Darnall Well Being

Darnall Well Being (Charity number 1197748) is a local, not-for-profit community health organisation based in Sheffield, United Kingdom. Established over 20 years ago, it serves the communities of Darnall, Tinsley, Attercliffe, Handsworth, and surrounding areas, with a focus on improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities in one of Sheffield's most deprived wards[1][2][4].

History and Background

The organisation was founded by a local general practitioner, Dr. Jack Czauderna, inspired by the Peckham Experiment—a pioneering model of community health and development. Since its inception, Darnall Well Being has grown into an anchor organisation in the area, building a robust local infrastructure that includes volunteers, staff, and community partners[2].

Mission and Objectives

Darnall Well Being works to help individuals in its catchment area build knowledge and resilience to manage their own health and wellbeing. Through integrated programmes tailored to community needs, the charity aims to reduce health inequalities by providing support focused on what matters most to local people[1][2].

Services and Activities

The organisation offers a broad range of activities and services, including:

• One-to-one support and referrals for individuals requiring additional assistance.
• Regular community groups, including dementia cafes and carer support sessions.
• Health campaigns, training sessions, brief-intervention training, and talks on health-related issues.
• Volunteering opportunities that leverage local empathy and community ties.
• Collaborative initiatives aimed at young people to address mental health, education, employment, and social inclusion challenges[1][3].

In the 2023–2024 financial year, Darnall Well Being provided 177 one-to-one support referrals, handled 68 new dementia referrals, conducted 120 dementia cafe and carer support sessions, and engaged over 400 unique individuals across 15 different regular groups. Attendance across all activities and support groups exceeded 4,000[1].

Partnerships and Community Integration

The organisation operates out of the Darnall Primary Care Centre and works closely with local and citywide partners to effectively address social determinants of health. It has established partnerships aimed at positively changing young people’s lives, especially those at risk of exclusion, exploitation, or criminal involvement, offering sports, crafts, social opportunities, and support for mental health and other complex social issues[3][5].

Financial Overview

For the financial year ending March 31, 2024, Darnall Well Being reported a total income of £662,081 and expenditure of £644,354. Income sources included government contracts (£88,864) and grants (£174,783), with the majority of expenditure directed towards charitable activities. The organisation employs 15 staff members, is governed by 9 trustees, and supported by 29 volunteers[4].

Darnall Well Being remains a vital community resource in Sheffield, dedicated to fostering health equity and empowering local residents through comprehensive, community-driven health and wellbeing initiatives.

[1] https://darnallwellbeing.org.uk [2] https://darnallwellbeing.org.uk/home/about/ [3] https://sy-nc.org.uk/darnall-wellbeing/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5166539 [5] https://www.vas.org.uk/hubs/darnall-well-being/