New Purchase Increases Wellbeing

A community asset has raised funds to buy its premises and held a wellbeing event at the start of spring. 

Coalville CAN (community and neighbours) threw open its newly – purchased doors to welcome the arrival of the new season. CCAN organiser of the event Helen Bazen said as signs of the new season start to appear the day of local practitioners showcasing what’s around the area to enhance a healthier lifestyle met the three core aims of the organisation.  

“As citizens not consumers the event establishes what’s already here in the local community connecting practitioners including artists and creatives who have knowledge and expertise as well as those looking to start up and those wanting to find out more,” said Ms Bazen. 

The community benefit society raised funds of £400k to purchase its building as National Lottery funding came to an end including a £30k donation from musician Brian Eno’s community fund, loans and grants and a community share offer. 

“People bought shares from between £250 up £30k releasing us from landlords and rent increases matching the ideals of people as citizens not consumers supporting the local economy and making the most of what’s already here,” 

Attending the event were social enterprises including Joyfully Well with Esme Coss, Carla Harris Glass with Loughborough Incredible Edible speaking. 

Helen said people don’t have to come in from outside to fix them. 

“As spring is starting to appear today is about encouraging people to get out and make the most of opportunities on their doorsteps here in the heart of the National Forest with a range of health – based networking events to bring people together,” she said. 

Social enterprises including Better Outdoors and Green Life Innovations reconnected people with the great outdoors while creative practitioners including artist in residence Hayley Fern explored therapeutic painting techniques and art therapy you don’t need to be referred to by a doctor.  

Strawberry patch bags decorated with real fruit promised more of what’s to come. 

Counseller Chrissie Henson told her moving story of how she died at birth but went on to overcome cerebral palsy to become a qualified therapist with a client – list of twelve and Incredible Edible visited from Loughborough to talk about growing food in urban areas. 

CCAN Chief Executive Officer Ian Wilson said the answers to our problems are here, they are each other. 

“CCAN is run on the ideals of a citizens’ model with people having a say in their own life. People own the building and are not told what to do,” said Mr Wilson.