Jun 14, 2019, 3:22 PM
Bristol Life Colours Health Fair
The third annual Life Colours health event returned to Bristol, with over 200 people in attendance from the Bristol area. Held in the prestigious City Hall in a prime location, the event started in style, with a welcome speech by newly appointed Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Jos Clark, who commented on how important it was to encourage people to be more physically and mentally healthy, particularly in later life, as that was a particular interest of hers.
On Saturday 1 June, the third annual Life Colours health event returned to Bristol, with over 200 people in attendance from the Bristol area. Held in the prestigious City Hall in a prime location, the event started in style, with a welcome speech by newly appointed Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Jos Clark, who commented on how important it was to encourage people to be more physically and mentally healthy, particularly in later life, as that was a particular interest of hers.
The keynote speaker, Dr Chidi Ngwaba, brought his unique perspective on a range of lifestyle diseases, and in his first presentation, he focussed on Stress and its impact and role in many other lifestyle diseases, such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity etc. In his afternoon session, Dr Chidi focussed on tips and guidance on prevention for a number of these diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Advice included what changes to diet and lifestyle to make, and useful tips on how to make the changes easier.
An interesting and important change this year, was the introduction of separate seminar workshop sessions on Women's and Men's Health.
The Women's session was led by Dr Viola Mathew, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Weston General Hospital, and member of the Weston-Super-Mare church. Dr Mathew explained the various elements which make up women's health, such social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health, and how they affect health. She gave the example of how we influence others, as we interact with people, and asked how we can cultivate that in a positive way? The workshop was very well received and generated some interesting discussion.
The Men's session led by Dr Peter Roach, who had also given a presentation on The Power of Positive Thinking, and was an eye-opener for the men, with full and frank and slightly embarrassing discussion on how men should look after their health, including tips on early diagnosis of things like prostate cancer, for early intervention. The room was full to overflowing, with nearly 50 men present, aging from teenagers to a gentleman in his 80s, but it was an excellent workshop addressing issues which a lot of men tend to ignore or avoid.
Towards the end of the day, Joni Blackwood, a lifestyle and fitness coach from the South England Conference, led the audience, ably assisted by Bristol district minister, Pastor Royston Smith, in an exercise warm-up and stretching session, with everyone taking part.
Besides the keynote presentations and special items by singer Bianca Brown and poems by former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers, there were a number of other supporting organisations who had stalls at the event. These included We Care Home Improvements, Avon Fire and Rescue, and the Dementia Wellbeing Service, all of which provide excellent support and care to their service users. Each representative came up and told the audience a bit about what their organisation did.
In addition, there was a fresh fruit and vegetable juicing station, offering freshly made green juice, operated by expert juicer, Ingrid Ramdanie, as well as a selection of vegan tasters and fruit which were provided for visitors during the break.
The smoothie bike, provided and operated by Bro Evan Green from Newport, supported the event as usual, and this year, he had two special visitors in the form of two local police officers on bicycles who rode by. Of course, they were invited to take to the pedals of the smoothie bike, although the speed and enthusiasm was so great, that it nearly blew the lid off the blender!
Also, new this year, was a second event on the Sunday, when a Health Fair was held at the Bristol Central church. Despite the wet weather, gazebos were put up in the church car park, with a number of visitors and passers-by, dropping in. The event was supported by sponsoring organisations Avon and Somerset Police, Avon Fire and Rescue, Rethink Mental Health, Time to Change, and NHS Blood and Transplant.
The activities included the second part of the presentation on Women's Health by Dr Viola Mathew, and a presentation on Mental Health with Narinder Chana from Rethink Mental Health, who also offered to provide Mental Health First Aid training to raise awareness of issues and stigma affecting sufferers. Each session was attended by over 30 people. In addition, fitness coach Joni Blackwood ran two exercise sessions with 12 people taking part, and juicing, vegetarian tasters and fruit bowls were provided to over 50 people.
Over the two days, over 75 goodie bags were given to the attendees, which contained health literature and small leaflets and books. Presentation of flowers, cards and Adventist books were also given as gifts to the keynote speakers and all the organisations represented.
Bristol Central Community Ministries leader and local organiser, Mary Philip had worked exceptionally hard in bringing the various parties together, organising the venue, which was provided by the city council, as well as arranging for all the speakers and participants.
