SNG and Age Concern Hampshire launch Energise Me scheme for older customers
SNG (Sovereign Network Group) has launched a new range of physical and interactivity sessions for older residents in its sheltered housing sites in north Hampshire with delivery partner Age Concern Hampshire (ACH) thanks to funding from Hampshire County Council and the support of physical activity charity Energise Me.
The goal of the Energise Me funding is to make it easier for people to move more and create a happier, healthier and stronger future for local people. Regular physical activity is proven to help maintain good physical and mental health, and everyone should aim to be physically active every day. However, those people who experience health inequalities are less likely to be physically active and therefore more vulnerable to long-term conditions and mental health problems.
SNG won £74,057 on a match-funded basis to deliver the scheme with delivery partner Age Concern Hampshire.
The scheme is running in two phases with the first covering the north of Hampshire with Age Concern Hampshire launching new groups for residents of SNG accommodation in Overton, Whitchurch, Brookvale and Brighton Hill in Basingstoke. These new groups will operate alongside existing ACH social groups in Basingstoke in South Ham, Winklebury, Popley and Kingsclere.
Each group offers a variety of engaging activities designed to promote movement, social interaction and mental stimulation with weekly activities including games, entertainment sessions and informative talks. These activities create a supportive environment where individuals can share knowledge, experiences, and mutual interests, all while building connections and developing new friendships to improve the health and wellbeing of customers.
A second phase from the early autumn will see the scheme rolled out across sites in the New Forest area of Hampshire. Both phases will run until February 2025. To maintain the goals of the scheme, health ambassadors from within the housing served will be recruited to sustain the aims of the programme over the longer term.
Marta Rios, Community Investment and Partnerships Manager at SNG said:
“As well as providing more, better quality homes, SNG is also committed to developing resilient and thriving communities. We are aware of the strong link between health and housing and the Energise Me work we and Age Concern Hampshire are delivering forms part of an investment of £100 million in our communities which will be used to empower people who live in our homes to increase our positive social impact and change lives.”
Emily Khural, Health Manager at Energise Me said: "I'm so pleased we're able to support Sovereign Network Group in their mission to bring accessible and enjoyable physical activity to their older residents, so they can reap the physical, mental and social benefits of moving more."
Brogan Rehill; Head of Fundraising and Volunteer Services for Age Concern Hampshire said:
“Age Concern Hampshire is thrilled to be working with SNG to support older residents within their Housing for Older Persons (HOP) Schemes. Our groups offer attendees the perfect opportunity to interact with others while enjoying fun activities entertainment, physical activities as well as accessing other services with guest speakers and attendees.
Notes to Editors:
The Hampshire Active Health Programme provided one off grants to organisations working to encourage and provide physical activity opportunities in communities facing the biggest health inequalities. The programme is managed by Energise Me, on behalf of Hampshire County Council, with funding provided by the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) from the Department of Health and Social Care.
SNG:
SNG (Sovereign Network Group) was formed in October 2023 through the merger of Sovereign and Network Homes.
Our purpose is to provide good, affordable homes: the foundation for a better life, and our vision is thriving communities, over generations.
We provide over 84,000 homes and invest in communities across the South of England, including London, as well as aiming to create thousands of new affordable homes every year.
Everything we earn, we reinvest so that our customers - now and in the future - have a sustainable home in a thriving community.
Age Concern Hampshire
Founded in 1985, Age Concern Hampshire provides services to the older community of Hampshire. The charity currently delivers support at its Care & Wellbeing centres throughout the county, as well as Help at Home, information via its Information Hub, foot care clinics, Hospital to Home services, Community Information Volunteer Services and a variety of other activities.
Centre Way
Locks Heath
Southampton
SO31 6DX
Tel: 01962 868545
For media enquiries, please email Sarah Jacobs, Marketing Manager at Age Concern Hampshire: marketing@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk
Hampshire Active Health Programme:
The Hampshire Active Health Programme is managed by Energise Me, on behalf of Hampshire County Council, to support people at greater risk of negative impacts from the pandemic and protect the most vulnerable from Covid-19. Funding has been provided by the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) from the Department of Health and Social Care, which was specifically allocated to fund public health projects that would address health inequalities arising from the pandemic, and prevention projects that will prevent or mitigate unequal impact on populations in future outbreaks.
Funding applications closed on 20th December 2023. Projects will be running until January 2025.
For further information on the programme please contact grants@energiseme.org
https://www.energiseme.org/funding-support/hampshire-active-health-programme/
Energise Me
Energise Me is a charity that champions physical activity for all in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are work hard to make it easier for everyone to move more. Our goal is to create a happier, healthier and stronger future for local people. We won’t rest until everyone has the confidence, support and opportunity to be active on their own terms.
Funded by Sport England and the National Lottery, we are one of 42 active partnerships who work with partners to create an active nation.
Funded by Sport England and the National Lottery, we are one of 42 Active Partnerships who work with partners to create an active nation.