On Wednesday 20 July the Elland Staying Well Hub held an event to celebrate the achievements of the project in Elland, Stainland and Greetland so far.
Local community groups and organisations were invited along to Elland Cricket Athletic & Bowling Club to showcase their work in these areas. Those attending included Elland & District Partnership, Chit Chat Group, Bethesda Church, Cartwheel, Yorkshire Community Connections, Let’s Just Do It, CREW and Bluebird Care.
The Adult Brass class who received funding from the project, kicked off proceedings by playing three pieces for the attendees conducted by Sam Harrison.
Elland Staying Well Worker, Rachel Swaby then highlighted the work in the community over the last 18 months and how, through anecdotal evidence and statistical analysis, the Staying Well project has achieved the goals set out at its inception, which were to reduce loneliness and isolation in older people and create more connected communities.
Comments overheard during the night were unanimous in agreeing that “it’s been good for Elland…It’s just what Elland needed.”
Win Theaker of the Chit Chat Group said
“The funding we got means we can stop panicking about money and plan ahead properly…expand the work we do, get bigger and better next year!”
whilst another community group member added
“I know most of us knew each other’s groups before, but it’s like we are more together now and we’ve also made new contacts and come out of our shells.”
stayingwellhub.com 