West Somerset’s first ever Healthy Living Fair is taking place in Williton on September 27 to encourage people in the district to enjoy a better way of life. Conservative-controlled West Somerset Council is working collectively with local voluntary sector organisations, Williton Children’s Centre and Williton GP Surgery to stage the event – a one-stop shop for health and wellbeing.
Local people will have the opportunity to find out about a whole range of preventative measures which may be able to help them make improvements to their lifestyle and enjoy a better quality of life.
Residents are encouraged to take the healthy option and walk or cycle to the event, though there will be free parking available in the WSC car parks between 9 am and noon.
Opportunities at the Healthy Living Fair include:
1610 will be at West Somerset House and will be providing blood pressure checks as well as advice and information on junior, adult and seniors activities in West Somerset.
Age UK Somerset will have a wide range of information about services, projects, advocacy, emotional and practical support for older people over 65 years old as well as their carers and relatives. Compass Disability Services will be promoting their support service for unpaid carers in West Somerset. They will also have information on their Compass Disability Network which is a service for disabled people and their carers. Cream will be tempting your taste buds with free healthy smoothie taster sessions.
Engage West Somerset provide a range of services, which include providing information on local volunteering opportunities via the ‘Volunteer Centre’ and their successful recycling service for quality used furniture at discount prices for those on low incomes at their ‘Furniture Re-Use Centre’ in Alcombe. Home-Start West Somerset support parents, who have at least one child under seven, to develop their relationship with their children, build their confidence and widen their links with the local community. They will be promoting volunteering opportunities within their organisation.
Magna offer a ‘Meals on Wheels’ service to anyone living within a ten mile radius of Watchet who is vulnerable, disabled or has long term health needs (they do not have to be a Magna tenant). A hot meal including a dessert is from £5.50. Other services from Magna include the Gardener / Handyperson service, Home Help service, and Careline Service. More information will be available at the Healthy Living Fair.
Mind support people with mental health problems and can provide an advocacy service to help them be heard and will have information on how people can access this service. They will also be promoting their ‘Somerset Community Care Matters’ service which provides advice and legal support to disabled people or their carer, who are on low income, get the care and health services and funding they need. Pro-Active Lifestyle and Swimming (PALS) Water Activities Group organise water aerobics for the elderly, disabled or disadvantaged adults, helping people build their strength to reduce the need for mechanical aids, come and find out more.
CLOWNS work with different ethnic and cultural groups, families in challenging circumstances, in temporary accommodation, single parents including very young mothers and single fathers, parents struggling with their new role as parents, children with disabilities, families where no extended family members can help with childcare and support. They provide a range of physical family fun, more information will be available at the Fair.
There will also be information on Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership’s (SASP) sports activities and their Zing web site which helps people in West Somerset find the sports and leisure activities they are looking for.
Somerset Care & Repair provide practical friendly support to help people live safely, securely and independently at home. Their advice services include: falls prevention, energy efficiency, hospital discharge, housing options, advice on home adaptations and home maintenance. All advice services are free and may include a home visit. Their practical services include a handyperson service and a contractor recommendation scheme for larger work as well as project management, come and find out more.
Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will be promoting their free ‘health trainer’ service and their ‘ProActive’ physical activity scheme providing subsidised opportunities for clients with special medical conditions. West Somerset Advice Bureau provide free, independent and confidential advice to local people on welfare benefits, debt, energy advice, employment matters, divorce and family concerns, housing problems, consumer issues and many other areas that affect their daily lives. Come and find out where their service is available in West Somerset.
Somerset Waste Partnership Somerset Waste Partnership will be promoting ‘Love Food’ in the Williton Children’s Centre including fun activities and freebies to help you save time and money, plus understand when food is safe to eat. getset will also be in the Children’s Centre promoting their services for young people from 0-19 years old.
The organisers would like to thank the shop owners and businesses in Williton for their support for this event. Also to the sponsors:
• Miles Tea & Coffee and Williton Spar for sponsoring the free teas and coffees for everyone visiting the Fair.
• Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
• Somerset County Council
• West Somerset Council – free car parking between 9 am and 12 noon in the public car parks in Killick Way