st helens wellbeing week 2012 evaluation report

ST HELENS WELLBEING WEEK 2012
EVALUATION REPORT
DANNY WOODWORTH
MARKETING COORDINATOR, MILLENNIUM CENTRE
01744 675 132 | [email protected]
1
2
SUMMARY
2012 was the inaugural Wellbeing Week campaign for St Helens, and consisted of:
71 free events and activities for the local community to attend
An estimated 2,000 people engaging in the campaign
Input and contributions from a partnership of 36 organisations and dozens of local sports clubs,
health/wellbeing tutors and facilitators
Overall, the first attempt at a multi-agency health and wellbeing campaign in St Helens brought about lots
of successes and lots of things to improve on, but the foundations of a solid network and a steering group
has been established in order to sustain and drive forward Wellbeing Week in St Helens for forthcoming
years.
The success of Wellbeing Week has been founded on a partnership of organisations working together and
sharing resources, rather than relying on financial backing; utilising a co-production approach, the
Wellbeing Week steering group was able to share knowledge, contacts, resources, creativity, expertise and
experience to deliver the campaign, with a central co-ordination and administration from the Millennium
Centre.
Wellbeing Week would not have flourished without the input of organisations and time allocated for
attending steering group meetings, responding to emails, administration time and attending and hosting
events, and I would personally like to thank every single individual and organisation that contributed to the
campaign; in times of austerity we have collectively demonstrated that working together can create
synergies in helping to tackle health inequalities and improve people’s health and wellbeing.
Danny Woodworth
Chair, St Helens Wellbeing Week Steering Group
July 2012
Partnership of organisations involved in Wellbeing Week:
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WELLBEING
What is Wellbeing?
Wellbeing can be defined as ‘feeling good’ and ‘functioning well’ - this includes feelings of happiness and
enjoyment, as well as having a sense of meaning and belonging in life. Evidence suggests that improving
your wellbeing not only leads to the prevention of disease (for example mental health and physical health
problems), but also contributes to improving the wider determinants of health in society, including higher
educational attainment, greater productivity and more social cohesion and engagement1.
It has been suggested that a person’s wellbeing can be improved by following five simple and practical
steps2 called the ‘five ways to wellbeing’, which can increase an individual’s life expectancy by up to seven
and a half years. This approach is also designed to encourage people to focus on feeling better and keeping
mentally healthy, rather than focusing on mental illness.
Wellbeing in St Helens
Overall, the boroughs of St Helens and Halton have the second highest levels of wellbeing in the North
West3. However, this indicator should not encourage complacency as 59% of people surveyed in the
borough reported ‘moderate’ wellbeing, as opposed to only 35.4% with ‘high’ wellbeing. Along with
tackling deep-rooted health inequalities and long-term health conditions (resulting in proportionately
higher numbers of people in St Helens on long-term incapacity benefits), we need to work together with
the local population to improve their wellbeing and enable them to flourish as individuals and communities.
1
Friedli, L. (2009) ‘Mental health, resilience and inequalities’, World Health Organization
Foresight Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project (2008) ‘Five ways to Wellbeing’, New Economics Foundation
3
North West Public Health Observatory (2009) ‘North West Mental Wellbeing Survey’
2
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ORGANISING WELLBEING WEEK
Aims
Wellbeing Week was established to contribute to improving St Helens’ health and wellbeing by:
Educating members of the local community about wellbeing and how to improve wellbeing
Increasing participation in health and wellbeing related events and activities
Raising awareness of wellbeing services available in the borough, promoting early interventions and
access into services
Following on from these aims, all Wellbeing Week events, activities and information were designed to be
fun, free, informative, inclusive and centre around the concept of wellbeing and the five ways to wellbeing.
Process
Following discussions with stakeholders (including local charitable organisations, community groups and
statutory organisations), the Millennium Centre initiated a steering group of local organisations with an
interest in health and wellbeing (see appendix 1).
The steering group met on a monthly basis from January to April 2012, with an average attendance of
around 16 attendees per meeting. Discussions included ideas for individual events, promotion,
coordination, monitoring and evaluation. The idea of ‘co-production’ was embraced by organisations
involved in the steering group, with the mobilisation and sharing of assets such as knowledge, expertise,
contacts, resources and time - this created a synergy i.e. the sum of all organisations combined is greater
than that of all organisations working separately. Some individuals within the steering group could not
attend the monthly meetings, however communicated updates and feedback via email circulations.
Wellbeing Week was promoted heavily via the St Helens Gateway website, in the St Helens Star, BBC Radio
Merseyside, via social media (Twitter and Facebook) and the internet, What’s on in St Helens, printed
posters for individual events, via newsletters and e-bulletins, by word of mouth and through 5,000 leaflets
(see appendix 2) that were distributed in neighbourhoods and community venues throughout St Helens.
All Wellbeing Week events and activities took place between Monday 14th and Sunday 20th May 2012, and
an evaluation meeting for the steering group took place a month later.
Costs
Costs for Wellbeing Week were kept to a minimum through co-production and individuals/organisations
donating their staff time and resources (e.g. a marquee, soft drinks, fruit and stationery) free of charge - see
appendix 1 for a full list of contributors). The only costs that were incurred for Wellbeing Week were the
design and print of 5,000 leaflets (£966.00) and the hire of a town crier for the Wellbeing Carnival event
(£150.00), both of which were donated by the Millennium Centre.
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EVALUATING WELLBEING WEEK
Events and outcomes
In total 71 events and activities took place as part of the Wellbeing Week programme (see appendix 2).
These events were all based around the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ and included activities for people to
connect and socialise with each other, physical exercise classes, chances to discover more about St Helens,
learning opportunities and information sessions. As all events were free to attend, the people of St Helens
were encouraged to get out, try new things and meet new people.
