World Health Day Celebrations

On Saturday, Trust Thamesmead in partnership with the Thamesmead Health and Well Being Partnership Forum held a very successful World Health Day event in Thamesmead Town Centre, with more than 300 participating over the day's program.

With 15 health service providers and volunteer groups present, the mobile health clinic, GLLAB/Census bus and an open day at Thamesmere Leisure Centre, local residents and shoppers were able to get advice on health topics including diabetes, dental care, T.B, sexual health, Alzheimer's and healthy eating.

Some activities such as the health checks, massages at the Leisure Centre, face painting and the smoothie bikes run at full capacity all day. Other services including GLLAB and the Stop Smoking Service reported good numbers of people signing up for their programs and the exercise displays and join in workshops near the clock tower of tai chi, line dancing, drumming and Zumba and smoothie making bikes which were manned by volunteers from the Trust Thamesmead/Greenwich Community Food Coop's fruit and veg stall, which were popular with both service providers and the audience, young and old.

Trust Thamesmead's Community Development Officer for Central Thamesmead, Roz Williams said: “The presence of so many different health service providers from both Bexley and Greenwich Boroughs in the town centre meant that Thamesmead community members were able to, in an easy, non confrontational way, ask questions and gain information about a range of health issues.

“It was also an opportunity for some very timely interventions as the first three people who had health checks in the mobile bus were advised that their blood pressure readings were so high, they should see their G.P.'s as a matter of urgency!

“The Partnership Forum will be reviewing the day and making recommendations for an even more positive event next year, including how to better connect and highlight the different areas around the town centre where activities are taking place, so as to encourage more people to move between these sites.”

Trust Thamesmead's Head of Community Development, David Stone said “This year's event was the best ever, with more service providers, better engagement, lots of activities, and really good numbers of people attending. I counted 30 people doing line-dancing and a different 25 doing Tai Chi - there was a real ‘buzz' about the day, which provided an opportunity for service providers to network and meet residents and for us to demonstrate again the benefits of partnership working.”