MEDIA RELEASE                                                                           9 August 2011
                           

NEW COURSE SET TO IMPROVE THE WELLBEING OF WHALLEY RANGE’S OVER 55’s

A new course, voted for by local residents, is set to improve the wellbeing of the over 55’s in Whalley Range. 

The Living Well course was chosen to receive funding from Manchester City Council at the Whalley Range U Decide event which saw residents vote for the services they wanted to run in Whalley Range.

The course, which starts on Thursday 15th September and runs for six weeks, will help people learn ways of improving their well being.  During each two hour session people will take part in group work and confidence building exercises to support them to manage stress, low mood and worry, and develop their self esteem.

Charlotte Cooke, Community Services Manager for Self Help Services said: “We’re really pleased that resident’s of Whalley Range chose the Living Well Course to receive funding.  During the six weeks people on the course will learn a range of tools and techniques to help them improve their wellbeing which they can continue to use after the course has finished.  We are also providing a space where group members can meet and socialise following the course to encourage group members to continue to support one another.”

The Living Well Course is delivered by Self Help Services, a user led mental health charity, in partnership with “Jonnie” Johnson Housing Trust (JJHT) a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing homes and services that people value. Maureen Jarvis, Scheme Manager for JJHT said: “We’re really looking forwards to offering something different to the local community.”

The course will be held at JJHT Retirement Scheme, Tangmere Court, Dudley Road, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 8DF.  For more information about the course, or to book a place, call 0161 226 381 or email communityservices@selfhelpservices.org.uk

Ends
For media information contact Emma Eaton, Communications Manager for The Big Life group, on 0161 848 2424 or email emma.eaton@thebiglifegroup.com.

Notes to Editors:
Self Help Services is part of The Big Life group of social businesses and charities which provide people with support and opportunities to change their lives.

Since 1995 Self Help Services has developed, co-ordinated and delivered a menu of services for people who are experiencing mental-ill health and/or social exclusion. The charity currently offers self-help groups, facilitated by people who have personal experience of mental health problems, manages and delivers one-to-one (low intensity IAPT provision) ,computerised cognitive behavioural therapy packages and complementary therapies.

“Johnnie” Johnson Housing Trust is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing homes and services that people value. We currently provide over 4,600 homes for the widest possible cross section of the community including general needs housing, retirement housing, housing for the less able, rural housing, special needs housing and shared ownership.

As a housing association providing accommodation and care services, we manage a property portfolio worth over £105m and we employ around 350 people. 

Media enquiries
For more information or to request images, please contact Dena Buttery on 01625 870 127 or email dena.buttery@jjhousing.co.uk or Cheryl Stevens on 01625 870 171 or email cheryl.stevens@jjhousing.co.uk.

Emma Eaton
Group Communications Manager
The Big Life group
463 Stretford Road
Manchester
M16 9AB

Tel:0161 848 2424
Mob:07974 989 915
 www.thebiglifegroup.com