Championing health and wellbeing for all at the Fareham & Gosport Health Fayre

22/06/2022

For immediate release

PRESS RELEASE

Championing health and wellbeing for all at the Fareham & Gosport Health Fayre

Wednesday, 22nd June 2022

The Fareham & Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum invites members of the public to come along and explore a host of free health & wellbeing stands, presentations and taster sessions on Saturday, 9th July, from 10.30am to 2pm at the Gosport Leisure Centre.

The fayre will aim to showcase the many free or low-cost services available to help support and boost local residents’ health and wellbeing to help them maintain their independence.

The event is being delivered by Gosport Voluntary Action (GVA) and Community First (CF), with both organisations also having stalls to promote their services to the people of Gosport and Fareham. The fayre will be supported by the NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the Asda Foundation, Huhtamäki and – as hosts of the event – the Gosport Leisure Centre.

GVA projects and programmes on display will include their non-profit services, such as their ‘Dustbusters’ domestic support service and their ‘Mend and Tend’ gardening and DIY support service. GVA’s voluntary support services, including Befriending, Advocacy and ‘Go Volunteer’, are other examples of their community engagement work that will be shown.

Community First will be represented by teams such as their Home Services and Community Transport teams, promoting their independence maintaining schemes. Such schemes include Home Help, their service to help those unable to do their own basic housework and/or shopping. Their Community Transport services will include Dial-A-Ride, their door-to-door minibus transport service to places such as the shops when bus stops are too far away.

Visitors to the fayre will be able to explore a diverse range of local health and wellbeing support services, including help for people living with a disability, COPD, chronic illness or pain, anxiety or depression, to name but a few. Taster sessions for services such as accessible ‘Healthy Walks’ programmes and indoor sports will be included in the day’s offerings.

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Kay Hallsworth, GVA Chief Executive Officer, adds: “The Fareham & Gosport Health and Wellbeing Fayre is for everyone, no matter age, background or fitness level. We completely understand that health and wellbeing is a personal and sometimes emotive topic, which is why the fayre is designed as a friendly, informal, and welcoming space for everyone in our local community to come along, ask questions, and see what our local health services, charities and community groups have on offer to support you or your loved ones to feel healthier and happier.”

Tim Houghton, Community First Chief Executive Officer, is proud to be a part of the event: “Community First is delighted to be co-hosting and supporting the Fareham & Gosport Health & Wellbeing Fayre. Recognising the pressures on our NHS and social care services, it is vital that we showcase and promote the great work and support that our voluntary sector and other partners can offer to help residents live healthy and happy lives and stay well and independent. There’ll be something for everyone, ranging from support for young peoples’ mental health to physical activity for older people, and it’s a great opportunity to pop in and find out what’s available on your doorstep.”

Dr. Zaid Hirmiz, a local GP and the Clinical Director (South East Hampshire) said: “There is some amazing work ongoing in the Fareham and Gosport area to try to improve the health and wellbeing of local people, and the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is delighted to support this showcase event, which will give visitors a wealth of useful information, and could literally change for the better someone’s life.”
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For a list or organisations anticipated to participate in the fayre, please visit the GVA website: https://www.gva.org.uk/news/fareham-gosport-health-and-wellbeing-fayre-sat-9th-july-2022/

If you are a health service provider in Gosport or Fareham Boroughs and would like to have a stall or offer a taster session at the upcoming fayre – or if you are a member of the public keen to gain more information prior to the event – please send an email to Mandy Broom at: mandy.broom@cfirst.org.uk
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GVA press contacts:
Kate Durbin, GVA Communications Officer: kate.durbin@gva.org.uk
Angela Gill, GVA and CF Project Manager: angela.gill@gva.org.uk

CF press contacts:
Ethan Kear-Davies, Marketing Officer: marketing@cfirst.org.uk
CF Health & Wellbeing Manager, Jackie Hartless: jackie.hartless@cfirst.org.uk
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About Gosport Voluntary Action (GVA)
Gosport Voluntary Action (GVA) is a registered charity and the umbrella body (Council of Voluntary Action) for Gosport and surrounding areas. GVA’s mission is to support and deliver services to local voluntary and community groups (by assisting with governance issues, finding funding, recruiting and managing volunteers and accessing training, among other areas) in order to make a positive difference to Gosport Borough residents. GVA is passionate about improving the quality of life for all residents of Gosport, but in particular those with disabilities or who are disadvantaged in some way. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.gva.org.uk/, or find us on the following social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Community First
Community First is a registered Charity which enables individuals and local groups to be the difference they want to see in their local communities across Hampshire.

They achieve this through connecting and engaging with the community, identifying where essential services could make a difference to peoples’ lives and facilitating this change through the actions of dedicated individuals and organisations.

Community First also runs numerous schemes to improve the lives of individuals by maintaining their independence.

Find out more about Community First through their Linktree
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