Residents across Bexley are set to benefit from a wide range of free activities designed to support healthier, happier and more connected lives, with new ‘Live Well, Live Better’ hubs planned for libraries across the Borough.

The new hubs build on the success of the Live Well, Age Well pilot delivered from Sidcup Storyteller, where residents have taken part in a variety of activities focused on improving physical health, mental wellbeing and social connection. The pilot was warmly welcomed by residents and demonstrated the value of community-based activities in bringing people together and supporting wellbeing.

Supported through funding from NHS South East London Integrated Care Board, the programme will now expand the successful hub model to communities across the Borough, creating more opportunities for residents to access local activities that support their health and wellbeing.

The ‘Live Well, Live Better’ hubs will bring together a broad programme of free activities and events based around three key pillars: physical health, mental health and wellbeing and creative health. Residents will be able to take part in activities designed to help them stay active, build confidence, develop new interests and strengthen connections within their local communities.

Programmes will be tailored to the needs of local neighbourhoods and delivered in partnership with community organisations, voluntary sector groups, cultural partners  and activity providers and health and social care partners. Activities may include movement and exercise sessions, creative workshops, wellbeing groups, arts and crafts, social activities and opportunities to learn new skills.

While the original Sidcup pilot focused on supporting older residents, the expanded programme will be designed to support a wider range of residents, including older people, adults who may be showing early signs of poor health, people living with multiple long-term conditions and those who would benefit from activities that improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and help prevent future health problems.

Sessions will be delivered from libraries across the Borough at a range of times, including some evenings, helping make activities as accessible as possible for residents.

Bexley’s Library Service will work alongside local partners to develop and deliver the programme, creating welcoming community spaces where residents can access activities, build relationships and find support to live well, live better and maintain their health, wellbeing and independence.

Councillor Brian Bishop, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said:

This is a brilliant funding success and reflects the strong partnerships that we are building through our libraries, which are delivering real impact for local people. Health and wellbeing is one of the key themes in our Library Strategy and I am thrilled that libraries across Bexley will be partnering with health services to provide a comprehensive range of activities. This initiative offers the opportunity to improve residents’ health and help make Bexley the healthiest Borough in London.

Councillor Rags Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Leisure, said:

The new ‘Live Well, Live Better’ hubs will offer our residents new opportunities to explore their creativity with local artists as part of the programme. There is a growing body of evidence that creative activities are hugely beneficial for people’s health and the creative strand of this programme directly reflects the health and wellbeing priority in our new Culture Strategy.

Councillor Janice Ward-Wilson, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said:

We want people in Bexley to be able to live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives and these new hubs will bring a fantastic range of opportunities right into the heart of our communities. By bringing health, social and creative activities into our libraries, we can help residents stay active, build connections and support their wellbeing in a welcoming and familiar setting.

This funding is a fantastic opportunity to build on the excellent work already taking place in Sidcup and expand it across the Borough. I am particularly pleased that the programme will support older residents and those who may be at greater risk of health problems, helping people to stay well and connected for longer.

Diana Braithwaite, Director, Integrated Strategic Health & Care (Bexley), NHS South East London Integrated Care Board, said:

This is an example of what we can achieve when health, social care, GPs and voluntary and community sector partners work together around the needs of local people. By connecting people to support in their local communities, we can help residents stay active, connected and well, while providing more targeted support for those who may need a little extra help to maintain their health and independence.

Prevention is at the heart of this programme. Supporting people to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing, build social connections and stay independent for longer can make a real difference to people’s quality of life and help reduce the need for more intensive health and social care services in the future.

Further details about the programme, including the activities on offer and how residents can get involved, will be announced soon.