Sheringham Helps

Healthier Sheringham held its first community event on the 18th February at the Lighthouse.

Over 60 organisations attended and nearly 300 people came through the door to see what was available in Sheringham Cllr Liz Withington said the event was part of Healthier Sheringham which is about bringing the community together to understand what resources we have in the town available to support us in our health and wellbeing, preventing crisis and ill health and making us more resilient as a community. The Sheringham Helps event showed what incredible resources we do have already and helped people to collaborate to make our community support stronger and bridge the gaps where we need further opportunities to improve the quality of life for our residents in what is a very special town. “The morning was a network opportunity for all the towns organisations to come together and Sir Norman Lamb came along to talk to people about the importance of people being connected to their community and nature for their mental health and wellbeing.”

Paula Prince who had helped lead on this event as a lead on Healthier Sheringham said: “Sheringham Helps was an important opportunity for people to network and learn from each other It was most surprising the number of groups and organisations who were not aware of each other Already there are collaborations starting which can only be beneficial for us as a community”

Anneliese Maerz Age Concern North Norfolk Healthier Sheringham Steering Group said:

“Events such as Sheringham Helps are so important in helping the community to understand what is available locally to support them and it helps professionals and volunteers up from this successful day The Community Directory will be printed shortly with 300 connections to local organisations and groups within the town and local area Thanks are due to funding from Tesco Bags for Help and Sheringham Dementia Friendly Community, Sheringham Community Support Sheringham in Bloom and the Reef Leisure Centre and the support of Sheringham Independent There are plans for an Outdoor physical activity network to build alongside the North Norfolk Walking Festival organised in September by North Norfolk Outdoor Fitness who have been on the Steering group of Healthier Sheringham since it was initiated A Creative arts network is also underway ”

Paula Prince is also pleased to report that: “Links have already been formed with Merchants Place in Cromer to collaborate together on a Volunteer Hub to encourage people to volunteer and help out in the community Mental health support is also being discussed and ideas are being developed for local support sessions within the town ” in social and activity groups to understand where help may be available for people they engage with This helps to take the strain of carers and families looking after their loved ones but also means people can continue to be independent and stay within their community for longer ”

Cllr Withington reported after the event that: “Actions are already coming together to follow

It is hoped to repeat this event next year for the community but also to build on the networking opportunity for our town groups in the interim. Thanks have to be given to the Lighthouse Church who gave their venue free of charge, ran the community café and soft play as well as the ThreadBear Childrens’ charity shop in order to support the community coming together