Wellbeing events could run across Cornwall this winter after summer success

The popularity and success of a series of Summer Wellbeing festivals across Cornwall could lead to a series of winter wellbeing events being planned over winter.

Community hubs, town councils and local health and wellbeing services joined forces with Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) to launch the ‘Healthier Together’ campaign through the festivals, which promoted the local health and wellbeing support available.

The ICB is discussing with partners on the delivery of a series of winter wellbeing events and is asking local people if they would find these useful through a survey. If the demand is there, the events could run between December 2024 and March 2025.

The Healthier Together campaign between the ICB, Healthy Cornwall, Cornwall Council and partners highlights how small lifestyle changes can improve long term health.

More than 2,000 people attended the festivals, which took place across Cornwall in St Austell, Bude, Penzance, Wadebridge, Redruth, Camborne, Launceston and Hayle, with stalls and activities themed around

• Getting checked, with blood pressure, oral cancer and health checks provided
• Advice on eating well
• Taster sessions to move more from Healthy Cornwall and Active Cornwall
• Opportunities to try new things from craft, art to sport
• Being kind – promoting volunteering and mental health support

Free health checks were hugely popular, with many attending specifically to be seen by the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust’s vaccination team who delivered more than 300 health checks.

Kate Shields, chief executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said, “The summer wellbeing festivals were really enjoyable and a great way to showcase the local health and wellbeing support available.

Over winter the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents is really important and that’s why we are keen to hear if people would be interested in attending winter wellbeing events to find out how they can stay well in the colder months.”

Ruth Goldstein, assistant director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said, “The feedback from the wellbeing festivals shows how useful they have been in helping local people find out more about their health, and the small changes they can make to bring about a big difference in their long-term health.

“We hope through this campaign that we can continue to inspire more local people to start looking after their own wellbeing and living the best lives they can.”

Locals really enjoyed the festivals with feedback including “I got some great advice for a friend with a learning difficulty, who’s recently undergone surgery and more to come,” and “this was fantastic, thank you! Please definitely do more. I found it very helpful, lots of important and useful information and great to be around such supportive, knowledgeable and friendly people”.

The events were supported by NHS Cornwall’s partners, including Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change, Volunteer Cornwall, Healthy Cornwall, CHAOS Radio and the respective town councils.  

The new ‘Your Cornwall guide to wellbeing’ was handed out at the Summer Wellbeing festivals and continues to be given out at vaccination events across 23 local GP surgeries.  

Watch the summer wellbeing festivals film here.

To give feedback on winter wellbeing events complete the online survey here.

To be kept updated on Healthier Together campaign, sign up here for our monthly Cornwall Together bulletin.