Brighton and Hove mayor encourages voluntary health groups

Voluntary health groups in Brighton and Hove were praised when their leaders met the mayor, Councillor Bill Randall.

Councillor Randall told those running the 29 small groups that the best solutions always came from the community.

He encouraged them to continue their work in improving the health and wellbeing of people in the area and he was told how the Can Do Health Programme had helped with funding.

The programme is run by the People Can charity, formerly Novas Scarman, which grew out of the Scarman Trust.

Can Do Health targets groups that have a good idea about how to improve health and wellbeing in their area with small amounts of start-up and continuation funding.

Advice and support comes from People Can’s community workers, and from bringing people together to share skills, connections and experience.

Among the groups represented at the meeting with the mayor were

• The British Orthodox Association which has set up a healthy cooking project for children and parents to tackle issues such as obesity and diabetes
• Lupus Brighton and Hove which a group run by those affected by the condition to offer support, friendship and advice to members and their families
• The Flamenco and Spanish group which is a new group running flamenco dance classes to improve posture, reduce joint pain, relieve stress and give people a chance to make friends

The next funding round deadline for Can Do Health is Thursday 8 November. Funds of up to £1,500 are available.

Find more details at www.peoplecan.org.uk/what-we-do/supporting-communities/south-east/can-do-health.aspx.

Alternatively call Nora Mzaoui on 01273 234014 or email nora.mzaoui@peoplecan.org.uk.

Can Do Health is run by People Can and was developed in collaboration with NHS Brighton and Hove and Brighton and Hove City Council.