[P]lans are almost complete for the second Community Health Mela being held in the City Centre on Saturday 13th May 2017. The Health Mela or Fair is a friendly festival with entertainment and activities. People will be able to have basic health checks undertaken in a relaxed environment and take the opportunity to find out about practical and / or alternative ways in which they can improve lifestyles and health.
The organisers, Rotarians in the Carlisle area and Sustainable Carlisle, are pleased that support for the health checks is to be provided by Lloyds Pharmacy.
Kevin Walsh from Rotary says that; “This exciting event will again allow all visitors to have a family day out to enjoy, learn and pick up useful tips to lead a healthy, enjoyable and long life. We are pleased to be supported by the Carlisle City Council Healthy City Initiative, Cumbria Community Foundation, Cumbria County Council and now Lloyds Pharmacy.
“We needed to find a sustainable way of providing this professional support locally and we hope that this new partnership will continue to develop in the future.”
The day will again be centred on a series of “Streets” set up in the City Centre. These “Streets” will allow a wide range of Health & Wellbeing activities to take place including;
- Health & Wellbeing advice and support
- Healthy Food and Cooking
- Gardening
- Complementary & Listening Therapies
- Exercise
- Entertainment and Music
Rotarians have engaged with several local schools to arrange art and writing competitions related to Health & Wellbeing. Local book shop owner, Steve Matthews from Bookends of Carlisle has agreed to support the writing competition and judging is already underway. There will be a display of entries in Carlisle library from 29th April to 14th May. The winning entries will be on display in the Rotary Gazebo during the Health Mela.
Cycle Carlisle has also agreed to arrange of one of their “mass cycle” events to be held on the day with participants meeting in Devonshire Walk Car Park at 1130 am. We are also working with several local sports/exercise groups aiming to arrange for a range of activities to be scheduled during the day.
Mark Lloyd, of Sustainable Carlisle said: “This exciting event supports our aim to make our city more sustainable for ourselves and for following generations. By encouraging people to take more responsibility for the own health & wellbeing we can take some of the pressure of our stretched NHS.”
If anyone wishes to volunteer to help with the event Rotarians in the area will be happy to hear from them. Contact rotary.walsh601@outlook.com.
