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WACA & Get Out More Enterprise were successful with a recent Awards for All application to put on Wharfedale Breathing Spaces. 

The Wharfedale Breathing Spaces project will identify natural green spaces within Burley in Wharfedale, Ilkley, Addingham and Silsden and invite people to discover the health benefits of accessing nature. Get Out More Social Enterprise will run wellbeing walks incorporating Tai Chi, produce a booklet so that people can access the spaces on a self-guided basis and train volunteers in the nature walk techniques. The project is inspired by the Japanese practice of 'shinrin-yoku' (forest bathing), taking short leisurely strolls in woodland for health benefits.

The project aims to support people to get into nature to boost their mood and immunity, lower stress hormones and blood pressure and feel less anxious.  WACA social prescribers and other primary care staff will refer people to walks who are socially isolated and at risk of poor mental health such as depression and anxiety, particularly those who are anxious about going out or have been less active due to Covid 19 and who aren't currently accessing green spaces.

Anyone registered to a GP practice within Wharfedale will be eligible to join these sessions. To self refer or for more information about the Social Enterprise  please visit: Get Out More (getoutmorecic.co.uk)

Patients registered to a GP practice in Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven are invited to the Community Health Checks event which will take place on 14th February 2-4 pm in Sutton Community Centre.  The health checks will include Blood Pressure, Blood Sugars, & BMI, with the option of having a free COVID booster & Flu Vaccine too. The aim of the event is to pick up on any early signs of cardiac-related problems & diabetes and to point people in the right direction for support. No booking is required, just turn up.

WACA, alongside Dementia Friendly Ilkley & other partners, have been supporting the development of a new working space in Ilkley Library, to be known as "Memory Corner " .

With funding assistance from Ilkley Town Council and elsewhere, a number of items have been purchased and acquired to support community members with Alzheimer's/Dementia, those with issues of memory failure, and those who support and care for them.

Memory Corner will be formally launched at Ilkley Library on Weds 9th February, between the hours of 1000 and 1400, with a ‘ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Mayor at 1100, when we are inviting guests and offering light refreshments.

For more information about Memory Corner, please contact Wharfedale Social Prescriber Sue Moorchild - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WACA are launching a new Happy Mondays Group alongside our LD partners Exclusively Inclusive.

These group sessions will be equipped with food, games, exercise sessions, crafts, baking, wellbeing sessions, guest talks & more. 

Our Social Prescribers & Community Health Checks teams will be onsite to provide support to Patients. 

WACA have funding to deliver Happy Mondays in 6-week blocks at community venues across Airedale, Wharfedale & Craven. The first block will take place at Sutton Community Centre 11:30 - 1:30 pm from 17^th January 2022. Patients do not need to book on, just turn up! 

For more information, please email Amanda Nowell - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.