Community Happiness & Wellbeing Groups and Centres
Ignite CVO proposes building on the format used to develop the highly successful Hengoed and Pontypridd Happiness and Wellbeing Groups (which is based on our Positive Community Development approach to promoting community well-being).
These groups are facilitated by Ignite CVO but are entirely community lead. Group members are asked what they would like to do that would improve their wellbeing and then a programme of events and activities are developed around these suggestions.
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These events and activities provide opportunities for members to experience positive emotions, engage with activities that foster flow, provide provide opportunities for developing relationships through friendship and to find meaning and purpose in life and to enable people to accomplish new things.
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Each monthly meetings consists of social eating (described as ‘like a party’) which promotes giving and sharing, followed by talks on subjects which empower, educate, motivate and stimulate.
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Why do wellbeing groups matter? When a person is happy they are healthier, more successful and more independent – a huge economic benefit to our nation. These wellbeing groups become community centred wellbeing support networks, they consist of people from the community who will naturally disseminate wellbeing information back to the wider community. They become community influencers!
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Ignite CVO envisions Wales becoming a Happiness and Wellbeing Society with groups established throughout the country.
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How will it work? Wales will be split into areas and facilitators will link in with the community to ignite the groups initially and then support and monitor the running and success and intervene with additional support as needed.
There will be local, regional and national tiers and communication will flow either way and achievements will be celebrated on every level e.g. volunteer awards, giving/fundraising etc.