Wandsworth resident June said she has “regained control of her life” after living with chronic pain, thanks to a pilot health project with social prescribing services in hospitals. June was referred to the chronic pain service at St George’s where she started working with a Health and Wellbeing Coach, Sam.

June’s problems with pain started after she was injured in an accident on her 70^th birthday. “I was left in excruciating pain running from my head to my feet and had tried everything to help after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia,” she said.

“I was stressed at home over house repairs, pain and was gaining weight.”

June claims that receiving coaching has changed her life and given her a sense of self worth.

“Often, hospital pain clinics will have exhausted medical options such as medication or procedures.” Dr Sekeram. Early results from this pilot are due to end later this year.

Read the full article, https://www.southwestlondonics.org.uk/local-stories/pilot-health-project-restores-lives-of-people-in-chronic-pain/?dm_i=790E,H7WT,1I0FFW,25XBS,1

Wandsworth Council have announced that their support for residents to face the cost-of-living crisis has doubled, using careful budgeting to ensure that council tax stays low.

Councillor Hogg said: “This week we’ve announced that we’ll double our budget for supporting people through the Cost of Living Crisis to £10m – making our response the capital’s biggest.

“We know families are struggling to pay for basics like fuel and food and there’s no sign of things improving anytime soon.

“That’s why we’re putting another £5m into our Cost of Living reserve fund. We’ve also ringfenced more money to help refugees and the homeless.

“We’re funding free gym and swim and free school uniforms for low-income families.

“Now, using the insights of the Wandsworth Cost of Living Commission, we will look at longer-term action we and the community as a whole can take to reduce the effects of the crisis in the future.

Have you, or people you work with been adversely affected by the cost-of-living crisis in Wandsworth? Do you have any views on how the borough can support mental health services during this time? We invite you to voice your views.

Read more about the Council’s approach to the cost-of-living crisis here,

https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/news-july-2023/council-leader-announces-doubling-of-funds-to-help-residents-through-cost-of-living-crisis/?utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery

The Brighter Living Fund started in 2021 to help Organisations hold Brighter Living Events for older Wandsworth residents in the month of October.

In October, we celebrate the national events: Silver Sunday and Older People’s Day. For Brighter Living in later life, Wandsworth borough council will publish a programme of events spanning the month of October as part of their Brighter Living Fair.

Submit an event for funding deadline: 20th August.

The programme will be finalised and released in September.

If you work with older people in Wandsworth, you can apply for a £250 grant to host your event. Find out more about the opportunity on the Wandsworth Council website.

https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/events/brighter-living-fair/