The Peckham Project: The link between Health and Happiness, Happiness and Health.

In the early, dark days of my recovery I felt unwell all the time. A multitude of prescription drugs for pain relief and swelling combined with the trauma my body had been through meant I was alternately sick, feeling sick, tired or sleeping. I couldn't move very well and at one point I couldn't move my arm or leg at all due to the skin grafts. Removing a top layer of skin is extremely painful and despite being extensively bandaged, I took months to heal. My health was compromised and so was my happiness.

It was with interest that I heard about the Peckham Health and Happiness Project that began in the 1930s and went through to the 1940s. To me, it is obvious that if you are happier you feel (and possibly are) healthier. Equally, if you are healthy and fit, you are likely to feel happier. This duo are interchangeable and very important. As the old adage goes, you don't have anything without your health.

Although I still feel unwell if I overdo it, I don't feel ill ALL the time anymore. At the moment, I appreciate this everyday. It's still a novelty. Imagine the worst hangover you've ever had. Perhaps on a New Year's Day, too much champagne has left you hugging the toilet or curled up in bed with fuzzy vision and a banging headache. Think how well you felt when these symptoms were alleviated and you could suddenly move freely, desired food and felt motivated to leave the house. That's what it feels like to someone recovering, except the 'hangover' lasted much, much longer!

To me it's common sense that these are concepts are linked yet too often the focus is on 'fixing' people instead of preventing the problems occurring in the first place. The Peckham Project focused on increasing the health of families in South-East London with the aim to improve their long term health and therefore their happiness.

Dr George Scott Williamson (1885-1953) and Dr Innes Hope Pearse (1890-1979) were the two Doctor's behind the project. They adapted a small house to have a kitchen, playroom, clubroom, bathroom, and consulting and changing rooms. They had great facilities for the time, including play areas, a theatre, cafeteria, gymnasium and one of the largest swimming pools in London. According to historyandpolicy.org they explained 'that the centre was not for treatment but for the promotion of health: to detect the onset of disease and advise how to obtain any necessary treatment.'

People were given regular health checks. They did pay a small stipend to attend as the Doctors felt this would place more of a value on the centre. It was enjoyed as a community area with it's focus on a healthy, social, life. Eventually it was closed down; the NHS became established and because the Project focused more on health than illness and required a small membership to be paid, it was deemed no longer appropriate.

Studies show we are found to be healthier when living a social life with friends and family and we benefit from an active lifestyle. The Peckham Project did have a positive effect on the local community because of these reasons. It would be a great idea to have more of these centres today as there is far too much focus on 'fixing' (such as a gastric band) rather than prevention (healthy eating and fitness from a young age.) Obviously, we sometimes need to be fixed, (myself included, post-burn!) but prevention is better than cure.

We deserve to be happy and healthy but we have to help ourselves too. Everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and although we may suffer from ill health beyond our control, keeping as fit and healthy as possible is important. It's a shame that there aren't more movements like this to promote health and happiness from a young age.

Read more : historyandpolicy.org

BBC 'The Happiness Formula'