Wellbeing expo showcases Cheviot’s community champions

A free wellbeing expo is shining a spotlight on the health and wellbeing services available to the Cheviot community.

The Cheviot Wellbeing Expo will be held on Friday 4 April from 3pm to 7pm at Cheviot Area School.

Hurunui District Council’s Together Hurunui facilitator Natalie Paterson says the expo was born out of a growing recognition that many new residents to the township are unaware of the full range of support services available to them.

“In more isolated communities, access to health and wellbeing resources can sometimes feel limited, and this event aims to bridge that gap. People often don’t know what services are available to them - especially if they are new to a community.

“The expo is about bringing those services together under one roof, making connections, and giving back to the community.”

A diverse range of organisations will be on hand to showcase their services, including Hato Hone St John, Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), Waitaha Canterbury Health NZ, the Heart Foundation, Tangata Atumotu Trust (Pasifika Health Service), Cheviot Health, Te Tai o Marokura from Kaikōura, the Rural Support Trust, the Cancer Society, Wellbeing North Canterbury, and the Breast Cancer Foundation.

“People will have the opportunity to meet the faces who work in the community across a range of wellbeing and health services, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into the support networks available in their region,” Paterson says.

Paterson says the event will be fun for the whole family, with plenty of giveaways, prizes and refreshments.

“While adults are taking advantage of the free opportunity to test their blood pressure or blood sugar, there will be games and activities for all ages, including a bouncy castle.”

The event has been funded by Hāpai Te Hauora (Māori Public Health) and is facilitated by Together Hurunui, Te Whatu Ora and Waitaha Health.