Spirita promotes a healthy lifestyle
2 June 2008
Fifty residents from different social housing landlords in Derbyshire gathered at Grassmoor Community Centre in Grassmoor, near Chesterfield, to attend a day focussing on health and well-being.
The day was organised by the Derbyshire Tenants Network, and supported by Spirita, one of the largest providers of housing and associated services in the East Midlands. The organisation was keen to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to its residents and explain how it is working to help them become more active.
In the first work session Phil Smith, Spirita’s Business Growth Director, explained the work that subsidiary social enterprise RedWelly is undertaking to help people enjoy their gardens and communal outdoor spaces.
“RedWelly’s team of gardening experts helped by a team of volunteers carry out garden makeovers on neglected areas or those that are unsuitable for people with disabilities or special needs,” he said. “By the time RedWelly leaves the site, the area is transformed so that residents can enjoy maintaining it and keeping fit, or simply sitting in the fresh air.”
In the afternoon a workshop facilitated by Amber Valley Housing promoted the advantages of regular gentle exercise which also proved to be very popular.
Jo McHugh one of Spirita’s Community Involvement Officers who helped to organise the day said, “Supporting and encouraging our residents to take part in days such as this helps to build a sense of community identity and belonging. It also encourages friendly, helpful behaviour in neighbourhoods, which improves the quality of life for those living there. All of this helps us to address the Government’s Sustainable Communities requirement.”
Linda Chilton, a Spirita resident from Arkwright Village was enthusiastic about the day, especially the advice on exercise. She was also impressed that participants were not expected to do things with which they didn’t feel comfortable. “Everyone who took part said it had been a fun activity to do,” she said. “It was good to see people with a smile on their faces getting involved in an exercise that could be done whilst sitting down with a group of friendly people in a relaxed atmosphere.”
Media Enquiries: Sallie Blair, Better Times 01283 821012.