September 27, 2011

Each year staff at the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) nominate projects and initiatives that have achieved positive local change. Clare Goff takes a look at the three winners.

This year’s commendations were announced during the CLES summit in July. They highlight good work around some of the themes of this year’s summit – creating resilient places and local transformative change. CLES was particularly interested in highlighting schemes that show the value of strong relationships, networks and connections across all sectors.

PENWITH PATHWAYS TO HEALTH AND WELLBEING: A NETWORKED APPROACH TO WELLBEING

Concerned at the high numbers of people coming to their surgeries with non-medical conditions, GPs in Penwith wanted to find a better way to treat those suffering issues
such as mild depression, isolation and addiction. Penwith Pathways to Health and Wellbeing was set up to signpost people towards wellbeing services from yoga and healthy eating classes to weight management and companionship.

The project created a one-stop shop for services, and wellbeing facilitator roles to guide patients through it. With much of its population living in rural areas, an online database in GP surgeries has helped even those in the most sparsely populated areas to find help, and the relatively small interventions are helping tackle broader issues of poverty and deprivation in the locality.