A host of Herefordshire organisations have come together to provide a much-needed community day in an area with complex needs.

Herefordshire Council, Platform Housing Group and the Social Prescriber from Cradley Surgery delivered an event for the communities at The Leys and Buryfields estates in Cradley.

The area is considered one of the most deprived in the county.

ALSO READ:

The event came about when colleagues from the organising team met to discuss how they could improve engagement in the area, understand the local needs and bring the community together to build a foundation for working with them to address some of the health and other inequalities; a pilot community event was decided upon.

The event included a barbecue, a bake-off competition, available health checks and the chance for residents to speak to organisations about any concerns they had.

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

Chris Pinson-Bradley, community engagement manager at Platform Housing Group said: “We were thrilled to be involved in this successful event. Working in partnership like this really benefits local communities. In a rural community like Cradley, it is so important to ensure services are accessible to our customers. It was a fabulous opportunity to chat to residents and really get to understand their needs and requirements.”

Aimee Williams, Talk community development officer at Herefordshire Council said: “We were supported on the day by our brilliant service partners, who gave up their time to offer help and advice to local residents at a time when so many organisations are under pressure, have limited resources and are facing really difficult times. We are so fortunate in Herefordshire to have such responsive and committed community organisations and services and it’s a privilege to work with them. I would like to say a special thank you to Amy Roberts, the senior social prescriber from Cradley and Nunwell Surgeries.”

Other organisations in attendance included Age UK, Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police, Talk Wellbeing, Cradley Surgery and Cradley parish council.