City’s £ 1m drive to help tackle health inequality
A PILOT programme aimed at tackling health inequality is to receive a £ 1 million boost from Glasgow City Council.
Live Well community referral service, which helps people get more active and combat loneliness, has been so successful it has secured funding to expand citywide over the next three years, with the aim of supporting up to 2500 people annually.
The scheme, which was trialled in Calton, will now focus on 10 priority areas with the highest levels of health inequality, including Dennistoun, Drumchapel and Anniesland.
In addition, the team will work with some GP practices in Easterhouse.
Following the first roll out, Live Well will then continue to expand to ensure people who live in all parts of the city can access the programme by summer 2026.
Live Well advisors help people create a plan focussed on achieving personal goals, assisting them in finding local activities they are interested in, from walking groups, museum visits and sports sessions to family activities, volunteering opportunities and arts workshops.
Advisors will also attend with participants if they feel the first visit could be daunting.
People can self- refer, with other referrals into the programme coming from a range of partner agencies, including Police Scotland. Live Well will also work closely with voluntary organisations in each community to encourage more referrals.
Last year, an independent evaluation of the pilot programme found 100% of participants felt their “general happiness” had improved, while almost every participant agreed that taking part in activities had helped them to “feel less lonely and be more physically active.”
A total of 96% agreed they would not have taken part without Live Well support.
Andrew Olney, director of libraries, sport and communities at Glasgow Life, said: “Everyone involved in Live Well is delighted it will be extended across Glasgow, and that anyone in any part of the city will be able to access the programme and the many benefits it offers. Our advisors are based in local communities.
“We know that changing outcomes for communities is only ever possible when you work with the citizens of that community placing them at the very heart of leading that change.”
He added: “People are the experts in what their daily challenges are, and by shifting the relationship to allow an individual to take charge of their life and what they want to do, we have seen real success.
“The Live Well team is hugely excited to be expanding across the entire city.”