The Community Summer Event at Robert Lodge was on a beautiful August day, with sunshine, food and activities in both the communal gardens and in the community rooms. This event was to celebrate the reopening of the community rooms, bring people together and share information around health and wellbeing.
Around 140 people attended and there was a great atmosphere. We had circus skills, dressing up, music, arts and gardening activities from different local groups and organisations, bringing fun to all ages, as well as a range of health and wellbeing information stalls and activities for residents. We had wellbeing offers like Indian head massages and hand massages from local holistic therapists, goody packs from the diabetes group as well as snack packs for families, a pamper hamper raffle, Act on Cancer Together stall, smarter uniforms and contributions from Mind and the Healthy Lifestyles team.
Gladrags brought nostalgia boxes for people to explore, Jay played the piano and people danced and sang! Young people made smoothies and graffiti inspired canvas with the youth team, littles ones enjoyed songs and storytelling with Adriana and Mosiac.
Residents also had the chance to try taster activities such as Chair Yoga, Gentle stretch exercise and Boccia.
People chatted, drank tea and enjoyed themselves; the community really came together.
Great Results From the Event:
- Promoting the Healthy Neighbourhood Fund – a chance for small community groups and residents to apply for a small grant to kickstart healthy activities they want to have in their area.
- Get people's feedback about health and wellbeing in the area and let them know about the local health forum
- Connecting residents and sharing information
- Helping develop strong networks of residents and organisations working towards a more inclusive, healthy, happy neighbourhood
Highlights from the TDC Team
Seeing different residents have fun and meet each other while they showcased the brilliant stuff they have been doing locally.
Sara
Residents dancing with the Act on Cancer Together team to golden oldies!
Hannah
Getting young people engaged in the smoothie bike which was lots of fun, having a young person volunteer his time to help the event was amazing and he really got stuck in and the smoothies was a massive hit. Also just networking with parents around the area, letting them know what was on for their children.
Isla
My highlight would be the how popular the Courgette soup was, which was catered for by local Project, Feedback and Sussex Surplus, I was amazed how many people asked for the recipe as it literally flew out of the kitchen!
I have asked Ingrid and Phil for the recipe (if its not a trade secret of course!)
Claire
