. All this is helping him feel much more connected to people and life which ultimately is improving his wellbeing.