Of the 71 events, written evaluation feedback forms were received from 42 (59%) - this information
consisted of feedback from the event/activity tutor, coordinating organisation and verbal feedback from
event participants. Below is a table that shows numbers of participants for some of the events that took
place during Wellbeing Week. Further information and qualitative feedback about each evaluated event
can be found in appendix 3.
Wellbeing Carnival
1,000+ LINk Coffee Morning
17
Healthy in St Helens
c.380 Jumping Jacks group - no. of families:
16
Selwyn Jones Sports Centre open day
c.100 Pink Panters running group
15
Supporting Dementia event
96 Local history talk (Sat)
Healthy ‘Read n Rhyme’ sessions (x3)
93 Stress Management techniques
14
c.60 Confidence and Assertion course
12
Living with Cancer and Beyond
14+
Manicures for Carers
50 Dream tour
11
Starting Point Open Day
49 Men’s Health Checks
10
Healthy Walk for Wellbeing
28 Creative Cards for Therapy
9
Picnic in the Park
c.27 U3A Art Group
8
Parr history talk
23 Funky Crochet
6
First aid demo
20 Introduction to Volunteering
2
Falls Prevention information
20
The three aims originally set for Wellbeing Week were achieved by:
1. Educating members of the local community about wellbeing, and how to improve wellbeing
Information about wellbeing and the five ways to wellbeing was promoted through the distribution
of the 5,000 Wellbeing Week leaflets and the 2020 Decade of Health and Wellbeing postcards, pens
and bookmarks. These leaflets distributed door to door (in Parr and the town centre) and in the
1,000 Wellbeing Week goody bags that were handed out throughout the week
Wellbeing discussions took place at events throughout the week, and the Wellbeing Project CIC
coordinated 79 wellbeing pledges at the Wellbeing Carnival event; based on the five ways to
wellbeing, these pledges encouraged people to incorporate the five ways into their everyday lives.
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Of the 41 pledges that we have received feedback on, 98% of people had managed to do at least
one of their five pledges, with 68% of people fully completing their pledges.
Wellbeing Week was timed to coincide with other wellbeing and health related events in order to
promote a consistent message to the local community. The annual Healthy in St Helens event was
timed to fit in with Wellbeing Week, and Adult Learners Week taking place slightly earlier (12th to
18th May) allowed some events and activities to tie in with both initiatives
2. Increasing participation in health and wellbeing related events and activities
Provided 71 events and activities for the local community to attend free of charge, that an
estimated 2,000 people engaged in
The majority of these events were attended by regular service-users to that organisation, but also
included many new members of the local community who have engaged with the activity/service for
the first time. Importantly, most of these individuals have gone on to re-engage in the services to
continue improving their wellbeing (for example signing up as permanent members of University of
the Third Age, local sports clubs and accessing other services provided by charities and voluntary
groups)
As an example case study: Mary is an older person living in St Helens who wanted to improve her
wellbeing. She attended the Wellbeing Carnival on 14th May just by chance as she was in the town
centre that day, and she picked up various leaflets and completed a ‘Wellbeing Pledge’ card through
the Wellbeing Project. After learning more about the five ways to wellbeing at the event, Mary
motivated herself to contact an old colleague to go out for a meal, she started an aqua-aerobics
class to become more physically active, and she went along to a local work club during Wellbeing
Week for help and assistance in moving back into part-time employment.
3. Raising awareness of wellbeing services available in the borough, promoting early interventions and
access into services
All organisations and individual tutors/clubs providing wellbeing services in St Helens have
benefitted from free publicity and awareness raising of the services that they provide - either
through events/demonstrations or opportunities to display leaflets and talk to the general public
Some organisations have also received referrals, information requests and new service-users after
Wellbeing Week as a result of people seeing the Wellbeing Week publicity
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Recommendations for Wellbeing Week 2013
The first Wellbeing Week in St Helens brought about lots of successes to celebrate but also points to
consider improving upon if the campaign is to be repeated in future years. The following feedback points
were discussed at the steering group evaluation meeting following comments and suggestions put forward
by individuals and organisations. The main things to be improved upon include:
Feedback: Wellbeing Carnival marquee was too small
It was suggested by a number of individuals and organisations that the marquee event in Church
Square to launch Wellbeing Week was too small and didn’t have enough space for organisations to
promote their work. There was also unclear signposting of Wellbeing Week around the marquee.
Recommendation: It was discussed in the first steering group meeting that the purpose of the
Wellbeing Carnival event was to promote wellbeing and Wellbeing Week in general, as opposed to
individual organisation’s services - however, an addition for 2013 could be to hire a larger marquee and
organise a separate ‘information’ event for organisations to specifically promote their own services.
Also purchase a banner to advertise Wellbeing Week on the marquee.
Feedback: Some events had low participation
Some events and activities during Wellbeing Week were only engaged by a very small number of, or
even no, participants.
Recommendation: Have a face-to-face presence in the town centre (or other locations throughout St
Helens) on more than one day to promote individual events (volunteers could be recruited for this) and
encourage organisations to more heavily promote their own individual events. There could have also
been too many events organised in 2012, so in 2013 events could be prioritised in line with St Helens’
JSNA (Joint Strategic Needs Assessment - for example focusing on smoking, cardio-vascular disease and
mental health), or organisations could work together further to produce fewer, but higher quality,
events.
Feedback: More feedback data needed for individual events
For the purposes of evaluation it would have been useful to obtain details (e.g. age, gender, residential
area, how they found out about the event and any qualitative feedback) of people who attended
individual Wellbeing Week events, and then followed these contacts up a couple of months later to see
whether they have re-engaged in services
Recommendation: Create a standardised feedback card for individual event organisers to distribute to
participants at the end of their respective event. This will add extra administration time to collate all
the data, but would be extremely useful to determine and monitor outcomes.
Feedback: Wellbeing Week leaflet was too cramped and difficult to read
The Wellbeing Week steering group pointed out that with so many events and activities scheduled,
information about individual events was difficult to read and didn’t have a large amount of space for a
detailed description.
