dartford locality report 2014-15committeedmz.dartford.gov.uk/documents/s51797/preventative...

Dartford Preventative Health Locality Projects

Annual Report

April 2014 – March 2015

APPENDIX A

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Contents

1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 3

2. Healthy Weight ............................................................................................ 3

2.1 Adult Weight Management .................................................................... 3

2.2 Family Weight Management - Don’t Sit Get Fit (DSGF) ........................ 4

2.3 Get Active Community Exercise Classes ................................................ 6

3. Mental Health and Community Cohesion .................................................... 7

3.1 ASIST Training ........................................................................................ 7

3.2 Events and Campaigns ........................................................................... 9

3.3 Domestic Abuse Interventions ................................................................ 9

3.4 Grabbacab ............................................................................................... 9

3.5 Gentle Exercise Classes Overview ....................................................... 10

3.6 SAFE Project ......................................................................................... 11

3.7 Being Assertive Course ......................................................................... 13

4. Substance Misuse ..................................................................................... 13

5. Appendix A: Locality Budget Breakdown 2015/16 .................................... 15

6. Appendix B: Why Weight Case Study ....................................................... 16

7. Appendix C: Six Ways to Wellbeing Campaigns....................................... 18

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1. Introduction

During the financial year of 2014/15, Dartford Borough Council (DBC) received £123,870 of funding from Kent County Council (KCC) to deliver preventative health work in the Borough related to public health outcome. This work is commissioned under, and monitored against, a Service Level Agreement. The Service Level Agreement for the financial year required funding to be allocated 60% for healthy weight and 40% to mental health and community cohesion. A breakdown of the funding allocation can be found in Appendix A. The budget is managed by Sevenoaks District Council on behalf of the Council as a shared service. Dartford as a locality also receives an additional £61,000 under separate Service Level Agreements. £45,000 is paid directly to Healthy Living Centre Dartford and £16,000 to Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust to contribute toward community dietetic support across both areas for the Don’t Sit Get Fit project.

2. Healthy Weight

A healthy weight service specification was issued to local authorities in April 2010 for the delivery of adult and family weight management services. The delivery of the adult and family weight management elements of the service specification are sub-contracted to Healthy Living Centre Dartford (HLCD). The project ‘Get Active - for a Healthier, Happier Dartford’ is also delivered under the Healthy Weight funding.

2.1 Adult Weight Management Overview The aim of the adult weight management service specification is to sustain a long term movement towards and maintenance of a 5-10% body weight loss amongst overweight or obese adults from age 18 (BMI ≤28). The expected outcome of the programmes is at least 20% of recruited participants will lose 5-10% of body weight when assessed at two years. Annually the target is to enrol 220 individuals onto a weight management programme. HLCD has delivered the adult weight management programme ‘Why Weight’ on behalf of the Council since January 2011. Why Weight is a 12 week programme which includes both a nutritional and exercise element within a weekly hour and half session. HLCD delivered 6 programmes at Peppercorns Centre, Dartford during the year. Since Jan 2013 additional programmes have been delivered across the borough co-ordinated by the Council’s Healthy Lifestyles Co-ordinator utilising a nutritionist from Sevenoaks District Council health outreach team and exercise instructors from the

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Council’s leisure centres. During 2014/15 6 programmes were delivered across, Stone and Swanscombe. Key Outcomes: During 2014/2015, 222 individuals were recruited to Why Weight (33 of these were returners from previous programmes). Of those individuals, 156 had a recorded start weight at week 1. 59 individuals completed at least 8 out of the 12 sessions of their programme. 169 individuals achieved weight loss (76.1%). The total weight lost by all individuals equalled 540.1kg, an average of 2.43kg per person. 216 individuals had a waist measurement taken at the start of the programme (waist measurement is not compulsory). Of those 109 had an end waist measurement with a total lost equalling 403.4cm or an average of 3.7cm per person. Where data was collected at the end of programme (91 individuals):

