Over 100 events can be found across Bristol over the 10 days, each promoting the idea of wellbeing that doesn’t cost the earth. There will be a diverse range of talks, seminars, workshops, open days and taster sessions exploring the links between health and sustainability (see the full programme).
Bristol 2015 Lab Space will host a ‘Weekend Takeover’ on 10th and 11th October, where visitors can enjoy half-hourly engaging demos and taster sessions from health practitioners, community groups and environmental organisations. There will also be ‘Big Green Chair’ talks from inspiring local leaders, plus yoga, qi gong and other drop-in sessions.
Bristol Health Hub will be hosting three days of free taster sessions, events and workshops to explore a variety of ways to achieve wellbeing. Plus, in various locations across Bristol there will be free workshops, walks and talks linked to food, energy, nature, resources and transport - from a Goodgym run and a Big Green ‘Virtual Sponsored Walk’, to being a farmer for the day with The Community Farm, classes with Yogasara, to cycling in nature with TravelWest and Lifecycle.
Health organisations will be addressing sustainability throughout the week, with Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, Penny Brohn Cancer Care and local hospitals opening their doors to showcase what is being done to reduce their environmental impact, and to share their approaches to environment, sustainability, health and wellbeing. Additionally, the ‘Workplace Wellbeing Week Pack’ and Health Creation @ Work initiatives launching in Healthy City Week will offer businesses and organisations a great opportunity help raise awareness of the importance of health and wellbeing in creating a more sustainable workforce.
The programme includes a series of talks and conversations that share innovative solutions, address key challenges and encourage collaboration in healthcare and sustainability.
Healthy City Week emerged from Bristol Green Capital Partnership’s Health and Wellbeing Group as an opportunity to showcase local sustainability and healthcare initiatives during Bristol’s year as European Green Capital, and to raise awareness of the links between our personal health and the health of our environment.
The programme of events covers a variety of topics and themes that fall under the health and wellbeing agenda, with contributors from all health sectors from the mainstream to complementary practitioners. The week also celebrates Healthy City Week’s flagship programme, ‘Kitchen on Prescription’, and the launch of Portland Centre for Integrative Medicine who are coordinating the programme.
Liz Zeidler, Chair of Bristol Green Capital Partnership, says “We would like to thank everyone who has given so much time and effort to create this exceptional week of events and activities. Putting on such a Programme was only possible due to the energy and engagement of so many local organisations and groups who have offered events, activities and projects that add up to what we hope will be the first annual Healthy City Week.”
Dr Trevor Thompson from University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care, a local GP and Chair of the Partnership’s Health and Wellbeing Group, says: “There are so many strands to healthcare in this city. Wouldn't it be great if hospital bosses, NHS clinicians, campaigners, complementary medicine practitioners, and patients of all ages and backgrounds had somewhere to debate the health issues of the day? Well they have - its Healthy City Week!”
The open call out for programme contributions closed earlier this year, but there will be many opportunities to participate and attend events during Healthy City Week – find out more here. Healthy City Week can offer all organisations and individuals an opportunity to share how they are helping Bristol to become a healthy and sustainable city – please share your thoughts, events and activities on social media using the hashtag #HealthyBristol.
Find the full Healthy City Week 2015 programme here.