Health and well-being festival in Cumberland on August 16

Fourth year of council’s free, family-friendly festival will boast song-writing, rugby and the chance to join the circus – as well as support and information from well-being services.  

Hosted by Cumberland Council’s social prescribing team, this year’s free Health and Well-being Festival takes place on August 16 on the recreation ground at Whitehaven Rugby League Club. Dozens of partner organisations will provide a huge variety of attractions for all the family. 

Photo courtesy of Cumberland Council

These include bouncy castles, a climbing wall, a fun run with ‘Marathon Man’ Gary McKee, face painting, drumming sessions and craft activities. There will be opportunities to join a dance session or have a go at qigong, a traditional Chinese form of meditation. As well as workshops in playing rugby and in song-writing, there will be circus performers and other street entertainment. 

Representatives of local police and fire and rescue services will also be on hand, with a chance for youngsters to meet them – and see their vehicles. 

What’s more, a range of organisations will be on site to offer support and information about issues people may be facing, such as finance, loneliness, mental and physical well-being – and more. Families are also invited to bring a picnic blanket to relax and enjoy the day. 

(Some free food a drink will be available for children, while stocks last, and food will also be available to buy from outlets at the festival.) 

The festival is part of the council’s wider social prescribing initiative that aims to help local people improve their health and well-being by connecting them with community activities, groups and services – such as those in the online directory. In tackling issues early on, these services can help to prevent the development of more serious medical concerns.  

Other event partners include Rosehill, the Copeland Wellness Service and Active Cumbria. The wider social prescribing project is funded by Sellafield Ltd’s Social Impact Multiplied fund and the Copeland Community Fund. 

Colin Cox, Director of Public Health and Communities at Cumberland Council, says: ‘Our mission as a council is to offer every opportunity for people to achieve better health and well-being. Our social prescribing team do that throughout the year by helping people find support services and activities that can directly impact their lives. The health and well-being festival is a fun opportunity to bring that right into the heart of the community. The whole day is free, too, so it is a great chance to have some family time without breaking the bank.’ 

Catherine Melvin, Project Well-being Advisor at the Box Encapsulation Plant (BEP) at Sellafield, which sponsors the festival, adds: ‘This is the third year that we have been involved in the festival and we’re hugely proud of the work we do. Everyone was blown away by last year’s success so we are excited for what this year will bring! We have increased our commitment in a number of ways and are confident that it will have direct impact on the number of people we can help as a result. From a project perspective, our people are fundamental to our success but what we do can be a challenge. Being so closely involved with the partnership means we have a complete set of tools and the knowledge to support the health and wellbeing of our people when they need it.’ 

Tracey West, Senior Social Impact Manager at Sellafield Ltd, says: ‘Partnering with local authorities and experts to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities is a key focus of our social impact approach. Events like these assist our communities to thrive by learning about what support is out there whilst having a fun day out for all the family. I am looking forward to another successful festival this year and the chance to highlight what services are available for people.’ 

Emma Moynihan, Fund Manager at Copeland Community Fund, adds: ‘Copeland Community Fund have been a majority funder, supporting the work of the social prescribing team, since its inception in November 2021. Improving the health and wellbeing of the local community is a key priority for Copeland Community Fund, so we are delighted to see the support given has enabled the health and well-being festival to go from strength to strength. Now in its fourth year, the festival offers local residents and families the opportunity to access many of the local support services available to them whilst enjoying a fun packed day.’ 

A full timetable of events and activities will be available on the day. In the meantime, more details will be revealed on the council’s social media channels as the festival approaches. 

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