Christmas boxes for Women's refuge
To provide a package of wellbeing resources for vulnerable families at Christmas 2020Benefits of wellbeing packs
Staying connected has a strong positive impact on physical and mental health and personal resilience. Social distancing restrictions have made staying connected difficult, particularly for those who do have the technology to connect virtually. buzz has found innovative ways to address this. Distributing wellbeing bags, kits and packs helps people who may not be able to stay connected through technology feel connected with their community. The bags remind people that social support is available and gives them a sense of belonging, both of which have been shown to improve wellbeing and resilience. Receiving functional social support i.e. the bags, has also been shown to have emotional value and be interpreted as emotional support.
Location
Whalley Range
Project Team
buzz Neighbourhood Health Workers
Whalley Range Children’s centre
Aim
To provide a package of wellbeing resources for vulnerable families at Christmas 2020.
Testimonial
“receiving the parcel made me feel really special and my 2 teenage daughters also benefitted from the gifts given, thank you so much” – A Family from the Women’s refuge.
Evaluation
The boxes were positively received. 38 individuals will be supported with boxes – 26 children; 12 Women.
Strategic links to local/national policies
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Benefit |
Policy |
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Social inclusion |
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Enabling resilient communities |
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Increased mental wellbeing |
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Helping people live healthier lives |
Healthy Lives, Healthy People (MH Government, 2010) The Manchester Locality Plan – A Healthier Manchester |
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Addressing health inequalities |
Fair Society, Healthy Lives (Institute of Health Equity, 2010) |
Research/evidence base
Ambition for Ageing. (2020). Developing social contact models in a time of social distancing: A Response to COVID-19
Centre for Ageing Better. (2020). Gilli's voice - Moments of Joy
Harandi, T. F., Taghinasab, M. M., & Nayeri, T. D. (2017). The correlation of social support with mental health: A meta-analysis. Electronic physician, 9(9), 5212–5222.
Ministry of Social Development (2018) - The measurement of social connectedness and its relationship to wellbeing
Seifert, A., Cotton, S. R., Xie, B. (2020). A Double Burden of Exclusion? Digital and Social Exclusion of Older Adults in Times of COVID-19, The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, gbaa098.
Semmer, N.K., Elfering, A., Jacobshagen, N., Perrot, T., Beehr, T.A. and Boos, N., 2008. The emotional meaning of instrumental social support. International journal of stress management, 15(3), p.235.
Contacts
Ben Talbot - Neighbourhood Health Worker. Start Well Develop Well team
T. 07552 249 937
Laura Cassidy - Neighbourhood Health Worker
T. 07818 522 978
Aron Thornley - Neighbourhood Health Worker
T. 07425 520 199
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