Recommendation: This problem could be reduced next year if fewer events are organised, or
alternative ways of displaying the information could be considered; for example, this could include a
booklet format of a leaflet, with events and activities categorised by type (e.g. exercise classes, learning
opportunities, discovering St Helens, activities for older people etc) as opposed to a chronological order
list. This may increase the cost of production, so ways of raising funds (e.g. grants or sponsorship)
would have to be considered.
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Other suggestions put forward by steering group members and from individual feedback include more
events available during the evenings and weekends for ‘office-hours’ working people to attend, contact
schools earlier to get children and young people involved more, more events around the arts (e.g.
exhibitions, entertainment, theatre and comedy) and a central booking and information number for people
to find out more about events and to coordinate bookings. All these ideas should be discussed early on in
the steering group meetings for Wellbeing Week in 2013.
Conclusions
As the first multi-agency wellbeing promotion event of its kind to be held in St Helens, Wellbeing Week
2012 had lots of successes and lots to build upon and improve for future years. All organisations and
individuals involved in the campaign have indicated that they would like to be involved in Wellbeing Week
2013, and a strong foundation has been laid for this through putting a steering group in place.
It is important in future years to implement the recommendations above in order to strengthen the
campaign’s effectiveness for the local community and local organisations, and it would be greatly beneficial
to secure grant/sponsorship funding to build capacity and improve outcomes.
It should also be a focus and priority for the Wellbeing Week steering group to work together as a network
on a more regular basis to sustain the promotion of wellbeing throughout the entire year.
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Appendix 1 - Wellbeing Week steering group contacts and other contributions
Organisation
Contact(s)
Action for Blind People
Jenna Clancy
Adult and Community Learning
Andrea Forsyth, Pat O’Brien and Jill Thompson
(St Helens Council)
Age UK Mid Mersey
Julia Webster
Alzheimer’s Society
Denise Adamson
Central Fitness
Lee McKeon
Christian Life Centre
Craig Lawrenson
Chrysalis Centre for Change
Sue Clarke
Connexions
Helen Dann
Falls Prevention Team
Julie Hayward
(Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust)
GoActive
Sue Robinson, Jenny Graham and Michelle Binns
(St Helens Council)
Health Improvement Team
Cate Lawson
(Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust)
Healthy Heart Support Group
Len McGrail
Helena Partnerships
John Bailey and Nikki Wilkinson
Home-Start St Helens
Julie Smith
Hope Centre
Niccie Jones
Macmillan Information and Support Centre
Julie Parr
Making Space
Millennium Centre
Danny Woodworth and Alan Darlington
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Catherine Cash-Harvey and Ashley Longworth
Rotary Club of St Helens (Healthy in St Helens)
Colin Ince and Fred Carlisle
Social Inclusion Team
Jacqueline Burke and Steven Donoghue
(St Helens Council)
Sports Development
Karen Harvey and Dave Boocock
(St Helens Council)
St Helens Carers Centre
Peter Sinnott
St Helens Citizens Advice Bureau
Karl Pearce
St Helens Independent Living Services
Andy Woods
St Helens LINk
Jayne Parkinson
St Helens Mind
Gill Ellison
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St Helens RFL Community Foundation
Gordon Pennington
St Helens Star
Steve Leary
Starting Point - St Helens Chamber
Jo Smith
Together UK
UC Crew
Tom Glynn
University of the Third Age
Ruth Bartram and Marion Rowland
Volunteer Centre
Christine Tully
Wellbeing Project
Mark Swift, Carol Reid and Lynn Swift
Willowbrook Hospice
Nicky Saunders
There were also generous contributions of time and resources for classes, demonstrations and prizes from:
All Stars Merseyside Taekwondo
Asda
BBC Radio Merseyside
Beryl Appleby and the tai chi volunteers
Camelot
Chris Coffey
the Citadel St Helens
Cossack Karate Academy
Esther McDermott
Feathers Badminton club
Funky Knits and Crochet
Kevina Cunliffe
Knowsley Safari Park
Liverpool 2020 Decade of Health and Wellbeing
Liverpool FC
Maureen Holmes and the El Ghawazee dancers
Nichols Plc
Pink Panters running club
Sean Brennan
St Helens Ju-Jitsu club
Steve Thomas and the yoga volunteers
Sutton Badminton club
Tartan Tea Room
Tesco
The Mayor of St Helens Cllr Tom Hargreaves
What’s on in St Helens and the Events Team (St Helens Council)
Wildcard ABC
World of Glass
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Appendix 2 - Wellbeing Week leaflet and full event programme details
A3 Wellbeing Week leaflet (folds into thirds)
A3 Wellbeing Week leaflet (inside)
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Mon 14 May
Wellbeing Carnival, 10am to 4pm,
Church Square (WA10 1AF)
Come down to the town centre to
find out more about wellbeing and
take part in some fun activities
including zumba, tai chi and belly
dancing. Open to: Everyone.
Contact: Millennium Centre 675131
Employment Open Day, 10am to
4pm, Starting Point (WA10 1RE)
Employment advice and information
about free skills courses, starting
your own business and work clubs.
Find out more about the new
National Careers Service. Open to:
Everyone. Contact: Jo Smith on
698 800
Tues 15 May
St Helens LINk Coffee Morning,
9:15am to 12:15pm, Newton
Community Centre (WA12 8EX)
Come along and join us for a cup of
tea/coffee and a chat; find out
about LINk and share your views
and experiences about health and
social care services. Contact:
Jayne on 457 116
Poetry appreciation group looking
at poetry on a theme.
Open to: Retired/semi-retired
people. Contact: Paul Olson on
637 963
Creative Cards for Therapy, 1pm
to 3.30pm, Peter Street
Community Centre (WA10 2EQ)
Friendly craft session to develop
new skills and meet new people.
Relaxing hand massages provided
too. Help also available for women
who have experienced Domestic
Violence.
