Huge numbers of fun seekers enjoyed a host of attractions at Whitehaven’s Wellbeing Festival.
The annual event, hosted by Cumberland Council’s social prescribing team, brought families to the town’s Recreation Ground to enjoy food, sport, fun activities and free advice.
Around 2,100 people visited the festival, which had 80 organisations attending, and 22 different activities for festival-goers to try. Delicious free food was enjoyed by 800 children during the day.
Importantly, people accessed expert advice on a range of health, wellbeing and family issues. Social prescribing directs people to support or activities that could stop problems such as loneliness, inactivity or financial concerns becoming medical issues further down the line.
The whole event was free and Colin Cox, Cumberland’s Director of Public Health, Customer and Community Wellbeing, said: “The festival gets bigger and better each year and that is something we are really proud of.
"Well over 2,000 people joined us and that is phenomenal. Each will have taken something valuable from the day – perhaps some life-changing advice, the inspiration to take up a new activity – or maybe they just relaxed and enjoyed a completely free summer event with their children.
“The Wellbeing Festival supports the council’s core principle - it removes any barriers for people seeking to improve their own health and wellbeing.”
Attractions on the day included a climbing wall, yoga, pebble painting, rugby sessions, health checks, spray art, animals to meet, and the chance to meet the emergency services. Marathon Man Gary McKee even came along to meet the crowds and lend his support.
In addition, old favourites like crafts, face painting, trampolines, street performers, bouncy castles, and circus skills proved very popular.
The council is now asking people for their thoughts on the event, so that it can continue to grow and improve next year. Anyone who attended is welcome to fill in this survey until the end of Friday, 15 August: Festival attendees survey
The Wellbeing Festival’s main sponsors are Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick (BBK) and Sellafield's Box Encapsulation Plant (BEP). Catherine Melvin, Project Wellbeing Advisor, said: “Over the past four years, we've watched the festival grow in strength and spirit - an incredible achievement that has firmly rooted itself in the heart of the community.
"We may never fully grasp the true impact of this amazing event, but one thing is clear, the community has voted with its feet. Long may it continue."
Rosehill is also a funder, and Cumberland’s social prescribing team is funded by the Copeland Community Fund.
Other event partners included Active Cumbria, Copeland Haven Primary Care Network’s social prescribing team, and Copeland Alliance Primary Care Network’s social prescribing team.
Social prescribing helps people improve their health and wellbeing by connecting them with community groups, activities or services. This can stop issues becoming medical concerns further down the line. The team can signpost people to these services - email social.prescribing@cumberland.gov.uk to find out more.
Residents can also use the online directory of local support, services and activities themselves.