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In
1998 discussions were started about developing ‘healthy
living networks’, stimulated by the government’s
New Opportunities Fund for healthy living centres.
West End Health Resource
Centre took a key role in progressing the ideas and the Newcastle
Health Partnership, using Health Action
Zone funds provided resources and expertise in the development
of the bid.
HealthWORKS Network (which includes the North-West Partnership)
was launched in November 2001 when NOF funding of £2 million
was finally approved. West End Health Resource Centre acts as
the Accountable Body for HealthWORKS East and West, with a budget
of £1,308,000
for a five-year programme, ie about £260,000 per year.
A Healthy Living Network made up of local residents, community
groups and local workers. We work within the most deprived areas
of East and West Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The programme was set up to help people develop
and deliver activities that improve health and well-being. The
key theme is to tackle
inequalities in health by supporting the development and delivery
of local solutions to local problems.
We fund better health by giving out a total of £1.1m
to local community groups to run healthy living activities
for local
people. Decision making is by steering groups of local people
and workers.
Work with local communities to build their capacity to deliver
healthy living activities.
Work on the ground within communities supporting the development
of local solutions to improve the health of our communities,
researching the needs of local communities, and supporting local people to
participate in new healthy living opportunities and to
make healthy living choices.
We target hard to reach marginalized communities
who suffer the greatest inequalities in health. We are particularly
interested
in supporting groups who involve people who are isolated or excluded,
that is, people who find it difficult to participate in healthy
living activities due to barriers like cost, fear, caring commitments,
language and low self confidence.
There are some communities in
our neighbourhoods that are much more likely to suffer from poor
health. We focus upon tackling
these inequalities and we support groups who work with families
on low income, black and minority ethnic communities, refugees
and asylum seekers, older people, disabled people, carers, people
with mental health issues and children and young people.
Anything that makes people
feel healthier. We have funded a huge range of activities that
reach across all the communities in our
target areas and cover 6 broad categories:
- Physical exercise.
- Food and diet initiatives.
- Drama and arts.
- Complementary therapies.
- Health information and events.
- Support groups.
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