We are investing £15 million to upgrade Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre.

This will include a new extension to include learner pool, café, reception area and energy efficiency measures.

There will also be three new treatment rooms, the swimming pool and gym changing rooms will be fully refurbished, the pool surrounds will be retiled and the mechanical and electrical systems upgraded. Repairs will also be made to the existing roof and guttering.

The car park is also being extended to create 292 extra spaces and 24 spaces for bicycles. New energy efficient lighting will also be installed to the sand dressed all weather pitch.

Phase one of the project, to extend the car park, is already underway.

An £8 million redevelopment of Droitwich Spa Lido is proposed. This includes extensions to the Art Deco building, expanding the site and the introduction of a Brine Bath, new cafe and restaurant, spa and leisure offer.

A consultation on the plans closed in December. Coucillors will consider the proposal in detail early in the new year.

Read more about the proposed lido upgrade.

We have allocated £300,000 for a new skate park to replace the current one on King George V Playing Fields near the underpass to the Westlands, which is now 20-years-old. 

It is proposed the skate park will be built near to the leisure centre. The new park will be bigger and more in line with other skate parks in Evesham and Pershore.

Young people have been asking for a pump track for some time and we have made £125,000 available to make this a reality. It is proposed this will go next to the skate park.

Work started in May 2025 to upgrade the canal towpaht to create a health corridor which will link Vines Park to Ladywood Lock in Salwarpe, creating an accessible route that will increase people's access to nature and boost accessibility to Coney Meadow.

The towpath will be closed insections during construction which is expected to be completed by September 2025.

We have also supported the Canal & River Trust to enhance Coney Meadow reed bed and wetland to boost biodiversity on the site.

Find out more about the Droitwich Health Corridor project and where work is taking place.

We have allocated £252,000 to replace the athletics track at Droitwich Spa High School, in partnership with the school, to benefit students and the community.

Call 0333 150 3456 or visit alzheimers.org.uk

The specialist dementia nurses on our free confidential helpline are here for you when you need help.
Call 0800 888 6678 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit dementiauk.org

Comprehensive list of support available, places to go and things to do locally
Visit www.dementiaroadmap.co.uk

Providing post diagnosis support, Directory of Services and Living Well Newsletter.
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 03330 383711

The Meeting Centre is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 3pm. If you are interested in attending the Meeting Centre to have a FREE taster day , please ring the office 01386 429454.

Supporting people living with dementia, their families and carers. Every second Wednesday of each month from 11am to 12.30pm at 20 Church St, Evesham, Worcs, WR11 1DS.
Contact Sally Dance on 01386 429454 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Every fourth Thursday of the month from 11am to 12.30pm.
St Peter’s Church, The Green, Inkberrow, Worcs, WR7 4DZ
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Exercise, crafts, meetings, men’s health all for the over 50s. Every fourth Tuesday of the month from1.30pm to 4pm at Evesham Town Hall, 24 Vine St, Evesham, Worcs, WR11 4RL. Contact Jenny Johnson by emailing avondean@sky

Tea, talk and spiritual refreshment. All welcome. Every Friday from 2pm to 3pm. All Saints Church, Evesham, Worcs, WR11 4RW. Contact Rosie Grove on 01386 442111.

Free of charge drop-in sessions. A welcoming space for those with mild to moderate dementia and their loved ones to connect and socialise over a cup of tea or coffee. Dementia Wellbeing Advisors also attend.

Pershore: Every third Tuesday of the month from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, WR10 1PT. 

Hartlebury: Every third Friday of the month from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Hartlebury Castle, Hartlebury, DY11 7XZ.

Droitwich Spa: First Tuesday of every month, 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Clubhouse, The Gyln Mitchell Memorial Ground, Hanbury Road, Droitwich Spa, WR9 7DU.

Please contact us to be added to the waiting list.
Every Friday at the Riverside Shopping Centre, Bridge St, Evesham WR11 4RD. Call 0333 038 3711 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A welcoming friendly place, where people with dementia are supported. Owletts Lane, Wick, Pershore, WR10 3PB. Contact 07967 173740 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Support for the cared for, carers and families. Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm. United Reformed Church, 77 High St, Broadway, Worcs, WR12 7AL.
Contact Mark Pickering on 07949 296738 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A network of local member organisations who are working together to create a dementia friendly community. They host many free musical afternoon teas at local village halls. For more information follow us on Facebook.com/EveshamDAA, or go to www.dementiaroadmap.co.uk for details of local service providers.

First Wednesday of the month 10:30am – 12:30pm. Richmonda Villages, Wood Norton, WR11 4TY. Contact Tori or Louise – 01386 862209.

Runs every other Friday 10:45am – 11:45am, plus other dementia friendly groups and activities. Cavendish Park Care Home, Evesham, WR11 3DX. Contact Kim: 01386 210010

First Saturday of each month, 11:00am – 13:00pm. Heathlands Residential Home, Pershore, WR10 1NG. Contact 01386 562220, press option 2, then option 2 again.

Have a range of loan materials to stimulate memory and conversation. www.worcestershire.gov.uk. 

Host dementia friendly community groups. Oat Street, Evesham, WR11 4PJ. Contact 01386 446580. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Riverside Shopping Centre, 2 Riverside, Bridge St, Evesham, WR11 4RD. Call 01905 27525 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit onside-advocacy.org.uk

Self referral form for carers via website.
Call 0300 012 4272 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit carersworcs.org.uk

Home safety visits to help reduce the risk of fire in the home, checking and fitting smoke alarms. Call 0800 032 1155 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.hwfire.org.uk

Anyone of any age, gender, or background can have suicidal thoughts, but men under 45 are at increased risk. In fact, 1 in 5 of us will think about suicide at some point.

Not everyone who dies by suicide has had a previous mental health problem, however most have.

