People in Ashfield wanting to improve their health and wellbeing will have a brand-new resource available to them when a dedicated Health Hub opens at a leisure centre in November.

The new Health Hub will be based at Lammas Leisure Centre, which is run by Everyone Active in partnership with Ashfield Distract Council.

It will focus on improving the health and wellbeing of the Ashfield community by hosting a diverse range of groups, clubs and events.

There is a large demand for health and wellbeing provision in the area with over 16% of Ashfield’s population reported as having a mental health disorder (Poppi and Pansi data). Public Health England’s 2019 health profile also revealed that Ashfield has worse than England averages for health indicators such as percentage of physically active adults and of adults classified as overweight or obese.

The new Health Hub at will offer a community space for people to meet and socialise, with a timetable of activity aimed at those with limiting disabilities, health conditions and those who are socially isolated.

Some groups and activities already lined up include a feel-good families group, a mental health peer support group, a learning disability peer support group, smoking cessation clinics and an Everyone Health weight management service.

The Health Hub will offer a range of learning and development opportunities for local people too, aimed at supporting skills development and improving employability, with Inspire Learning courses on offer as well as hosting monthly talks and workshops in the space.

Free venue hire will be provided for groups that support vulnerable residents, such as the Ashfield Autism Hub, the Ashfield and Mansfield working age dementia group, and The Live Team Mental Health service.

The Health Hub will open its doors at the beginning of November and will be hosting a showcase event on 12th November to celebrate the new space and demonstrate the range of activities and resources available.

The event will run from 9am-3pm and is free to attend.

There will be community groups, charities and talks running throughout this time for anyone who would like more information or to get involved.

Rebecca Phillips, Active communities manager for Everyone Active, said: “We already work with the council and local community groups to deliver a variety of services across the area aimed at improving people’s lives through activity, but now that we have a dedicated space we can do so much more.

“I can’t wait to start running all of the activities and events and hosting some fantastic groups that will really enrich the lives of local people.

“I urge anyone who’d like to get involved in the activities or to use the space for their community group to get in touch. We hope to see lots of people on 12th November to celebrate the new space and what we are offering.”

Coun Tom Hollis, cabinet member for health and leisure, said “The council is committed to improving health and wellbeing within the district.

“This is one of the initiatives we are delivering, along with improvements to Hucknall leisure centre and the new leisure destination in Kirkby.

“Providing groups a space like this allows them to be more accessible to more people.”

For more information on how to get involved with the Health Hub, or if you have a community group in Ashfield that would like to use the space, contact Lammas Leisure Centre on 0162 351 1177.