13 connecting with community
As surgeries, practices and health care centres, we are right in the middle of our community, its organsations, citizens, spaces and priorities. So it makes lots and lots of sense to work deliberately together on the enormous issue of climate and ecological resilience.
Supporting vulnerable groups
There are many community groups who work hard to support vulnerable communities and individuals. Getting them inside the waiting room, with volunteers, posters, information or just conversation can mean the most vulnerable patients have a better chance of getting the support they need. We work with Community Energy Plus who come out to community venues such as church halls and flu jab clinics to offer advice on how to keep warm, and cool, to some of the most vulnerable patients practices are trying to support.
Growing space and partnerships
Roseland Surgery in Cornwall wanted to develop a small practice garden, but did so by developing an innovative partnership with Roseland Community Centre - who used the funding secured by Roseland's Social Prescriber to create a fabulous permacultural space - which is just growing!
Charging for good
An EV Charger was installed by Age UK at Millenium House, a community hall next door to Pensilva Health Centre, near Liskeard. Age UK relocated their programme, meaning that the EV Charger was made redundant. Our N&E Climate Resilience fixer, Emily, brought together the Health Centre, Millenium House, Drive Energy and Age UK, and it was agreed that the charger could be passed over to Millenium House and that Pensilva HC could make use of it too. A happy ending for what would have been an unusable charger! Millenium House are hoping to get a Electric Mini bus for community activities, and Pensilva HC in the future would love an electric prescription delivery vehicle.
