We hosted Plymouth Wellbeing Connections for the second consecutive year on Wednesday, November 6th, and it was a remarkable day!
After the success of our original event in October 2023, we were excited and motivated to create an even bigger and better experience for connecting, learning, and celebrating, with the support and partnership of YMCA Plymouth. We are proud to report that the event was a tremendous success, featuring 60 exhibitors from a diverse range of health and wellbeing services. Across the day, we welcomed an impressive 300 attendees, including individuals, community groups, small businesses, voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) as well as other organisations.
Plymouth Wellbeing Connections 2024 kicked off with opening speeches from Greg Price, Health Improvement Manager of Wellbeing at Work; Tom Lavis, CEO of YMCA Plymouth and Discovery College; and Cllr Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board. Each speaker emphasised the importance of coming together to contribute to discussions about health and wellbeing and highlighted the power of collaboration in enhancing the wellbeing of Plymouth.
“Today’s event was excellent in providing vital information about local resources. It was also a perfect opportunity for networking and staying informed about wellbeing services in Plymouth that I can access for myself and my colleagues,” said one attendee.
“We met several potential partners and resources to signpost as Wellbeing Champions. This was an excellent event for connecting organisations. We engaged with groups from specific populations we aim to serve, including young people, carers, older adults, and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND),” another participant shared.
Our Wellbeing at Work Team and the One You Plymouth Team had a productive day engaging in conversations with businesses, community groups, and individuals, discussing ways to connect and provide mutual support. We also had meaningful interactions with partners interested in learning about our programmes for healthier lifestyles and wellbeing at work. We shared insights on how they could improve their workplaces and communities, leading to productive discussions.
Throughout the day, we organised various activities, including YMCA tours led by CEO Tom Lavis, a Wellbeing Walk with our One You Walk Leaders, and other engaging activities from individual exhibitor stalls. These initiatives created a positive and productive atmosphere for attendees to focus not only on their wellbeing but also on that of their employees and community members. The event buzzed with activity, and many productive conversations took place among participants.
We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who joined us! We hope you gained valuable opportunities to enhance your services, learned about what others offer, and felt inspired to continue discussions about wellbeing to create positive change for all. We look forward to using your feedback this year to make the 2025 Wellbeing Connections event even better, allowing for more connections, learning, and celebrations surrounding health and wellbeing in our great city!
“We are thrilled that Wellbeing Connections 2024 was a success. It was wonderful to see so many people connecting and forming new partnerships across Plymouth. We hope these connections will strengthen everyone’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!” said Greg Price, Health Improvement Manager, Wellbeing at Work.
“It was an honour to host Plymouth Wellbeing Connections at our centre today! At YMCA Plymouth, we believe in the power of collaboration to uplift our community’s health and wellbeing. It has been inspiring to connect with all of you, learn about each organisation’s initiatives, and explore opportunities for collaboration to make a positive impact together. We hope you left feeling inspired, connected, and proud of the incredible work being done in our local area to promote wellbeing!” added Tom Lavis, CEO of YMCA Plymouth and Discovery College.
Stay tuned for updates on Plymouth Wellbeing Connections 2025!
