Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum 16 May 2023

Active And Healthy Lives

View the presentation’s slides here

ACTIVE AND HEALTHY LIVES

Introduction

The (virtual) Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum was held on Tuesday 16 May 2023 – with c47 attendees. Following on from attendees being welcomed, Gosport Voluntary Action’s CEO Kay Hallsworth, provided a Community & Voluntary Sector update. On behalf of Community First, Kay updated on Community First’s Volunteer offer, Digital Champions Programme, Long Covid, Heart Conditions and Cardiac Support Groups in Fareham. Also on Health Advocacy and their very successful Coronation Afternoon Tea!

Kay continued by updating on Gosport Voluntary Action’s remodelling and job-losses, as a result of Gosport Borough Council’s withdrawal of funding from April 2023 onwards. Kay then updated on Community Friends, the Ukrainian Hub, Healthy Walks, Neurodivergent Town / Autism Ambassadors, GVA Volunteer Celebrations, Hampshire Improving Health & Wellbeing Board, Suicide First Aid Training, Close Encounters, the Hampshire Civilian Partnership Board. Finally, progress re Gosport Voluntary Action’s health inequalities partnership project and Sreya Chattopadhyay’s engagement across Gosport and Fareham.

Sarah Taylor, Transformation Lead (Fareham and Havant), Hampshire, Southampton & IoW, Integrated Care Board (ICB) introduced herself and her role across Havant and Fareham. Sarah mentioned Children and Young Peoples’ Mental Health Grants, a recent ‘Fareham Today’ article, Core20PLUS5 and Healthy Weight/Physical Activity Support. Next Sarah Introduced a series of ‘Man v Fat Football’ slides, on behalf of Dan Church, Regional Manager, South (who was unable to attend).

Emma Kemp, Director, Love Outdoors CIC, provided an update and photos on Gosport’s Willow Incredible Garden at Forton Medical Centre. Emma also highlighted a new Wellbeing in the Park programme – Buggy Fit, Wellbeing Crafts and Outdoor Yoga classes.

Next, Conor Morley and James White, Health & Wellbeing Coaches, Meon Health Practice, explained about the individual and group service/support that they deliver which includes:- Seated Exercise, Pain, Pilates, Cancer Drop-in and ‘Walking 4 Health’. They shared two anonymous Case Studies that illustrated the difference these health and wellbeing services can make to the quality and enjoyment of individuals’ lives.

Esther House, GP Referrals Administrator, Fareham Leisure Centre & Holly Hill Leisure Centre, Sarisbury Green (Everyone Active) gave a summary of their health & wellbeing strategy and what they offer. They aim to focus upon those who are inactive &/or living with long term health conditions, creating behaviour change via physical journey – pay as you go or membership. There is a GP Referral Scheme which is discounted and Parkinson’s free membership, the Superhero series, Ukrainian Guest and Cared For memberships. Steady & Strong, Swimming, 50+ Club, Walking Netball and Yoga, Cardiac Rehab, they have space…

Hazel Agombar briefly mentioned that the Environment Centre are running a Clean Air Day Webinar on Thursday 15 June aimed at Clinicians and Frontline Workers – around reducing people’s exposure to Air Pollution, including national and local clinicians. (Need to book a place.)

Rebecca Quail, Health & Wellbeing Coordinator, Gosport Leisure Centre, highlighted some of their activities – including a 12-week scheme, an Exercise on Referral Scheme, lifestyle help including E-Consult if needed, Steady and Strong (HCC) – which will be taking it into the community, care homes, sheltered housing, a van with equipment, Cardiac Rehabilitation, COPD. There will be an Health & Wellbeing Event on a Saturday in October (TBC) – Rebecca will welcome organisations who would like to attend and host a stand. There will be a new Friday pm Aquafit for people who don’t like doing this activity in crowds (up to 20 max) – term time only. There will be an Escape Pain course (off-site) also Stroke and Urology…

The Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum ended by the contributors and attendees being thanked and by confirming the next Health Forum 2023-24 dates and times as follows:-

Wednesday 13 September, 10.30-12.30pm (Face to Face) Market Place and Networking – Gateway Church, 171-173 West St, Fareham, PO16 0EF

Tuesday 6 February 2024, 1-2pm

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