On 18th March, we brought together a variety of health and community service providers to bring the Warm Welcome campaign to a close by providing essential information, advice and guidance to our North community members to get help throughout the last winter weeks, attended by around 40 people from local communities, and 8 services and organisations.
Moulsecoomb Library hosted our event, which provided public access to a valuable community space, promoting it as a safe space with vital community information.
On the day, Warm Welcome Spaces (link) gave out free winter warm packs with useful items such as scarfs, socks, blankets, thermos flask and hot water bottles, but also CO2 monitors for those who needed them. To maximise the value for people, we also offered all around access to vital services such as BhesCo for energy and switching advice, IncomeMax for benefit support, and health services such as Deans & Central Primary Care Network to have basic health chats and blood pressure checks, as well as support around swap to stop smoking, cancer awareness raising and mental health support.
There was great representation from local groups and initiatives such as the Brighton Table Tennis Club, Moulsecoomb Local Action Team, and the chance to be introduced and signposted to a variety of community activities and spaces in Moulsecoomb, Bevendean, Hollingdean and Coldean where people can get further support, stay active and connected in their neighbourhoods.
“I thought I would get a few leaflets with information, but these winter packs are so much better than expected. This is so helpful whilst it’s still so cold in the evening. I will put the blanket over me when I get home.” “I have made really good connections with BhesCo today, and got some benefit advice. It was worth coming along!”
What’s next for Moulsecoomb?
Moulsecoomb Local Action Team & Action for Bevendean Community are hosting a public meeting on Tue, 2nd June at 5.30 at the 67 Centre, Hodshrove Lane to hear updates about the big hub and housing developments and discuss other community priorities. (venue tbc)
