This month, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership, In It Together Somerset, Our Somerset (NHS Somerset ICB) along with other partners and organisations held a first of its kind event in the heart of Glastonbury. The Women's Health & Wellbeing Event took place in the newly refurbished St Dunstan's House, which will play a key role in being a community facility to support the people of the town.
The event was funded by Our Somerset (NHS Somerset ICB), In It Together Somerset and the Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP), and delivered in partnership with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, local organisations in Glastonbury, and services from across Somerset.
We were excited to welcome over 120 women and community members throughout the day with the aim to improve health and wellbeing within the community, build relationships between local organisations and residents, provide support and information and an opportunity to connect.
With 76 people booking online in advance and more than 50 walk-ins on the day from the local community, the event brought together women of all ages and backgrounds to explore movement, self-care, peri-menopause and menopause, early motherhood, physical activity, and wider wellbeing support. The energy, engagement, and sense of community throughout the day truly reflected our shared commitment to supporting women's health, empowerment, and wellbeing across Somerset.
A Strong Community Collaboration
One of the standout successes of the event was the strength of partnership working. Our Community Village featured 20 organisations offering support, advice and signposting across housing, health, mental wellbeing, physical activity, learning, employment, safeguarding, and wider inclusion services.
A huge thank you to all organisations who joined us on the day, including representatives from:
…and many more who contributed to making the day such a welcoming and supportive space. Working together as a community strengthens the support we can offer, and we are truly grateful to everyone who gave their time, expertise, and compassion.
Alongside the day, we provided attendees with free access to a digital programme.
A Day of Learning, Connection and Support
Throughout the day, attendees took part in expert-led workshops, hosted by local organisations and charities, including Guest Speaker, Debbie Dillion & Cheryl Boyle who led a talk on Breaking the Silence: Understanding Your Pelvic Floor, and Guest Speaker: Sophie Aldridge, who led a talk on Menopause. We also hosted Movement and wellbeing sessions throughout the day, had open and honest conversations and provided informal drop-ins with health and community specialists from the area.
Free refreshments, kindly provided by Abbey Tea Rooms, helped create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with plenty of opportunities for conversation, connection and reflection. Children under 5 were also welcomed, helping ensure the event remained accessible for all, regardless of childcare commitments.
Why This Event Matters
This event was shaped following the Women's Health Survey conducted by NHS Somerset, we partnered to provide this unique, collaborative event to help women seek the information relevant to them and access the appropriate healthcare services. This collaborative event aimed to bridge that gap helping women find the resources they need now, and a toolkit they can draw on in the future.
Looking Ahead
We hope that anyone in attendance found the event informative, supportive, and full of opportunities to connect with others in the community.
To support and inform ideas/future events, we have been collecting responses from the public using a Community Comment Box and Microsoft Form, which you can access here. We hope the responses will shape, build and champion ideas and inform future events both in Glastonbury and across Somerset.
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, exhibited, delivered sessions, volunteered, or supported the day behind the scenes. You made the event a warm, uplifting, and empowering experience for all. Once again, thank you for your participation and we are already working with our partners in a network to see what we can create again in the future!
Follow In It Together:
Facebook: @InItTogetherSomerset
Instagram: @iit_somerset
More information: https://www.facebook.com/InItTogetherSomerset/