Health and Leisure Activities make life better for residents

Location: Waltham Forest, London

Issue: To improve the quality of life of older people in sheltered housing through a range of health, leisure and social activities.

Action: A project worker co-ordinates a range of activities across eight sheltered housing schemes. These are based on an audit of tenants' priorities and have included health clinics, exercise classes, newsletters, welfare rights and advocacy, an archives project, complementary therapy, outings, parties, focus groups, a carers group and a social group open the wider community.

Outcome: The project has promoted independence and healthy living, encouraged residents to be involved and supported individual assessments. Specific outcomes have been the development of a handbook for sheltered housing services, new links with schools and youth groups, and take-up of health services including blood pressure monitoring.

Organisations Involved: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Contact: Yvonne Toms
Telephone: 0208 496 6505
Email: yvonne.toms@hsg.lbwf.gov.uk