Celebrating Community Stories

Throughout 2023, the Public Health team worked with communities and organisations across the county to celebrate what it means to be a healthy Worcestershire.

The Community Stories project brought together over 40 stories including 50 organisations from across the county that showed us the many wonderful ways people stay healthy, active and creative.

What do the stories tell us? And how does it impact health and wellbeing?

The stories remind us that people and community power good health and wellbeing, and that activities to support our wellbeing come in many different shapes and sizes (from dance groups to nature walks, cricket and shanty choirs)!

Through the stories featured the impacts to wellbeing include increased social connections, improved mental health and wellbeing, the role of creativity in supporting wellbeing and improved physical health.

On 15 May at the end of the project a Celebrating Community Stories Showcase was held at Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Over 90 people attended including community members, voluntary and community sector organisations, and district and county council officers and councillors. The event included a showcase of Community Stories videos, podcasts and posters in a creative display. Plus, there was a fantastic live performance from Jigsaw dance group.

Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health at Worcestershire County Council said:

“This really was a truly uplifting day, it’s wonderful to see all our communities come together and celebrate what they do to keep Worcestershire healthy.”

Here’s what attendees had to say about the event:

“Amazing to see the breadth of community initiative across the county – these are unsung organisations and volunteers who keep us all connected and this has been such an empowering way of sharing their work in their own words. Inspiring, just inspiring.”

“A Joyous event!”

“What a wonderful event. Lots of ideas, inspiration. Lovely to see many projects for the communities in Worcestershire.”

You can read, listen or watch videos of a selection of these community stories by clicking on the links below.