Work to help people feeling lonely or isolated has bee recognised nationally.

Welcome Spaces was established to reach and connect with people feeling alone.

It was set up by a team at Farnworth Baptist Church  who joined forces with different charities, churches and organisations to put on activities throughout the week withthe aim of helping people to meet new friends, find ways to improve mental health and wellbeing and reduce feelings of loneliness.

And its work has bee recognised by a runners-up award as part of the Better Health Every Mind Matters campaign in the most sustainable category.

 

The Bolton News: Farnworth Baptist Church are runners-upFarnworth Baptist Church are runners-up (Image: Farnworth Baptist Church)

Mark Whittington, the Social Action Manager at Farnworth Baptist Church, says the campaign has been a great success, resulting in the ‘Wellcome Spaces’ being run every Thursday at The Well in Farnworth.

The ‘Wellcome Space’ has created an opportunity for the local community to join together and improve well-being whilst feeling supported by the Wellbeing Coordinator, Dilly Kankanamge, who also provides wellbeing programmes on 1-2-1 support sessions.

Speaking about the campaign, Mark said: “I am proud of what The Well is offering to the community; providing activities and support to improve well-being is very rewarding.”

The church also has other initiatives in place to help with the mental health and wellbeing of local people in Farnworth.

This includes peer support groups that meet each week at The Well on Tuesdays at 2.30pm to 3.30pm and Fridays at 10.30am to 11.30am, this gives people the chance to help people by supporting each other emotionally and building a sense of community, monthly social events and also helping by offering support and advice.

The church also offers a ‘Well Walk’ which happens every Wednesday from 12pm to 1pm allowing people to go on a gentle walk and to meet new people.

For more information about the wellbeing services, go to: https://farnworthbaptist.org.uk/wellbeing/

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.