HEALTH and well-being were at the heart of a special event in Hook last week.

In a first of its kind, 35 local organisations got together to create a networking hub for the day. Visitors could try out all kinds of health-related courses.

The most popular was CPR. Around 26 people learned learned the life-saving technique and – crucially – where to find the village’s defibrillator, and how to use it.

Hook’s only defibrillator is situated in the village centre. Another is to be provided soon in the Community Centre.

The other courses included Feldenkrais Method of movement and education, spiritual wellbeing, digestive and health nutrition, simple cancer prevention by Victoria’s Promise, aspects of hearing and an interactive session by Dementia Friends.

The feedback from exhibitors was positive. They agreed it was great to meet up with so many other organisations at one occasion.

They also noted how beneficial it was to discover ways of working together, and take the chance to publicise to Hook residents what their organisations. It also gave them the chance to recruit members for the various activities and services they offer.

The get–together started at midday on Thursday, April 7, at the new Hook Community Centre, with the help of the local MP Ranil Jayawardena.

Chairman of Hampshire County Council, Jonathan Glen, also took time to meet the many organisations and volunteers that serve Hook and the surrounding area.

Health and wellbeing portfolio holder, Councillor Jane Worlock, said: “It was wonderful to see so many organisations and volunteers under one roof, bringing the community together to talk about their activities, make new friends and discover new ideas.”

Supported by Hook Parish Council and funded by the Big Lottery Fund Grants for All initiative, the event also embraced recent research published by The New Economics Foundation, which offered the latest scientific advice on a simple set of actions to improve wellbeing in every day life.

They state that the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ are to connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give.

It was this five step plan that enabled the council to identify how they could apply for financial support to help with the event. Support for the Hook Village Show on September 11 this year and publicising the Hook taxi bus, village halls and Hook in Bloom, also benefited from the five– point plan.

Support and sponsorship came from Tescos supermarket. They provided free fruit and vegetables as part of Tescos Eat Happy Project.

Hook In Bloom volunteers provided refreshments all day for what was a huge success. The plan is for a re-run in the future.