Charles Wilson Centre coffee morning

A social group that met for coffee, exercise and also health talks.

Benefit of social activities

Connecting with others is one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing, five evidence-based actions which can improve personal wellbeing. Social connectedness has a strong positive impact on both physical and mental health. Increased social connectedness is linked to reduced mortality risk, healthier lifestyles and higher cognitive functioning. Socially well-connected people are more resilient, feel more able to take charge of their lives and less stressed. Older adults that are socially connected experience increased life satisfaction.

Location

Charles Wilson Centre/ New Testament Church of God

1 Tamerton Drive

Manchester

M8 0DH

Project team

New Testament Church of God

Buzz Health and wellbeing

Aim

buzz were contacted by Sharon Thomas who runs the Charles Wilson centre, she was looking to have a health presence at her coffee morning and talk to people about their health and services. The idea was to engage with the group members about their health such as diabetes, weight management, cholesterol, mental health and exercise. As well as engage them around what they wanted to see in the community and to signpost to services that they could use.

Evaluation

buzz Neighbourhood Worker Charlie spoke with around 15 people engaging with them around their health and wellbeing and their communities. They were invited back to further events. The coffee morning is ongoing but also on hold due to COVID-19.

Strategic links to local/national policies

Benefit	Policy
Social inclusion	Manchester Population Health Plan NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health, 2014)
Enabling resilient communities	Greater Manchester Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Increased mental wellbeing	Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy Greater Manchester Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Helping people live healthier lives	Healthy Lives, Healthy People (MH Government, 2010) The Manchester Locality Plan – A Healthier Manchester Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy Manchester Prevention Programme

Research/evidence base

Global Council on Brain Health (2017) - The Brain and Social Connectedness

Ministry of Social Development (2018) - The measurement of social connectedness and its relationship to wellbeing

New Economics Foundation (2008) – Five ways to wellbeing

Oliver Huxhold, Martina Miche, Benjamin Schüz. (2014) Benefits of Having Friends in Older Ages: Differential Effects of Informal Social Activities on Well-Being in Middle-Aged and Older Adults, The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, Volume 69, Issue 3, Pages 366–375.

Umberson, D. & Montez, J. K. (2010) Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 51(S) S54–S66.

Contact

Charlee Fitzgerald - Neighbourhood Health Worker

Charlee.Fitzgerald@gmmh.nhs.uk

T: 07771 805 278

If you found this page helpful, maybe someone else will too?

"Before I didn’t know anyone in this area, then a neighbour invited me to the afternoon tea, and I met lots of people who live just a few doors away."

Local resident attending Spoon and Ladle afternoon tea, Burnage