Health and Wellbeing Partnership celebrates achievements

Leaders from Norfolk's Health and Wellbeing Partnerships come together today to celebrate and showcase the progress the groups have made so far and to identify future opportunities.

Attendees include representatives from the District Councils, Norfolk County Council, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), Primary Care Networks, voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Councillor Bill Borrett, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing at Norfolk County Council said: "I believe that this is an excellent opportunity to gather everyone together to celebrate our successes, explore further collaborations and drive forward the benefits for the residents of Norfolk. Our focus is the health and wellbeing of local communities as we aim to make Norfolk a place where everyone has the chance to live a healthy and happy life. 

"As well as showcasing successful partnership working and innovative projects such as PositiviTea and Safe and Habitable Homes, we'll also be looking forward to identify future health priorities for Norfolk." 

PositiviTea

North Norfolk District Council's PositiviTea drop in events offer an opportunity to meet people in a relaxed, friendly setting and get support and advice on issues such as finances, physical and mental health, care needs, loneliness and isolation. 

Catherine van Battum, Health and Communities Team Leader at North Norfolk District Council said: "We named the event PositiviTea because we want people to feel they can pop-in to a safe, relaxed space where they can discuss wellbeing issues that matter to them. Attendees may be looking for support with a specific issue or they may want to meet people, join in with activities and find out about local social groups. Sessions are suitable for all ages and we have hot drinks and cake on offer too." 

The Community Connectors and PositiviTea events are supported through the North Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Partnership and tie in lots of different services and charities so that attendees are well placed to find the support they need. 

A PositiviTea participant said: "I live alone and I'm looking for help and support for different things at different times so it's good to know what help is out there."  

Safe and Habitable Homes

This project supports people in Norwich who are living with self-neglect and hoarding. 

Self-neglect is a lack of self-care which can affect a person's hygiene, environment, health and safety. Self-neglect is sometimes associated with hoarding where people acquire an excessive number of items. 

A client who was supported by Safe and Habitable Homes said: "Friendliness, kindness and empathy are the basic needs that people in my situation require. The service I've received from Safe and Habitable Homes and their colleagues delivered this in abundance, along with the tenacity to search every avenue to help me move forward and continue to improve my day-to-day life. This service is invaluable in the community, and I'll be forever grateful for the help given and kindness shown." 

The project is a collaboration between Norwich City Council, St Martin's Housing Trust and Norfolk County Council and exemplifies the power of a joint approach with support from a range of partners including Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, Health and Social Care, NIHCSS and Mind.