Why we did this work
To find out if people thought their health and wellbeing could be improved if we focus what we do on:
- Support for people to live healthy and well.
- Connecting people to community groups and their wider community to support them to live well.
- Increasing the chances in communities for people to keep well through community development.
We also wanted to know if people thought that improving health and wellbeing could improve areas of their lives, like:
- I feel connected to others.
- I belong in my community.
- I feel in control of my life.
- I am physically active.
- I enjoy nature and the local environment.
- I have a sense of purpose.
- I am hopeful for the future.
- I feel confident I can achieve the goals I set.
- I feel supported by others in tackling life's challenges.
Community Catalysts and partners gathered feedback from members of the public and people who use wellbeing support. This was to check that our new model focused on things to support good health and well-being.
Community Catalysts wrote the report on this work. The Public Health team put together this summary.
What we did
We asked questions about what people thought of the new model. These could be answered online, on paper or as part of a conversation.
We talked to many local groups about what they thought of model and what supports good health and well-being.
We heard the views of as many people as possible. We also had a plan for updating the website, using social media and working with local councillors.
Who got involved
There were 471 people who let us know their views on the new model.
They came from all areas of Calderdale. They were a good mix of ages, ethnicity and other things that make people distinct.
Where Calderdale is now
Most people filling in the survey had not used any of the existing wellbeing support in their community. Around a third of people had used this support. Most people were happy about their experience with the community support or service they had used.
They told us:
- About a huge range of community groups, organisations, activities and services that they already used.
- That being connected with others, being active and having a sense of purpose were important.
- To be healthy, happy and well, these things need to be easy to access and affordable.
We also asked people what could be better about getting support to be happy and healthy.
They said:
- More flexible ways to use the support and it being cheaper or free would be better.
Make sure support is close to people and it can be accessed in person and online.
What people thought
Most people thought that it was right for the model to focus on support, connection and community development. Making it easier for lots of different people to use services and get support is also important. So is having better ways to let people know about them.
People also thought that the way we talk about this work could be clearer.
The aims of the model should include improving financial security, feeling safe, improving transport and help meeting people's basic needs.
Areas we can develop
We asked people why they did not use groups, organisations, services or activities. Most people said they did not need to use them or they did not know about them.
People told us that they get information about support and activities to enhance their health and wellbeing from different places. Both online and non-digital kinds of information are important.
What we found out
Staying connected with the people who gave us their views will help us develop the best model. People shared some excellent ideas. We can take some of these on board by supporting people and communities to continue to take part. We also learned that:
- Most people were satisfied with the new model.
- We need to use clearer language and give more detail to make sure our ideas are clear.
- We must understand how the new model links to what helps people to be happy and healthy like:
- housing
- financial security
- transport
- community safety
- and social care.
- Many people said they did not need to use the support in their community, which is very positive. Although, some people said they did not know about it, which is an area we can improve on
- People shared a long list of services and support they already use to stay healthy and well. People were very positive about this support. There were some areas that could be made better so that other people could use them too.
- We need to make sure that information is not just available online.
What next!
We want you to stay involved to help get this support right.
If you want a copy of the full report (PDF) or to keep in touch, please email: charlotte.freeman@calderdale.gov.uk.