Residents across Dumfries and Galloway are being given a chance to discover what’s on their doorstep to help improve their health and wellbeing.
Nine community events will bring local support, services and activities together under one roof this September.
Doors will be open to everyone – carers, people managing long-term conditions, those looking to get active, those feeling isolated, or anyone just curious what’s out there locally.
The marketplaces, hosted by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG), will reflect the full breadth of what supports health and wellbeing, not just clinical or care services. They bring support directly to communities, rather than asking communities to find it.
Alongside health and social care support, attendees can expect to find information on social connection, physical activity, carers’ support, food, transport, financial wellbeing, employability advice, community activities, condition-specific support and early help. Organisations do not need to identify as a “health service” to be relevant, with smaller, locally rooted groups encouraged to take part.
Niomi Hamilton, Lead for Community Health and Wellbeing at TSDG, said: “People should have real choice over the care and support that works for them and to choose well, they need to know what’s available locally.
“Health and wellbeing is about far more than medical care. It might be a group that gets you out of the house, a way to stay active you actually enjoy, advice before a problem becomes a crisis, support as a carer, or simply connecting with others.
“That’s what these marketplaces are for: a place to explore and ‘shop’ for support that feels right for you.
“There’s no single answer, but people know their own lives best. Ultimately, it’s about giving people the knowledge and choice to find the right support and helping them live well in the communities they call home.”
The marketplaces sit within a wider programme to reshape services across Dumfries and Galloway through closer collaboration with the voluntary sector, expanded services to regain an individual’s independence and greater use of digitally enabled care. The aim is to help people stay healthy, connected and independent for longer, reducing avoidable hospital admissions and lengthy stays.
Gareth Marr, Chief Officer of Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Supporting people to live well and remain independent for as long as possible means looking beyond traditional health and care services and recognising the vital contribution made by our communities.
“These marketplaces are a great opportunity for people to discover the wide range of support, activities and connections available locally, while also bringing organisations together to build stronger links around the people and communities they serve.
“By making it easier for people to find the right support at the right time, we can help people stay well, connected and independent in their own communities.”
The dates and locations of the marketplaces are:
- Wednesday 2nd September – Rhins and Stranraer – Portpatrick Village Hall
- Thursday 3rd September – Wigtown and the Machars – Wigtown County Buildings
- Tuesday 8th September – Stewartry – Castle Douglas Town Hall
- Thursday 10th September – Glenkens – TBC
- Tuesday 15th September – Mid and Upper Nithsdale – Sanquhar Community Centre Sports Hall
- Wednesday 16th September – Lower Nithsdale – Summerhill Community Centre, Dumfries
- Thursday 17th September – Mid Nithsdale – Old School Thornhill
- Tuesday 22nd September – Upper Annandale – Moffat Town Hall
- Thursday 24th September – Lower Annandale – Annan Victoria Halls
Each event will have an opening period for networking and relationship-building between participating organisations, followed by the chance for local people to attend the marketplace from 11am to 3pm.
TSDG is also inviting third sector organisations, community groups, projects and services, to get involved. Any organisation interested should email health@tsdg.org.uk by Friday 21st August.
Picture: Partners came together to launch the marketplaces, which will showcase what is available to help people’s health and wellbeing across Dumfries and Galloway.