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Well London: communities working together for a healthier city

Outcomes

The project has resulted in widespread community activity with nearly 15,000 community members taking part. It has also resulted in increased consumption and access to healthy food, increased physical activity, and improved mental outlooks amongst the residents of the 20 target areas.

Through Well London large numbers of individuals have accessed training and qualifications. Due to the training and and other skills developed, the project has brought at least 200 community members into employment.

The projects have also resulted in additional resources and funding levered into these deprived areas. Well London has succeeded in building the capacity of local community service volunteers. This project has also succeeded in improving relationships and integrated working between statutory and community volunteer organisations.

The following example provides a snapshot of the impact that Well London had upon the communities it targeted.

Case Study: Woolwich Common (Greenwich)

At the start of the programme in 2007 the estate had a terrible local reputation, with noticeable vandalism and neglect by service providers. Key problems in the area included:

  • barriers between different community groups and a lack of common identity
  • lack of facilities for young people
  • insufficient pride of place.

University of East London acting as project lead used funding, matched by the local NHS, to enable the appointment of a community development worker to be a visible presence in the area, and coordinate activities and build community relationships.

Well London was able to:

  • work with residents on a healthy spaces project to improve the play area and communal spaces on part of the estate through the Groundwork project. A forum was created to bring everyone on the project together, and workshops were held to allow local people to co-design the project.

  • Use events, such as community feasts, that bringing people together to interact and breakdown boundaries

  • The main Be Creative Be Well project was focused on young people and encouraged and supported volunteers to manage the programme itself. They benefited from training in community development and youth work practice, creative thinking about citizenship and community engagement, people management and sustainable development – training that would enhance their chances of employment. 

  • At the suggestion of residents an after school club was set up. One of the pupils involved commented that before he had sat at home feeling despondent that he was failing in English and Maths. Since the after school club was established they had gained new confidence and later took a health trainers course.

  • Alongside these project activities a residents association and a youth forum were established.

786 people participated in the Woolwich Common Well London programme. Of these 85% reported that they were eating more healthy food; 82% reported that they were able to access healthy food more easily; 72% reported increased levels of physical activity; and 80% said they felt more positive.

The residents association is thriving (with a community run website). Residents attend a safer neighborhood panel and the MP now runs a regular surgery on the estate. The project has also enabled improved communication with service providers which has improved their responsiveness to needs.  Well London has helped to lever significant additional funding on to the estate. This has included funding for the physical improvement works on the estate. Woolwich Common will also benefit from £1million over the next 10 years from the BIG Lottery’s Big Local Trusts programme. 

Chinyule Egbuji, from Woolwich commented that ‘because of Well London, community cohesion has improved a lot.’

How Well London projects impacted upon residents’ lives and wellbeing across London

The Well London Delivery teams enabled integration and promotion of Well London projects and other health and wellbeing services. Volunteer training built local capacity and increased community participation in beneficial activities. Delivery Team volunteer testimonials suggest that this involvement was a important step to returning to work:

‘It’s brilliant, I am really enjoying myself. It’s the first time I’ve had a job or been accepted for one in five years and I’m really making the most of the opportunity.’

DIY Happiness – educated and enabled women in the 20 boroughs to connect with their communities, increase their activity, improve their outlook on life. The Project was showcased in the The Guardian Newspaper

Jocelyne a participant in the Changing Minds project said that her participation had resulted in a significant improvement in her mental wellbeing

“Now I have an aim and objectives on how to achieve it. This is a long way away from where I was nine months ago when I lived in isolation with a low self-esteem”

Buy Well has resulted in the creation of food co-ops and community cafes, also advice provided to shop keepers has meant they have been able to sell more healthy produce.

A participant from one of the Eatwell cook and eat courses said that her involvement had improved their confidence with food and meant she was 'not so anxious about my children, and realise healthy eating is crucial to their long term and short term health.”


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About this case study
Main Contact

Alison Pearce

Well London Programme Manager

Email:

Alison.Pearce@london.gov.uk

Frankie Hine-Hughes, project manager of Governance International, compiled this case study on 31 August 2011

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