21 May 2025
Fareham & Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum Networking and Showcase Event – Thursday 15 May 2025
View the full presentation of slides here
The Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum bi-annual, ‘Showcase and Networking’ event, was held on Thursday 15 May 2025 – with c32 attendees and c14 Market Stalls, representing a range of local health and VCSE organisations.
Following on from attendees being welcomed, Community First’s Voluntary Sector Engagement Manager, Debbie Grace, provided a Community & Voluntary Sector briefing. She began by providing updates on HIVCA (Hampshire & IoW VCSE Health and Care Alliance) and its collaboration with the ICB (Integrated Care Board). Debbie introduced CHAT (Communities Health Action Together) – a new initiative promoting health volunteering. Next, Connect to Work – a programme supporting people with health barriers into employment was highlighted. Other initiatives promoted included:- Live Longer Better in Fareham, exercise classes for the over-55s, Healthy Walks – inclusive walking groups, Close Encounters – befriending for older adults and Home Services – which provides local domestic and gardening support for older, vulnerable adults.
Then Ryan Coles, Workforce Innovation Coordinator, Inclusion Hampshire described how Inclusion Recovery Hampshire, supports individuals with drug and alcohol issues. Ryan explained their services include: Harm reduction, detox, counselling, and peer support. They have 9 community hubs across Hampshire including specialist teams. Ryan emphasised volunteering opportunities and the training that is available. He also shared some key statistics: over 10,000 people treated in the past year also, Inclusion Hampshire have had c400 volunteers since 2015. Finally, Ryan explained that there is currently no waiting list and that they offer flexible assessment options.
Finally, Gordon Atkins, Sexual Health Promotion Practitioner, Hampshire & IoW NHS Foundation Trust promoted good Sexual Health via Let’s Talk About It – by giving a virtual tour of their website. The website covers: STIs, HIV, Contraception, Pregnancy, Clinic Finder, and a Directory of Services. Gordon actively encouraged collaboration, discussing outreach, education, and how to access services.
Attendees were then invited to network and/or to engage with those on the Market Stalls.
The Agenda finished with the popular ‘1 Minute Updates’ by those present.
Finally, the ‘Showcase and Networking’ event concluded by the contributors, market stall-holders, supporters, and attendees, being thanked and by confirming the forthcoming Webinars and next face-to-face Health Forum dates and times:
Wednesday 11 June, 1-2pm: Hants & IoW Social Prescribing Network Webinar – “Empowering People through Employment”
Wednesday 9 July, 1-2pm: Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Webinar – ‘Who’s Caring for the Carers?’
Thursday 2 October, 1-2pm: Hants & IoW Social Prescribing Network Webinar “Wellbeing in the Wild: Blue and Green Social Prescribing”
Thursday 27 November, 10.15am-12.30pm: Health Forum ‘Networking & Showcase Event’, Gosport (venue tbc)
Tuesday 9 December, 1-2pm: Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Webinar “Addressing Frailty and Social Isolation: Integrated Approaches to Ageing Well”
Tuesday 10 February 2026, 1-2pm: Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing “Weight Management in the 21st Century: Nutrition Innovation and Medical Intervention”
Wednesday 11 March 2026: 9.30am-2.30pm: (tbc) Hants & IoW Social Prescribing Network ‘Showcase and Celebration Event’, Vineyard Church, Winchester
For more information, please contact Jane Bray: healthforums@cfirst.org.uk