Alton Health and Wellbeing Partnership – 7 May 2024

You can view the full presentation here

The (virtual) Alton Health and Wellbeing Partnership was held on Tuesday 7 May 2024 – with c30 attendees. Following on from attendees being welcomed,

Tim Houghton, Chief Executive Community First provided a Community & Voluntary Sector update. Tim began by describing the challenging times for the sector; he summarised the volunteer, funding and accessible transport support that Community First offer. He also highlighted key health & wellbeing activities, including Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 13 to 19 May, on the theme of Movement: Moving more for our mental health and Volunteer Week 3-9 June. Tim explained about HCC’s Sensory Walking Routes and current funding grants – HCC’s Local Solutions Grant and Household Support Grant. Finally he told the meeting about Andover Mind’s Dementia Awareness Day on Friday 17th May at Alton Assembly Rooms.

Monika Legg, Welfare & Wellbeing Commissioning Officer, East Hampshire District Council & Ros Carvell, Community Graduate updated the meeting on EHDC’s Welfare and Wellbeing Strategy Refresh. The key priorities are Delivering Physical and Mental Wellbeing, Supporting an Ageing Population and Improving Community Connectivity and Sense of Place. There was a public consultation earlier in the year and following a review of what was heard and democratic processes, the final strategy will be launched in September 2024.

Emily-Jane Messenger, Community Projects and Enhancements Officer, Alton Town Council, explained their Health and Wellbeing Strategy. A significant element is Better Connected Communities, and a new Community Directory has been developed towards this aim. There is in addition an Active Alton Directory and Website, a range of Alton Events such as a Spring Fayre, a Community Lunch Picnic in the Park, lots more Picnics in the Park over the summer and a Harvest Festival event. All details are in the Powerpoint slides. EHDC has provided funding for a new project, the Community Grow Club.

Katie Hughes, Advice Service Manager, East Hants Citizens Advice, began by explaining that Citizens Advice is a network of independent charities who are members of Citizens Advice national organisation. They provide the advice people need for the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives. Citizens Advice East Hampshire has 3 main offices in Alton, Petersfield and Bordon but also phone and digital access to services. From April 2022 to March 2023, they helped 755 residents of Alton wards only with nearly 3972 advice issues (nearly double 2021/22) and in Quarter 3 2023 (October to March) helped Alton with 1500 different issues in 3 months only – almost double previous year. The most vulnerable are eligible for additional help. Katie ended by explaining their priorities as we go through 2024.

Sue Forber, Energise Me described the Sport Welfare Officer Network and took us through the elements in the website: https://www.energiseme.org/funding-support/activity-provider-toolkit/sport-welfare-officer-network/

Finally, Jane Bray briefly updated the meeting about a Mental Health Awareness Event on 19 May and Walk Alton, thanks to contributions from members.

The Health & Wellbeing Partnership ended by the contributors and attendees being thanked and by confirming the next webinar on Tuesday 3 September and that a (face to face) Health & Wellbeing Networking and Showcase member event will be arranged in November or December.

For more information, please contact Jane Bray:- healthforums@cfirst.org.uk