Hub makes health a priority

Let’s talk walks

A ‘story walk’ has been installed at West Park in Long Eaton. Visitors to the park just need to follow the markers around and read the story of Jake, Amber, and their dog Bob. Scan the QR code and have it read to you. Perfect for families to explore this great park.

Interested in becoming a walk leader and starting a walking group?

The council is working hard to improve health and wellbeing in the Erewash community.

Its Community Health and Wellbeing team are involved in a number of wellness networks across the borough, including in Cotmanhay.

Wellness networks – which also operate in Petersham, Kirk Hallam and Sandiacre & Sawley - bring interested groups and residents together through a community activator for each area. In Cotmanhay this is Isabel Greed, who listens to what local residents would like to see in the area and works with local groups to try to make it happen.

In Cotmanhay, the priorities are: young families, young people, older people, people experiencing difficulties in the cost of living crisis, and the wider community.

Councillor Claire Marie Poole, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, says: “By working towards these priorities and being part of the Cotmanhay Community Wellness Hub, the idea is that partners will work together more cohesively.”

Events and activities have included a children’s litter pick, run in conjunction with the local school nurses and Parkside High Community Interest Company, and a family fun day at the Pavilion.

The Wellness Hub supported by a volunteer created a small community garden by sourcing plants provided by the council.

There has been a weekly coffee morning drop in at the The People’s Centre on Beauvale Drive which will hopefully be moving to a monthly drop in with councillors and other providers.

Past funding has supported the Cotmanhay Community Network to continue to run throughout the cost of living crisis, offering the community pantry, lunch club and providing a safe space for community groups to access and run events and regular activities. It has also supported Parkside to set up a gardening group for children.

Going forward, it is hoped that groups will be able to apply for funding to carry out work in the community.

More residents and community groups are invited to be involved in the Community Wellness Hub.

To get involved email Isabel.greed@erewash.gov.uk

The council delivers walk leader training throughout the year in Erewash with Walk Derbyshire.

If you are interested then get in touch with Katherine.simpson@erewash.gov.uk

In the meantime, join one of our current walks:

• Long Eaton Health Walks: Monday 10am

• Monday Strollers Victoria Park: Monday 10.15am

• Stanley Health Walk, meeting outside post office: Tuesday 10.30am

• Nordic Walking, meeting outside Victoria Park: Tuesday 10.30am

• Gentle Walks in Erewash: Every third Thursday 10.30am

• Accessible Walk and Talk: West Park Every third Saturday 2pm

Visit walkderbyshire.org.uk for more information and walking routes.

Walk Derbyshire aims to promote all walking opportunities across the county and make every day walking the norm for all residents of Derbyshire. Rachel, 53, found herself struggling to keep active due to injuries and general aches and pains.

She signed up to the online ‘Walk 1,000 Miles’ challenge. Starting with 500 miles, she walked herself back to improved health and fitness one step and walk at a time.