Community comes together for women’s health event

Visitors to a women’s Winter Well event in Folkestone welcomed free health checks, lifestyle advice and fun exercise classes.

Held at the Harbour Community Church, the event was organised together with Folkestone and Hythe District Council and included more than 30 stands offering advice on women’s health.

These included East Kent Carers’ Support, Folkestone Safe Haven, Kent and Medway Recovery Wellbeing College, the Rising Sun domestic abuse charity, the East Kent Bowel Screening Programme and our Expert Patients Programme, a free six-week to help people regain independence, manage everyday situations and boost mental and emotional wellbeing.

Folkestone resident Michelle Pitcher, 50, attended the event. She said: “I haven't had a health check for 10 years, so it was good to go over everything and know that my cholesterol is as it should be. The health check also put me at three years younger than I actually am, so that was good news!"

Folkestone councillor Polly Blakemore opened the event, watched an energetic warm-up session led by Moving Well and Everyday Active and took the opportunity to have a health MOT.

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust Community Development Events Co-ordinator Katy O’Shea said: “At many of the events we attend, people expressed interest in having an event specifically for women. That’s why we organised the women’s Winter Well event, although it was open to everyone.”