Healthcare, wellbeing and voluntary organisations unite for community showcase in Plymouth

by Livewell Southwest | 21st July 2026 | News

More than 200 people have been supported with advice to live healthier, happier lives thanks to the Ageing Well Wednesday event. Health and social care professionals and volunteers from twenty organisations came together at the Rees Centre Family and Wellbeing Hub in Plympton. It is one of eleven Wellbeing Hubs across Plymouth which are run in partnership with the city council and community organisations. They are welcoming community spaces where people can get free drop-in support which ranges from health, mental health and wellbeing services to employment and debt guidance.

At the Ageing Well Wednesday event, people could speak to GPs, community nurses and pharmacists, through to Citizens Advice, Cancer Champions and Age UK. The aim is to support people to develop the confidence and skills to improve their own health and wellbeing by promoting prevention and self-care, as well as getting information on healthy lifestyles, diet, smoking cessation and maintaining wellbeing.

This work is part of the government’s vision for healthcare to happen closer to where people live, not just in big hospitals. By using small hubs and community teams, they hope people get help earlier and more easily. The aim is to make care more personal and convenient and ease pressure on hospitals.

Three women in nurses' uniform stood behind an information desk

(left to right) Michelle Beer – Community Matron, Chloe Baser – District Nurse Specialist and Louise Mackenzie from the Community Triage System and Long Term Conditions Team

Community Matron, Long Term Conditions Michelle Beer works as part of the multi-disciplinary neighbourhood team with Beacon Medical Group. She said: “People are living longer lives, often with multiple conditions. Neighbourhood teams have never been more important. We are bringing care closer to home, making services more personal, and offering early support that can prevent crises before they happen.

“This event has been so helpful to have so many organisations in the same room to show what support is out there. It’s been like a one stop shop for health and wellbeing and all face-to-face.”

The event was organised by Beacon Medical Group, Pathfields Medical Group and Livewell Southwest.

Man with grey hair, wearing white t-shirt

Neil Parsons, Beacon Medical Group

Neil Parsons is the Digital and Transformation Lead from Beacon Medical Group. He said: “We came up with the idea of getting primary, secondary and care organisations together because we have many patients that are older in our community. This has been a fantastic opportunity, particularly with voluntary organisations, to work collectively under a neighbourhood banner, getting to know one another and finding new ways to work together.

“One of the things from speaking to a lot of people is that they really value having that face-to-face contact. Particularly for older people, a relationship and continuity are important. This event is part of trying to think about how we start to bridge that gap and also recognising that health medicine is only a part of the person. This is about much broader roots into community and the support that is there for them. All the organisations taking part in this event have a place in neighbourhood working.”

Woman holding grip machine, whilst woman in blue t-shirt watches

Kate Howe testing the strength of her grip with Health Improvement Practitioner Mairi Weir

67-year-old Kate Howe was able to test the strength of her grip. She said: “I’m getting older and I’ve got an elderly mother, so it was good for both ages, really. It was good to meet the community nurses who can support mum at home and see what help is out there for a more positive outlook on life. It was also great to learn that I am stronger than I thought I was because of arthritis in my hands.”