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Project beneficiary Julie Oldfield and Julie Perry from the Family Intervention Programme with WDH Estate Officer Richard Markey at a recent Smarter Lifestyle event held at St Swithun’s Community Centre in Eastmoor.
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A groundbreaking lifestyle project that promises to change people’s lives and promote a higher standard of living is about to be extended to other areas of the district on the strength of its success in Eastmoor, Wakefield.
Local tenants and residents can get advice on topics such as education, employment and finance as Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) expands its Smarter Lifestyle programme beyond Wakefield to Airedale, Kinsley and Fitzwilliam.
Sharon France, Area Manager for WDH, has been overseeing the pilot project in Eastmoor – an area of the city where average household income is as low as £10,500 and where there is a demand for assistance.
“We’re making big changes to people’s lives in Wakefield, and now we’re aiming to extend the project across the whole district,” says Sharon. “Despite the UK emerging from the recession recently there are some important challenges ahead of us and it is imperative that we protect tenants and residents’ wellbeing.
“The support they get ranges from being offered employment training to debt advice, plus assistance in purchasing basic household items that every home should have, such as cookers, washing machines and fridge freezers.
“This is a vitally important project that aims to support people as well as the communities they live and work in.”
Eastmoor resident Julie Oldfield, from Gisburn Road, is one such beneficiary. Julie had taken part in WDH’s Smarter Lifestyle programme and admits the help that was on offer came at a time when she needed it most.
“I was struggling a bit at one point,” says Julie, 53. “But WDH referred me to the Family Intervention Programme (FIP) and helped me with my finances and supported my family. I don’t know where I would be now without their help. From day one they’ve been brilliant – I’m delighted. I’m certainly much healthier and happier now.”
After six consecutive quarters of a contracting UK economy, WDH believes projects such as this will be able to support those who have been deeply affected by health problems, unemployment and debt.