Open to: Ladies (18+) only.
Contact: Chrysalis Centre for
Change on 451 309
Helping to support Wellbeing,
10am to 4pm, Millennium Centre
reception (WA10 1HJ)
Come and see the impact that
advice can have on your wellbeing
Healthy Read and Rhyme,
Open to: Everyone. Contact: Pat
1:30pm to 2:30pm, Central
Mannix, St Helens CAB on 751 380
Library (WA10 1DY)
U3A
Art
group,
10am
to
12pm,
First Aid drop-in, 10am to 1pm,
Zumba your way to Wellbeing,
Baptist Church, Hall Street
Millennium Centre reception
2.30pm to 3.30pm, MASH Art
(WA10
1EL)
(WA10 1HJ)
Café (WA10 1DD)
Practical art classes - beginners
Demonstrations and information
Taster session for anyone
welcome.
Open
to:
Retired/semiabout resuscitation, CPR and first
interested in Zumba - no
retired
people.
Contact:
Ruth
on
aid courses in the borough.
experience necessary! Please book
817
217
Open to: Everyone. Contact Adult
in advance. Open to: Everyone.
& Community Learning on 677 675 Line Dancing, 10am to 12pm,
Contact: Wellbeing Project on
26444
Mansion House (WA10 2UE)
Painting & Drawing for
Open
to:
Everyone.
Contact:
Age
Beginners, 10am to 2pm,
Ju-Jitsu, St Teresa’s Church Hall
UK on 752 644
Mansion House (WA10 2UE)
(WA10 4HX)
Open to: Everyone. Contact: Age
Develop personal skills, confidence
Mens Health Checks, 10am to
UK on 752 644
and have fun. Class times: age 4-7
1pm, Millennium Centre (WA10
5pm to 5:45pm, age 8-14 6:15pm to
1HJ)
Healthy Read and Rhyme,
7:15pm and age 15-70 7:30pm to
The
check
will
take
around
30
10:30am to 11:30am, Newton-le8:45pm
minutes and includes testing for
Willows Library (WA12 9TU)
blood pressure, cholesterol, height, Contact: Brian Moore on 078 906
Bring your child along to make a
688 39
healthy snack and enjoy stories and weight, waist, body mass index and
the
chance
to
discuss
healthy
rhymes! Open to: Everyone.
Circuit Training, 5.15pm to 6pm,
Contact: Newton-le-Willows Library lifestyle options and signposting to Leaf Centre (WA9 4DE)
other services - please book an
on 677 885
Open to: Everyone. Contact:
appointment in advance Open to:
Darren Brown on 671 433
Funky Crochet, 1:30pm, Rainhill Men aged 18+. Contact: Mens
Library (L35 0LE)
Health Team on 0300 300 0103
Cossack Karate Academy,
Learn basic crochet. All materials
5:15pm to 6:30pm, St Nicholas
Let’s
do
IT!,
10am
to
1pm,
Hope
provided Open to: Everyone.
Church Hall (WA9 3UB)
Centre
(WA10
2DT)
Contact Rainhill Library on 677 882
Basic introductory session for
Introduce yourself to the cyber
children and adults provided by
Local History Talk, 2pm, Parr
world known as the internet, be
highly qualified karateka. Open to:
Library (WA9 1SY)
reconnected to friends/family
Everyone 8+. Contact: Michaylo
Join us to learn more about the
through email and be given the
Fedyk on 816 082
Parr Township papers Open to:
know how of moving around a PC!
Everyone. Contact: Parr Library on Open to: Beginners. Contact: Hope Pink Panters Running Club,
677 580
Centre on 26414
5.30pm to 6.30pm, Queens Park
Leisure Centre (WA10 2LT)
Football, 5pm to 6pm, Fives
Supporting Dementia, 10am to
Football Centre (WA10 3LR)
3pm, World of Glass (WA10 1BX) Ladies only running/jogging group all welcome Open to: Ladies only.
Open to: Everyone. Contact: Scott Do you care for your partner or a
Crozier on 675 761
family member who has dementia? Contact: Bev Forber on 079 171
309 64
Do you think someone in your
Feathers Badminton Club, 7pm
family may have dementia or is
to 9pm, Broadway Sports Centre showing the early signs of memory
(WA10 3RY)
loss? Come along for information
Rackets and shuttles will be
about local services. Lunch and
provided. Males and females
Disability Services Open Day,
refreshments available. Open to:
welcome. Open to: Adults 18+.
Everyone. Contact: 0800 073 3871 9.30am to 4pm, Shopmobility
Contact: Helen Williams
(Chalon Way, WA10 1BF)
to book a place
07828673849
Try equipment, scooters and find
U3A Poetry group, 10:30am to
out what DASH and Shopmobility
Bingo, 7pm, Martin Avenue
12:30pm, Friends Meeting House have to offer Open to: Everyone.
(WA12 0NH)
(WA10 1AJ)
Contact: Shopmobility on 613 388
Open to: Over 50s only. Contact:
Helena on 677 884
Weds 16 May
Open Event, 10am to 2pm,
Selwyn Jones Sports Centre
(WA12 0AG)
Try fitness equipment, aerobic
demonstrations, ViPR
demonstrations, health checks,
contraception advice, drug and
alcohol advice, UC Crew break
dancing and disability awareness.