• 81.3% of individuals increased their minutes of moderate and/or vigorous exercise

• 81.3% of individuals increased their portions of fruit and vegetables • 40.6% of individuals reduced their portions of unhealthy foods (high fat

foods/fried foods) • 45.0% of individuals improved their mental wellbeing • 29.6% of individuals reduced their alcohol intake

Case Studies from two participants can be found in Appendix B. 2.2 Family Weight Management - Don’t Sit Get Fit (DSGF) DSGF is managed by the HLCD and consist of two elements of the Kent Healthy Weight Care Pathway for Children and Young People:

• Universal – health promotion evidence-based project that promotes healthy

lifestyles to children and young people of any weight centile. • Tier 1 – Targeted management of weight for children and young people with a

BMI greater than the 91st centile and below the 98th centile. Universal Element During 2014/15, DSGF have worked on a wide range of health promotion projects in schools and the local community which promote healthier lifestyles, primarily focusing on healthy eating and physical activity. Projects can take the form of

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intensive projects such as school interventions to support the national curriculum or to support the school’s Healthy Schools Enhancement Plans and delivery of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). Alternatively they can support with brief intervention at assemblies, coffee mornings, health weeks, school fetes, and community engagement events.

• DSGF have delivered either brief or targeted universal interventions at 5 primary during the year. They have also delivered or supported projects/events for Kent Public Health, Princes Community Forum, Dartford Libraries British Heart Foundation and DBC’s Summer Sizzlers programme.

• In total 81 sessions were delivered and 1980 children and young people were

engaged with the project during 2014/15.

• DSGF are also a key member of the National Child Measurement Programme Locality (NCMP) Group led by Kent Community Health Trust to improve the delivery of the NCMP pathway within Dartford primary schools. During this year DSGF have continued to work with previously engaged schools Stone St Mary’s and Temple Hill Primary and worked to identify new ‘healthy weight hub’ schools in the local area Darenth Primary and Knockhall Primary. An example of the work delivered as part of this included delivering a range of healthy living network events for parents/carers; school caterers/cooks and mid-day meal supervisors; and healthy schools co-ordinators, Family Liaison Officers and Parent Support Assistants. The networks focused on a variety of health topics that included:

o The Whole school approach to healthy weight o Healthy eating and ideas to promote a balanced school meal selection

, by pupils, through focus on the eat well plate o The dining room environment, ideas on how to enhance the school

meal experience o Physical activity

Dynamo Club Don’t Sit Get Fit also deliver as part of the healthy weight service specification a family weight management programme. This service is level one of the Kent Healthy Weight Care Pathway for Children and Young People. The service is an evidenced based, multi-component weight management programme for families called Dynamo Club provided as part of the Healthy Weight Service Specification. The aim of the programme is to sustain a long term movement towards a healthier weight among overweight or obese children over a two year period. This should be achieved via the delivery of a 10-12 week multi component weight management

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course with one-to-one or group follow-up support. The expected outcome of the programme is to engage 50 families per year and that 50% of participants should have maintained a reduction in BMI Centile at the end of the two years. As with other family weight management programmes in West Kent Dynamo Club continues to struggle with referrals both from professionals and self-referrals. Key Outcomes:

• Two Dynamo clubs ran during 2014/15 to coincide with the school term times. The autumn term programme had to be cancelled due to lack of referrals/uptake to join programme.

• During 2014/15, 13 children engaged with the Dynamo Club and increase of 1

individual compared to the previous year. 2.3 Get Active Community Exercise Classes The ‘Get Active – For a Healthier Happier Dartford’ project is originally based on findings of a social marketing project which was undertaken in the borough in 2009. The overall aim of the project is to increase the resident’s knowledge of physical activity opportunities in the borough by promoting free and low-cost opportunities available in the borough to be active. This is achieved by working with local partners to actively promote existing facilities, activities, projects and clubs via the Get Active pages on the DBC Website. As part of the project four community exercise classes run across the borough, these classes are based in identified areas of need e.g. low income families, few opportunities for physical activity (Temple Hill and Swanscombe). Additionally, clients who attend the weight management programmes are signposted to the exercise classes as an additional exercise opportunity to support their weight loss.

