New ‘hub’ to help people in Tower Hamlets stay well

A new Wellbeing Hub has been launched this week by Tower Hamlets Council to help people in the borough look after their health and wellbeing.

The interactive service will make it easier for people to connect with the resources available in Tower Hamlets that will help them stay well. This includes access to information, referrals to services and support in setting health and wellbeing plans and goals.

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “The Wellbeing Hub has the potential to transform the lives of people in Tower Hamlets. We already have such a wide range of brilliant resources available that can improve people’s wellbeing, but the hub will make sure people are connected to the information, service or community programmes that are right for them. We hope our new Wellbeing Hub will give people the support they need to live a healthy and happy life.

Tower Hamlets has among the lowest healthy life expectancy in the country, so supporting people to manage their own health is a top priority for the council.

The launch saw Mayor John Biggs officially open the Wellbeing Hub in Idea Store Whitechapel, with frontline service workers and members of the public attending to find out more.

Each of the council’s four Idea Stores – Whitechapel, Watney Market, Poplar and Canary Wharf – will have a new ‘Health Zone’, where people can access a range of health information and resources.

Based in each Health Zone will be a Community Navigator, who can use local knowledge and online resources to connect people to services, community projects and further information

Tower Hamlets has also launched the Wellbeing Wheel, a new online tool designed to help people set clear and personal goals into a health plan. The wheel will direct people to information and support to improve their wellbeing not just in relation to their health, but all aspects of their life such as finance, social activities or employment.

Councillor Amina Ali, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said: “Each and every visit to our fantastic Idea Stores is an opportunity to engage people with their wellbeing. We need to tap into this more so that we can shift the focus from treating illness, to preventing it. The Wellbeing Hub will empower our communities to lead their own positive change in health and wellbeing, but also be there to support them to find the best possible information and services to help them set and meet their goals.”

The Wellbeing Hub can be used by anyone who lives or works in Tower Hamlets as well as by frontline workers supporting people accessing their services.