Community members in the Doon Valley joined Elected Members and representatives from Health and Social Care, Housing and Communities, Education and Third Sector organisations in June 2018 to explore innovative ways to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in that area.
Results of the hackathon
The results of the discussions were very insightful and a summary of the main outcomes are below:
| Key area | What works well? |
|---|
|
Our Community, Our Plan
|
- Bellsbank self-funding Youth Club
- Strong community Spirit
- Community shops
- Joined up work with local outdoor activity providers
- Services offering support rather than “doing to” local communities
|
|
Health and Wellbeing
|
- The programme currently linking patients with Dumfries House for activities and therapies
- Palliative care provision at Glebe House Care Home
- Further develop Dumfries House scheme by introducing a “second phase” – patients start participating more in community activities.
|
|
Children and Young People
|
- Bellsbank Early Childhood Centre hold cooking classes for parents and children
- Good links between Doon Academy and community groups
- Need to know what’s on in Communities – “What’s on Website” would be helpful
- Training parent helpers to help other parents
|
|
Vibrant and Empowered Communities
|
- Over 50s groups using Dalmellington Community Hall weekly for wide variety of activities
- Activities run by volunteers for Scouts and Cub Groups e.g. recent litter picking
- Develop Doon Valley community book
- Share and highlight more ‘what’s good about our communities’ and ‘what’s working well’ success stories
|
|
Loneliness and Isolation
|
- Summer and Easter family bonding sessions
- Schools visiting nursing homes
- More inter-generational work within schools – singing, games, using technology
|
What happens now?
How can you help deliver/how can you contribute?
The discussion at our Hackathon was a fantastic starting point to achieving the desired goal of improved health and wellbeing in Doon Valley. However, actions speak louder than words so let’s make this happen together.
As someone who lives or works in Doon Valley, what can you do to help build more vibrant and empowered local communities?
What part can you play in helping make the Hackathon outputs a reality?
Full outputs from the day can be found through the link below:
Download Doon Valley Health and Wellbeing Hackathon Outputs - June 2018 (PDF 792 Kb)
If you’d like to get involved please contact us via the Vibrant Voices website or contact Emma Waugh, Community Worker on 01292 552968 or 079554988238 or email emma.waugh@east-ayrshire.gov.uk