During 2014/15 DBC also supported Healthy Living Centre Dartford set-up a new Tai Chi Class at the Tree Community Centre (Princes) by subsidising the first ten weeks of the programme. The class proved to be popular and is still continuing to be delivered.

Participants of the Why Weight programme in Swanscombe also enquired about being able to continue the exercise element of the programme on completion of the course. Therefore, due to this demand a follow-on class was set up utilising the same instructor on the say day and time as the programme to encourage individuals to maintain their new physical activity habits.

Key Outcomes:

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During 2014/15 there were 1742 attendances, which equates to 204 individuals - 196 females and 8 males, (please note these classes are primarily targeted at women).

• Of the 57 evaluations completed, individuals reported the following positive outcomes:

- 79% of respondents acknowledged the activity had improved their general health

- 88% of respondents reported increased activity levels

- 64% of respondents reported they had gained either a social or mental wellbeing benefit

- 30% of respondents reported the activity had helped them to lose weight

- 9% of respondents reported they had improved their diet due to the activity.

Qualitative data is also gained from the evaluation forms, a selection of comments can be below:

• Very well run • Good for cholesterol and blood pressure and mental attitude • I don't ache as much, helps mobility and happier • Lowered my blood pressure, friendly enjoyable and look forward to going to it • Feel happier, more supple. Helps my digestion • Feel good myself, more confident. I am really glad I started the group. My

family are interested now so I can spread the word. • Helped High Blood pressure and balance • Helps with shoulder and knees pain • Helped with my health conditions i.e. fibromyalgia, Bronchesaci, slipped disc • Fun class, has helped my arthritis • As a parent of a SEN child I need a stress reduction and tai chi is very helpful • I am so pleased with the trainer • It makes me happy • So much fun it does feel like exercise

3. Mental Health and Community Cohesion

3.1 ASIST Training Due to instructor availability the training was delivered in early 2014/15. The courses were funded in partnership with all West Kent Councils (expect Gravesham). A total

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of 9 places were allocated to workers within the Dartford Borough area, with a further 10 working across the West Kent area including Dartford. A summary of the feedback included:

• 100% of people now feel confident to help a person at risk of suicide as a direct result of the training

• 100% rated the training as good or excellent • 100% of participants said that they would recommend ASIST to others • Over 80% stated the workshop has practical use in their personal life • Over 95% said the workshop has practical use in their work life • 100% of people stated that they agreed or strongly agree when asked if they

would ask directly if someone has thinking about suicide, this compared to only 35% before the training

Feedback from participants:

• Lady whose daughter has tried to commit suicide five times – ‘I just wanted to say thank you for the excellent ASIST workshop last week. I found the course incredibly useful on so many levels. I think it has taken the fear out of talking about suicide with my daughter, and I think I'd be confident talking to others about it too. I will definitely be recommending your course to friends and colleagues in Kent and Sussex.’

• My training was brilliant, I feel very confident and prepared for suicidal interventions. Thank you very much!

• Extremely useful and informative. Role playing also useful

• I feel this course will help me in my job role when I attend certain incidents

• Very helpful course, knowledgeable trainers, gave confidence to intervene in a very difficult situation

• This has been the best course that I have attended. The trainers were excellent and the programme clear and understandable. I joined the course with some concerns, but by understanding the safety framework and interventions, I have come away feeling confident and empowered

• This was very engaging, informative and supportive. It is something I feel should be rolled out to as many people as possible

• I found this an excellent course – both trainers were very professional but also came across as caring and very wise. I felt comfortable and safe at all times, learnt loads, and feel more confident now at the prospect of helping a person at risk of suicide. THANK YOU!

