Initiative aims to tackle isolation amid inequality

A PROGRAMME set up to tackle health inequalities in some of

Glasgow’s most deprived communities has shown early signs of success.

Live Well Community Referral (LWCR) is aimed at helping people to access activities and services that can improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

An independent evaluation of the programme has found that more than 200 people have taken part.

Activities include arts and creative workshops, museum visits, walking groups, sports and fitness sessions, family activities, learning and skills classes, and volunteering opportunities.

Managed by Glasgow Life, the programme launched in the Calton area in June 2022. It has since expanded to include Bridgeton, Parkhead, Shettleston and Tollcross due to increased demand.

The study, carried out by Social

Value Lab, shows 240 people received support as part of the pilot from June 2022 to September 2023 and found that 100% of participants felt their general happiness had improved, while 97% agreed that taking part in activities had helped them to feel less lonely or alone.

Almost all those who attended activities said they felt listened to, were supported to identify goals and had become more active and felt more connected to people. Overall, 95% said they would recommend the programme to others.

Glasgow has one of the poorest health profiles of any UK city. The Glasgow Centre for Population Health reports male life expectancy in the most deprived areas of the city as 15 years less than in the least deprived, while the equivalent figure for women is 12 years.

The rates of psychiatric prescribing and evaluation are higher in Glasgow than the national average, and lower levels of physical activity, social interaction and community engagement create high levels of social isolation and poor mental health.

Many of these issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, and are putting an increasing strain on health and social care services and other public services such as Police Scotland.

Referrals to the LWCR programme have been received from partner agencies including Community Link workers in GP practices, Glasgow

Helps and Police Scotland. Participants can also self-refer, with self-referrals totalling almost 50% of all referrals.

The main reasons for referral throughout the pilot phase were to increase physical activity; connect with the community; and improve low mood and mental wellbeing.

Evaluation data shows 71% of all LWCR participants were female; and more than half of participants lived in the most deprived 10% of Scotland’s communities.

Glasgow Life’s ambition is to expand LWCR to become a mainstream, citywide initiative, which could support around 2,500 people each year and the body is looking for the external funding required to implement a phased rollout across Glasgow in 2024.

Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life, said: “Live Well takes a preventative and person-centred approach to tackling health inequality by providing tailored support to assist those people who are least likely, but most in need of, engaging with our cultural and sporting activities.

“Whether participants are referred to this service by trusted partners such as GP surgeries, social workers and Police Scotland, or they self-refer, they can be sure our advisers will listen and work with them to identify their wellbeing goals before finding the most appropriate local activities and services that can best support their physical and mental wellbeing.”

Irene Cree, LWCR project manager at Glasgow Life, said: “People are supported in different ways according to their need. For example, as well as the existing range of wellbeing activities provided by Glasgow Life and community organisations in the pilot area, we have co-produced three new tailored programmes. Singing for Fun, Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, and Coffee and Culture were created in response to a local need and they have been really well received.

“Our Live Well programme reflects Glasgow Life’s unique position as a connector, deliverer and co-producer of wellbeing activities.”