WINTER WELLNESS
SUSAN MCFIE
On 21st February a Winter Wellness Event took place at Castle Down Primary School. The community event was the inspiration of Green Party Cllr Glenn Haffenden. The idea came about following a course he attended supporting councillors in advising people on energy saving tips. He was aware that many people could benefit from advice on surviving the cost-of-living crisis but would not necessarily know where to start. Some would be ‘digitally excluded’ or might assume that they were not entitled to any support. It can also be disheartening and exhausting going from place to place in search of support and information.
The solution was to bring together several different agencies in one place working on different areas of the problems. Cllr Glenn got together with head teacher Mr Mark Rankin of Castle Down Primary School in organising the event. The choice of the primary school meant that parents and guardians were able to visit the various exhibits while collecting their children. The show brought together no less than 14 different agencies offering support and advice in many different areas.
Orbit is a not-for-profit housing association and ‘social landlord’ offering affordable rentals, sales and shared ownership. They also offer a ‘mutual exchange’ system through which people can swap their rented home for another one. They work with tenants on multiple issues from supported living to damp and mould issues.
STREET SPORT AND AERIAL YOGA
Sussex Health Care was there with their Let’s Talk stand. Their priorities for 2023 include: increasing access to GPs, improving response times to 999 calls and reducing waiting times at A & E. The organisation promotes preventative health care, aiming to do more to prevent people becoming ill in the first place.
And with that in mind, Active Hastings was there to inform people about the vast number of ways in which they can keep fit without breaking the bank. Activities include the 1066 Cycling Club, Exercise for Parkinson’s, Over 50s Aerobics, Street Sports, Walking Football, Walking Tennis, Active Pregnancy Group, Active Youth Sessions, Adult Ballet, Mental Health Gym, Men-only mental health night walk and the intriguing sounding ‘Aerial Yoga’.
Hastings Borough Council Housing Renewal was there to discuss everything from structural collapse to excess cold and disabled facilities grants. Southern Water, not always in everyone’s good books lately, were there informing people on low incomes that they could get help with their bills. East Sussex fire and rescue were offering fire risk assessments. The event was very successful with many visitors accessing help with a variety of issues.
ROLL ON THE ROADSHOW
I asked Cllr Glenn if there would be follow-up events. He told me that the Green Party are considering the possibility of a Wellness Roadshow visiting as many schools as possible in the local area. And what, I asked him, was the most popular exhibit: interestingly that was probably Southern Water’s support for people on low incomes. The main take-away from the show was that people had no idea there was so much support on offer and were delighted to find so much here under one roof.
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