FestiVOL 2025 - Tackling Health Inequalities Together

Name: FestiVOL 2025 - Tackling Health Inequalities Together
Start: 2025-11-18T09:15:00+01:00
End: 2025-11-18T09:15:00+01:00
Location: Kings Community Church

About

We’re delighted to invite you to FestiVOL 2025 - Tackling Health Inequalities Together, Tuesday 18 November, 9:30am–2:00pm at King’s Community Church, Lancaster.

Organised by Lancaster District CVS, FestiVOL is our annual celebration bringing together voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations and partners from across the district to reflect on the past year, share ideas, and look ahead to future collaboration.

This year, our theme is “Tackling Health Inequalities”, shining a light on how the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations sector is working to improve health and wellbeing for everyone in our communities.

Our sector continues to lead the way in addressing the social and economic factors that shape people’s health – from access to food, housing and mental wellbeing, to community belonging and inclusion.

Each year, FestiVOL offers a rare moment to pause, connect, and explore how we can strengthen our collective impact.

Our guest speakers are:

Tracy Hopkins, Chair of Lancashire & South Cumbria VCFSE Alliance: How the voluntary sector is tackling health inequalities across the region

Tracy will share insights on how the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector are tackling health inequalities across Lancashire and South Cumbria. Drawing on her leadership within the Alliance, Tracy will explore the vital role the local sector is playing in shaping fairer systems, influencing policy, and delivering community-led solutions that improve health outcomes.

Michelle Collins, Lancaster University: Understanding the social determinants of health

Michelle will bring an academic and evidence-based perspective on the social determinants of health, highlighting how factors such as income, education, housing, and social connections shape wellbeing. Michelle will explore how research and community action can come together to reduce health inequalities and create lasting, positive change

You’ll also have the chance to choose two of these inspiring workshops, led by local organisations making a real difference:

Option 1: Building Health and Hope: Tackling Inequality at The Ridge - Donna Richardson, Ridge Community Centre
Option 2: My Voice, My Health: Shaping the Future of Better Healthcare - Maria Lord, People First Advocacy
Option 3: Beds, Bodies and Broken Systems: An LDHAS Workshop - Phil Moore, Lancaster & District Homeless Action Service
Option 4: Tackling Health Inequality for Veterans: An Interactive Workshop - Shawn Duckers, Bay Veterans
Option 5: Patchwork Pride: A Creative Workshop with Queer by Gum - Vaz Lockett, Queer by Gum

We’re delighted to welcome Ros Jones from Wildlife Wellbeing Walks, who will be offering nature-inspired creative crafting sessions during the morning break and over lunch. You can also enjoy home-made cakes provided by the wonderful volunteers from Friends of Lancaster Library, alongside plenty of opportunities to network and socialise throughout the morning.

The event will conclude with entertainment from members of Prime Time — The Dukes’ creative, theatre-based project for older people (65+).

We hope you’ll join us for an inspiring day of reflection, learning, and connection, and we look forward to welcoming you.

Booking
Booking is essential. Tickets are just £6 (plus platform and card processing fees), which includes lunch and refreshments.

Transport
The venue is in the centre of Lancaster. The nearest bus stop is Sainsburys, on the 100, 2X, 42, 555 and 6A routes. There is a car park by the venue in Upper St Leonardgate, which costs £5.50 for five hours.