On Saturday 13 September, the Health in the Park event held at Isleworth Leisure Centre and Library brought together over 500 residents, more than 32 health and community stallholders, and a wide variety of free classes, health checks, and wellbeing activities. The event’s success underscores the power of informal, relaxed settings in building trust between the public, health professionals, and local service providers.
Health in the Park offers a unique engagement model, it allows for meaningful dialogue with residents, frontline workers, and voluntary sector partners. Participants can share feedback, discover services they weren’t aware of, and address health inequalities in real time. Stallholders reported high levels of interaction and expressed appreciation for the chance to network with both each other and the public.
71% of resident feedback evidenced increased awareness of new services, and 54% of respondents said they would do something different after learning about it at the event. Stallholders received increased service sign-ups; health checks were delivered throughout the day, and more than 60 visitors enquired about signing up for gym membership.
The event contributes to longer-term goals: reinforcing public confidence in the health system, promoting prevention and early intervention, and uncovering unmet needs in the community.