Finchampsted Knit and Natter report
Download (PDF 552.38 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Wokingham created a report following engaging the Finchampstead Knit & Natter Women’s Group on “The importance of a community space”. Their Community Development Worker for Finchampstead was commissioned to run a 8 two hour crafting sessions (“knit & natter”) for women around the Gorse Ride South Area. Using the anecdotal evidence that suggests people talk more when they are focusing on a pleasurable activity such as knitting or crafting, they used the session to gather opinions, views and experiences from the group.
Emergent themes identified included:
• Easy to get isolated in own home – the peer support that the Community House provides is immense
• It’s hard to know where to go to get information or help.
• Being able to learn new skills is key to self esteem and moving forward in life
• So much wasted medication – told pharmacist and GP surgery to stop repeat prescriptions but still getting medication I don’t need
Healthwatch Wokingham concluded:
"It is extremely apparent how invaluable the Community Development Service in Finchampstead is to the women that use it. It has provided them with a reason to come out of their own houses, it has enabled them to learn new skills, gain qualifications, give back to their community, which in turn has lead them to feel like a valuable, worthwhile person. The women spoke about the Community House and the groups they attend, such as Adult Education courses as giving them a reason to get out of bed in the morning. The peer support they receive from the others is immense and they have used their friendships to support each other and others in the area.
It is apparent that whilst there are many services in Wokingham Borough there is still difficulty in ensuring that people are aware of what is available and what they are entitled to.
Healthwatch recommends that once the Community Navigator project is up and running fully, a community navigator spend some time in each of the more deprived estates in the Borough sharing information and how people can access services."