New ways we're supporting mental wellbeing

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and this year’s theme is ‘community’, celebrating the power and importance of connection and belonging.

We know how important this is and today we’re hearing from our Live Well and Stronger Communities teams which have worked with local partners to spread the feel-good factor in the areas where we work.

Our Live Well service  offers tailored support that helps people to stay healthy, independent, and connected in their communities.

Over the past year our team has listened to Live Well customers who told us they would value activities to help them socialise more in their communities, and feel the mental and physical wellbeing benefits that this brings.

In response we have teamed up with organisations in Oldham and Rochdale to put together a range of community-led projects, funded through FCHO’s Community Development Grants, to do just that.

Therapeutic Yoga with Move and Heal CIC

We partnered with Failsworth-based Move and Heal CIC to deliver a series of free, therapeutic yoga sessions at Ridgefield Street community centre in Failsworth and Nelson Way community centre in Chadderton. The well attended classes were designed to help customers to improve physical strength, flexibility, and emotional wellbeing.

"People come to the therapeutic yoga sessions to disconnect, relax, and take time out for themselves, while also building connections with others, creating that sense of community" said Naomi Martin Smith, our Stronger Communities Manager. "Staying active and taking time for self-care can have a powerful impact on mental wellbeing."

One of our Live Well customers told us: "The sessions have helped me feel more confident in my movement. It’s become a part of my weekly routine, and I look forward to it every time."

Virtual Walking Platform with Failsworth Walking Group

We’ve worked with Failsworth Walking Group to help bring the outdoors indoors with a virtual walking platform. It was developed particularly for individuals with limited mobility or anxiety about going outside and is designed to encourage both mental and physical wellbeing whist encouraging users to be closer to the outdoors, nature and their local community. The idea emerged from the group’s application for a community grant and, Live Well recognised the opportunity to bridge digital and real-world experiences.

The platform offers a range of routes including strolls around Daisy Nook and Chadderton Hall Park among other popular local locations.

Live Well Manager, Vicky Campbell said: “Staying active despite not being able to get out and about is positive for mental health. The virtual walks are a great way for those who have limited mobility, or for those who can’t get out and about so easily, to connect with the outside world and encourage them to experience the walking routes making them less anxious to try the routes themselves but also give them confidence to go out if they want to.”

The virtual walks were launched in August 2024 and live on the Failsworth Walking Group website for residents to enjoy at their leisure.

“One of our Live Well customers who has reduced mobility is really enjoying watching these videos,” said Lisa Minihan, one of our Live Well Advisors. “It’s been a wonderful way to keep people connected to their local area.”

Live Well Service is a bespoke intensive housing management service which we offer in-house, as an extra form of assistance for any of our customers who need it. Its purpose is to offer additional advice, assistance, and help so our customers can stay ‘living well’ in their homes – whatever this might mean for them. By signing up to access the service, you will receive regular contact, either face-to-face or over the phone, from your very own dedicated personal advisor who you can also contact directly with any enquiries you may have, without needing to go via our Contact Centre.

For more information visit our Live Well page