Over 200 people came together to meet, greet and network at the first ever Community Day.
Taking place at Chester Racecourse on Thursday 13th April, Community Day aimed to celebrate support for mental health in Cheshire and Wirral by bringing together people from health, social care, voluntary, community and charity organisations.
The packed agenda featured keynote speeches from William Higham, Rethink Mental Illness, Phil Roberts from JourneyMEN, Tim Welch, chief executive at CWP and lived experience advisor, Robbie Lee Valentine.
Tim Welch, CWP chief executive said: “I’ve seen today that the scale of the opportunity to help people stay well in their local community is limitless. Voluntary, community and charitable organisations are helping so many people already with their mental health and by now working together through the development of the new Community Wellbeing Alliances, there is power in numbers.”
“The new partnerships will provide a more holistic community mental health offer which is reflective of people’s needs. We all know that when we experience pressures in other areas of our lives, whether that be in relationships, employment, financial or physical health concerns that these impact our mental health and vice-versa. As an NHS organisation, it is important that we recognise this and empower people in their recovery.”
The day was also home to the inaugural Community Mental Health Recognition Awards - celebrating local stars who make a difference to people every day. Many congratulations to:
Community Service Star
Winner: Cheshire East Pure Insight Team and Experts by Experience Panel
Highly commended: Platform for Life
Individual Star
Winner: Winner: Emma Naden, Involvement Recovery and Wellness Centre, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Highly commended: Highly commended: Gemma Edwards, The Wishing Well
Outstanding Contribution Star
Winner: The Rage Fitness Well-being Centre
Highly Commended: Cheshire and Wirral Community Wellbeing Alliance, Lived Experience Advisors: Jackie Tait, Arlo Ethan King, Zay Naghashi, Garrick Prayogg, Lynsey Harmon, Robbie-Lee Valentine, Tyra Goodwin
Watch a recap of the day below