• Absolutely brilliant – has helped overcome my own personal problems around mental health and suicide. Thank you!

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• This training has been a personal challenge (esp role play). Suicide has been present throughout my life – I’m pleased to say its not come too late – but I wish I had received it earlier

• I found it very helpful with the knowledge of the structure. Very informative course

3.2 Events and Campaigns All information is now available on the mental health pages of Dartford Borough Council and Healthy Living Centre Dartford websites including the following campaigns: Live it well, Five ways to Wellbeing, Big White Wall, Mental Health Matter Helpline. The following campaigns were promoted and events delivered during this year:

• One local campaign promoting Six Ways to Wellbeing – stand at local events to raise awareness, featured in ‘Dartford Today’, sent to 1,955 people by email, DBC Staff wellbeing event held

• One local World Mental Health Day public event – Held in Orchard Shopping Centre in partnership with local charities and services

• One council staff campaign promoting 5 Ways to Wellbeing • In January, a New Year’s resolution article including Six Ways to Wellbeing

information was included in the Council’s Housing magazine ‘The Link’. This magazine is produced for Council Tenants, approx. 6,000 copies distributed.

(See Appendix C for both articles) 3.3 Domestic Abuse Interventions The target within the service specification is to provide population level Domestic Abuse (DA) campaign per annum including signposting to local support services. The following work to deliver this has been achieved during this year:

• Information about Dartford One-Stop Shop and NWK Women's Aid was included in the Dartford Link Magazine which is distributed to Council properties in the borough.

• Posters for the Kent and Medway Domestic Abuse support services website are displayed in Civic Centre lavatories (both males and females) and the poster was cascaded to a variety of local community partners and organisations.

• Working in partnership with the DBC Community Safety Manager to deliver and attend the D&G Domestic Abuse Forum. Funding allocated to deliver a Freedom Programme in 2015/16 through the Forum, 2014/15 funding used to train staff and volunteers.

3.4 Grabbacab

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A funding contribution is made to Dartford’s Community Safety project annually from the Preventative Health funding. The service was delivered on 104 occasions and 9674 journeys were delivered in 2014/15. Dartford Health Walks Overview Dartford Health Walk programme is an accredited scheme which is part of the national Walking for Health initiative (WfH). It began in February 2010 and consists of five walks; a weekly walk in Central Park, weekly walk at Darenth Country Park, a weekly ‘progression’ walk at various locations across North-West Kent and South-East London and a monthly walk for the cardiac rehabilitation patients at Acacia Fitness (between April and Oct). A new weekly walk also launched in Swanscombe during the year, initially led by a NHS Health Trainer who then encourage a local person to train as a Volunteer Health Walker who has now taken over the role of leading this walk. The health walks have a strong relationship with the local mental health charities (Mind, mcch, and Rethink) and receive referrals. Key outcomes: In 2014/15 there were 1099 attendances, engaging 87 individuals – 59 females, and 28 males.

Of the 44 evaluations completed, individuals reported the following positive outcomes:

- 84% of respondents acknowledged the activity had improved their general health


- 75% of respondents reported they had gain either a social or mental wellbeing benefit

- 7% of respondents reported the activity had helped them to lose weight


*Please note - No data is available from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Walk, and therefore is not included in the above results. Acacia Fitness now provide this as part of the general Health Matters Exercise Referral Scheme

