Healthy Towns. Healthy Communities.

Connection and a sense of belonging are protective factors for both individual and community health and wellbeing. Evidence highlights that the social determinants of health play a critical role in addressing many of our regions health challenges.

That’s why Healthy North Coast has long been committed to supporting communities to strengthen and to build social health. Our initiatives, including contemporary ‘social prescribing’, help people to connect to activities, supports and each other, and assist communities to integrate services and bridge gaps.
2018 – 2021 Healthy Towns, Community Programs

Connecting communities and systems.
A place-based and community led approach to improving health and wellbeing.

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2022 - 2024 Healthy Me, Healthy Community

Social prescribing pilot
Supporting community connections to reduce chronic conditions and enhance wellbeing.

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Healthy Towns 2025 and beyond

Ongoing commitment to Healthy Towns program is confirmed and engagement with local communities commences.

 

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Social prescribing is a way of connecting individuals to non-medical support within the community to improve their health and wellbeing through access to local, and community-based opportunities and supports which matter for quality of life

Healthy North Coast’s milestone’s for building Healthy Towns

2017
Healthy Towns launched after co-design and consultation
2020
Healthy Towns evaluation by PwC recommends continued investment
2022
Dynamic Systems modelling by Sax Institute recommends the ongoing expansion of Healthy Towns as a priority initiative for healthy ageing on the North Coast NSW
2022
Healthy Me, Healthy Community, an 18 month pilot social prescribing program in Port Macquarie is commissioned, delivered by Feros Care with learnings embedded.
2024
Launch of HNC’s 2023-2027 Healthy Ageing Strategy with place based community initiatives featuring significantly, under pillar of “Securing a Healthier Future’
2025
January - Healthy Me Healthy Community evaluation shows social prescribing has achieved improved health outcomes in Port Macquarie and recommends continuation of similar programs with learnings embedded.
2025
April - Ongoing commitment to Healthy Towns program is confirmed and engagement with local communities commences.

Healthy Me, Healthy Community - 2022 to 2024

Overview

In 2022, Healthy Me Healthy Community was launched as to pilot to evaluate a social prescribing service. The service aimed to build community connections to reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing, and build social connectedness in Port Macquarie.
Over 250 people were actively supported through the program over 14 months.

It was absolutely invaluable for me. I have very bad depression and I feel so much more confident and welcoming, like people are happy to talk to me and spend time with me.  I am more independent now, I walk home alone, I can access the doctors and I don’t rely on anyone else and this has been a big change for me as part of the program.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ~ HMHC client

Objectives

  • Link people experiencing loneliness with appropriate activities or groups in their local community
  • Help reduced feelings of loneliness and enjoy a greater sense of connectedness
  • Improve mental and physical wellbeing
  • Help people to use local health services more appropriately

How it worked

Individuals at risk of poor health outcomes and in need of help connecting with their community could be referred to this free social coaching program. Through the program, they would receive support to identify what matters most to them, set personal goals, and engage with activities, services, and groups – providing a sense of support and motivation to take positive steps for their health.

The program worked with health providers, community organisations and many local activities so that participants could enjoy the connections they needed and in turn, improve their wellbeing.

Program Evaluation

An independent evaluation, due to be released In March 2025 recommends the continued investment in social prescribing programs such as Healthy Me Healthy Community showing improved health outcomes and a positive experience for participants and community.

Community Engagement

NBN News feature. New ‘social prescribing’ program to help combat loneliness in Port Macquarie. 

New social prescribing program is just what the doctor ordered.
Featured news.

What’s next?

Healthy North Coast is committed to supporting people to live and age well and to stay connected to community and country.

Social prescribing continues to gather momentum in Australia as a contemporary approach to health care and is already widely adopted in countries such as the United Kingdom.

We are excited to continue to invest in healthy communities and in a healthy system where people can connect with what matters to them as a vital route to a longer, healthier life.

Healthy Towns 2025 and beyond.

Healthy Towns 2025 and beyond

From April 2025, Healthy North Coast will be engaging with towns across the footprint to explore becoming one of a new group of Healthy Towns – where people can live and age well, with ongoing opportunities to contribute and stay connected to community and country.

Participating towns will be supported to come together in a whole-of-community approach, helping people to build health literacy and self-efficacy, to access activities, information, services and supports that meet their physical and social needs.

Involving government, business, health and social services, community organisations and philanthropy, the shared goal is that communities work together to achieve great quality of life. now and into the future.

References