Thoughts and feelings of suicide can range from someone not wanting to be here to making a plan about how and when to end their life.

The reasons people die by suicide are complex. Most of the time there is no one thing that leads to someone taking their own life.

Risk factors can include mental health problems, bullying, different types of abuse, bereavement, long-term physical pain or illness, money or housing problems, loneliness, postnatal depression, addiction or substance abuse, or other forms of trauma.

Below are some general signs to look out for but everyone copes in their own way. Some people will display several of these signs, some just one or two and some none at all.

• Threaten to hurt themselves or take their own life.
• Talk or write about death, dying, or suicide all the time.
• Actively look for ways to take their own life, such as stockpiling tablets.
• Make expressions of hopelessness such as ‘I wish I was dead,’ ‘I can’t take this anymore,’ or ‘everyone would be better off without me.’
• Withdraw from social activities, experience sudden mood swings or engage in risky behaviour like drinking too much, taking drugs or driving recklessly.
• Stop looking after themselves.
• Start saying goodbye to people as if they won’t see them again.
• Make out a will or give prized possessions away.
• Have a sudden sense of calm. This could indicate they have made up their mind to kill themselves.

There are five steps we can all take to support someone who is feeling suicidal. Remember, if you think someone is in immediate danger the quickest way to get help is to call 999.

Ask: It is a myth you cannot ask someone if they are thinking about suicide. Evidence shows asking someone ‘Are you thinking about suicide?’ gives them permission to tell you how they feel and lets them know they are not a burden.

Be there: Listening without judgement is key. You should listen and respond with open questions – not advice or opinions. You’re not trying to change or solve whatever they are going through. Sometimes you may just sit in silence. But being there shows they are cared for and provides a safe space for them to express themselves. You can also offer them the option of talking to someone they don’t know by suggesting they call Samaritans.

Help keep them safe: Reducing access to highly lethal items (such as knives or stockpiles of medication) or places can help keep someone safe. You can also make a safety plan with them. This includes things such as helping them recognise their warning signs and triggers, coping techniques, friends, family and organisations they can call for help and the numbers of mental health and emergency services. You can download a safety plan template from Samaritans.

Help them connect: Encourage them to contact local professional mental health services for help, Samaritans and other support charities or trusted friends and family who can give them a safety net when they need it and help them feel supported.

Follow up: Staying in touch with the person you are supporting is important. It doesn’t always have to be in person; it could be a text or a phone call at a regular interval. But be persistent and keep letting them know you are there.

The Orange Button scheme provides training to create a community of people who are comfortable hearing the word suicide, talking about it and listening without judgement. The orange button is a visible sign to people who are struggling it is okay to reach out for help.

Find out more about the Orange Button scheme and how to sign up.

If you are thinking about suicide and need support

• Call 999 if you can’t keep yourself or others safe.
• Dial NHS 111 and press option 2 for urgent help.
  
• Call Samaritans on 116 123 to speak to someone who will listen without judgement.

Little things can help lift our mood or ease our anxiety – you just need to find what works for you. This could be as simple as taking a walk in nature, prioritising your sleep or opening up to a friend. Our little thing, if we keep doing it, will make a big difference to how we feel.

Help find your little thing by taking the NHS Every Mind Matters quiz. Answer five quick questions and you will get a personalised mind plan to start you on your journey towards improved mental health and wellbeing. This can include everything from free courses to self-help tips.

Self-help Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Techniques

• Reframing unhelpful thoughts
  Learn how you can break the cycle of unhelpful thoughts.
• Tackling your worries
  If your worries are overwhelming you then this can help you learn how to tackle them.
• Problem solving
  Learn new ways to work through your problems and make them feel more manageable.
• Bouncing back from life’s challenges
  Steps and strategies to build resilience.
• Tackling your to-do list
  Avoiding things can make you feel better in the short-term but in the long run it can make low mood harder to shift.

If you feel you need more support than self-help, or need to talk to someone about how you feel, then please seek help.

In an emergency

If you are If you are thinking about suicide and are unable to keep yourself or other safe then call 999.

For urgent help dial NHS 111 and press option 2.

Call Samaritans on 116 123 to speak to someone who will listen without judgement.

If you have noticed a change to how you think and feel that concerns you then contact your GP.

If you are nervous about talking to your GP about how you feel then get advice on how to talk to your GP about your mental health.

If you are not comfortable talking to a professional in the first instance about how you feel, then talking to a trusted friend, family member or colleague can help you get started with expressing how you feel. 

You can get advice on how to talk to someone about your mental health from the Mind website.

NHS Worcestershire Talking Therapies

You can self-refer to online courses and access support groups or 1 to 1 support through the NHS Worcestershire Talking Therapies website.

Contact Samaritans

You can Samaritans on 116 123 to speak to someone who will listen without judgement. You don't have to be in a mental health crisis to contact Samaritans.

If you would prefer not to call, then they also offer an email service. 

Find out about the different ways you can contact Samaritans.

If you noticed a colleague had a bad cough or a limp you would ask how they were wouldn’t you? It’s important we all do the same thing if we see someone is struggling or there has been a change in their mood or behaviour which is concerning you.

It is understandable to be nervous about this, especially as the first time you ask they will probably say they are ‘fine’. There is no right or wrong way to start a conversation with someone about their mental health. No-one expects you to be an expert. Just listening, being empathetic and directing people to where they can get help can make a big difference.

We’re looking for people who are willing to have conversations about mental health.

There is no extra work to do. You just need to keep talking to people in your community, your customers and work colleagues. We will provide full training so you can learn how to spot signs someone is struggling, listen attentively and know where to send them for support.

Want to know more? Contact Hayley Corbett, Wychavon’s Health and Wellbeing Officer, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Wychavon’s communities team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.