Ahead of the end of their contract in our anchor neighbourhood of Wybourn, Healthwatch recently delivered two wellbeing events at the Pat Midgley Community Hub during February half term. As with Richmond Park, these were tailored to what Wybourn residents told Healthwatch they most wanted support with, using feedback from their consultation sessions back in 2025.
This included areas of wellbeing such as: more mental health services for adults, children and older people; more information and support with sexual health; post-natal support; support with benefits and financial advice; and support for neurodiversity, disabilities and educational needs.
The sessions provided the chance for customers and residents of all ages to drop in and receive useful guidance around different aspects of wellbeing, with a particular focus on mental health. Representatives from local services that could provide further support were also on hand to meet with attendees and continue to build awareness in the community of what residents can reach out to. Healthwatch’s in-house Information and Advice Officer was also on hand to provide residents tailored information and leaflets for various services that they could access – and help raise awareness of the support already on offer at the Pat Midgley Community Hub.
The first session on 16 February focused on ‘Healthy living’, tackling nutrition, oral health, children’s mental health and young people and adults’ drug and alcohol support. This was bolstered by Healthwatch’s partners including Likewise, Diabetes UK Sheffield, Smokefree Sheffield and Weston Park Cancer Hospital.
The second session on 20 February focused on ‘Healthy minds’, giving a more in-depth view into mental health support, as well as dementia support. Sheffield United Football Club also attended to carry out blood pressure checks and give further information around their services. Other services in attendance included Sheffield Mind, Age UK, Talking Therapies, Golddigger Trust, Manor and Castle Development Academy, and our very own Wybourn Works.
These sessions were family-oriented, taking place during the school holidays, and free refreshments and activities for children were on-hand. These included face painting, exotic animal holding from Beasties Animal Encounters, temporary tattoos, crafts and a prize wheel!
They were well attended, with around fifty residents coming along to connect and gain valuable information to help support their wellbeing. Some lovely feedback includes:
“It was great to meet service providers face to face and to ask questions instead of trying to figure it out online.”
“I appreciated being able to ask questions about mental health and wellbeing services and it felt safe and supportive.”
“It felt like a proper community day rather than just an information event.”
“The staff were approachable and very helpful.”
“Lovely day, lovely centre.”
Community Outreach Lead for Healthwatch Sheffield, Winnie Lukatome, commented:
It was a huge privilege to meet and speak with so many inspiring community groups and the residents of Wybourn during our consultation phase. We were warmly welcomed by the residents who shared their experiences of health, social care, and wellbeing services, as well as the changes they would like to see.
We would like to thank Great Places Housing Group for their support and funding that made this vital work possible as well as the Wybourn residents, the staff, volunteers and regular groups at Pat Midgley Community Hub, Wybourn Works, Wybourn Children’s Centre, Wybourn Community Primary School, Manor and Castle Development Forum and S2 Foodbank for their invaluable support throughout the project.
It was incredibly encouraging to see service providers and residents come together at our health information events at the Pat Midgley Community Hub, building connections and accessing the much-needed support within the community. Although the project is coming to an end, we hope and believe that the relationships built and momentum created will continue in some form, ensuring ongoing benefit for residents.
Whilst this was a great way to end their time in Wybourn, the work does not stop there. Our partnership in both Wybourn and Richmond Park has achieved some great groundwork to gain valuable insight into what wellbeing provision is currently available, where the gaps are, and how we can maximise our community spaces and partnerships with local support services to help build thriving, healthy communities. Watch this space!
