Get healthy this summer, visit a local Wellbeing Expo

Summertime can create moments of relaxation, socialising and general fun. It can also create moments of stress in the form of time, money and energy levels.

So, it’s great timing that the Wellbeing Expos are taking place in Cheviot and Culverden later this month, the second one for Cheviot, the first one for Culverden.

Culverden Wellbeing Expo is happening on Thursday 22 October, 3-6pm, at Amuri Area School, and Cheviot Wellbeing Expo date is Thursday 5 November at Cheviot Area School.

They are free fun family events with plenty on offer when it comes to health including flu vaccinations, blood pressure tests and blood sugar tests.

Practice Managers Donna Hill (Cheviot Community Health Centre), Paul Walmsley (Hanmer Springs Health Centre) and Jo Powell (Amuri Community Health Centre) all agreed the Expos are a great opportunity for people to connect with local services, ask questions, and get practical advice ahead of the summer months.

“It’s a chance for whānau to ask questions, meet providers face-to-face and feel confident about staying well,” said Hill.

As the warmer weather season creeps closer, wise advice is to stay hydrated and protected from the sun while enjoying the outdoors and being active, take care around water, keep up with regular health checks, remember medications if heading away for summer holidays, know where to access urgent care if needed, and look after mental wellbeing during the busy holiday period.

“And water tastes delicious when infused with fresh cucumber, mint or lemon,” said Powell.

It’s been a busy winter for Hurunui’s health and medical centres due to high levels of illness, and summer is a good time to check vaccinations are up to date.

“Especially before any travel or summer gatherings,” said Walmsley.

Health staff will be available to talk about enrolments, general health services, and vaccinations.

Flu, COVID-19, Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) and timely childhood vaccines are being promoted, as well as Shingrix which is free for people who have recently turned 65, for shingles prevention.

Cheviot Community Health Centre will be sharing awareness around sugar and fat content in everyday food and drinks, along with practical guidance on how much physical activity is needed to burn off extra kilojoules.

The Culverden Wellbeing Expo will be offering free blood pressure checks as well as fee MMR and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Powell said it’s important for everyone to be proactive when considering wellness, and there are plenty of positive actions people can take to support a healthy lifestyle.

“Many health initiatives can be accessed for little or no cost.”

Please bring identification if you wish to enrol at Cheviot Community Health Centre or Hanmer Springs Health Centre, and enrolments at Amuri Community Health Centre can happen by calling (03) 3156 328.

The Expos are supported by Waitaha Health, Together Hurunui, Welcoming Communities, DIA Lotteries, Health NZ, Hato Hone St John, and health centres in Hurunui. Meat is supplied by Harris Meats and prizes are gifted by Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa.

Hato Hone St John will be hosting its Shocktober CPR, where people can come and learn how to perform this potentially life saving skill.

Together Hurunui and Welcoming Communities Facilitator Natalie Paterson said support from funders is vital, firstly to reach community members who benefit from exposure to health services, and secondly to enable the creation of an inclusive free public event for all ages with a bouncy castle, face painting, giveaways and BBQ treats on offer.

“The Expo idea arose from the awareness that there was a lack of understanding and reach of health care services available for people living in the more rural isolated communities,” said Paterson.

There will be stalls by Hato Hone St John, Police, FENZ, Waitaha Canterbury, Health NZ, Te Tai o Marokura from Kaikoura, Rural Support Trust, Cancer Society, and Wellbeing North Canterbury.

“We are always so grateful, it’s great to see communities come together at these Expos.”

As Chair of Together Hurunui, Mayor Marie Black supports the Expos as an opportunity to look for information, explore curiosity about a service, or simply learn something new about your health and wellbeing. And it won’t cost attendees a cent.

“The Expo is about strengthening the connections that keep rural communities healthy and supporting one another to live well,” said Mayor Black.