3.5 Gentle Exercise Classes Overview

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During 2014/15, two gentle exercise classes were delivered at Stone Pavilion and Age UK Meadowside. The classes are based on both postural stability and chair-based exercises. The aim is to encourage older people to exercise and to demonstrate the importance of being active in later life, promoting the benefits for both mental and physical health. General health promotion advice is also provided during the classes. The gentle exercise classes are delivered alongside the ‘Keeping Strong, Staying Steady’ (KSSS) programme, supports individuals who have had a fall or at high risk of falling. KSSS is a 12 week intensive postural stability programme with the option to continue for up to additional 24 weeks. KSSS is delivered via another funding stream from Kent County Council’s Public Health directorate. Once individuals have completed the KSSS programme they are directed to the gentle exercise classes as a follow-on route. Please note: DBC were unsuccessful at winning the KCC tender to continue to deliver Postural Stability classes in 2015/16. Remaining KSSS courses will be completed and participants will then be referred into the gentle exercise classes. Beyond this point referrals into gentle exercise will be made by the new provider. Key outcomes: During 2014/15 there were 766 attendances, which equates to 38 individuals - 27 females and 11 males. Of the 42 evaluations completed, individuals reported the following positive outcomes:

- 79% of respondents reported they had gain either a social or mental wellbeing benefit


- 76% of respondents reported increased confidence in balance.


3.6 SAFE Project During 2014/15, DBC commissioned SAFE (Suicide Awareness for Everyone) for a second year of delivery to build on the work delivered during the previous year. SAFE is delivered by VAWK (Voluntary Action Within Kent) and is a youth led project working to raise awareness about mental health in young people.

SAFE aims to break down the unnecessary stigma that surrounds mental health and help young people in Kent know that they are not alone and that there is support to help them with a variety of mental health & wellbeing issues. The project aims to

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make sure that young people are more aware of the danger signs of youth suicide and that they recognise the signs of mental health difficulties in themselves and their friends.

VAWK continued to work with the four following schools in Dartford; Dartford Grammar School, Dartford Grammar for Girls Wilmington Academy, and Longfield Academy. This has been achieved through the recruitment of 18 SAFE volunteers who established a weekly community based ‘SAFE space’ at the Dartford KIASS hub and monthly or weekly SAFE spaces within three of the four schools.

1588 young people have been reached by the project during 2014/15 through the delivery of 90 sessions including assemblies, presentations, SAFE Space sessions which are delivered by the SAFE volunteers with the support of the SAFE project worker. The SAFE project has secured a £180,000 funding pot from the Department of Education to expand SAFE across 35 schools in Kent, Medway and East Sussex over a 12 month period and they plan to continue to support the schools already engaged in Dartford as part of this work. Key Outcomes:

Dartford Boys Grammar

• There are currently 7 volunteer mentors attending the safe spaces, Information board displayed at the school, Flyers and helpline cards given out to all new attendances at the safe space.

Wilmington Boys Grammar and Girls Grammar

• 2 Active volunteers volunteering at the VAWK Office on a weekly basis to promote

Safe in their schools

• Two volunteers then presented on the safe project to the whole of the 6th form (approximately 400 young people). We have now recruited 5 volunteers that are running the safe space on a weekly basis at the school.

Wilmington Academy

• Assembly delivered to the whole school as launched the new focus on mental health. • Safe space is being attended mainly by Year 7’s who attended the transition

events, and we are helping with resilience skills around new school We still have a group of volunteers 4 from year 11 and 1 from 6th Form that are supporting the Safe Space.

Longfield Academy

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• 3 active volunteers will still attending the committee meetings around exam

commitments.

Community

• Committee meetings are still taking place on a weekly basis on a Tuesday evening from 4.30 - 6pm but have moved to the YMCA building.

• Display and advice board has been produced at the YMCA • Safe space is also offered at the YMCA on a Tuesday evening with a few of the

residents showing an interest.

