Lambeth’s innovative Health and Wellbeing Hubs will offer an early intervention approach in communities where health and wellbeing outcomes have reduced significantly during COVID. The hubs will connect and support voluntary, community, and faith organisations.
Health impact
Gipsy Hill was selected as a pilot for the hub programme because the area experiences high rates of deprivation; respiratory disease at all ages; hospital admissions, long-term illness and early (under 75) death; with unemployment and income deprivation leading to poor mental health. A wide range of issues – including isolation, poor housing, and no work or insecure or poorly paid work – directly impact on health and wellbeing.
Norwood Forum
Norwood Forum – run by local volunteers – has been awarded a £100,000 grant from Lambeth to set up and manage the Gipsy Hill Health and Wellbeing Small Grants Fund.
Forum Chair Kim Hart says: “We have already run projects bringing the community together, including seed funding. Initiatives don’t always need to be badged up under “Health” to benefit people – getting people to meet or enjoy themselves are really good for wellbeing and mental health.”
A mix of new and known
Kim said: “We received 26 applications from community organisations based in or working in Gipsy Hill and awarded 13 grants to a mix of well-established local service providers and start-ups. The start-ups could lead to really effective services in the future – and we see developing new ways of supporting the community is a really important part of the role of the hub.
Health on the doorstep
“The applications show the extraordinary variety of sources of health and wellbeing right on our doorstep New projects include the development of a pocket park to help make access to nature easier. A community organisation will lead park boxing lessons for young people – widely known to build confidence. There’ll be creative activities events for older people, especially people with physical mobility issues and further working with local forest schools providers to reach into the estates and get people learning in nature. All the projects will be evaluated.”
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Lucy Caldicott, Joint Lambeth Cabinet Member for Health, said: “We know that COVID has significantly impacted Lambeth residents’ health and wellbeing. These innovative Health and Wellbeing Hubs will offer an early intervention approach which connects voluntary and faith organisations with local communities.”
More information
Organisations taking part in the Wellbeing hub pilot
| Box on the Hill | Nature Vibezzz |
| Community sing/mindful movement | Paxton Parklet |
| Community tech Support & Learning | Reach – Equipping People |
| Emmanuel Community Youth Club & Homework Club | Stay Active & Social for Older People |
| Gipsy Hill ‘Zine | The Norwood School Health & Wellbeing Garden |
| Grow with Gipsy Hill | Wellbeing Champion Network |
If you want to find out more about any of the projects please e-mail: info@norwoodforum.org
