Hartcliffe Health and Environment Action group (HHEAG) is a small community-based charity serving a community of 35, 000 people in South Bristol. 

It was established in 1990 to provide opportunities and support for people in South Bristol to engage in a range of health related and environmental projects, which contribute to healthy and sustainable lifestyles. 

Indices of multiple deprivation (ID2010 “Dept. for Communities and Local Government”) identify this area as having high health and social needs, indeed measures of economic deprivation, educational attainment and health put it within the 10% most deprived areas in England. These needs are revealed in the everyday lives of people through high levels of depression and anxiety, poor physical health (obesity, type-2 diabetes, heart disease and COPD) and a significantly lower than average life expectancy.  The above issues increase the prevalence of social isolation and act as barriers to achievement, improved health and wellbeing.

To help realise our vision HHEAG offers an integrated response, which supports residents in addressing their needs. The knowledge, skills and confidence gained not only help improve their health and wellbeing, but also assist many clients in taking their first steps toward vocational training and future employment.  This work also contributes to the strength and quality of community life as a whole. 

Our services include:

·  Positive Minds:  A one-to-one support service helping people reduce the impact of depression, anxiety and stress on their lives

·  Greens Community Gardens: offering opportunities for people to engage in food growing.

·  EatWell Nutrition and Cooking Courses promoting healthy eating and cooking skills.

·  Food for All Co-operative shop and outreach stalls increasing access to low-cost healthy foods.

·  Hartcliffe and Withywood Amblers walking group promoting physical activity and wellbeing.

·  Local hub for information, advice and signposting.

HHEAG inputs and outputs

Our Charitable Objects are: To preserve and protect health and to educate the public about the environment in Hartcliffe and the surrounding area.  

How HHEAG's work maps onto the Wider Social Determinants of Health - as conceptualised by Dahlgren & Whitehead (1991)