Boscombe Chine Gardens was abuzz with music and good vibes for the seventh annual Festival of Wellbeing which highlighted the excellent work done by Ignite and New Directions and BCHA’s many partner organisations.

The Festival of Wellbeing is held annually by BCHA and raises awareness of organisations offering all manner of support across the conurbation.

BCHA has spent more than 50 years helping thousands of people to find homes and its wellbeing and skills-based training programmes Ignite and New Directions were on hand at the event to give advice.

BCHA Tenancy Sustainability officer Will Thacker, said: “The festival is a great event for people to find out more about the wealth of help available to them – and also to have some fun.

“As well as being able to talk to BCHA about housing and our varied employability services, we had organisations which can support people with financial advice, drug and alcohol support, their mental wellbeing and even healthy eating and fitness.”

Maggie Roj, who attended the Festival on behalf of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), said: “It was a really good opportunity to meet BCHA’s other partner organisations working to help and support the community.

“We told visitors about the huge variety of information we can offer, from general advice on things like benefits, to our specific campaigns such as how to reduce your energy and water costs, advice on pensions and the implications of Brexit.

George Farquhar, BCP Councillor for Boscombe East and Pokesdown, attended the festival with his greyhound Milo and tried his hand at drumming with BCHA Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Wood.

Cllr Farquhar said: “I was extremely impressed by The Festival of Wellbeing. It was relaxed, fun, and informative and the perfect, inclusive environment in which people could get together, engage, share information and find the help they might need.”

Mike Wood added: “The Festival of Wellbeing has become a highlight of BCHA’s calendar, highlighting the many fantastic organisations offering their support to people, often when they need it most.”

 

To find out more about our employability and skills programmes, click here.

 

Donate

To discuss these opportunities and how to donate further please contact Michelle Lewis: michellelewis@bcha.org.uk, 01202 410281