Our Engagement: Bay Health Festival in Lancaster

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Healthwatch Lancashire attended the Bay Health Festival in Lancaster. The Bay Health Festivals are organised by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) with events in Lancaster, Barrow and Kendal, and to promote good health and wellbeing.

Located in Dalton Square, there were lots of support and advice services, including St John’s Hospice, MS Society, Citizens’ Advice and Age UK, as well as health checks for anyone wanting to check their blood pressure and get some advice around healthy lifestyles. The day consisted of lots of fun activities such as self-defence lessons, yoga, games and hula hooping. We also got to see some dinosaurs at the Dino Fest and watch the amazing Samba Espirito drummers.

We met some lovely people and had some great conversations, hearing about local GP practices and care homes. We also heard what it’s like for people with a disability to travel to and from healthcare appointments as part of our Disability Voices: Transport and Accessibility project, including issues around blue badges, Patient Transport and how some patients even cancel their appointment because they can’t get to them.

The weather was glorious with temperatures reaching 30 °C in the afternoon, making it a hot day for all involved. We had great fun and would like to thank the organisers for making it all run so smoothly on the day!

If you need some help or advice, you can contact:

Age UK: 0300 303 1234

Citizen’s Advice (Lancashire North): 01524 481 508