Alness community group Flip of the Coin offers wellbeing template for Highlands
THE “outstanding” work of an Easter Ross community group helping people to recover, connect with each other and build resilience could be a template for others across the Highlands to follow, an MSP believes.
Flip of the Coin, a peer-led community project based in Alness, is run by women with lived experience and focuses on improving health and wellbeing through peer support, creativity and community connection.
Underpinned by academic research, its work is aimed at tackling health inequalities and supporting recovery.
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The community interest company runs a range of activities including women’s drop-in sessions, cooking and arts workshops and nature-based programmes.
It takes a ‘social prescribing’ approach, a term used to describe a variety of approaches by which individuals are linked to resources and services within local communities with the aim of improving mental and physical health and wellbeing.
After a recent visit to meet its leaders, Caithness, Sutherland & Ross MSP Maree Todd has said: “Flip of the Coin is an outstanding community-run project, led by women with lived experience.
“It is dedicated to improving public health and tackling health inequalities by reconnecting people with their communities and the natural environment.
"I was impressed by the commitment and experience of the team and the positive impact they are having locally. By working closely with NHS Highland and the wider community, they’re helping people to recover, connect with each other and build resilience.
“Thank you to Lucy Campbell and the whole team for such a welcoming and inspiring visit.
“I’m excited to see Flip of the Coin continue to flourish and hope to see this fantastic model replicated across the Highlands.”