Wellbeing Exeter partner campaign
Published: 19 October 2023
Wellbeing Exeter, an alliance of public and voluntary and community sector organisations across Exeter providing vital support to individuals and community groups, is seeking funds to enable it to continue to support those who need it most.
Together with partners across the city, the Wellbeing Exeter alliance is working to improve individual health and wellbeing outcomes for people in Exeter.
Since it started in 2013, it has supported over 8,000 individuals and hundreds of community groups via its community builders, community connectors and community physical activity organisers.
The partnership brings together key strategic funders including Exeter City Council, Devon County Council and Sport England to pool resources and deliver the programme.
Partners providing this pivotal support to communities include Colab, Exeter Community Initiatives, Space, Young Devon, YMCA, Age UK Exeter, Royal Albert Museum, Exeter City Community Trust, The Beacon Centre, Inclusive Exeter.
Wellbeing Exeter aims to secure three core funding partners with an annual contribution from each in the region of £200,000 - £230,000 per annum, and offers more bespoke sponsorship opportunities through its enhanced funding model.
Jo Yelland, director at Exeter City Council, said that the Wellbeing Exeter model is tried and tested, and has been built on ten years of reflection and continuous learning.
She said: “Wellbeing Exeter proves that collective ownership is efficient and effective. It is built to be scalable and replicable in other places around the nation. Together, we can create truly exciting opportunities that align with our partners’ joint values and missions, unlocking the potential of communities and places across Exeter.”
Sport England, one of the existing funding partners of Wellbeing Exeter say that it has the potential to help Exeter to meet its 2040 vision.
James Watmough, Strategic Lead, Place Partnerships, Sport England said: “Wellbeing Exeter has developed a fantastic approach to addressing long-standing low levels of physical activities; by working together with people in their neighbourhoods. They have created hundreds of opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to take up activities that suit their needs, abilities and interests.”
Jo, who also chairs the Wellbeing Exeter commissioning board, added: “It has taken us 10 years to get to this point, we now have evidence to prove what we knew in our hearts would work.
“We now urgently need new, enthusiastic and committed partners to join us in embedding this working across city. By tackling entrenched health inequalities, we will support everyone to have an equal opportunity to benefit from all the opportunities Exeter has to offer and achieve our 2040 vision for a fully inclusive city in which everyone can thrive.”
Those who currently benefit from the work of Wellbeing Exeter are also keen to point out the value of the support provided.
One recipient said: “I’ve been looking for support for years and got no help. Then my community connector arrives and in five minutes they set me up with a group I can go to every week, which led me to meet my current support worker. Now I have some support. What they do is so important."
Organisations can find out more about how to support Wellbeing Exeter, by visiting https://exeter.gov.uk/wellbeing/
For more about Wellbeing Exeter visit www.wellbeingexeter.org.uk.