The Health of the Population in the East (HOPE) Network brings together voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE), Local Authority, and health organisations. The network builds capacity in the VCSE sector by supporting organisations to understand their role as part of the health and care system, strengthening relationships across different sectors and creating opportunities for collaborative working to promote prevention and early intervention in our communities. The network meets regularly, has over 30 members, and is growing all the time.
The HOPE network is a great way to connect with local groups and creatively think about how we can share resources. It’s a place where we can join up thinking and help all companies, charities and groups achieve their aims and objectives, as a collective but also as individuals. It’s a very warm welcoming network and all ideas are welcomed." Claire Hills-Wilson, Artistic Director, Lawnmowers
The Trustees of Pelaw Community Bowling Club joined the HOPE network at the outset of its conception. Since that date we have found that the information available from the other local charities, who are members, has proven invaluable for achieving the joint goal of providing diverse facilities for the benefit of the local community. Each charity now has a platform to spread the word of what they are doing, what they are hoping to achieve and how they can be of benefit to the community as a whole. Since we took on our site and became charity we are committed to this goal and have found that it is far more achievable by the combination our strengths, ideas and facilities." Geoff Dunkley, Trustee at Pelaw Community Bowling Club
Health Equity
Currently under maintenance
East Gateshead
Our Children, Young People and Families Team
The Children, Young People and Families Team support families to get help before problems escalate to crisis. They offer practical support, such as helping get children to school, link families to activities, development opportunities and support services, whilst offering emotional support. The team also run a number of group activities responding to the needs of the families they are working with.
Feedback from local GP:
[A patient] presented with severe bilateral hip pain had x-rays showing severe arthritis requiring 2 urgent hip replacements. She has 2 young children and is a single mum having split from her ex-partner after domestic violence. She has some support from her aunt and grandmother, both of whom are in poor health and are unable to help with childcare. By this time [time of referral], she was on constant painkillers and struggling to walk at all, making even basic childcare very difficult so the surgery was essential. We were left with the option of trying to refer to social services for emergency foster care which would have been extremely disruptive and distressing (especially given the children's previous experiences of witnessing DV and her son having some behaviour issues and anxiety) when we referred to health equity team, initially I had hoped they might be able to help with some after school activities or child care on ad hoc basis and support for [her] with other household tasks but they supported her to such an extent (helping with food/taking children to and from school every day) that [she] was able to have both hips replaced in a short timeframe and is now able to carry on a much more normal life. Their support was completely invaluable to enable her to access the urgent surgery and healthcare and recovery time that she needed. This is such a good example of how social circumstance impacts so heavily on health and health outcomes and I feel very lucky to practice in an area where we have their support.”
I started by doing what was necessary then I done what was possible, and suddenly I’m doing the impossible. All thanks to [the Children, Young People and Family Team] who… who helped me see that I can do more than I thought I could when I push myself, and the support they give my daughter is five star and she loves the weekly visits.”
Physical Activity
Our Physical Activity Link Worker is delivering a number of sessions across the East of Gateshead which focus on healthy aging, mental health, managing long term conditions and general health and wellbeing. These sessions not only promote physical activity but encourage social interaction and community connection.
This is a weekly tonic for me, spending time with people and keeping active.”
Patient
I appreciate you coming every week, it’s something we all look forward to and it keeps me going.”
Patient
Even though it’s only been a few months I have noticed a big difference in the residents since you have been coming in to do the activities. They are more active, they move better, and are far more sociable with each other and have lunch together more often.” Assistant Housing Manager
HOPE Network
The Health of the Population in the East (HOPE) Network brings together voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE), Local Authority, and health organisations. The network builds capacity in the VCSE sector by supporting organisations to understand their role as part of the health and care system, strengthening relationships across different sectors and creating opportunities for collaborative working to promote prevention and early intervention in our communities. The network meets regularly, has over 30 members, and is growing all the time.
The HOPE network is a great way to connect with local groups and creatively think about how we can share resources. It’s a place where we can join up thinking and help all companies, charities and groups achieve their aims and objectives, as a collective but also as individuals. It’s a very warm welcoming network and all ideas are welcomed." Claire Hills-Wilson, Artistic Director, Lawnmowers
If you would like to find out more about our Health Equity work, please visit our Facebook page or get in touch.
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East Gateshead
