Encouraging active, social meaningful lives to promote good health and wellbeing
Where do we need to be?
People know where they can go to exercise, socialise, or get the support they need, and they don’t need to travel to neighbouring towns to get there.
Fewer people feel lonely and isolated with nowhere to turn.
People have places of refuge from expected temperature extremes.
Where are we now?
Many of the spaces that we have for exercise (eg schools) are not available to the community.
Bruton has a GP surgery, pharmacy and dentist, but other services to support the health of our residents tend to be delivered from Yeovil, Wincanton or further afield. This brings transport barriers for many.
What do we need to do?
Take any opportunities that arise to create and enhance safe, neighbourly, car-free public spaces and resist development that does not provide these.
Work with the schools and others to identify and overcome the obstacles to community use of facilities.
Work through the Local Community Network to develop better outreach from elsewhere, so that most of the services and facilities available at (for example) the Balsam Centre in Wincanton are available in Bruton.
Support and develop local community groups which aim to improve mental and physical health, including services and groups that tackle loneliness.
Continue to support existing Warm Spaces initiatives and ensure that Town Council planning policy revision addresses the need for homes to remain at a comfortable temperature.
