Whalley Range Wellbeing Bags
Wellbeing bags for people who have been experiencing mental health difficulties due to the pandemic and subsequent restrictionsBenefits 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
Whalley Range Community Forum
MCC Neighbourhood Team
Health Development Co-ordinator
Aim
To keep in touch with local residents, help them feel connected and cared for. Information sent out to help them keep well included to help further link them with buzz and other local activities.
Evaluation
Funding has gone across, the items are being ordered and the bags will be packed and distributed in February 2021.
Strategic links to local/national policies
Benefit | Policy |
Social inclusion | |
Enabling resilient communities | |
Increased mental wellbeing | |
Helping people live healthier lives | Healthy Lives, Healthy People (MH Government, 2010) The Manchester Locality Plan – A Healthier Manchester |
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.
Contact
Laura Cassidy - Neighbourhood Health Worker
T. 07818 522 978
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