Health conversations spark community support in Burgess Hill

Residents gathered in force at Cyprus Hall on Saturday 28 February as Burgess Hill Town Council hosted a successful Health Awareness Event, bringing together nine organisations to answer local health questions and offer direct support free of charge to residents.

Across the day, 253 one-to-one health conversations took place, resulting in 35 referrals to further services — clear evidence of both the value and need for accessible, face-to-face health guidance within the community.

The event created a unique opportunity for residents to speak directly with health professionals in one room, covering a wide range of topics from preventative screenings to mental health and physical wellbeing.

Organisations in attendance included:

-Community Pharmacy Team – providing blood pressure testing

-Leisure Centre Team – promoting accessible fitness and wellbeing programmes including Big Sister, Menopause and Cancer Rehabilitation classes, and GP referral schemes

-Mid Sussex Wellbeing Team – offering health MOTs and signposting for services such as alcohol support and smoking cessation

-Community MSK Team – delivering musculoskeletal and physiotherapy advice

-Public Health Team at West Sussex County Council – promoting screening programmes

-Nurses from the West Sussex Prevention Assessment Team – providing pulse checks

-Alzheimer's Society -providing advice

-Pathfinder – offering information on mental health services

-Bowel Cancer Awareness Team – featuring a dedicated area including an educational inflatable colon

Town Mayor, Councillor Stuart Condie, said: “It is wonderful to see organisations in one room working together to improve the health of residents in our town. We are incredibly grateful to the health teams who gave up their Saturday to support this important event. Thank you also to Burgess Hill District Lions and Central Sussex Rotary for supporting with refreshments on the day.”

The strong turnout and number of referrals demonstrate the continuing importance of proactive community health initiatives.

Thanks to Mid Sussex Partnership Health Group for supporting the event and funding this. For further information about upcoming community events and to sign up to the Town Council’s mailing list, visit the Burgess Hill Town Council website: www.burgesshill.gov.uk/