The Executive is being recommended to approve grant funding of up to £7,500 for a local service aimed at improving the physical and mental wellbeing of older residents.
Strategic Health and Wellbeing Services (SHAWS) applied to the Community Fund Grant Scheme for £7,500 to expand the provision of Strength and Balance classes to residents over 65 years of age with long term health conditions.
SHAWS currently run their Strength and Balance classes at Camberley Library, and want to extend them to Frimley Green and Bagshot Libraries. Their classes are aimed at local people aged 65 and above who have long term health conditions, and those who have been adversely affected by the ongoing cost of living crisis. The intended outcome of the classes is that isolation among the target group is reduced, along with improvements in physical and mental wellbeing.
SHAWS prioritises working with communities that might face increased barriers to participation in physical activity. Their services are aimed at refugees, ethnically diverse groups and women, as well as older members of the community and they are committed to making physical activity accessible through providing language support for speakers of other languages, keeping prices low (£2 per session) and running their classes in locations which are easily accessible via public transport or walking.
Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder for Resident Services and Communities, Cllr Lisa Finan-Cooke, said: “This is a positive project from an excellent local charity which is already helping some of the most vulnerable members of our community – extending it will mean it reaches even more people.
“Despite finances being tight at the moment, the recommendation to fund the grant is made on the basis that the project will help the council to achieve its strategic aims in relation to ‘Promoting healthier and more inclusive communities’, in particular the key aims of supporting those in greatest need and promoting health and wellbeing.”
Access the full agenda for the Executive meeting of 3 December 2024