3.7 Being Assertive Course Being Assertive is a 6 week training course of assertiveness and confidence building aimed to help improve communication skills at work, socially, and in personal relationships. Being Assertive aims not only to give participants the skills and confidence they need to be assertive, but they also gain a nationally recognised and approved OCN Level 1 qualification in assertiveness. The OCN is the ‘Open College Network’, which specialises in recognising and awarding achievement outside of traditional qualifications. The course is delivered New Futures Training and Consultancy in partnership with Healthy Living Centre Dartford. Key Outcomes: 12 individuals were recruited to the course, 9 started and 7 individuals completed the accreditation process for the OCN level 1 qualification. Each participant completes a Behaviour Styles Questionnaire at the start, and on completion of each ‘Being Assertive’ course - Data is derived from the questionnaire measures passive, aggressive, and assertive behaviours. 100% of individuals who completed the course demonstrated an improvement from slight to very significant in assertiveness.

4. Substance Misuse

Alcohol For adults, Identification and brief advice (IBA’s) were delivered using the Audit-C tool. This tool was incorporated into the screening of the participants of the weight management courses and the evaluation forms of other projects (not compulsory to complete).

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324 individuals were assessed, 72 (22%) were considered to be increasing risk drinkers (score 5+) and 5 (1.5%) individuals were classified as high risk drinkers (score 10+).

Brief Intervention leaflets and advice were given to individuals who scored 5 or above. Local substance misuse support organisation, CRI, accept referrals for any individuals who scored 8 or above. Therefore, all individuals scoring 8 or above were told about CRI drop-in and other services and then asked if they would like to be referred, 3 referrals were made to CRI.

Follow-up data has been collected from 72 people of those, 22 (31%) individuals reduced their drinking.

Smoking

During adult weight management assessments, health-drop-in clinics, and when participants of any project/activity complete an evaluation form they are asked if they smoke and if they would like to be referred into the NHS Stop Smoking Service. Out of a total of 351 responses 18 people identified themselves as smokers, 2 individuals were referred into the service. DBC occasionally receive requests for stop smoking support via emails and phone calls – 7 individuals were directed/referred into the service via this route.

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5. Appendix A: Locality Budget Breakdown 2015/16

Programme Budget Detail

Healthy Lifestyles Co-ordinator £38,600

Staff salary + on costs (60% work on healthy weight & 40% on mental wellbeing)

Healthy Weight

Adult Weight Management Programmes £32,770

Get Active Programme (£5,770) + 12 week weight management programmes (£27,000) - some delivered in partnership with HLC

Dietician support (2 days per week) £16,000

Resource utilised In partnership with HLC - Commissioned directly to DGS Community Dietetics Service

Don’t Sit Get Fit £30,000 Delivered in partnership with the HLC

HW TOTAL £78,770

Community Development + Mental Wellbeing

Grab-a-Cab £5,000 Dartford Community Safety Unit

Exercise & wellbeing interventions targeting older people £2,500

Postural Stability, Over 50's exercise, health walk leader training & promotion

SAFE Project (suicide Awareness For Everyone - VAWK Project) £8,000

Contribution towards Co-ordinator costs for Dartford area

Mental wellbeing - targeted Tier 1 & 2 interventions £7,000

Mental health in the workplace, awareness and suicide prevention activities

MH TOTAL £22,500

Healthy Living Centre £45,000

Commissioned directly to Healthy Living Centre Dartford as part of separate SLA with NHS WK

TOTAL FUNDING BUDGET £184,870

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6. Appendix B: Why Weight Case Study

Maureen

Maureen joined the Swanscombe Why Weight programme in January 2015 and contacted Dartford’s Healthy Lifestyle Co-ordinator in April saying she had been so inspired by Why Weight she wanted to become a fitness instructor and enquired about how she could gain help to achieve this goal due to being on benefits and only working part-time. DBC researched into this for her and referred her to the local Reynold’s Training Centre who provided government funding training. Maureen met the requirements for this and begins her Level 2 Exercise Instructor training in July 2015.

