Equally Well strategy

We will create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities.

The place and environment we live in plays a vital role in both improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of our communities. Those living in deprived areas are likely to experience fewer of the positive benefits that communities can offer, for example green spaces and beaches, feelings of safety or access to affordable goods and services. Communities facing multiple deprivation often have high levels of stress, isolation and depression.

There is also now widespread recognition that communities themselves have a vital role in improving health and wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly demonstrated this through the tremendous contribution of volunteers, community groups and individuals in the response.

What does the evidence say?

Creating environments for communities to flourish by improving infrastructure, services, connectivity and sustainability is crucial to reduce health inequalities and improve the quality of life of people.

Integrated planning, transport, housing, environmental and health systems are needed. Good planning and well-designed places provide opportunities for people to live in decent homes, have good transport links, access to arts and culture, effective services, outdoor spaces to be physically active and connect with others. The extent of people’s participation in their communities and the added control over their lives that this brings can improve health and wellbeing. Local areas should encourage mobilising assets within communities, promoting equity and increasing people’s control over their health and lives.

Environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of an inclusive economy. Research shows that climate change will have the greatest impact on the poorest communities, meaning that if economic growth is not environmentally friendly, it will ultimately exclude the most vulnerable communities.

Examples of our current approaches

• The ‘Ambition for North Tyneside’ plan sets out the spatial strategy of the Borough including ways to improve transport links and connectivity from town centres to other parts, redevelop unused buildings, meet housing needs and ways to continue to attract visitors and investment
• Specific regeneration projects have been targeted at providing opportunity and improving the life experience of residents
• North Shields High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) will create and deliver community-led cultural activities on the high street over the next three years
• North Tyneside’s thriving VCSE sector work to empower communities and mobilise local assets
• Tackling anti-social behaviour and wider crime in North Tyneside is a key priority for the Borough
• The Missing, Slavery, Exploitation and Trafficked (MSET) panel was developed to provide an effective response to some of our most vulnerable children and young people who do go missing or are risk of being exploited
• The Safe and Healthy Homes service provides information, advice and guidance to people living in private rented and owner-occupied accommodation
• Local Energy Assistance Programme targets households who are already in, or at risk of falling into, fuel poverty
• Maintaining our award-winning beaches: three beaches in North Tyneside are among a group of only 52 beaches in the country to win both a Blue Flag and Seaside Award
• The Participation, Advocacy and Engagement local authority team have well-established forums for children and young people, parents and families
• Healthwatch North Tyneside plays an important role in representing the views of our residents at many forums and groups across the system
• North Tyneside CCG commissions our Community and Health Care Forum (CHCF) to support engagement work
• The patient forum includes representatives from the 26 North Tyneside GP practices, with members drawn from the practices’ own patient groups
• The VCSE sector have created and recruited Digital Volunteers, which aims to connect volunteers to residents who need support to get online and to improve their digital skills

Key local challenges and areas for action

• Consideration needs to be given as how to support community-based VCSE hubs for the long term
• There are clear differences in residents’ experience of feeling safe in their communities, with those living in more socio-economically deprived areas or belonging to a group with protected characteristics feeling less safe
• Keeping activities and services (hyper) local, free or at low cost, accessible and safe
• Local communities could be supported and encouraged to take responsibility for outdoor public spaces, making public areas nice and something to be proud of to help reduce anti-social behaviour
• Poor quality rented housing is concentrated in some areas of high socio-economic deprivation
• Low-income families spend a greater share of their income on housing
• Women, older residents, residents who are not in work, social tenants and those with a disability perceive higher rates of crime and anti-social behaviour, which impacts on feeling safe
• The likelihood of having access to the internet from home increases along with income and there is recognition that cost can be a barrier
• How representative is our consultation and engagement effort – do we need to make more effort to reach the most socially excluded communities?
• Costs of public transport can be prohibitive for some people and is a barrier to participation

Project VITA: Joint working with police and the local authority reaching out to young people

Project VITA is the award-winning programme that works to support children and young people away from anti-social behaviour (ASB). Community Safety, Early Help, YMCA North Tyneside and the neighbourhood policing team set out to engage with young residents more effectively through outreach, early intervention, and a new drop-in centre.

Young people said they didn’t want a traditional youth club but needed a dry, warm place to go, with wi-fi, where they could feel safe and listen to music without being moved on. Space was identified at the Denbigh Centre in Howdon, a building housing some council services.

A drop-in facility staffed by youth workers was created on Thursday, Friday and some Saturday evenings. About 70 young people used this facility each evening, with an age range between eight and 16.

“Project VITA really showed what old-fashioned youth development work and policing can do, with a focus on prevention, early intervention and addressing the root causes of involvement in ASB.”

How nature can support wellbeing

The Meadows Community Garden is part of Meadow Well Connected and is an oasis of calm and tranquillity where the community and nature can connect. There is a culture of staff, volunteers and the community standing shoulder to shoulder, and support is tailored to the individual.

“Before I came here, I didn’t really speak to anyone, I was feeling lonely and suffering from physical and mental ill-health. That’s all changed, I come here and feel useful and get a chance to speak to other people. It’s made a huge difference to me”.

Stephen, volunteer