Dr Gillian Orrow is the GP lead for Growing Health Together in Horley, having been a GP in the local area for almost a decade. Dr Orrow is working with a wide range of citizens and local partners to support the establishment of new health-creating initiatives that respond to locally-identified need, and to support and promote existing projects that are supporting health and wellbeing in the area.
A small selection of these projects may be found below. For more information, please follow the links provided or email info@growinghealthtogether.org
As director of Growing Health Together, Gillian also supports the GP leads working in the other areas of East Surrey, supports linkages with partner organisations in East Surrey and across the county, and facilitates a community of practice.
We are proud supporters of the group Africa Community in Surrey and Sussex (ACISS). ACISS was founded by local residents Bola Odunuga and Yinka Odeajo to help members of the African diaspora to thrive in the U.K.
ACISS have held many community events, including a book club, African music and story-telling events, seasonal celebrations and a concert featuring displaced musicians who have settled locally. Alongside these cultural events, ACISS have hosted talks to support access to the wider determinants of health for all in our community, have offered outreach NHS health checks in collaboration with Alliance for Better Care and YMCA, and are now working with the local hospital to improve care for those living with sickle cell disease.
A new inclusive exercise class for older people has been launched in Smallfield village. Taking place weekly, the class aims to improve people’s strength, balance and mobility, with a view to reducing risk of falls and injuries that might reduce an individual’s independence and ability to self care. It is proving very popular and is reducing social isolation as well as improving physical activity.
We supported the opening of a new trim trail for people of all ages, on Outwood Common – to connect local people to nature and one another, while engaging in physical activity and improving strength and balance.
This was conceptualised from a vision from local resident Carol Heron who owns a one-acre plot by the River Mole in Horley.
This area was turned into a wellbeing space for children and young adults with additional needs and their carers, with several future plans for how this may be opened out to enable more of the local community to benefit.
We are proud to be partnering with St Catherine’s Hospice to offer bereavement counselling to patients registered with a GP practice in Horley Primary Care Network, from our very own Horley Health Hub.
We encourage those in receipt of counselling to join in with the other activities happening within the community hub, either side by side or after their counselling journey has come to a close.
The women’s group at Horley Health Hub continues to expand its membership and ambition, with crafts, gardening and wellbeing events ongoing on a weekly basis.
A variety of sessions take place, which are designed to bring women together and have fun in a safe space. Sessions include crafts, gardening, IT and financial support advice. The group are very active in the community and always looking for ways to work with other local organisations including local faith groups and charities.
The group meet Thursdays, 10am – 12pm. For more information, contact carol.heron1@nhs.net
The Birchwood Volunteer Health Champions welcome and support anyone who might need advice and a listening ear. The team have a wealth of practical advice, guidance and resources available to them – this includes supporting people to gain access to information online and also information for carers.
The group meet on the first Monday of every month. For more information, contact Brian Seaman on 07951 244 280.
A year ago, this was an overgrown and unusable area and now the Community Garden is used all year round. Alliance for Better Care, Horley PCN and Growing Health Together staff continue to use the space for breaks, alongside all of the local groups who meet at the Horley Health Hub. The area has hosted a variety of events and is looked after by our regular volunteers including the fantastic Birchwood Volunteer Health Champions.
An opportunity for women to unleash their creativity in the company of others. We’re always looking for new projects and supplies for this group of enthusiastic artists and crafts specialists.
Ladies meet once a fortnight, 10am – 2pm. For more information, contact Jill Douglas on 07850 180 046.
In partnership with Methodist Homes (MHA) Communities East Surrey, the club offers Community-based support services for people living with dementia and their carers to improve their quality of life. The first session is free of charge and £3 per person thereafter. Parking available at Horley Methodist Church across the road.
The group meet every other Thursday from 1.30pm – 3pm
For more information, contact Julia Nye on 01737 780 610, email: julia.nye@mha.org.uk
**Coming Soon** A selection of clothes available to people in need of a short-term solution – we don’t need people to be referred.