Below is here an insert from the original email enquiry:

“Our trainer was excellent and she's been instrumental in changing my eating habits, thoughts of food and most importantly adopting a healthy eating regiment!!!! She's a star, motivator and a valuable asset for you to hold on to. I joined the programme weighting 96kg and I was able to achieve my 5% and 10% weight loss to 84.2kg at the end of the programme. I am still hanging on to my exercising and healthy eating - I am not going back!!!! I am now enrolled in a gym, attend borough wide healthy living exercise classes and eating healthy!!! I would like to ask if you can assist me with info on how I can fund my training to be a fitness instructor. I feel by going through the process of losing weight, I want to share my knowledge and experience with others.”

Jason

Jason joined Why Weight in September 2014 weighing 108.2kg and by the end of the 12 weeks he had lost 13.2kg taking him down to 95kg. The nutritionist felt that Jason would benefit from coming back on the course for a second time due to his medical circumstances and the progress he was making and after completing the January Why Weight Programme he had reduced his weight further 85.6kg.

Here is a statement from Jason about the programme:

“I never heard of 'Why Weight' until I spoke to the health trainer at my local GP, she recommended this program to try and help me with my weight and health problems, I was sceptical about going but I gave it a go anyway, looking back now I see what a difference it has made to my life. I thought the program was a fantastic, motivating experience that helped me greatly to improve my health and wellbeing, I would not have been as successful losing weight without this help. I'm always being asked from

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others on how I have achieved my weight loss and I have told them about this program as being one of the main reasons I have succeeded in losing weight.”

“I like the fact that the information given by the advisor running the 'Why Weight' group is honest and truthful, with regards to not just losing weight but being healthier overall, It takes hard work and dedication to change a lifetime of bad habits but it can be achieved and she has guided me and others in the group to head in a better healthier direction. I have met many people who are also on the program and we have helped and encouraged each other to achieve our goals, also the physical training and free use of the gym has been great for me as I have come to realise through the program that exercise is as important to health as eating”

“My overall health and general mood has improved dramatically, I've lost weight, feeling more positive and motivated to carry on with my new healthy lifestyle, my diabetes is under control, my blood pressure has improved and the sleep apnoea I suffer from is not nearly as bad as before. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants help to make a positive change in their life.”

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7. Appendix C: Six Ways to Wellbeing Campaigns

Dartford Today – 10 th October 2014 Today is World Mental Health Day and to help celebrate Dartford Today has a Six Ways to Wellbeing Theme Making a small change to your life can make a big difference. The Six Ways to Wellbeing – connect, give, take notice, keep learning, be active and care – can lift your mood and help you to cope when life gets stressful. Keep Learning: Mind Learning new things can help make you more confident in new areas. Why not go along to the Meeting Place in the Orchard Shopping Centre today from 12.15pm to 5pm for the ‘We’re Talking Mental Health’ event and learn more about World Mental Health Day and local services. Be Active: Body Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy; one that suits your level of mobility and fitness. Did you know Acacia Fitness promote fitness for everyone and offer a free taster gym or classes pass to try out or facilities before you join? Visit www.fitness.acacia-dartford.co.uk for more details or ask at the reception. Don’t forget the Dartford parkrun tomorrow too, starting at 9am in Central Park! Take Notice: Place Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you. Why not take a stroll around Central Park and Brooklands Lakes today and see if you can notice something new you may not have noticed before. Connect: People Building connections with the people around you will support and enrich your life. Pop in to the Salvation Army building in Hythe Street today between 10.30am and 12.30pm for free tea, coffee, cake and conversation with the Invicta Advocacy Network. Give: Spirit Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections with the people around you. Dartford’s Health Walk project is currently looking for new volunteer walk leaders. For more information and to get involved visit www.dartford.gov.uk/walks Care: Planet Look after your community and the world around you. Make small changes to your life that will reduce your energy use. You could recycle more, leave the car at home and use low energy light bulbs. Small steps to a greener life can make a difference.

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The Link, Jan-March 2015 addition http://www.dartford.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/166389/link_winter_2014_web.pdf

dartford locality report 2014-15committeedmz.dartford.gov.uk/documents/s51797/preventative...

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