Health boost for Bognor Regis residents through new '˜wellbeing hub'

The hub was given official approval by Arun District Council’s cabinet on Tuesday May 31), as was the overall funding of the team – around £400,000 for 2011/12 from West Sussex Public Health.

The cash will enable Arun’s existing five-strong wellbeing team to increase in strength with the recruitment of new wellbeing advisors.

Hazel Flack, manager of the Arun wellbeing team, said: “I am really proud of what my team and the dedicated people who work within both voluntary and statutory organisations across Arun have been able to achieve with our support over the past two years.”

Over a two-year period the team has helped 2,000 people, and carried out 30 projects, most of which were committed through charity organisations.

Roger Elkins, Arun’s cabinet member for housing and community care, said: “We’ve had an exceptional wellbeing team on the ground operating for the past two years with our voluntary sector partners, bringing about real change and improving the lives of our residents.

“This funding allows that team and its crucial work to grow. I hope our communities embrace these opportunities to set up projects to improve health and wellbeing that will continue when the funding ends.”

The hub will be a ‘one stop shop’ referring residents to opportunities to help them address alcohol misuse, tackle obesity, or give up smoking with the aim of reducing illnesses.

The cabinet also welcomed the development of a ‘Think Family’ programme of early intervention and family support to the most vulnerable.

More information can be found at www.arun.gov.uk/wellbeing