Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Webinar – 10 February 2026

Full presentation available here

Introduction

This document provides a narrative summary of the presentations delivered during the Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Webinar held on 10 February 2026. The webinar brought together experts from the voluntary sector, public health, dietetics, and pharmacy to explore modern approaches to weight management, metabolic health, and medical interventions.

Angela Gill

Role: HSPN & Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Forums Facilitator

Organisation: Community First

Angela Gill opened the webinar by welcoming attendees and outlining the session’s focus on weight management in the 21st century. She highlighted the importance of collaborative working across the voluntary sector and explained how the Health & Wellbeing Forums provide a platform for organisations to share learning, address health inequalities, and strengthen community support structures.

Tim Houghton

Role: Chief Executive

Organisation: Community First

Tim Houghton provided an overview of the significant role played by the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector in addressing weight management challenges. He described how community‑based programmes foster trust and reduce stigma, especially among groups who often feel that traditional services are inaccessible. Tim emphasised the sector’s ability to support mental health, promote healthier lifestyles, and engage people through inclusive physical activity and food‑related initiatives. He also reinforced the importance of social prescribing in offering non‑clinical support such as gardening groups, walking programmes and cooking activities.

Darren Carmichael

Role: Public Health Principal

Organisation: Hampshire County Council

Darren Carmichael presented an overview of Hampshire’s Weight Management Services, explaining the eligibility criteria and the importance of ensuring that individuals are ready to engage with behaviour change. He described the geographical spread of services across Hampshire, including Aldershot, Andover, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Gosport, and Havant, as well as the specialised women‑only programmes available in certain locations. Darren discussed how the services integrate classes, gym provision and personalised coaching, supporting residents to make sustainable long‑term changes to their health.

Karen Lee

Role: Community Dietitian

Organisation: Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Karen Lee explored the evolution of nutritional advice over the past 25 years and highlighted the increasing focus on metabolic health. She explained the work of community dietitians and the range of health conditions they support, including IBS, frailty and metabolic disorders. Karen discussed the shift from prescriptive, nutrient‑based advice towards a more holistic approach centred on food patterns, sleep, stress, and the gut microbiome. She also outlined the NHS 10‑year plan’s emphasis on prevention, the role of GLP‑1 medications, and the importance of recognising obesity as a chronic condition. Karen concluded by describing the Metabolic Health Group course, a structured programme designed to help patients set goals, manage blood sugars and improve lifestyle habits.

Efthymios Mastoropoulos

Role: Pharmacist Manager

Organisation: Well Pharmacy, Gosport

Efthymios Mastoropoulos delivered a detailed explanation of medical interventions for obesity, focusing on GLP‑1 agonists and fat‑binding medications. He described key medicines such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Orlistat, outlining how they work and who they are suitable for. Efthymios raised concerns about misinformation and the dangers of obtaining unregulated weight‑loss products online, stressing the importance of seeking support from qualified healthcare professionals. He then explained the structured process used in pharmacies, including an initial consultation to assess suitability, development of an action plan, and regular follow‑up appointments. He emphasised that medication is only one part of successful long‑term weight loss, which must also include changes to diet, hydration and physical activity.

Forthcoming Events & Webinars

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Social Prescribing Network Celebration Event will take place on 11 March 2026 in Winchester.

The Voluntary Sector Health & Wellbeing Webinar on 22 April 2026 will focus on women’s health, screening and strategic support.

A webinar on supporting young people through community‑based approaches will take place on 12 May 2026.

A networking and showcase event for East Hampshire, Havant and Alton will take place on 25 June 2026, with the venue to be confirmed.

Contact Information

For further information or to share updates, please contact:

Katy Ovens – healthforums@cfirst.org.uk

Find out more about our Health Forums and registration