Set up in 2019 by the Marlborough Area Board the Marlborough Health & Wellbeing Group held a Community engagement meeting at St Peter’s yesterday (Friday 07 October) afternoon. In spite of the High Street being closed whilst the Mop Fair machinery was being set up, the former church was near to capacity, a recognition of the importance of this group at this time when winter and a cost of living crisis loom, with the inevitable possible consequences on Health and Wellbeing for many in the community.
The meeting was attended by representatives of many of the fifty five local organisations covering aspects of this area. Wiltshire Councillor Jane Davies, (Chair of Marlborough Area Board and Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Adult Services, SEND, Transitions and Inclusion) introduced the meeting which included presentations from local and national speakers and updates from two of the local charities which had received grants for their work; Alzheimers Support and the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
When established the focus of the group was on the needs of older and vulnerable residents. Particularly pertinent at this current time given what we are all facing. It has made grants to local organisations and charities providing services such as support for carers, exercise classes for older people and arts therapy.
Danny Kruger, MP looked ahead to the winter months and endorsed the work of local communities at town and village level in planning initiatives such as providing warm spaces and ‘signposting’ people to relevant services and support.
Sir Muir Gray, CBE; an eminent public health clinician introduced the ‘Living Longer Better’ programme which has just been launched nationally. His clear and illustrative talk drew loud applause from those present in the audience at St Peter’s.
New research indicates the importance of maintaining and increasing physical and mental fitness he explained that it is even possible to reduce the risk of developing dementia. Loneliness and isolation are key issues and he emphasised the value of volunteering as a therapeutic activity. The Group is keen to explore the potential to adopt the programme in the Marlborough Area along with the NHS England ‘Ageing Well’ programme.
Wiltshire Councillor Ian Blair Pilling (Cabinet Member for Leisure, Libraries, Public Health, Public Protection, Facilities Management and Operational Assets) addressed the meeting with strong support for the role of leisure centres and libraries in their local areas as community ‘hubs’. Sally Wolfenden updated the Group on the support available from the Jubilee Centre including the new ‘Wednesday Club’ offering a hot drink and a warm space for the afternoon. Andrew Jack; Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager, Wiltshire Council explained the process for grant applications. The Group has a budget of £7,700 during 2022-23 for which local organisations can apply.
Chaired by Jill Turner the Group’s work programme for 2022-23 includes a ‘mapping and gapping’ exercise to determine key areas of need, appointing an Older Persons and Carers’ Champion, developing a Community Directory of local services and developing networks of community support.
Geoff Mullin – 1942 – 2022: an obituary by Lesley Mullin
