The BeWell Festival, which is part of The Bay Health Festivals, attracted around 800 people last month who took part in health and wellbeing activities.
The free community event had four different zones and was held at Barrow Raiders Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium and Craven Park. The four zones were:
- Well Mind mental wellbeing – included advice and support from Mind, Every Life Matters, health and wellbeing coaches, adult learning, gambling support and the Alzheimer's Society. There was also a five ways to wellbeing interactive workshop.
- Soul to Soul chill and reflection zone – with activities from Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Popup Poetry and Stitch Ability which led sewing, pottery and arts/crafts. There was also Tai Chi, yoga, a creative corner, youth ability interactive activities, a music chill-out zone with a rock choir and Zoeleka and bereavement and reflection workshops.
- Better Me – with lots of interactive activities for all ages led by Active Cumbria, Active Raiders, Walney Wind Cheetahs and ParkPlay. Activities included balance bikes for young people, walking football, rugby and netball, running, walking and athletics. The day closed with a big ParkPlay event.
- Food 4 Thought – supported by Love Barrow Families, Family Action and Young Farmers. There was a range of activities including making fruit kebabs and wraps, healthy snacks, smile for life, planting sunflowers, pebble painting and the chance to meet and find out about rare animal breeds.
Feedback from people attending the event included:
- “Amazing day, kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Hoping for more events like this - thank you.”
- “Loved the animals. All the activities were great fun, good information and where to go for help.”
- “Didn't realise we had all this support in Barrow.”
- “Stall holders and instructors were very friendly and helpful.”
The event was supported by Barrow Integrated Care Community (ICC), University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT), Cumbria County Council, Barrow Raiders, Mind in Furness, Active Cumbria and Cando FM.
Deborah Wilde, Chaplain Site Team Leader, UHMBT, said: “The BeWell Festival brings community groups together to showcase all the great things that are happening in our area that can transform people's health. As part of The Bay Health Festivals, we can experience, learn and make choices about our health together.”
Maxine Baron, Development Lead for Barrow ICC, said: “It was a fantastic community event that was free, on people's doorstep with various activities.
“As well as the four zones, we also had a community corner showcasing the various voluntary organisations in our community and what support they offer. This is very important in the current climate to signpost our community to the right support.
“The BeWell team hope that this will be a legacy and the BeWell festivals will grow and become a regular calendar event. Our next event will be held on Sunday 25 September 2022.”
The next BeWell Festival will be held on Sunday 25 September 2022 at Walney Secondary School main hall from 10am. More details will be released shortly.