A healthy rate of growth
LOHO promotes, facilitates and supports people to lead healthier lives
Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) has been working successfully in partnership with Lorn and Oban Healthy Options (LOHO), which is now into its ninth year, and growing.
LOHO promotes, facilitates and supports people to lead healthier, active, happier and safer lifestyles.
Derek Laidler, Argyll and Bute HSCP lead physiotherapist, said: ‘Partnership working within health and social care brings together organisations that benefit local communities in delivering multi-agency expertise.
‘The goal of the partnership with LOHO is to ensure we work closely with the community in developing and delivering excellent health and wellbeing services.’
LOHO is established and run by a voluntary board of directors and the range of services it provides is a result of the commitment and vision of dedicated members of the community. Employed staff are skilled professionals with fitness and health qualifications delivering a number of initiatives, including tailored one to one sessions, specifically designed groups and classes and reablement programmes for individuals receiving community care. They also organise guided walking groups, self-management sessions, outdoor and social activities.
This year LOHO was awarded Big Lottery (as a partner with Scottish Communities for Health and Wellbeing) and LEADER funding which has enabled it to appoint a full-time development manager on a three-year contract. Gill Spink was appointed the role of LOHO development officer and commenced her new role earlier this month.
Gill said: ‘I am delighted to be joining the healthy options team. Not only is this an exciting opportunity to develop and build on the innovative services LOHO delivers, it offers a proactive role to facilitate opportunities for people to engage in healthier lifestyles through social prescribing to improve overall health and wellbeing.’
Community members can benefit from specialist support to improve their health and wellbeing and can be referred to mainstream LOHO services by their GP or local health and social care professionals. Self-referrals are also encouraged.
Once a client has been referred, they are quickly assessed by LOHO qualified specialists and access tailored exercise programmes, move well exercise classes, healthy lifestyle education discussions and guided walking sessions.
Alison McGrory, Argyll and Bute HSCP public health principal, said: ‘Social prescribing means connecting people with support in their local communities for problems such as debt, loneliness, relationship breakdown or caring responsibilities.
‘Our health is affected by the circumstances we live in as well as the lifestyle we lead and these problems can make us ill if they are not alleviated. Social prescribing is done by staff called link workers over a number of appointments to meet people’s needs in a holistic way.’
LOHO initiatives, groups and classes are aimed at people of all ages to support individuals to plan for their future wellbeing, including being happier with as many aspects of their health, wellbeing and life as possible.