‘Little happy space’: Free activities at Hackney GP surgeries prove a hit with patients and volunteers

Veronika Nikolaeva Petkova, Will Reedman and June Addai making pottery. Photograph: Julia Gregory

The next time you visit your GP, you might spot a table laden with paints, clay, artists’ brushes or board games.

It’s all part of the Together Better programme, a scheme designed to get residents involved in a range of fun activities and boost their health at the same time.

“You can come and count your blessings doing pottery,” said Jacqueline Boujo, who had joined the arts afternoon at the Lawson Practice.

She said: “It’s pleasant to meet new people and have a talk. I think you can learn from each other.”

It is also good for GPs to suggest activities that benefit people’s mental health, along with recommending blood tests to check physical conditions, she said.

Together Better started as a pilot two years ago at three Hackney surgeries, before spreading to eight, and is now set to expand to 14 this September.

Lea Surgery, Barton House, Cranwich Road, Queensbridge, and Well Street surgeries are all joining.

The scheme is run by Volunteer Centre Hackney (VCH) and funded by the NHS’ Integrated Care Board and Primary Care Network.

It is hoped it will prevent health problems and build community connections, which in turn can stop people feeling isolated.

Claire Ferrigi, community development manager for Together Better, said: “We try to encourage what [patients] want.”

One patient has been able to ditch a walking aid after joining regular walking groups, she said.

They are currently offering 260 classes a month at surgeries across Hackney, with 80 volunteers involved.

VCH chief executive Lauren Tobias said: “The one-to-one relationships they build up are really impactful for people’s wellbeing.

“Patients run things themselves and everyone has a skill to share and it encourages them to recognise their own strengths.”

It also builds “great relationships with the surgeries”, she said.

At the Lawson surgery, Veronika Nikolaeva Petkova helps run the arts session.

She got involved after the practice invited her to a coffee morning and she mentioned that she is an artist.

“If you enjoy art, it’s therapeutic for people and it takes your mind away in a very interesting way,” she said.

“I thought I could create a little happy space for people to disconnect from the outside world.”

The sessions are led by what residents would like to do and Petkova said she is learning about different art materials along with them.

“We are learning together and the participants are giving us ideas. It’s working very well and people are coming regularly and looking forward to it.”

Sam Woodlark making a clay pot at the Lawson practice. Photograph: Julia Gregory

Doctors can refer patients to the activities or they can self-refer through the Together Better website.

People do not have to be registered at the host practice to attend.

Sam Woodlark was told about the activities by her GP because she loves creating art at home and it seemed a perfect match.

“I make cards, I do diamond painting and make little pictures. I do a lot of mixed media with paints and glitter.”

Her message to people anxious about putting a toe in the water is to “come and have a go”.

“It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s just really good fun. That’s the beauty of art.”

Deputy practice manager Uzo Chukwunonye said the project has been a good way to get to know some of the 16,000 patients listed at the surgery.

“We want our patients to get better,” he said. “‘See you later’ is not something we say to them. If we can have a level of community and happiness by coming to our clubs, that’s great.”

He teaches people chess at the board game group, and other activities include English classes and self-defence.

Whilst there is no formal evaluation, medics are keen to see the impact on patients.

Will Reedman is the community engagement co-ordinator and is involved with activities at the Lawson and Spring Hill practices.

He chats to patients in the waiting room to let them know about the activities.

He said it helps that there’s a display detailing what’s on offer.

“It’s definitely making a difference to people.”

He added: “Lots of people take a lot of encouragement to come the first time. It’s important to get to know people and the things they are interested in and make them feel welcome.”

Cllr Chris Kennedy, Hackney’s cabinet member for health, adult social care, voluntary sector and culture, praised the project and said he is “delighted” to see it expand.

“If any project has embodied the ideals of preventative interventions delivered in the heart of our communities, it is Together Better.

“The engagement with activities like walking groups and art classes fulfils one of the main goals of our health and wellbeing strategy by reducing the social isolation of some of Hackney’s most vulnerable citizens.”