Our staff work closely with residents to provide a range of activities for them to come together and enjoy in our Sheltered Housing Schemes.
Click on each tab below to find out a bit more about activities that are currently running in our schemes, as well as activities and classes that have taken place in the past.
The Community Connectors programme is designed to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experience of those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when accessing support and living a healthier life. It is also an opportunity to share what works well.
The first workshop at Nicholson House was designed to explore the benefits and challenges of living a happy, healthy life with COPD. During the session, residents emphasised that their health is influenced by more than just their GP – it is shaped by where they live, who and what they have access to, and the food they eat.
In response to the workshop, residents requested another session focusing on the benefits of exercise and how they could improve their inhaler technique. At this follow-up workshop, Sarah from Active Life attended, and residents enjoyed fun and interactive exercises using stretch bands and light squishy balls. The activities were so engaging that many residents forgot that they were exercising! Hayley, a local pharmacist also joined the session, demonstrating how to use inhalers effectively to maximise health benefits.
The enthusiasm continued and residents expressed an interest to learn more and to include anyone living with a respiratory illness. During a subsequent visit we delved into how the NHS operates and the ongoing changes within the system. Lisa, a Social Prescriber attended to explain her role in connecting people with community-based services and activities that support health and wellbeing. She also discussed how Social Prescribers help individuals develop personalised support plans to better manage their health.
The success of the workshops at Nicholson House spread leading to another event at Adams Elm House in Leigh. Here, residents shared information about local services, discussed any concerns they had and helped co-design a new leaflet for future events. The workshop also included informative videos from Asthma & Lung UK which covered inhaler use.
Residents feedback was overwhelmingly positive:
“I’ve learnt something new today”
“Very important information was shared with the group and the people were lovely”
“These workshops help us to understand the services that are available and how to access them”
“I didn’t know how to use my inhaler properly or that I should rinse my mouth afterwards- this has really helped me”
These workshops continue to provide valuable support and knowledge empowering residents to take control of their health and wellbeing.
More information can be found at https://www.savs-southend.org/savs-project/copd-community-connectors
If you would like to attend a workshop please contact sarahgallagher@seh.southend.gov.uk or shadden@savs-southend.gov.uk
The choir at Adams Elm House has been a great success. With over 15 residents attending every week, they are really enjoying the sessions with their teacher. This idea came from one of the residents at Adams Elm House asking if it is possible to get a choir together as a lot of the residents enjoy singing and attend choirs outside the scheme. The residents are having so much fun and are happy to be socialising with their neighbours.
In October 2023, The Adams Elm Wellbeing Choir treated us to a performance of some of their favourite songs from the stage. From Les Misérables to Shrek, they sang a collection of nine songs, and we even recorded some so that you can enjoy the performance online!
After the performance we were treated to a specially made cake and tea to celebrate the choir. The choir is made up of some Adams Elm residents as well as other members of the community that have since joined, taking the choir from strength to strength.
Over two years on from their formation, the choir also performed a summer concert in June 2024, which the Mayor attended and enjoyed! (pictured)
Here's what the residents are saying:
“I was a bit nervous at first, but they are such lovely people and I look forward to it every single week. It offers warmth and fun and Ashley is just terrific. I had some bad health and this choir lifted me back up.”
“I’ve always enjoyed singing, even at school, and I don’t have a spectacular voice but in a choir, you’re covered!”
“I’ve come from Shoeburyness, and this offers great wellbeing and socialising, it’s a nice way to spend retirement. Singing is good for the soul”
If you would like to watch a clip of their performance, you can find it on YouTube: Adams Elm Choir - The Bare Necessities - YouTube
Everyone Health has visited some of our Sheltered Housing schemes for a free 36-week course that focuses on strength and balance exercises to prevent falling over. It was then followed up with a coffee morning, where residents are provided with information regarding what they can do at home to also reduce the risk of a fall.
8-14 residents attend the course at Kestrel House and 5-7 residents at Scott House, they all thoroughly enjoyed these sessions and said that they looked forward to them every week. It is a great opportunity to get active and socialise at the same time!
By doing these exercises residents could build stronger muscles and become more flexible, as well as improving balance, mobility, and stability. Not only are there huge benefits to the physical health of residents, but exercising improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, negative moods and improves self-esteem, cognitive function, and sleep which increases energy levels.