Open to: Everyone. Contact:
Michelle Binns on 075 340 932 54
Knitting, 10am, O’Connell Close
(WA11 0SE)
Open to: Over 50s only. Contact:
Helena on 675 766
Falls prevention information,
10am to 4pm, Millennium Centre
reception (WA10 1HJ)
Information for people who have
had a fall or are afraid of having a
fall Open to: Everyone. Contact
Falls Prevention Team on 457 238
Mens Health Checks, 10am to
1pm, Millennium Centre (WA10
1HJ)
Zumba Gold, 10.15am to
11.15am, Mansion House (WA10
2UE)
Open to: Everyone. Contact: Age
UK on 752 644
Picnic in the Park, 12pm to 2pm,
Victoria Park (meet next to play
area)
Take some time out and enjoy the
great outdoors. Exciting activities
planned including a park walk,
treasure hunt, belly dancing,
massages and much more. Don’t
forget to bring a picnic! Open to:
Everyone. Contact: Hope Centre
on 26414
Wellbeing in the Woods, 12.30pm
to 2.30pm, meet at St Helens
train station
Introduce yourself to nature – set
up a camp, enjoy craft making,
photography and poetry. Please
book a place in advance. Open to:
Everyone. Contact: Wellbeing
Project on 26444
Arts & Crafts, 1pm, Field Road
(WA9 4QN)
Open to: Over 50s only. Contact:
Helena on 677 725
Stress Management Techniques,
1pm to 3.30pm, Peter Street
Community Centre (WA10 2EQ)
Learn how to manage stress, run
by a qualified tutor. Relaxing hand
massages provided too. Help also
available for women who have
experienced Domestic Violence.
Open to: Ladies (18+) only.
Contact: Chrysalis Centre for
Change on 451 309
Jumping Jacks, 10am to 12pm,
Peter Street Community Centre
(WA10 2EQ)
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Group allows parents/carers to
learn together with their children
about healthier lifestyles. Activities
include ‘Little Chefs’, ‘Little
Movers/Dancers’ and ‘Tempting
Tots’ Open to: Parents/Carers with
child/ren under 5. Contact: HomeStart on 737 400
Everyone. Contact: St Helens Mind Bring your child along to make a
677058
healthy snack and enjoy stories and
rhymes! Open to: Everyone.
Tai Chi, 11.30am to 12.30pm,
Contact: Chester Lane Library on
Mansion House (WA10 2UE)
677 081
Open to: Everyone. Contact: Age
UK on 752 644
Support for rape and sexual
abuse, 12pm to 3pm, Drop-in
Lounge, Bickerstaffe Street
(WA10 1DH)
Have you, or anyone you know,
suffered from rape or sexual
abuse? Find out more about local
support and services in a safe,
friendly and confidential
environment - drop-in or call in
Netball, 5pm to 6pm, Sutton
advance for an appointment.
Leisure Centre (WA9 5AU)
Open to: Everyone. Contact:
Open to: Everyone. Contact: Nikki Introduction to Volunteering,
1.30pm to 2.30pm, Tontine House RASASC on 877 987 or 075 077
Wilkinson on 675 766
(WA10 1BD)
797 72
Break dancing, 5.30pm to
Find out more about the benefits of
Living with Cancer and Beyond,
6.30pm, Sutton Leisure Centre
volunteering and opportunities
12.30pm to 2.30pm, Spice of Life
(WA9 5AU)
available Open to: Everyone.
Learn professional break dancing
Contact: Volunteer Centre 751 759 Restaurant (St Helens Hospital)
Information and advice from a host
from the five times award winning
Work Club, 2pm to 3.30pm, Hope of professionals and free
UC Crew Open to: Everyone.
complementary therapy taster
Contact [email protected] or 077 Centre (WA10 2DT)
Meet others looking for work, build sessions. Open to: Anyone that’s
692 183 61
new contacts, share experiences
been affected by cancer. Contact:
Badminton, 6pm to 7pm, Sutton
and get advice on interview
Julie Parr at Macmillan on 647 000
Leisure Centre (WA9 5AU)
techniques, CVs and volunteering
Open to: Everyone. Contact: John Open to: Everyone. Contact: Hope Floristry, 12.30pm to 2.30pm,
Mansion House (WA10 2UE)
Fairclough 077961918 97
Centre on 26414
Open to: Everyone. Contact: Age
Sutton Badminton Club, 8pm to
Circuit Training, 5pm to 6pm,
UK on 752 644
10pm, Broadway Sports Centre
Helena L&D Centre (WA9 3GL)
Mens Group, 1pm, Martin Avenue
(WA10 3RY)
Open to: Everyone. Contact:
(WA12 0NH)
Open to: Adults (18+). Contact:
Darren Brown on 671 433
Open to: Over 50s only. Contact:
Linda Eccleston on
Cossack Karate Academy,
Helena on 677 884
[email protected]
5:15pm to 6:30pm, St Nicholas
Senior Activities Class, 1pm to
Church Hall (WA9 3UB)
3pm, Queens Park (WA10 2LT)
Multi sports session for older
people Open to: Over 50s only.
Contact: Karen Harvey on 675 404
Wellbeing Poetry Group, 10.00am
to 11.30am, Millennium Centre
Free and Easy IT, 1pm to 3pm,
Healthy in St Helens, 10am to
(WA10 1HJ)
Mansion House (WA10 2UE)
4pm,
Church
Hall
(WA10
1AF)
For anyone interested in reading
and poetry. Please book a place in Come down for free health checks Open to: Everyone. Contact: Age
and advice and fun activities for the UK on 752 644
advance. Open to: Everyone.
whole family, including fitness and
Contact: Wellbeing Project on
All Stars Merseyside Taekwondo,
dancing demonstrations. Open to:
26444
5pm to 6pm, Broadway Sports
Everyone. Contact :Health
Centre (WA10 3RY)
Confidence and Assertion, 10am Improvement Team on 0300 300
Session taught by 2nd Dan black
to 12.30pm, Peter Street
0103
belt instructor and previous British
Community Centre (WA10 2EQ)
champion. Open to: Everyone.
Introduction
to
Volunteering,
Taster session for the full course,
Contact: Amanda Wardell on 075
10.30am to 11.30am, Tontine
run by a qualified tutor. Relaxing
812 887 82
hand massages provided too. Help House (WA10 1BD)
also available for women who have Wellbeing Network, 10.30am to
Break dancing, 5pm to 6pm,
experienced Domestic Violence.
