Mansfield Museum is launching its first Health and Wellbeing Festival in Mansfield at the end of March.

From 25 March to 8 April, visitors can take part in workshops, see displays, listen to talks and have a go at a wide variety of activities that have an impact on physical and mental wellbeing.

The launch day begins at 10am with the Heaven at Home holistic taster session at the museum and ‘The Big Picture Tour’ at Arena Church, followed by a guided walk around Quarry Lane Nature Reserve at 2pm.

The museum’s ambitious project is designed to encourage the local community to come together to take the initial step to managing and improving health.

Over the years, the museum has worked closely with many different local groups to help and support each other across a whole range of health concerns. The Health and Wellbeing Festival is now bringing together many of these groups, along with many others, to put on more than 70 free events across seven sites during the two-week period.

Groups include Nottinghamshire Fire Service, Everyone Health, Mansfield District Leisure Trust, Stroke Association, My Sight and Mind, amongst others. Their common goal is to raise awareness about living a healthy lifestyle and how both physical and mental wellbeing can lead to a happier you.

The activities and workshops offer visitors the opportunity to learn more about physical activity, diet, and alternative therapies, whilst also offering advice along with the chance to channel creativity.

Activities include: Yoga, guided walks, interval sessions, blood pressure testing, pregnancy relaxation, singing, hands on healing; lifestyle, weight loss and nutrition talks; amateur dramatics performances, wheelchair basketball and drama-led story telling.

Macmillan Cancer Support are providing a walk-through display involving an inflatable colon to inform people about the stages of bowel cancer and other diseases in the large intestine.

Portfolio holder for cultural services, town and district centres, Coun David Smith said: “The Health and Wellbeing Festival is a great opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to take their first steps to living a healthier, happier life.

“This is a fantastic initiative brought to the town by Mansfield Museum and their supporting partners, and best of all it’s free to take part.

“We hope the public will get behind the event and show their support by visiting the museum and making the most of the free help and guidance.”

More details including a timetable of events can be found on the museum’s website at www.mansfield.gov.uk/museum

Alternatively you can contact Jodie Henshaw at the museum by emailing [email protected] or calling 01623 463088.

Pictured are Jodie Henshaw, Museum Development Officer (left) and Anne Rowe, gallery assistant (right) with the Health and Wellbeing Festival timetable.