New report shows how Warrington is connecting with communities

A NEW report is showing how Warrington is connecting with communities to deliver services that better meet their needs.

Warrington public health’s annual report “Connecting Communities” has been approved by the borough council’s cabinet – and highlights some of the successes of the past year which has focused on ensuring residents voices are heard, valued and helped shape services.
It reflects on some of the key achievements of the past 12 months and looks forward to how the council will continue to strengthen engagement with residents and communities in the future.
Recent achievements include:
• The opening of Warrington’s new Living Well Hub in the town centre. Home to 25 organisations and more than 350 staff, the hub is connecting people, communities and services to enable people to live and age well, with active, healthy, fulfilling lives.
• An effective engagement campaign, “Stay well this winter” which provided a range of support to people around cost of living, staying warm, vaccinations and mental health and wellbeing.
• Connecting with a range of education settings, nurseries, community centres, care homes and other services supporting vulnerable residents to raise awareness of a measles outbreak in early 2024.
• Working with nearly 800 hundred residents aged 50 and over through the “ageing well’”campaign, as part of the work to make Warrington an “age friendly” place to live.
• The launch of the “Young Warrington” campaign made up of young people and voluntary organisations who will work together to create a local “youth offer” supporting young people’s wellbeing.
• The development of Warrington’s carer strategy which aims to support the 20 thousand-plus unpaid carers in the borough.

The report goes on to set out plans to build on these foundations, which are firmly embedding the voice of residents and communities in all public health services in Warrington:
*Continue to establish strong community connections by engaging with residents where they are such as workplaces, community and faith groups, schools, and local events.

• Making engagement opportunities more accessible for all by ensuring all information is accessible and easy to understand.

• Supporting and developing a culture of engagement and co production, by developing new partnerships through Warrington’s Health and Wellbeing board, which creates a sense of shared ownership of the health issues faced by local communities.

• Develop research skills and capacity by placing effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning at the heart of all public health services.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, the borough council’s cabinet member for health, wellbeing and social care, said: “I’m pleased that our latest annual report, for public health, has been endorsed by cabinet. With it focuses on meaningful engagement with local communities it shows the difference we can make by involving people in the decisions which affect them. In this way we can develop programmes which make a real difference to people’s lives and build a sense of shared ownership of trust and confidence.
“There have been some real success stories over the past 12 months, not least the launch of our new living well hub. However, there is much more to achieve and I’m looking forward to us continuing to work with our partners to deliver on the recommendations set out in this report, which will help us further strengthen our community connections.”
Debbie Watson, director of public health for Warrington Borough Council said: “It’s been a busy year for the public health team and our community providers of support and services. This annual report looks back on what has been achieved over the past year and sets out our aspirations for the future.
“At the heart of everything we are doing is the ambition to create a place where everyone feels connected, is informed about decisions and has access to a range of health and wellbeing opportunities. It’s about listening, learning and acting together to build stronger, vibrant and more resilient communities.”