Queens Park Leisure Centre
12.00pm, Millennium Centre
Open to: Ladies (18+) only.
(WA10 2LT)
(WA10 1HJ)
Contact: Chrysalis Centre for
An opportunity for local residents to
Change on 451 309
come together and learn more
about wellbeing in their local area.
Healthy Walk for Wellbeing,
10:30am to 3:30pm, meet at main Please book a place in advance.
Open to: Everyone. Contact:
entrance of Asda (WA10 2EF)
Healthy in St Helens, 10am to
Wellbeing Project on 26444
4pm, Church Hall (WA10 1AF)
Meet new people, get some fresh
Local history talk, 2pm to 4pm,
Millennium Centre (WA10 1HJ)
An illustrated talk titled “Observing
Local History in St Helens town
centre” Open to: Everyone.
Contact: Chris Coffey on 817 130
Tour of Dream, 1pm to 3pm, meet
at Smithy Manor Pub (WA9 4BB)
Enjoy a guided tour of the Dream
by Gary Conley, Cultural
Coordinator at St Helens Council.
Alzheimer’s Society will also be on
hand to provide information about
dementia. Open to: Everyone.
Contact: Denise on 0151 420 8010
Thurs 17 May
Fri 18 May
Sat 19 May
air/exercise and find out what’s
Healthy Read and Rhyme, 11am
happening locally to improve your
to 12pm, Chester Lane Library
wellbeing. Entry into free raffle and (WA9 4DE)
refreshments afterwards. Open to:
Sutton Badminton Club, 12pm to
4pm, Broadway Sports Centre
(WA10 3RY)
Open to: Juniors (8-18). Contact:
Linda Eccleston on
[email protected]
Local history talk, 2pm to 4pm,
Millennium Centre (WA10 1HJ)
Sun 20 May
Family Fitness and Boxing, 12pm
to 1:30pm, Broadway Sports
Centre (WA10 3RY)
Open to: Everyone. Contact:
Dominic Hodnett at Wildcard ABC
on 078 259 121 32
Tea Party and Plant Sale, 1pm to
4pm, Willowbrook Hospice (L34
2QT)
Games, tea and cakes, gift stalls,
plant sales and a Teddy Bears
Picnic at 2pm with Brookie Bear!
Free entry and fun for the whole
family Open to: Everyone.
Contact: Nicky Saunders 453 798
Youth Aflame Wellbeing
Workshop, 6.30pm to 9.30pm,
Christian Life Centre (WA10 2DT)
An interactive workshop for young
people looking at wellbeing and
wholeness. Do we live life to the
full? How to we manage stress and
emotions? Come join in and
discover some answers together.
Open to: Young People 11+.
Contact: Craig Lawrenson on
26414
All week
Manicures for Carers, 9:45am to
12:45pm - Mon to Thu, Carers
Centre (WA10 2RS)
Free manicure and pedicure
sessions to any Carer in St Helens.
First come first serve - please book
an appointment by calling the
number below in advance. Open
to: Carers. Contact: Carers Centre
on 0800 073 3871
Careers advice for young people,
Mon to Fri, throughout St Helens
1-to-1 impartial advice and
guidance, offering links to
apprenticeship opportunities,
support with CVs and interview
preparation. Please ring to find
your nearest venue. Open to:
Young People. Contact:
Connexions on 0843 2211 012
St Helens Gateway, 8am to 5pm Mon to Fri, Millennium Centre
reception (WA10 1HJ)
Looking for information about
health and social care? We can
point you in the right direction.
Open to: Everyone. Contact: St
Helens Gateway on 675 137
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Appendix 3 - Feedback and information from individual Wellbeing Week evaluated events
Wellbeing Carnival (St Helens Gateway)
Wellbeing Week was launched with a ‘Wellbeing Carnival’ outdoor marquee event on Monday 14th May in
the centre of St Helens, designed to raise awareness about wellbeing and other events taking place
throughout the week.
An estimated one thousand people engaged in the event, either watching the variety of entertainment
taking place or coming in to the marquee to take away information or look at stalls. Inside the marquee,
750 goody bags (including wellbeing and Wellbeing Week information) were handed out, the Wellbeing
Project conducted 79 wellbeing pledges and displayed their anti-stigma work, ‘Get Checked’ (Health
Improvement Team) interacted with 51 people and delivered four hand massages, there were six men’s
health checks (Health Improvement Team) and 75 rowing demonstrations completed by Central Fitness.
The event was opened by the Mayor of St Helens Cllr Tom Hargreaves and there were also appearances
from Town Crier Barry McQueen and St Helens RFL mascot ‘Boots’. Interactive demonstrations were
provided including zumba, tai chi, belly dancing and ‘legs, bums and tums’. Inside the marquee there were
leaflets and staff representatives from Saints Community Foundation, Bridgewater Community Healthcare
NHS Trust, Starting Point, Alzheimer’s Society, University of the Third Age, Hope Centre, St Helens Mind,
Social Inclusion Team, Age UK Mid Mersey, St Helens LINk (who signed up 18 new members), St Helens
Carers Centre, Action for Blind People, Volunteer Centre and Adult & Community Learning.
Healthy in St Helens (organised by Rotary Club of St Helens)
Around 350-380 attended Healthy in St Helens, which provided a wide range of healthy living and healthy
eating advice, in addition to health checks (e.g. blood pressure, cholesterol etc) and a mixture of fun
information and demonstrations provided over the course of two days. Crucially, six people were identified
as needing urgent health examinations and have since been referred on to their GP for further treatment.
The event was also supported by over twenty local organisations, and the Rotary Club of St Helens wishes
to thank all of those who made the event such a success.
