20 September 2024

Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum – 12 September 2024

Presentation slides are available here

The Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum annual ‘Showcase and Networking’ event was held on Thursday 12 September 2024 – with c43 attendees representing a wide range of local organisations. Following on from attendees being welcomed, Community First’s Chief Executive, Tim Houghton, provided a Community & Voluntary Sector update. He began by explaining about Hampshire’s ‘Live Longer Better Forum’ and newsletter, the Hampshire Dementia Alliance and Tim highlighted about the forthcoming Hants & IoW Social Prescribing Network Webinar (Wednesday 9 October, 1-2pm.) He then spoke of the challenging times that many organisations are experiencing – describing a range of funding opportunities.  

Tim went on to explain how Community First support VCSE organisations – highlighting volunteering, Mobility and the Gosport & Fareham Transport Connect services – including ‘Tea & Tiffin’ and Weekly Shopper trips. Other Community First services mentioned were:- the Fareham Monday Club, the Home Help service and Healthy Walks. 

Tim then provided an update on behalf of Gosport Voluntary Action (GVA) – which began with GVA’s merger with Community First (on 1 October 2024). He updated on GVA’s ‘Hampshire Communities for People and Planet’ project. Next came ‘Your Future Your Health’ – a skills, health & wellbeing programme targeting those 30-60 years, next course at GVA, is Jan 25. The first ‘Neurodivergent Friendly Gosport’ Steering Group, was held at GVA in September, facilitated by Jacky Charman. The next Bringing Gosport Together Network Meeting will be on Wednesday 16 October, 12-2pm, also highlighted, was the need for more GVA Advocate volunteers.  

Tim concluded about Waitrose Gosport – donating £500 to support GVA’s Community Spirit groups, with information about GVA’s National Institute for Health and Care Research Project presentation at the NIHR ‘Small Grants Showcase Event’ in Southampton and by sharing some amazing photos of GVA’s Ukrainian Hub families – who joined IoW Ukrainian families for August’s Ryde Carnival – winning First Prize award for the ‘Large Group Award’!  

Janie Millerchip, Transformation Project Lead, Hampshire & IoW NHS, explained about the new branding, the renewed future ambition, progress with the reorganisation and pressure on hospital services across the area including QA hospital. Janie concluded by providing an update on the Gosport’s Health Stakeholder Network, by introducing Forton’s Neighbourhood Prescribing Project concluding by describing the Whole Systems Approach to healthy weight/lifestyle in Gosport.  

Attendees were then invited to network and/or to engage with those represented on Market Stalls. The event concluded with the popular ‘1 Minute Updates’ by those present. 

The ‘Showcase and Networking’ event concluded by the contributors, market stall-holders, supporters (including Huhtamaki who donated the paper cups used) and attendees, all being thanked and by confirming the next Health Forum (Webinar) dates and times:- 

• Tuesday 5 November, 1-2pm (Webinar) 
• Wednesday 5 February 2025, 1-2pm (Webinar) 

 

For more information, please contact Jane Bray:- healthforums@cfirst.org.uk