All in all, it was an uplifting and worthwhile experience, with plans already underway for next year's event!
The third annual Life Colours health event returned to Bristol, with over 200 people in attendance from the Bristol area. Held in the prestigious City Hall in a prime location, the event started in style, with a welcome speech by newly appointed Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Jos Clark, who commented on how important it was to encourage people to be more physically and mentally healthy, particularly in later life, as that was a particular interest of hers.
On Saturday 1 June, the third annual Life Colours health event returned to Bristol, with over 200 people in attendance from the Bristol area. Held in the prestigious City Hall in a prime location, the event started in style, with a welcome speech by newly appointed Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Jos Clark, who commented on how important it was to encourage people to be more physically and mentally healthy, particularly in later life, as that was a particular interest of hers.
The keynote speaker, Dr Chidi Ngwaba, brought his unique perspective on a range of lifestyle diseases, and in his first presentation, he focussed on Stress and its impact and role in many other lifestyle diseases, such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity etc. In his afternoon session, Dr Chidi focussed on tips and guidance on prevention for a number of these diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Advice included what changes to diet and lifestyle to make, and useful tips on how to make the changes easier.
An interesting and important change this year, was the introduction of separate seminar workshop sessions on Women's and Men's Health.
The Women's session was led by Dr Viola Mathew, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Weston General Hospital, and member of the Weston-Super-Mare church. Dr Mathew explained the various elements which make up women's health, such social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health, and how they affect health. She gave the example of how we influence others, as we interact with people, and asked how we can cultivate that in a positive way? The workshop was very well received and generated some interesting discussion.
The Men's session led by Dr Peter Roach, who had also given a presentation on The Power of Positive Thinking, and was an eye-opener for the men, with full and frank and slightly embarrassing discussion on how men should look after their health, including tips on early diagnosis of things like prostate cancer, for early intervention. The room was full to overflowing, with nearly 50 men present, aging from teenagers to a gentleman in his 80s, but it was an excellent workshop addressing issues which a lot of men tend to ignore or avoid.
Towards the end of the day, Joni Blackwood, a lifestyle and fitness coach from the South England Conference, led the audience, ably assisted by Bristol district minister, Pastor Royston Smith, in an exercise warm-up and stretching session, with everyone taking part.
Besides the keynote presentations and special items by singer Bianca Brown and poems by former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers, there were a number of other supporting organisations who had stalls at the event. These included We Care Home Improvements, Avon Fire and Rescue, and the Dementia Wellbeing Service, all of which provide excellent support and care to their service users. Each representative came up and told the audience a bit about what their organisation did.
In addition, there was a fresh fruit and vegetable juicing station, offering freshly made green juice, operated by expert juicer, Ingrid Ramdanie, as well as a selection of vegan tasters and fruit which were provided for visitors during the break.
The smoothie bike, provided and operated by Bro Evan Green from Newport, supported the event as usual, and this year, he had two special visitors in the form of two local police officers on bicycles who rode by. Of course, they were invited to take to the pedals of the smoothie bike, although the speed and enthusiasm was so great, that it nearly blew the lid off the blender!
Also, new this year, was a second event on the Sunday, when a Health Fair was held at the Bristol Central church. Despite the wet weather, gazebos were put up in the church car park, with a number of visitors and passers-by, dropping in. The event was supported by sponsoring organisations Avon and Somerset Police, Avon Fire and Rescue, Rethink Mental Health, Time to Change, and NHS Blood and Transplant.
The activities included the second part of the presentation on Women's Health by Dr Viola Mathew, and a presentation on Mental Health with Narinder Chana from Rethink Mental Health, who also offered to provide Mental Health First Aid training to raise awareness of issues and stigma affecting sufferers. Each session was attended by over 30 people. In addition, fitness coach Joni Blackwood ran two exercise sessions with 12 people taking part, and juicing, vegetarian tasters and fruit bowls were provided to over 50 people.
Over the two days, over 75 goodie bags were given to the attendees, which contained health literature and small leaflets and books. Presentation of flowers, cards and Adventist books were also given as gifts to the keynote speakers and all the organisations represented.
Bristol Central Community Ministries leader and local organiser, Mary Philip had worked exceptionally hard in bringing the various parties together, organising the venue, which was provided by the city council, as well as arranging for all the speakers and participants.
All in all, it was an uplifting and worthwhile experience, with plans already underway for next year's event!
