Agenda item

To consider the initiatives and projects that have been developed and delivered via the Council`s Community, Culture and Wellbeing service as a result of Covid-19, all of which have contributed towards the continuing social recovery of the district.

The Community, Culture and Wellbeing Service Manager, G Wallis presented a report on the initiatives and projects that had been developed and delivered via the Council`s Community, Culture and Wellbeing service as a result of Covid-19, contributing towards the continuing social recovery of the District.

These included;

·         the establishment of the Covid Community Hub, to provide emergency support for the district`s most vulnerable residents;

·         Community initiatives and projects which were identified under the themes ofPositive Communities, Positive Activity and Positive Mental Health;

·         Place-based engagement in Paternoster & Shelley Wards that built a picture of the needs of residents as they emerged from lock-down and laid the foundations for tackling health inequalities. This would develop a model of best practice that could then be replicated in other parts of the District.

·         A Disability Inclusion Project for  children and young people with disabilities and their families and welfare calls to support families and online training for families providing strategies to cope with the pressures of lockdown.

·         Fall Prevention project called the Social, Active, Strong Project;

·         Physical Activity programmes adapted and delivered virtually including Walking Football, Athletics, Tennis Activators, Wild Cats Girls Football, Get Active sessions and the Active Living Programme for older residents;

·         Cultural Activity programmes including the Epping Forest Festival of Culture;

·         The election of the Epping Forest Youth Council and virtual MiLife C19 Mental Health Project;

·         The creation of older peoples` resource packs for “Stay Well This Winter”, “Senior Safety Day” events and a “Little Book of Big Scams” booklet giving advice about fraud;

·         The virtual delivery of the Epping Forest District Museum and Educational Outreach services;

·         To establish a Waltham Abbey Community & Cultural Centre in the heart of the Town;

·         The ‘More Than Bricks & Mortar’ initiative which ensures the  Housing & Property Services work with residents in respect of the Council`s capital investment programme priority estates across the District;

·         Epping Forest Health & Wellbeing Board including the Start Well Action Group (Pre-birth to 19); Be Well Action Group (19 – 65 years): and Age Well Action Group (65 years +); and

·         West Essex Health Inequalities & Prevention Committee.

In conclusion, the residents continued to be placed at the heart of the health and wellbeing agenda with staff using the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) techniques to support the social recovery of the Epping Forest District, building strong, resilient, cohesive and healthy communities in for the future.

The Committee made the following comments;

·         Were there plans to start the using other media again to advertise the various projects? G Wallis advised that yes there were, as the Team were aware of their users and how they engaged with the services provided.

·         How could Members get more involved in these projects; How were the projects and initiatives advertised; and what will change as the Country come out of lockdown? G Wallis advised that a lot of projects and work were spread by word of mouth and Members could act as ambassadors for these projects because they worked closely with residents. Promotion of the projects came through various methods including Instagram, Facebook, the Council’s Website, YouTube, news papers, printed leaflets and by users bringing friends. She advised that looking forward, there was a strategic overview of the data collected and the Council worked closely with Essex County Council, the NHS and Primary Care networks.

·         Were there opportunities for the more rural locations in the District? G Wallis advised that the Council was looking increase their Community Champions across the District. These people would act as anchors in their communities to set up community groups. The Council also visited many locations with the District providing services and roadshows events as well.

·         What projects had taken place in Buckhurst Hill? G Wallis advised that the projects mentioned with regards to Paternoster & Shelley Wards, originated from pilots’ schemes in Buckhurst Hill which included a ‘Knit and natter’ group and  flowering arranging.

·         What were the following; the Warrick-Edinburgh Wellbeing Scale; Tennis Activators; and Wild Cats Girls Football? G Wallis advised that the Warrick-Edinburgh Welling Being Scale was a recognized method of recording the impact of the project on people’s wellbeing. Tennis Activators was a street based programme to introduce young people into tennis and introduce them to local clubs and Wild Cats was a girl’s football club.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the overview of social recovery initiatives and projects delivered to support residents over and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.