Upstream prevention of ill health through village halls … UP

Our UP project's primary mission is to help people to be healthier and to prevent poor health.  But it will be doing it in communities that are often very isolated, in sparsely populated areas with reduced opportunities and poor links to services in urban centres.   Herefordshire, for instance, is the fifth most sparsely populated county in England. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

The UP project will also work to improve the effectiveness and strength of participating village halls.  Maintaining their position as one of the only places where rural communities can come together, to meet up, stay connected, pursue their interests, learn and stay healthy.    

 

UP aims to prevent people from becoming ill. To reduce the burden on the NHS by reducing the number of people, particularly from our rural villages, who need to visit their doctors or hospital.  

 

Stronger, better informed village halls 

Community First has existing links to 320 village halls across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We also have a long history of working with the NHS on wellbeing and mental health matters. We think there is a ripe case for bringing these two elements together.  We want to help make a transformative change from reactive treatments for illnesses, falls and mental health episodes towards prevention in its earliest and simplest forms.

 

We want to enable rural village halls to be THE centre for better health in their area.  Places where health and wellbeing matters are understood, promoted and resourced.  

 

We will help halls to find more volunteers, to have better buildings, better spaces for individuals to access healthcare and other consultations online.  We will support the development of new activities and events to support exercise, wellbeing and social interactions.    

 

Supporting well being at village halls 

Our wellbeing team will attend existing coffee mornings, lunch clubs and other events to engage directly with people.  They will provide tips and advice on maintaining good wellbeing and to be a catalyst for new activities and the take up of activities.    

 

We will provide training and resources, both online and in print to support participating halls in maximising their impact on UP. 

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting Community Research. 

The UP project will help us prove the link between a well run, resourced and active village hall and better health for the communities they serve. 

 

We will provide halls with routes to strong local data to illuminate community circumstances and evidence the outcomes we all seek - i.e. where there are strong active and well resourced village halls they represent a key asset in enabling people to take very early steps to maintain their health and well being.  

​

Click here for the People UP Poster 5 Ways to Wellbeing