Consultation and Engagement
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Issue number 1 = highest priority |
Strategic Issue |
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1 |
Respondents to the Big Conversation made a number of references to various inequalities, particularly in respect of healthy diets and healthy lifestyles (or lack thereof). “There are loads of takeaways throughout the town and it is often cheaper to have unhealthy food than healthy. More education about healthy food to children and families. There are a lot of very overweight people in our town.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Being able to afford to eat healthy food has I have a lot of health problems this is for me personally I just cant afford to eat healthy foods as they so expensive 21 been on benifits [sic] I just cant do it and I know I need to do this because of my health issues but I also need to have my heating on as I feel cold terrible even on warm days I am always cold.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“It's important we can eat healthy and work a job worth working that earns us money to save as well as do the things everyone else does. Equal pay for all no matter because the rich are too rich and the poor are too poor ATM [at the moment].” Survey respondent (why is this priority important to you)
Some respondents put forward suggestions as to how some of these inequalities could be reduced. These commonly focussed on education, particularly around food (making healthy choices, learning how to cook, healthy food versus takeaways) and money (help with budgeting).
“Help to live successful lives – learn how to cook a meal, manage money. Need to learn these skills but from the right person. A lot of people are experiencing stress and poor mental health due to money worries but some of this could be helped quite easily if people had access to these kinds of life skills e.g. not understanding that takeaways and junk food are more expensive and less healthy than cooking for yourself and that this needn’t be difficult” Face to face group response (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
With regard to leisure facilities, residents requested facilities to be opened for longer, after the working day. “Late night opening of council ran facilities ie gym and swimming pool.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Provide further opportunities for wellbeing activities to take place on late afternoons/evenings for residents who work full time.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Feeling safe when visiting local parks etc. More activities/hobby opportunities made available on an evening/weekend.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“I keep looking for evening classes or social activities where I could meet other people and get out of the house but everything in Hartlepool seems to stop at 5pm.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
A number of respondents requested more affordable leisure activities.
“Keeping active is one of the most important things for me personally. Gym membership can be expensive, not all people can afford them. More fitness classes at reasonable prices, on at times suitable to everyone.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Being able to enjoy my free time in healthy environments without having to pay large sums of money to enjoy a swim in a clean pool.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Discounted fees for sports clubs, activities, events......for those that cannot afford but want to take part.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing) |
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Respondents to the Big Conversation suggested providing education to young people on healthy choices and how to prepare meals.
“…Let people who know about food help to teach the young generation to cook. You can live on low income if you understand how to cook. I can make meals that are nutritious with three ingredients. You do not need celeb cooks to teach…” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing) |
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3 |
Respondents to the Big Conversation referenced leisure activities and healthy diets as a subject for improvement:
Respondents also made a number of references to various inequalities, particularly in respect of healthy diets and healthy lifestyles (or lack thereof).
“There are loads of takeaways throughout the town and it is often cheaper to have unhealthy food than healthy. More education about healthy food to children and families. There are a lot of very overweight people in our town.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Being able to afford to eat healthy food has I have a lot of health problems this is for me personally I just cant afford to eat healthy foods as they so expensive 21 been on benifits [sic] I just cant do it and I know I need to do this because of my health issues but I also need to have my heating on as I feel cold terrible even on warm days I am always cold.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
Some respondents put forward suggestions as to how some of these inequalities could be reduced. These commonly focussed on education, particularly around food (making healthy choices, learning how to cook, healthy food versus takeaways) and money (help with budgeting).
“Help to live successful lives – learn how to cook a meal, manage money. Need to learn these skills but from the right person. A lot of people are experiencing stress and poor mental health due to money worries but some of this could be helped quite easily if people had access to these kinds of life skills e.g. not understanding that takeaways and junk food are more expensive and less healthy than cooking for yourself and that this needn’t be difficult” Face to face group response (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
“The town has a crisis in obesity, drugs, vaping, heart disease…your public health team should already know what to target for the best improvements. Cut the number of takeaways for starters and do more educational work around healthy life choices. It will take years but you have to start somewhere.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“…Let people who know about food help to teach the young generation to cook. You can live on low income if you understand how to cook. I can make meals that are nutritious with three ingredients. You do not need celeb cooks to teach…” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
The need for better facilities and a greater range of sport and leisure activities was highlighted by many respondents. Respondents commented that this would promote and enhance their health and wellbeing. Respondents said they wanted both formal sports and leisure activities, as well as informal self-led activities.
“…More activities (bowling, ice skating, swimming).” Survey respondent (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
“Better/modern sporting facilities with full size sports hall.” Survey respondent (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
“We need a better leisure offer. Mill House is dated and the facilities offered are poor. My child loves swimming and in particular slides and water activities. Sadly we have to travel to Stockton to access these facilities, when I would prefer to stay and spend money in Hartlepool.” Survey respondent (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
“Improve the parks and outdoor spaces and provide better access to improved leisure facilities.” Survey respondent (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
“Better faculties [sic] like liesure [sic] centre, and more cycling paths and walking routes, maybe outdoor gym equipment.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Organised walking groups much like Durham Council operate.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“More and better access to classes and sessions at the swimming pool and sauna, and more emphasis on classes for older people.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Better leisure facilities. Millhouse is out dated, run down, disgusting and expensive. We need somewhere that has something for all the family much like billingham forum.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“…increased leisure activities/facilities that you need to keep revisiting rather than a museum that you go to only once. Safer cycling routes as its scary having to cycle on the main roads.” Business survey respondent (5 years’ time)
Some of these activities requested already exist, which suggests that they could be better publicised. Several respondents also commented that they needed more leisure options which could be accessed on an evening or weekend. “Late night opening of council ran facilities ie gym and swimming pool.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Provide further opportunities for wellbeing activities to take place on late afternoons/evenings for residents who work full time.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Feeling safe when visiting local parks etc. More activities/hobby opportunities made available on an evening/weekend.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“I keep looking for evening classes or social activities where I could meet other people and get out of the house but everything in Hartlepool seems to stop at 5pm.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
A number of respondents requested more affordable leisure activities.
“Keeping active is one of the most important things for me personally. Gym membership can be expensive, not all people can afford them. More fitness classes at reasonable prices, on at times suitable to everyone.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Being able to enjoy my free time in healthy environments without having to pay large sums of money to enjoy a swim in a clean pool.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“Discounted fees for sports clubs, activities, events......for those that cannot afford but want to take part.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
There was also a degree of excitement around the new Highlight leisure centre opening; although there were some complaints about the length of time it is taking.
“New pool will be amazing.” Survey respondent (5 years’ time) “A new leisure centre and swimming pool would encourage me to go more and get more exercise.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing)
“…The new leisure centre will hopefully make a difference too.” Survey respondent (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)
“A world class leisure facility that will attract people from outside of the town into Hartlepool that will host events and draw people into the town.” Business survey respondent (5 years’ time)
“Let's get the new swimming pool up and running ASAP.” Survey respondent (what would improve your health and wellbeing) |