Better Gateshead Support Gateshead Council’s Multi Storey Festivals

Rise, the North East Active Partnership, has identified people living in multi-storey blocks as at higher risk on inactivity and poor health. Working with Gateshead Council’s new Multi Storey Community Development Offer, Better was part of a festival project to engage many of the residents in these blocks. The festivals happened at four blocks in Gateshead: Fell Court, Australia Blocks, St Cuthberts and Willerby. Mental Health for these residents, mainly men aged 30-65, was a key priority and providing a multi-agency approach alongside other organisations such as Citizens Advice, Gambling Support Services and Gateshead Recovery Partnership allowed for support for everyone.

Better provided health checks through the Healthwise team and delivered pop up sport at two of the events, including pickleball and badminton. Many of the residents had never tried either sport and showed an interest in regular sessions. The event at Fell Court also gave an opportunity for children and young people from the estate to engage with the event, with over 30 trying pickleball. Following the festivals it is hoped that a regular outreach programme can be co-designed with residents to activate physical activity within communal spaces. These programmes will be delivered by Better staff and may also include fitness classes.

With the ageing population currently living within these blocks, a key priority will be to reduce health inequalities and deliver a greater quality of life for the residents. Better continue to work closely with Gateshead Council and Rise to identify where key barriers exist to accessing physical activity and developing solutions to these. Delivering projects within community settings is vital to reducing the transport, time and cost barriers that many people face across Gateshead.

To find out more about Better’s Community Programmes please visit Active Communities | Gateshead | Better