A joint project between Millom Network Centre (MNC) and Millom Integrated Care Community (ICC) utilised the NHS Population Health Investment Funding to help over 1600 residents stay well during the winter months.

In 2022, Millom Network centre utilised the funding to deliver a safe and warm environment for local residents at Millom Methodist Church known as The Winter Warm Hub which served up to 44 individuals per week with hot drinks, soup, and sandwiches during each session free of charge.

Mary, one individual who attended the sessions each week described them as a ‘Lifeline’ and without them she would have been sat home alone as her husband is in residential care.

In addition to tackling social isolation through the delivery of creative arts and wellbeing sessions, the hub also provided practical advice on saving energy, keeping safe and well at home. A variety of groups and guest speakers attended the sessions regularly who offered attendees support and information including representatives from Citizens Advice, Age UK, and the Green Doctor.

Angela Dixon, (Millom Network Centre CEO) said, “This has been a valuable project and a pleasure to do. We have a laugh which makes people feel welcome, I could not have done it without the help of Jenny Riley (Millom ICC Develop Lead) and generous use of the Millom Methodist Church kitchen which enabled us to make up to 30 cheese toasties each week!”

The funding enabled the project to run from October 2023 to March 2023 and there are sufficient funds to repeat The Warm Hub initiative in the Winter of 2024 and 2025.

The population Health Investment Fund was established to encourage community-led responses in helping to address the inequalities in health across Morecambe Bay. In response to concerns over respiratory health, escalating prices of food, fuel, and the cost-of-living crisis. It was decided that the 2022/23 fund would focus on schemes that would support our population to improve their health during winter.