Bringing wellbeing to communities in Crawley

The importance of running exercise classes or sports clubs within the community you want to serve is often discussed.

But Crawley has gone one step further and created a mobile health and wellbeing unit that can reach communities that are regarded as difficult to reach or socially isolated.

Julie Clare, senior wellbeing advisor for Crawley Wellbeing, part of West Sussex Wellbeing Service, explained how using insight has enabled them to be more targeted.

“We can get it down to postcode level,” Julie explains. “There are lots of inequality scores, but we have done it on health inequalities, so we have been trying to work with local schools in those postcode areas as a way of breaking into the community. 

“We are an adult service primarily, but actually working with those schools and communities you already have some inroads into being accepted, people can see you and we are beginning to see we are getting more recognised.”

Julie adds: “Schools have been really onboard and wanting us to be there and bringing over their more vulnerable parents and families to actually talk to us so that has been positive.”

Originally the plan had been to create a wellbeing hub in the town centre. But soaring costs meant this option was not viable.

However, since its launch in March 2023, the Mobile Health and Wellbeing Unit,  which has been jointly funded by Crawley Borough Council in partnership with West Sussex County Council as part of the West Sussex Wellbeing programme, and the government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund, has proved to be a much better option.

“It means we can be seen out in the community,” explains Julie. 

“It has also given us the opportunity to work with a lot of providers who can come along and promote their service alongside ours.

“And it gives us an opportunity to talk to those partners about what they deliver and gives us more information for signposting.

“It is a better offer, a better provision and we can take it where we need to take it.”

Organisations that have been invited onto the mobile unit have included Sussex MSK Partnership; Mind; Crawley Community Action; Samaritans; the sexual health team; Change, Grow, Live; the council’s housing team; and experts to help with the cost of living.

Another key feature is talking about the importance of leading an active and healthy life.

“When somebody comes in for an appointment we talk about all health and wellbeing,” explains Julie, “And we always talk about physical activity and the benefits. 

“We do get a lot of appointments for weight management so we always touch on exercise. 

“We do not really deliver a lot of provisions ourselves now apart from health walks, strength and balance, and fall prevention courses so we signpost to community groups. 

“We have got a little directory where we can signpost to community provision. And we promote our tennis facilities.”

The unit has two rooms for private conversations. It also has all the kit needed to run NHS health checks, blood pressure checks, and similar tests.

A timetable of areas it can be found and events it is located at is published on the website. 

Appointments are available for a range of health and wellbeing issues. For more information, contact the Wellbeing Team on 01293 585317 or complete the Online Contact Form.

If other providers wish to let the wellbeing team know about their service please email wellbeing@crawley.gov.uk and the team can look to add you to the in-house directory.

To see where the mobile unit will be, visit https://crawley.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk/topics/mobile-unit