22 July 2026
South West Hampshire Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Forum – Networking and Showcase Event – 15 July 2026
Around 35 representatives from voluntary, community, health, social care and local authority organisations attended the inaugural South West Hampshire Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing ‘Networking and Showcase’ Event at YMCA Eastleigh Community Centre. The event provided opportunities for networking, information sharing and partnership development, alongside presentations highlighting community-based approaches to improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities.
View the full presentation slides here
Derren Storey – Community Manager, YMCA Fairthorne Group
Derren Storey welcomed attendees to YMCA Eastleigh Community Centre and intro
duced the venue before the forum programme commenced.
Angela Gill – Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Forum Facilitator, Community First
Angela Gill welcomed participants and outlined the programme.
Tim Houghton – Chief Executive, Community First
Tim Houghton spoke about the growing importance of neighbourhood health and integrated working across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. He highlighted the role of community organisations as trusted local partners, delivering preventative support, strengthening community resilience and helping services reach people who may not engage with traditional health services. He concluded with a range of funding opportunities.
Ted Hill – Funding Lead, WetWheels Solent and Suez Tyrwhitt-Williams – Service Manager, WetWheels Solent
Ted Hill and Suez Tyrwhitt-Williams provided an overview of WetWheels Solent, a charity delivering fully accessible boating experiences for disabled children and adults, wheelchair users, veterans, older people, carers and families. The presentation highlighted how the organisation promotes inclusion, confidence, independence and wellbeing through accessible boating activities, fishing experiences, river cruises and community group visits. Attendees heard about the charity’s achievements, extensive partnership working and the positive impact its services have on thousands of participants each year. Suez concluded with powerful examples of the life-enhancing effects for many of those who are enabled to participate thanks to the WetWheels team.
Forum Member Updates
Forum members shared brief updates on current projects, local activities, partnership opportunities and services available primarily across South West Hampshire.
NHS 10-Year Plan
Attendees received an overview of the NHS Three Shifts: Hospital to Community, Analogue to Digital and Treatment to Prevention, and how voluntary sector organisations can contribute to these priorities.
Forthcoming Events and Webinars
Tuesday 28 July, 14:00–16:30 – South East Hampshire Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Forum Networking and Showcase Event, Bedhampton Community Centre.
Tuesday 15 September, 13:00–14:00 – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Social Prescribing Network Webinar: Closing the Health Gap: Tackling Inequalities and Improving Population Health.
Tuesday 22 October, – North Hampshire Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Forum Networking and Showcase Event (venue and time TBC).
Thursday 12 November, 13:00–14:00 – Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Forum Webinar: Reaching Men Where They Are: Community Approaches to Health.
Tuesday 24 November, – Mid Hampshire Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Forum Networking and Showcase Event (venue and time TBC).
Attendees were then able to network and engage with those staffing the 14 organisational Market Stalls.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and we’re glad to hear the great feedback already –
Further Information
Katy Ovens, Health Forums Officer, Community First
Email: healthforums@cfirst.org.uk
Telephone: 07917 906892
Find out more about the South West Hampshire Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Forum