Selwyn Jones Sports Centre open day (GoActive)
Approximately one hundred people (mostly centre users but also groups of young people from Hope
Academy and Carmel College) attended the event, which had information and demonstrations provided by
GoActive, St Helens College, UC Crew, University of the Third Age, Community Sexual Health, AddAction,
Health Improvement Team and St Helens LINk (who signed up seven new members). Initial feedback was
that the event was a great success, with lots of people actively engaging in the health checks and first aid
demonstrations, and students from the Colleges participated well in the break-dancing demonstrations by
UC Crew. The ‘hidden talent corner’ went down very well, and was well participated in by adults with
learning disabilities who raised £30 through making and selling cakes. Sue Robinson from GoActive was
pleased with how the event panned out, but suggested that next year it could be held at a more central
venue in St Helens to increase numbers.
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Supporting Dementia event (St Helens Carers Centre and St Helens LINk)
96 people, including service-users, professionals and people affected by some way by dementia, attended
the event held at the World of Glass in St Helens. Four workshops took place on the day: living well with
dementia, benefits advice, power of attorney and assistive technology, in addition to presentations by
relevant professionals to help raise awareness of local services for people with dementia. The Carers
Centre also identified eight new Carers and St Helens LINk signed up nine new members.
Healthy ‘Read n Rhyme’ sessions (St Helens Council Adult & Community Learning)
These sessions were originally organised as part of Adult Learners Week, but were included in the
Wellbeing Week programme because of their relevance for improving child and parent wellbeing. 53
children and 40 adults attended over the course of the three sessions, interacting in ‘Handa’s Surprise’ popup-book talks and making healthy fruit kebabs, allowing parents to interact with their children and for the
children to explore different tastes.
Living with Cancer and Beyond (Macmillan Cancer Information and Support)
Over 60 patients, Carers and hospital staff attended the event held at St Helens Hospital, designed to raise
awareness of services available to people after recovering from cancer. Information provided included
healthy diets advice from a Nutritionalist, hair loss and wig fitting advice from a Hairdresser, getting back
into employment (Proability), help for Carers (St Helens Carers Centre), counselling and complementary
therapy taster sessions (Lilac Centre) and also information from Macmillan and St Helens Cancer Support
Group. As a result of the event, three people have signed onto the HOPE self-management course, and
several people have returned for counselling and information about grants from Macmillan. Verbal
feedback from the event included: “Hairdresser was very helpful with advice about wigs”, “Benefits adviser
very helpful”, “Nutritionalist was very interesting and gave away free samples”, “Good venue”, “Free
massage was lovely and relaxing” and “Good venue, everyone was very kind and helpful, and I’m much
more confident about everything now.”
Manicures for Carers (St Helens Carers Centre)
50 places were allocated for free manicures and pedicures for Carers in St Helens - these places became
fully booked very quickly, although only one new Carer was identified to the Carers Centre. Information
and advice was given to all the Carers in addition to the manicures, and positive feedback was received.
Employment Open Day (Starting Point - St Helens Chamber)
49 people attended the event, many of whom were people already accessing Starting Point services,
however a small number of people were directed from the Wellbeing Carnival event taking place on the
same day. Information and advice was provided around careers, training courses, self-employment and the
launch of the National Careers Service - all information related to the ‘learn’ and ‘connect’ ways to
wellbeing, and feedback provided on the day included that the range of information and refreshments
available was enjoyable.
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Healthy Walk for Wellbeing (Heath Park Lodge)
This event was organised by a partnership of local mental health organisations (St Helens Mind, Social
Inclusion Team, Making Space and Together UK) working together. 28 people turned up for the start of the
walk at Asda, who also provided free bottles of water for participants. Most of the people who attended
were already known to the Heath Park Lodge services, but are people who would not have normally taken
part in any form of physical exercise, and in addition four other people attended. An escorted walk around
St Helens was organised, split up into three sections that could have been completed individually or wholly
(to suit different abilities), focusing on the ‘connect’, ‘be active’ and ‘take notice’ ways to wellbeing.
Despite the cold conditions, participants enjoyed the walk and were asking when similar events would be
taking place soon - feedback about what people enjoyed included: “The company was great and luckily the
weather was lovely, which made for a great atmosphere”, “Enjoyed all of it”, “The company and the
exercise”, “Being with different people, getting exercise in a lovely park”, “Being with people I know who I
have not seen for ages”, “The company and the exercise”, Fresh air and company”, “The Park”,
“Everything”, “The Fresh Air”, “Seeing the park in its beauty”, “Nice sunny day, company, others, walking”,
“All of it”, “Sights, sounds and new environment”, “I was able to walk at my own pace and see the views”
and “Weather, company and location.”
Picnic in the Park, IT Club and Work Club (Hope Centre)
Over 27 people turned up for the Picnic in the Park, despite the cold weather. Volunteer Mandy performed
eight hand massages, and there was also a walk around the park, belly dancing, circuit training (GoActive), a
free raffle and visits from Friends of Victoria Park and Bay TV.
The Hope Centre also ran their weekly IT Club and Work Club as part of the wellbeing programme, teaching
participants about basic IT skills and help with job searching, CV writing and interview techniques.
Parr History talk (Adult & Community Learning)
Originally organised as part of Adult Learners Week, but promoted in the Wellbeing Week programme, 23
people attended the open presentation at Parr Library, based on the Parr Township Papers. Feedback from
the event included: "Really enjoyed the talk on Parr; very interesting to know what it used to be like where I
live”, "Very enjoyable afternoon. Very interesting talk, residents who attended from Gaskell Court really
found it interesting", "The talk on the history of Parr was interesting", "The history talk was very good.
There was plenty of help and advice", "I found this afternoon interesting. The presentation was very good"
and "Very good enjoyable and nice refreshments"
First Aid demonstration (Adult & Community Learning)
This event took place in the Millennium Centre reception next to the busy Walk-in Centre, and consisted of
general first aid information and demonstrations of CPR on dummies. The tutor received 20 enquiries from
the general public, of which seven took further details of forthcoming First Aid courses in the community.
