Last year, we introduced monthly themes across our health hub, designed to support women to connect with one specific element of their health each month. Working closely alongside our GP, we identified key areas of health that disproportionately impact the lives of the women we support.
For the month of January, we introduced a focus on nutrition with the aim to support women around their mental and physical health, and to begin to combat the stark health inequalities experienced by the women we meet.
Last year, 86% of the women we supported experienced chronic physical ill-health, and 76% experienced mental ill-health. Although the importance that good nutrition can have on physical health is widely understood, research is increasingly showing how important good nutrition is for mental health and wellbeing too.
Mind have published resources relating to the link between what we eat and drink and how we feel. Things like blood sugar levels, hydration, protein intake, and nutrients from fruits and vegetables all play a crucial role in how we feel day to day. A growing body of evidence also points to the importance of gut health and its connection to mental health.
But as anyone who has experienced prolonged periods of physical or mental ill health will know, prioritising eating well when you’re feeling unwell can be extremely challenging. For the women we support, this challenge is often compounded by additional and complex disadvantages such as poverty, homelessness, and addiction. In these circumstances, maintaining a balanced diet can feel not just difficult, but impossible.
Throughout the month, we focused on making nutrition more accessible and achievable through small, practical steps. These included:
Saffron, our Health Hub Support Worker, commented:
“This month’s theme was very well received by women and helped to promote important conversations about nutrition and the significant impact it has on overall health. Weight can be a difficult topic for many of us to discuss, so having the grip strength machine available in the space provided a positive and accessible way to start conversations. In total, ten women engaged with the session by either using the grip strength machine or weighing themselves on the scales. It was lovely to hear women talk about their favourite foods, which can be considered for inclusion in future menus. Food bank vouchers were also issued during the health hub.”
These actions may seem simple, but together they help open conversations about health, build awareness, and offer tangible support in an environment that feels safe and non-judgmental.
Our monthly themes are about meeting women where they are, recognising the barriers they face, and offering support that is compassionate and sustainable.
