More than 2000 residents visited the first Health in the Park event organised by the BBP in collaboration with Hounslow Council, health, voluntary and community partners on Saturday 29 July.
Visitors enjoyed a day of fun and healthy activities in Redlees Park such as outdoor yoga, football, Tai Chi, peddling on a Smoothie bike and much more. There was also a chance to visit more than 40 health and community stalls and chat with health professionals.
More than 15 health and activity prizes were won by visitors, these were kindly donated by Lampton Leisure, Beezee Bodies, BetterPoints, Snakes and Ladders, Hounslow Council Health Outreach Team, Hounslow Greengrocers and the Jewellery Channel.
The event was a first of its kind for the BBP, as it worked with more than 30 services and local community groups to co-design an event that aimed to motivate visitors to become more active and lead healthier lifestyles, so that they are not impacted by long term health conditions.
Jaz Gill, Health Outreach Team Manager, Hounslow Council, said:
“The Health in the Park event had an amazing turnout, it was really good to see local residents enjoying themselves, taking part in the activities and visiting the stalls to have conversations about their health.
“Facilitators were pleased that they had the opportunity to speak with so many local residents on health topics in a relaxed environment.”
Anne Stratton, Director, Hounslow Borough Based Partnership (BBP) and Chief Operating Officer, Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare, said:
“The Health in the Park event was a first for the BBP and it enabled us to collaborate with many local and diverse communities. This new approach to health engagement also brought more residents and health professionals closer together in a friendly and informal environment.”
Initial feedback from 35 residents who attended the event and completed our survey illustrated:
- 94% felt they now knew more about the health and care services available in Hounslow.
- 63% felt confident to use the services in Hounslow and 29% felt keen to.
- 31% indicated they would likely apply healthy lifestyles (exercise and eating well) daily and with 19% indicated they would do it weekly.
- 94% would like to see more of these types of Health Information public events within the borough.
- 57% of respondents were from Asian or Black descent.
The Community Connectors programme also received a whopping 22 new sign-ups at the event, which is a record breaking number for the service. Community Connectors act as health ambassadors for the council and health services and help provide health information directly to their communities.
Facilitators are currently in the process of providing their feedback, and we aim to publish a full evaluation in September.
Thank you
The BBP Senior Leadership Team and Board would like to thank all volunteers, facilitators and staff who contributed to the planning and delivery of this event. It could not have been delivered without Addiction Recovery Community, Betterpoints, Brentford Football Club Community Sports Trust, Care UK, C Change West London, Chronically Brown, Healthy Hounslow, Healthwatch Hounslow, Hounslow Jamia Masjid Hounslow Respiratory Support Group, Integrated Neurological Services, Let’s Go Outside and Learn, Macmillan Cancer Support, Middlesex Association for the Blind, Mind, Royal Association for the Deaf, Royal National Institute of Blind People, SFIDA Kosovan/Albanian/Macedonian and Gorani Group, SheWise, The Alzheimer’s Society, The Gurkha Centre, The Mulberry Centre, Trinjan, Visiting Angels and the West London Ghanaian Association
