A new community health and wellbeing fayre aimed at empowering local residents through accessible support and information is being held on Saturday, September 7th.

The event, at St Nicholas Church Hall from 11:00am to 3:00pm, is being organised by the Woodstock Patient Participation Group and in collaboration with local community groups and supported by South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP). Attendees will also be able to enjoy complimentary tea, coffee, and refreshments while they explore the services on offer.

Eleanor MacLean, Chair Woodstock Patient Participation Group, said: “We are delighted to announce details of this event, which will offer residents the opportunity to engage directly with a range of health, social care services and voluntary organisations and assist residents to identify those health and care which they can access directly without the need to contact their GP.

“This will include the local pharmacy, health and social care services, health improvement, health related voluntary groups, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture and many more services which are able to assist people manage their health and wellbeing.”

The event will also bring together a range of other local organisations, including the Citizens Advice Bureau, Healthy Valleys, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, providing invaluable resources and advice on a wide array of topics.

In addition to the Fayre, the HSCP has launched a "Space to Talk" series, designed to foster meaningful connections between residents and local health and social care services.

The events will be held on Tuesdays 10th, 17th and 24th September, (between 1:45pm and 4:15pm) before moving to Wednesdays (10:30-1pm) from 2nd of October for 6 weeks (up to and including November 6th) at the Lanark Lifestyles Facility. This series will create a welcoming environment where individuals can discuss their needs and concerns with representatives from Social Work, NHS Lanarkshire Health Improvement, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry and other key services.

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer of the HSCP, highlighted the importance of these events in the context of community health and wellbeing:

"At the heart of these initiatives is our commitment to reducing health inequalities and promoting positive lifestyle changes across rural South Lanarkshire.

“The Health and Wellbeing Fayre and the Space to Talk series exemplify our vision of working together with the community, in the community, to provide accessible, practical support.

“These events offer a unique opportunity for residents to engage directly with services that can make a real difference in their lives."

Maureen Dearie, Locality Manager of Clydesdale for the HSCP, echoed these sentiments, and emphasised the collaborative nature of the initiatives:

"These events are a testament to the strength of partnership working in Clydesdale. By bringing together a diverse range of organisations and services, we are ensuring that local people have the support they need to manage their health and wellbeing effectively.

“They offer a flexible opportunity for residents to connect with the right people in a setting that is both informal and supportive."