MORE than 800 people have already attended the summer wellbeing festivals underway across Cornwall, so why not attend one happening close to you?

There are six more festival events planned, the next two are this Saturday (August 17) in Launceston and St Austell, followed by four in September:

• St Austell, Poltair Park on Saturday, August 17, from 10am to 3pm

• Launceston Town Hall on Saturday, August 17, from 11am to 3pm

• Wadebridge Sports and Leisure Centre and Town Football Club, on Sunday, September 1, from 10am to 4pm

• Hayle Recreation Ground on Saturday, September 14, from 2pm to 5pm

• Camborne, Basset Centre on Saturday, September 14, from 9.30am to 12.30pm

• Newquay Orchard on Saturday, September 21, from 10am to 3pm

The festivals are part of the ‘Healthier Together’ campaign from NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board and Healthy Cornwall, who are working together with a number of local voluntary and community partners to deliver the summer series of festivals.

Emma Lankford, centre manager at Cornwall Neighbourhoods For Change, organising the event at Poltair Park, St Austell, said: “Get yourselves ready for a free festival full of fun and family activities. Music, bubbles, singing, instruments, circus skills, gardening tips, cycling, and so much more. Don’t be shy, give new things a try!

“We’re heading for a day of smiles, oozing with community spirit. There are health checks from the NHS and lots of useful advice about local health and wellbeing support. Come and have a chat with friendly faces and find out what’s on offer in your community.”

Pat Orridge, chair of The Orchard Centre, and organising the Launceston event said: “We are delighted to host this event which will bring lots of health and wellbeing services into the town for people to meet and try out. The event also promises a day full of fun for all ages, centred around the theme of ‘Wellbeing for All’.

“Highlights range from Lego building, face painting, soft play and virtual reality gaming, to art sessions and a smoothie making bike. We will also have resources for mental and physical health, diabetes prevention, money advice, health checks, music and singing for health and wellbeing, and more besides. So, please do come and see us.”

CHAOS Radio will be live at the St Austell event with a roving team at Launceston, bringing all the fun of the festivals to their shows on the day.

An additional festival date for Wadebridge has been added to the line-up, showcasing all that the area has to offer to support your health and wellbeing. The newly refurbished Sports and Leisure Centre in Wadebridge will play host to free swims throughout the day and there will be opportunities to try activities ranging from circus skills to yoga, music workshops to gardening skills, and plenty more besides. Food and drink will be available, including a pop-up alcohol free bar from local team DoingItSobarAF.

Organisers say there is something for everyone, and they’re thrilled that so many people of all ages and abilities have come along so far.

Feedback from the first three events held in Bude, Penzance and Redruth has been positive. Locals and visitors attending the Bude event said it was well organised, positive and friendly, they learned loads and loved it. The chance to take up health checks from the NHS was particularly popular.

Meanwhile at Redruth, chair yoga and face painting were among those activities enjoyed by many, along with some welcome summer sunshine. Locals attending the Penzance event enjoyed free vegan curry, taster sessions in archery, the chance to try out virtual reality headsets, crafts, and seeing the variety of local health and wellbeing services available.

Chris Reid, chief medical officer for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly said: “What a fantastic start to these events that are showcasing the wealth of health and wellbeing support available across our local communities. A big thank you to everyone who is involved.

“I went along to the Bude festival and it was great to see so many people enjoying themselves and learning more about how they can make small changes to make a big difference to their long-term health. I recommend everyone to attend one of these wellbeing festivals.”

Ruth Goldstein, assistant director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said: “We’re delighted that over 800 people have attended our summer wellbeing festivals so far. People have told us how much they have enjoyed these fun, free events and how useful it is to hear about and try out local wellbeing support that’s available to them.

“With six more events to come in August and September, I’d really encourage people to come along to a local event near them.”

Find out more on the Healthy Cornwall website.