Who are we?
Enable is a not-for-profit that helps people enjoy happy, healthier and more enriching lives in their communities. We work in partnership with councils, charities and other organisations to deliver high quality outcomes for local people. Our growing Health and Wellbeing team are leaders of social prescribing, outreach and link worker programs which make real and lasting difference to people’s lives. We invest any surplus we earn back into our communities to make a positive difference, offering true value for money for all. This means we can do more each year to support the communities we work with.
Who will this help?
We have identified Lewisham shopping centre as a suitable location for the Warm Space Hub, as many residents use the site and perceive it as safe, inclusive, and accessible. In partnership with other not for profits in the shopping centre we will actively promote the Warm Space Hub to:
- Children and Young People – specifically teenage girls and less active children and young people (CYP)
- Inactive and/or isolated adults
- People with long term health conditions
- People with a disability
- People from low socio-economic groups
- People from diverse communities
We hope to support 30 people per day for lunch, 3 days per week over the three-month period = 1,080 people
An additional 20 people per day could access the Warm Space Hub for drop-in sessions/social support/refreshments = 700 people over the three months
10 people per week could access the Shopping Centre walk programme = 120 people over the 3 months
There will be targeted sessions for approximately 15 young people 3 times per week = around 540 young people accessing the warm space hub over the three months
We anticipate if 25% of our attendees have an unpaid carer, we will further engage and indirectly support circa 270 people with social activity, support and respite from their caring responsibilities.
NHS Trust services will also benefit from this project by promoting services such as health checks and falls prevention sessions to people that will benefit from these targeted sessions.
[upload an image here]
Why is this needed, now?
Recent survey data shows that there are more than 61,000 Lewisham families struggling to pay their bills. Lewisham Council has already seen the effects of the cost-of-living crisis in rising numbers of people facing homelessness, an exponential rise in food bank referrals and record numbers of people seeking advice about debt relief.
There are 14.1 per cent of households living with fuel poverty in Lewisham, an increase of over 2000 households since the previous data release. This makes Lewisham the worst borough within inner London and the fourth worst when compared to all London boroughs.
Furthermore, approximately a third of the borough’s children live in poverty despite Lewisham’s above average employment rate, but household income is below the London average.
The number of Child Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) referrals in Lewisham continues to increase, there has been an increase in childhood obesity and diabetes for those 17+ and Lewisham has a higher rate of common mental illness amongst its working population in addition to higher-than-average rates of serious mental illness.
The cost-of-living crisis will further exacerbate these health challenges and socio-economic disparities as local people are forced to economise on a warm home, hot water and electricity for appliances. Access to affordable, healthy food and mental health services will become more challenging.
This local, community space, accessible by public transport, open 10-6pm 4 days per week and providing food, warmth and social support is essential.
[upload an image here]
How will your donations help us?
Contribution to a Hub Coordinator to manage the space
Contribution to hot drinks and biscuits for the local community
Contribution to physical activity sessions to improve physical and mental health
Contribution to a Community Coach and Mentor to provide much-needed 1:1 support and advice to vulnerable members of the local community
Total = £3000
[upload an image here]