Last week, residents, families, community groups and local organisations came together for the North Whitehawk Spring Wellbeing Event — a vibrant day focused on wellbeing, connection and community.
Hosted by UOK Brighton & Hove alongside The Trust for Developing Communities and the North Whitehawk Residents Association on Saturday 9 May, the event was planned in partnership with local residents to create a welcoming space where people could relax, have fun and find out more about support available in their area.
The day was filled with activities, conversation and opportunities for people of all ages to connect. Visitors enjoyed food from local favourite Momma Cherri’s Soul Food Shack, circus skills sessions with entertainer Nick Cook, yoga and flower crown making, face painting, hand massages, and support from the Brighton Youth Bus. A quiet wellbeing room also offered space for calm and reflection throughout the day.
Alongside the activities, a range of UOK partners and community organisations hosted stalls and shared information about local wellbeing and support services, including Amaze Sussex, Bridging Change, Grassroots Suicide Prevention, The Carers Centre for Brighton & Hove, Southdown Recovery College, and The Trust for Developing Communities.
Interpreting support from Sussex Interpreting Services also helped ensure the event was welcoming and accessible for local residents from different communities and backgrounds.
Brooke Joyce, UOK Partnership Lead, said:
“This event was a fantastic example of true partnership working and the positive impact that can be achieved when organisations and communities unite with a shared purpose. This is what UOK is all about, so it was very special for it to come together.
A particular highlight for me was how multicultural the day felt, with many people visiting the space for the first time to enjoy activities with their children, relax, share food, and connect with others in the community. The atmosphere (and the weather)! was warm and inclusive, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. People are already asking when the next event will be because it was such a huge success!”
The North Whitehawk Residents Association also shared their reflections on the day:
“I want to congratulate, and thank everyone on such a successful event on Saturday. From a committee perspective, we felt everyone created such a safe and welcoming space for all residents — no matter what you were looking for. The space became filled with a warmth of cultural difference and diversity; as a resident it was a welcomed change!”
