Rutland County Council is moving ahead with plans that will improve access to a wide range of community health, information and support services for residents of all ages.
The council works with lots of organisations to support people at every stage of life – whether through education, public health, exercise or social care. Having reviewed how this support is currently offered to Rutland residents and considered what local communities will need most in future, the council is launching a new Living Well Rutland Service that combines its library, health, wellbeing and adult learning services into one.
“We all need help or advice from time to time. We might have a problem or want to make a positive change. Whatever the reason, it can be hard to know where to get the information we need. The council works with lots of organisations to support and care for people. After looking closely at these services, we think we can make them easier to access for everyone. This is why we’re creating Living Well Rutland.
Living Well Rutland will combine community services that assist people in different ways, even if they’re provided by different organisations. Using library and community buildings as a base, we want to help families and communities by making information and support much easier to find – whether it comes from Rutland County Council, local health services, or voluntary groups. More integrated services will work closer together, out in the community to provide the support that people need and achieve the best possible outcomes.”
Councillor Christine Wise, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Communities at Rutland County Council
Rutland County Council announced in July that it would invest £950,000 into its library buildings, so that people can access more local services where they live. Planning permission was granted in November to make changes to Oakham and Uppingham libraries. Improvements will also be made to the interior of Ketton library, while the Council is still looking at options for Ryhall Library, due to the age and condition of the building.
Libraries and community buildings will become Living Well Centres that promote health and wellbeing, as well as being places to access books and computers. Staff and volunteers will provide information about the full range of local services that are available to people in Rutland. The council also wants library buildings to become community spaces where people can meet and spend time together, whether for coffee mornings, reading clubs, youth groups or toddler sessions.
The new Living Well Centres will be open to different groups and professionals, helping to deliver health and wellbeing programmes that are tailored to local needs. Living Well Services will also offer:
- parenting advice
- emotional and mental health support
- befriending services
- adult social care
- access to voluntary groups
- SEND support
- youth groups and mentoring
- early years and development advice
- movement and physical wellbeing activity
The Active Rutland Hub at Oakham Enterprise Park will become part of the Living Well Rutland offer and remain a centre for physical activity, exercise and wellbeing services.
As well as promoting health, community and physical activity, the new Living Well Rutland service will be the home for Rutland’s 19+ and adult learning offer. Living Well Rutland will replace the Rutland Adult Learning and Skills Service (RALSS), with learners able to continue studying subjects like English, Maths and IT, as well as a variety of arts and crafts, languages, independent living skills and more.
The Rutland Adult Learning Centre will remain at Oakham Enterprise Park, with more community learning opportunities available through Living Well Centres, as these open. This will include targeted support for anyone who is out of work or underemployed, with access to guidance and IT equipment to help people grow their skills.
“This is a really positive step towards more integrated and accessible community services. We have a new staff structure in place to help bring these different services together and have permission to make the changes we need to library buildings. We’ll shortly begin the tender process for these building works and people can expect to see more visible changes in the New Year. In the meantime and while Living Well Rutland takes shape, you can continue to use all of our library, adult learning and wellbeing services as normal.”
Councillor Christine Wise