Project title: Hope Healthy Hearts
Region: South West
Award amount: £10,000
Project dates: February – November 2023
This Healthy Heart Grant project has now finished, read on for the project highlights.
The Problem
Homeless individuals, such as those residing at Hope Housing, have been found to have a considerably reduced life expectancy (from 77 years to 47 years) and an increased risk of long-term health problems. Hope Housing operates in one of the most disadvantaged areas of Bournemouth where there are high rates of drug or alcohol misuse, mental health issues and declining overall health. The charity provides a safe space for over 100 homeless to reside as well as delivering support and training in the form of counselling, workshops, relationship building and employability.
The Project
The Hope Healthy Hearts project aimed to motivate, engage and support individuals to undertake physical exercise to ultimately improve their health, wellbeing and heart health. They raised awareness of healthy eating and nutrition through cooking workshops, provided non-smoking talks and supported sporting activities for the homeless adults residing in Hope’s accommodation. For additional support, referrals were made to other support services and GP’s.
Project Highlights
Hope Healthy Hearts engaged 114 people in the project over its course, exceeding the originally anticipated 100 beneficiaries. Beneficiaries engaged in walk & talks, cooking classes, sporting events, and wellbeing talks, all of which benefitted their health and reduced their risk of developing heart diseases. Hope made their health and wellbeing classes mandatory for all their residence, ensuring they were all educated on methods of improving their health including heart health, and the benefits of doing so. Overall, this project encouraged the creation of healthier habits, as well as bringing together a community of people with a shared goal, to become healthier. From the success of the Hope Healthy Hearts project, the charity aims to continue with weekly football training sessions, walk & talks, cooking classes and wellbeing workshops in the future.
Shannon (project participant), said:
“I don’t usually get involved in group activities, but I love cooking and thought this would be a good opportunity to get to know the residents a bit more in a fun activity and it was actually good fun. We learnt to cook a healthy meal and it was quite liberating, as I felt it brought us all together, we had a good laugh, but we also got to enjoy the food. Sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself to get up and cook a healthy meal when it’s just you. Cooking for 1, then eating it alone can be extremely lonely. However, I feel this really works because it doesn’t feel isolating and when everyone helps it easier.”
Luke (project participant), said:
“We go to football training at vitality stadium every Tuesday and Thursday 3 till 4.30pm as a team of 6 usually. I really enjoy these sessions as we do different tournaments every couple of weeks. I feel it brings us together and at the same time motivated me to keep fit.”
