Waltham Abbey Community Hub
Social Active Class
In partnership with Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre, Epping Forest District Council Public Health Improvement Team, Citizens Advice Epping Forest and Active Essex; an activity class for individuals to improve their flexibility and strength in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere has been developed.
The class is coupled with a hot drink and chat aspect to encourage social interaction and boost levels of mental health. New friendships have helped to develop participants confidence, mobility, and a renewed excitement for getting out and trying other activities in the local area.
Funding, provided by Active Essex, resulted in the class being offered for free, which has helped increase interest and encouraged those who were retired or from low-income backgrounds to be able to access physical activity.
Working collaboratively, the leisure centre, Waltham Abbey Hub and the instructors have actively promoted the class to ensure good footfall at each session. This has included reaching out to local sheltered and independent housing, as well as local community noticeboards. It was important that each partner involved also identified individuals in need and signposted them to this local opportunity.
Over the past year, the class has become further embedded within the local leisure centre, and partners have noticed an increase in referrals from other professionals in the area, including GPs and Health and Wellness Coaches.
Due to the success of the Waltham Abbey Community Hub activity class, further funding from the Epping Forest District Council Public Health Improvement team has been received to allow this group to continue its development and offering vital support for the community.