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Falls Prevention Information (Falls Prevention Team)
Julie Hayward from the Falls Prevention Team set-up a stall at the Millennium Centre reception, passing on
advice and information packs to members of the public walking past - information packs included a
pedometer, mug, coaster, bag, keyring and leaflets about the falls services available in St Helens. Julie
spoke to 20 people, all of whom had never heard of the Falls Prevention Team before, however Julie felt
that it was a quiet day and didn’t achieve her expected outcomes.
Coffee Morning (St Helens LINk)
LINk held a coffee morning at Newton Community Centre, giving local people the opportunity to have their
say about health and social care services, share their experiences (good and bad) and any ideas for change.
The event attracted 17 people, of which nine signed up as new LINk members.
Jumping Jacks group (Home-Start St Helens)
This session allowed children and adults to interact with each other, making healthy yoghurts and taking
part in fitness play activities. 16 families attended the session during Wellbeing Week, two of which were
new to the service - both new families and an additional family (that couldn’t attend the particular
Wellbeing Week session) have now become regular attendees of the Jumping Jacks group, and all families
said that they would be attending other events during Wellbeing Week.
‘Pink Panters’ ladies running group
15 ladies attended the female only running/walking group, which took place during the evening. Three of
these people were new members to the group and have since become regular attendees, and the group
also received five additional information requests about taking part. The new members commented that
they enjoyed the environment and being part of the group - all had returned to exercise after a long time
out, and were now aiming to take part in larger organised events (e.g. running races).
Local history talk by Chris Coffey
Over 14 people attended the illustrated talk in the board room at the Millennium Centre on the Saturday
afternoon, with some leaving early and some arriving late. The talk lasted around an hour and a half, with
the audience (many of whom were new faces to Chris) engaging by asking questions and staying until the
end of the talk. Chris had planned to host the same talk three days earlier, but unfortunately had to cancel
because of illness - three people had turned up to attend this event but could not attend the Saturday
session.
Stress Management Techniques, Creative Cards for Therapy and Confidence & Assertion course taster
session (all provided by Chrysalis Centre for Change)
Chrysalis Centre for Change provided three taster sessions of their services at their Peter Street base for
women with mental health problems. 35 people attended across all three sessions, of which five were new
faces to the service, and since then three of these people have fully engaged with the charity’s services.
The Creative Cards for Therapy session helped provide relaxation through creative card making, and the
Confidence & Assertion course taster looked at identifying negative behaviour and looked at assertive ways
18
to communicate and how to say no without feeling guilt. The Stress Management Techniques session
looked at how to identify symptoms of stress and how to manage stress more effectively.
Dream Tour (Alzheimer’s Society)
Organised by Denise Adamson at the Alzheimer’s Society and conducted by Gary Conley, the Cultural
Coordinator for Adult Health and Social Care at St Helens Council and a former Miner at Sutton Colliery.
Gary was also part of the steering group that liaised with the artist (Juame Plensa) when Dream was
created. On the Dream Tour during Wellbeing Week he provided a very interesting, personal and factual
tale of life working in the mines and the story of Dream. 11 people attended the event, however few
dementia service-users could attend the event due to mobility. One person came from as far as Chester to
attend the tour, after listening to the promotion via BBC Radio Merseyside, and feedback included “We
both really enjoyed the tour and we are so glad that we came along.”
University of the Third Age groups
Poetry - the session was based around poetry appreciation and the work of Norman Nicholson; the poems
were very well received and prompted a lot of discussion. Three new members joined the regular
attendees, of which all three have signed up to become University of the Third Age members.
Art - a still life display of sports equipment was set-up, with members drawing, painting and discussing
during the session. The group consisted of seven regular members and one new member, who was
interested in joining the University of the Third Age amongst their other commitments.
Funky Crochet (Funky Knits and Crochet)
This session took place at Rainhill Library and was originally organised as part of Adult Learners Week, but
also included in the Wellbeing Week programme. Six people attended the session, gaining the opportunity
to get hands-on experience of crochet and receiving advice about their next steps in the craft. Feedback
about the workshops was very positive, and discussions took place far past the finishing time!
Introduction to Volunteering (Volunteer Centre)
One person came along to each of the two sessions held, although that was in line with expectations. For
each person that attended, their individual volunteering needs were discussed and they also had the
opportunity to look at the volunteering database with them to identify specific opportunities.
Feathers Badminton Club
Two new people attended the session during Wellbeing Week, both of whom have sustained participation
every week since. In addition, another new person attended the session the week after Wellbeing Week
after noticing the club in the promotional leaflet. The club were delighted with the response and would be
happy to take part again next year.
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Support for Rape and Sexual Abuse (RASASC)
RASASC didn’t have anyone attend their drop-in session on the Friday. Cath from RASASC commented that
people may have been reluctant to come forward and seek help, and so it may have been better to look at
different ways in which their service could have been promoted or delivered. Cath also said that, based on
previous experience, the Friday probably wasn’t the best day of the week to hold the session on.
Youth Aflame workshop (Christian Life Centre)
The session was well attended and helped to engage with socially excluded younger people, however no
new attendees came on the session during Wellbeing Week.
Sutton Badminton Club
The session during Wellbeing Week didn’t attract any new members, but the club thought that it was still
worth the effort and would like to be involved again next year.
All Stars Merseyside Taekwondo
This is a newly established club and they were happy to take part in order to boost their numbers - a couple
of newcomers attended the sessions during Wellbeing Week.
Senior Activities Class
The multi-sports session designed for older people in St Helens attracted two new members during
Wellbeing Week.
St Helens Ju-Jitsu
Three sessions were held on Tuesday evening for age groups 4-7, 8-14 and 15-70, however no new
members attended any of the sessions. The group however had no issue taking part with the Wellbeing
Week campaign and felt that it was worth a try.
Cossack Karate Academy
Put on two additional sessions that were ideal for newcomers, however no new members attended.
20