Munro Health Post COVID Recovery Plan (360G-IHC-CC2021_15)

COVID19 related funding. The project is to offer complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, reflexology, craniosacral therapy and shiatsu to disadvantaged local people in North Westminster and North Kensington & Chelsea. The project will focus on residents who are accessing services provided by North Paddington and Venture Community Association Foodbanks, including those older members or medically vulnerable members of society who have been shielding throughout the COVID period. This is important after the lengthy pandemic when people need to be encouraged to come out again for positive steps for their physical and mental health without fear. This project will aim to alleviate the negative effects of COVID. Beneficiaries are people with financial challenges, people are accessing Foodbanks, older people who have been shielding, those with long-term conditions and people with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. COVID has exacerbated this enormously with many people not having been outside to interact with the world around them for more than a year. Foodbank parcels can sometimes not provide fresh fruit and vegetables and diet suffers. Residents may face problems of physical or emotional ill health, depression or be in debt; they may be a carer for a family member or friend and find it difficult to get time for themselves. Many are older people who have become more isolated from the community and welcome the opportunity to become more proactive as well as having physical benefits. Most have not had the opportunity to access this type of service either through time or being able to afford it. Through this service, people will have time for themselves, have something to look forward to. An uplifting experience and opportunity to connect with other people at a time that they may feel depressed or isolated. Our team of experienced practitioners who will ensure high quality, person-centred care, with the aim to reduce risk factors for, and improving the management of, long term conditions. They will also focus on prevention and early intervention referring clients on. Our work will encourage awareness of health issues empowering the participants to live a healthy lifestyle and make healthy choices, including diet, physical activity and avoiding risk behaviours (such as smoking) and also enabling self-management of conditions and independence. The positive interactions with the project could increase mental and physical health and well-being reducing the adverse effects of COVID