Find out more about new wellbeing organistion for Northamptonshire at county roadshows

Date 16.11.2015

Roadshows are being held across Northamptonshire to let residents find out more about a new organisation which will deliver wellbeing services in the county.

Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Northampton are working together to form a Wellbeing Community Interest Company (CIC), which will bring together services that enable people to feel healthier and better about themselves.

These wellbeing services could include smoking cessation clinics, help with weight management, debt advice, befriending services, support for people to improve their physical activity levels or improve their literacy. Some services will be free and others will be paid for.

Eight public roadshows are being held during June to allow county residents to find out more about the CIC, and to provide their feedback on the type of services they would like to see provided.

The programme of roadshows is as follows:

• Monday 15 June, 6pm to 7.30pm, Towcester Town Hall, 86 Watling Street, Towcester NN12 6BS

• Tuesday 16 June, 6pm to 7.30pm, Carnegie Room, Central Library, Abington Street, Northampton NN1 2BA

• Wednesday 17 June, 6pm to 7.30pm, Cube Theatre, George Street, Corby NN17 1QG

• Monday 22 June, 6pm to 7.30pm, Tithe Barn, Wellingborough NN8 1AH

• Tuesday 23 June, 2.30pm to 4pm, Carnegie Room, Central Library, Abington Street, Northampton NN1 2BA

• Tuesday 23 June, 6pm to 7.30pm, Corn Market Hall, London Road, Kettering NN15 7QA

• Wednesday 24 June, 6pm to 7.30pm, Abbey Advice and Resource Centre, Market Square, Daventry NN11 4XG

• Thursday 25 June, 6pm to 7.30pm, Saxon Hall, Thorpe Street, Raunds NN9 6LT

Visitors to the roadshow will be able to find out the results of a public survey, which was recently conducted to find out residents’ views and thoughts about wellbeing services.

Diane McKerracher, who was appointed as Interim Managing Director for the CIC in April, said: “Wellbeing is having a sense of happiness and contentment in all aspects of life – in your health, your community, your home life, your work life and in your social life.

“The Wellbeing CIC will bring together services that enable you to feel healthier and better about yourself.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to attend one of our roadshows to find out more, and to tell us the sorts of services they would like to access.

“This will help us to shape the design and delivery of the services that will be made available for the people of Northamptonshire.”

Speaking about Diane McKerracher’s appointment, the County Council’s Cabinet member for Public Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Robin Brown, said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Diane McKerracher as the Interim Managing Director of the Wellbeing Community Interest Company. Diane brings with her a wealth of both executive level public and private experience which will be invaluable as we establish the Wellbeing Company”

The CIC is expected to begin delivering a limited number of services in the autumn, and be fully operational by summer 2016.

A further round of public and stakeholder engagement sessions will take place in July and August.

To find out more about the Wellbeing CIC, visit their website or email epit@northamptonshire.gov.uk.