Nova and Trust to run Wakefield social wellbeing service

Wakefield Council has chosen Nova Wakefield District Limited and South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s joint bid to deliver a new social wellbeing service in the district.

Nova and the Trust will work in partnership to deliver this innovative service to support local people self-manage their health and wellbeing.

Anna Middlemiss, deputy director of public health at Wakefield Council, stated “Public health is committed to maximising every pound in Wakefield to get the best possible services for residents. To do that, we are delivering services differently by responding to what residents tell us they want. The social wellbeing service has been designed to give people in Wakefield a better quality of life by maximising their wellbeing. We are absolutely delighted that this is being delivered through the voluntary and community sector particularly, as they will be delivering services through community anchor sites in the district.”

Nova as the lead provider will oversee the development of the service, using its unique position to ensure strong and effective voluntary and community sector partnerships. The Trust will provide the frontline staff to run the day-to-day social wellbeing service.

Staff will be based throughout the communities of Wakefield.  Key areas of work will be social prescribing and self-management, and referring people with social, emotional or practical needs to a range of local services, often provided by the voluntary and community sector.  The new team will also be supporting volunteers, working with other health and social care providers and community groups to help residents manage their own health and wellbeing.

Sean Rayner, district director – Barnsley & Wakefield BDUs, said “We worked in partnership with Nova to develop and submit this bid and I am delighted that Wakefield Council have awarded us the contract.  This is great news for the Trust and local people in Wakefield who will benefit from the skills and experience of Trust staff in conjunction with the knowledge and expertise of Nova.  We will continue to work closely with Nova, along with other voluntary and community colleagues, to implement and deliver the new and exciting service.”