The role of community centre-based arts, leisure and social activities in promoting adult well-being and healthy lifestyles.

Mat Jones,Toity Deave,Richard Kimberlee,Simon Evans

doi:10.3390/ijerph10051948

Abstract

Developed countries are experiencing high levels of mental and physical illness associated with long term health conditions, unhealthy lifestyles and an ageing population. Given the limited capacity of the formal health care sector to address these public health issues, attention is turning to the role of agencies active in civil society. This paper sought to evaluate the associations between participation in community centre activities, the psycho-social wellbeing and health related behaviours. This was based on an evaluation of the South West Well-being programme involving ten organisations delivering leisure, exercise, cooking, befriending, arts and crafts activities. The evaluation consisted of a before-and-after study with 687 adults. The results showed positive changes in self-reported general health, mental health, personal and social well-being. Positive changes were associated with diet and physical activity. Some activities were different in their outcomes—especially in cases where group activities were combined with one-to-one support. The results suggest that community centre activities of this nature offer benefits that are generically supportive of health behaviour changes. Such initiatives can perform an important role in supporting the health improvement objectives of formal health care services. For commissioners and partner agencies, accessibility and participation are attractive features that are particularly pertinent to the current public health context.

Highlights

Developed countries are experiencing high levels of mental and physical illness associated with long term health conditions, unhealthy lifestyles and an ageing population
Formal health care services have both limited capacity and ability to address the challenges of an ageing population and multiple chronic morbidities [3]
Drawing upon a programme in the South West of England UK, the main objective of this paper is to investigate the associations between participation in community centre-based activities and the health and wellbeing of adults

Summary

Introduction

Developed countries are experiencing high levels of mental and physical illness associated with long term health conditions, unhealthy lifestyles and an ageing population These are interconnected issues: for example cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and drug and alcohol use are linked with common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression and, in some cases, severe mental health conditions [1]. Formal health care services have both limited capacity and ability to address the challenges of an ageing population and multiple chronic morbidities [3] In this context attention is increasingly turning outside the formal health care sector to the role of wider civil society and, in particular, community and voluntary sector agencies in the promotion of health and well-being [4,5,6,7]. Advocates [5,11] suggest that community based organisations are well placed to offer informal and user-led activities that fit with local interests and provide additional benefits, such as a basis for developing social support networks and civic action

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Conclusion