The process has been a significant learning curve, offering exciting chances to meet new people and discover innovative ways to support each other. The guidance and advice from Elevate have been incredibly welcoming. Through this experience, we’ve been able to leverage our community development knowledge effectively, build a professional and confident team, and witness our members flourish.
Our project delivered a 6-month programme co-designed by CREW volunteers and the wider community. This initiative offered expert advice and opportunities to connect with broader support networks and services. The programme included:
• Community Awareness Workshops: Focusing on building and sustaining confidence and self-esteem, becoming part of a support circle, and suicide awareness.
• Health and Well-being Events: Addressing safe relationships, family support, substance misuse, and managing behavioural issues.
• Exploring Opportunities: Collaborating with public and other services to improve access and potentially co-design community-based services.
The Elevate project significantly impacted both our group and the community; Our health and well-being events featured informative talks and health booths accessible to the entire community. These included booths on alcohol and drug use, local chemists, benefits offices, and interactive workshops. Participants gained valuable information on mental health care, benefit applications, relaxation techniques, and various support groups. This holistic approach helped address health inequalities and provided essential resources to those in need. The project helped Rathcoole Crew become more visible and build stronger connections with local providers and government bodies, increasing our confidence to run similar events in the future.
The mentoring provided by Elevate was transformative. It increased our group’s visibility within the community and strengthened our connections with local providers and government bodies. This support boosted our confidence and equipped us with the skills needed to tackle health inequalities more effectively.
Our participation in the Elevate Programme has laid a solid foundation for future initiatives. We plan to continue building on our success, aiming to make this health and well-being event an annual occurrence, whilst continually adapting to meet the community’s evolving needs. By being a community group that understands and addresses local issues, we can continue to foster trust and collaboration within Rathcoole.
