Mendip's Health and Wellbeing Board (MHWB) has been meeting quarterly since 2012, bringing together key organisations, agencies and partners working together in the district to improve the lives of residents.

Mendip is the only District Council in Somerset to have a Board of this kind. And what better time to highlight this unique forum, and its many achievements and successes during the past decade, than on World Mental Health Day (10 October 2022).

Cllr Heather Shearer, Mendip District Council's Portfolio Holder for Community Health and Services and Chair of the MHWB, said: "I cannot overstate the importance of this work.

"The Board's 'superpower' is its ability to create a platform for partnership and collaborative working. The connections, support, and projects that have evolved from it have resulted in a direct and demonstrable impact on Mendip's communities."

Cllr Shearer added: "Moving forward, I very much hope the excellent work of the Board forms a foundation for continued partnership work in the new Somerset Council when it opens for business on 1st April next year."

Designed to strengthen prevention strategies and reduce health inequalities, the MHWB delivers at a local level and has grown from strength to strength. Meetings are now held virtually and are well attended. The Board currently has more than 30 active memberships and partners, including Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP), Mendip Health Connections, Citizens Advice, Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), Job Centre Plus, YMCA, SPARK, health representatives and the emergency services.

During the past decade, the Board has identified work areas including reducing deprivation and improving wellbeing and improving employment opportunities. Its members have supported initiatives such as healthy communities, healthy living, and healthy choices. Also tackled were mental health issues, increasing physical activity, housing and the environment. Community connections played a large role as some projects relied on volunteers or need public participation to raise awareness about campaigns and initiatives.

The Board has adapted to major crises such as the Coronavirus pandemic, climate emergency declarations, and more recently, the cost of living emergency.

In a report presented to Mendip District Council's Cabinet, a number of significant success were recorded, including:

·       Shape Mendip One Team formed as a multi-agency approach to anti-social behaviour/community problem solving.

·       Working with Citizens Advice Mendip to deliver increased support to vulnerable people via joint apprentice and volunteer support project.

·       End Loneliness events held in Mendip with a dedicated website which led to other partnership work on the issue.

·       Support for the Somerset Smoke Free Alliance Action Plan and a review of the Council's own smoking policy.

·       Created guidance leaflet for GPs providing explanation of housing support and contact details.

·       Working in partnership with Health Connections Mendip (HCM) on creating a volunteer workforce of more than 260+ 'Community Connectors'.

·       Mendip Dementia Action Alliance was created and the Board supported with two Dementia Friends Champions networking events and training – a first for Mendip.

·       Women's Wellness Project – the success of this project in Wells in 2018 led to it being repeated in Shepton Mallet in May 2019.

• Shape Mendip Health and Wellbeing Weeks, organised with Zing Somerset, Health Checks and Smokefree Somerset for everyone at the council campus in Shepton Mallet.

Cllr Ros Wyke, Leader of Mendip District Council, said: "The District Council has chaired, facilitated, and influenced the Board throughout the past ten years, and it has supported its aims.

"The Board is currently under review in terms of its place within the new unitary authority. But its legacy is clear. What began as a quarterly forum has clearly evolved into a real force for good.

"We know that individual organisations work hard to reach into their communities to identify and prevent any gaps, but when they work collectively together they can achieve even more powerful outcomes for our residents."

The next meeting of the MHWB will be on October 18th.

The Mendip Health and Wellbeing Board quarterly bulletins can be accessed by visiting: www.mendip.gov.uk/mdcbriefings.

Read the full summary of the Board's achievements in the Cabinet report HERE.