Through our involvement in the Bracknell Business Improvement District initiative, we were delighted to be appointed by Bracknell Forest Public Health to help design and deliver The Great Wellness Exchange 2023 – a brand new community event to be staged across the borough of Bracknell Forest throughout September. Sustainability at TTA extends to people as well as planet, so we were keen to roll up our sleeves and support the creation of a lasting social legacy on our doorstep.
Connecting diverse age groups and demographics around wellness
With a focus on self-care, Bracknell Forest Council was looking to bring like-minded residents together to pick up resources and insights to prioritise health, reduce isolation and embrace a happier, more balanced life.
We were challenged to plan and execute a showcase event that would provide a taste of what Bracknell Forest has to offer – from health and wellbeing support to free or low-cost, fun activities for all ages. The campaign revolved around five areas of wellness: physical activity, nutrition, support, creativity and knowledge.
Our shared objectives were to:
Planning and execution
After conducting site visits to find the most suitable venue, we kicked off the project in July with just two months in which to plan and deliver the ambitious programme. Our support also included researching and contacting suppliers that would help make the programme more dynamic. It was decided that main event would be held at Bracknell Leisure Centre, with two pop-ups at The Lexicon and one at Bracknell Open Learning Centre.
With the space we had been designated, we worked with a layout featuring a main presentation area with live demonstrations and workshops, plus five discrete “hub” areas showcasing healthy activities, nutrition, support services, crafts and creative pursuits, and knowledge and connection. Local businesses, organisations and community groups providing related activities and support services were invited to have a presence at the event to promote their offerings.
Marketing and awareness in the lead-up to the event included engagement with schools, local organisations and charities, a social media campaign, and digital advertising. While admission was free, the event would be ticketed, so we built and managed a dedicated registration site with detailed analytics, to help us track and manage uptake.
What made the event a success?
The lead event kicked off at Bracknell Leisure Centre on Saturday 16th September and gave visitors the chance to try out everything from yoga and meditation to fruit sushi and watch demonstrations by Scottish dancers and choral singers. At the end of September,
A cornerstone of the day’s success was the careful consideration we gave to the management of the stallholders including creating detailed supplier packs, answering queries, gathering risk assessments and circulating surveys. All this played a part in good supplier attendance and an understanding of their role on the day. In addition, supplier partners valued the networking opportunity with other support services. It facilitated cross working dialogue, plus wider community connections and bookings.
Aligned to the supplier management, was the importance of the layout as it facilitated navigation for attendees and ensured a smooth flow of participants throughout the event. We thoughtfully grouped together stalls with similar themes or offerings, creating a logical flow and making it convenient for participants to explore related services and activities.
Setting up the event space the night before saved precious time on the day, ensured that everything was ready to go, minimised last-minute stress for our client, and allowed us the flexibility to make final adjustments effortlessly. Equipping the team with walkie-talkies on the day enabled efficient co-ordination and tactical problem-solving.
Creating a lasting social legacy for Bracknell Forest
According to Abdul Azad, Programme Manager, Public Health, “The Great Wellness Exchange 2023 was an outstanding success, marked by an incredible turnout and a vibrant atmosphere of wellness. From the moment attendees arrived, the day unfolded seamlessly, with participants actively engaging in mindfulness practices, fitness sessions, and wellness discussions. Feedback from both stallholders and attendees was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the well-thought-out organisation and diverse array of offerings. The day concluded with a sense of accomplishment and left everyone eagerly anticipating the next instalment of this fantastic celebration of wellness.”
An even bigger and better experience for 2024
We’re already looking forward to reconvening with Bracknell Forest Council in January to plan next year’s event. Building on the successes and learnings of the inaugural Exchange, we’re looking at the potential for dedicated outdoor wellness zones, wellness workshops, art stations to integrate creativity into the wellness experience, interactive health tech demos, healthy street food vendors, family-friendly activities and holistic health panels, plus virtual wellness sessions for those who can’t attend in person. A further ambition is to build relationships with social prescriber groups, to reach members of the community who are digitally excluded.
Of course, with TTA’s emphasis on measurable sustainability, we’ll also be exploring ways to increase the use of compostable or reusable materials, promote car-sharing or public transport usage, and highlight the connection between the environment and personal well-being.
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