Following extensive work with our families and our Cluster, it became apparent that our pupils, for many reasons were missing key medical and dental appointments and therefore were being hugely disadvantaged by this. We listened to services that told us our pupils were missing vital Speech and Language Appointments and were then taken off the list as the waiting list was so extensive.

When we spoke with our families, it became apparent that they were struggling to find the funds to pay for transport, out of area, to reach the appointments. We knew that we needed to do something to help! We already had strong relationships with services and our community and, along with our Family engagement Officer, we began to forge new links with the Health Service and beyond. We decided that we needed a ‘Health Hub’ onsite. Somewhere where families could drop in and speak to service providers. This would hopefully be a place to break down barriers to services and also encourage our families and pupils to attend.

We applied for funding from Welsh Government and were successful with a Community focused Schools Grant that allowed our dream of having a Health Hub onsite, become a reality! Our H.W.B (Health and Wellbeing Base) is evolving and is currently housing the Dentists, school nurse, CAMHS projects, play therapy, Citizens advice, adult learning sessions and Lego therapy sessions. This is a really innovative project and we are so excited to open this to all!

Our aim is to use the ‘Health Hub’ to combat the barriers between our families and the vital services that they need to support them. Also, the links between our H.W.B and our Big Bocs Bwyd are endless and are currently evolving. Our aim is to provide healthy and nutritious meal ideas and food items for our families to create in their own homes.