Bodmin Way’s neighbourhood Health Conference
- Barbara Brittain
- 23 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Day 1
Church leaders, health professionals, and community workers gathered in St. Petroc's Church, Bodmin for the first day of the Courageous Churches Conference, an event exploring how churches can play a meaningful role in supporting neighbourhood health and wellbeing.
The two-day conference was instigated and organised by Revd Paul Holley, working in collaboration with HeartEdge. As delegates arrived from across the region and beyond for an early start, Revd Holley welcomed participants and introduced the day's programme.
A Strong Line-up of Keynote Speakers
The calibre of keynote speakers was particularly impressive. Experts from across the fields of healthcare, community development, and church leadership came together to share insights and experience. Speakers included:
Dr Ian Smith - served as advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO)
Dr Sally Smith - senior adviser to WHO
Dr Neil Walden MBE - director of the Cornwall Integrated Care Board
The Rt Revd David Williams - Bishop of Truro
Revd Jeff James – NHS senior manager and non-executive
Dr Sarah Bromley - GP and Director of Strategy for Practice Plus Group and Health in Justice
Dr Ross Bryson - GP in Edgbaston and chair of Karis Neighbour Scheme
Liz Bryson - part of the chaplaincy team at the Birmingham Women’s and Children's Hospital
Michelle Pratley - Strategic Manager for the Bosvenna and Three Harbours Primary Care Network
Jen Campbell and Julie Pollard – representing Volunteer Cornwall
They were joined by local team vicars and Bodmin Way staff, helping to connect international and regional expertise with the practical realities of community work in Cornwall.
Video showing the early part of Day 1
Local Partnerships in Action
Representatives from Healthy Cornwall were present throughout the day with equipment and information, speaking with delegates about the programme’s work promoting healthier lifestyles across the county.
Three Community Health & Wellbeing Workers (CHWWs) from KBSK attended the conference. Bodmin Way works in partnership with this local organisation, having undertaken initial training together and continuing to collaborate through regular meetings.
Parish Nurses from Bodmin Way were at the conference. One Parish Nurse, Revd Geraldine Ashton, spoke about the role of parish nursing across Bodmin and the surrounding villages, highlighting how churches are supporting both physical and emotional wellbeing.
Revd Elaine Munday, team vicar and pioneer minister within the Bodmin Team Ministry, who serves as Lead Coach for Bodmin Way CHWWs and Health Coaches, explained the NHS-initiated Community Health & Wellbeing Worker role and how the team is working locally. The CHWWs fielded questions from the audience about their experiences of supporting residents and connecting people with services.
Afternoon Workshops
The afternoon session provided delegates with the opportunity to explore topics in greater depth through a series of workshops, several of which were led by keynote speakers. These sessions encouraged discussion, practical learning, and the sharing of ideas about how churches and community organisations can work together to improve neighbourhood health.
Reflections from the Day
Participants described the first day as both inspiring and thought-provoking.
Ann Kerridge commented:
“It was a fantastic and inspirational day hearing people’s stories of health where they are based, from the international to our local setting.”
Mandy Wells said:
Video showing Mandy's reflections on Day 1
Reflecting on his vision for the conference, Revd Paul Holley said:
“The aim of the conference was to gather people from the public, voluntary and faith sectors to consider how we can work together for neighbourhood health.
This was a significant moment for us to explore how faith communities can contribute to the impact of community health in line with government strategy. Churches find many opportunities to draw people together for health and wellbeing. We have much to offer to help people flourish.”
Day one clearly demonstrated the potential that exists when churches, healthcare providers, and community organisations come together with a shared commitment to the wellbeing of their communities.
Day 2
Andrew Yates from HeartEdge hosted the second day of the Health & Community conference.
Before the event, Andrew shared HeartEdge’s work, captured in four short videos.
Clip 1 – HeartEdge is a network of churches who has a heart for people on the edge.
Clip 2 – HeartEdge starts with the God of abundance.
Clip 3 – HeartEdge’s vision for a flourishing church is around the four Cs.
Clip 4 – HeartEdge’s guidebook to the four Cs.
Revd Dr Sam Wells addressed the delegate online, and Andrew spoke about the HeartEdge’s principles of Abundance and Commerce.
Afternoon workshops were led by Faye Edwards, Victoria Hodgkinson, Sarah Welply, and Jane Wingrove.
Video showing aspects of Day 2
For further reading, delegates were given a book by HeartEdge entitled In Urban Community: A Course of Discovery.
Overview
As the conference ended, delegates left Bodmin not simply with ideas but with renewed encouragement that meaningful collaboration between churches, healthcare providers, and community organisations is both possible and already taking shape.
Across the two days, speakers and workshops repeatedly returned to a common theme: that churches are uniquely placed within their neighbourhoods to notice need, build relationships, and create spaces where wellbeing can flourish. Through partnerships, shared learning, and a commitment to serving their communities, church groups can become powerful contributors to local health and resilience.
The Courageous Churches Conference demonstrated that this work is already underway in many places, including in Cornwall. By bringing together experience from local practitioners alongside national and international voices, the gathering created space for new ideas, deeper connections, and practical inspiration.
As delegates travelled home, the hope expressed throughout the conference was clear: that the conversations begun in Bodmin will continue to grow into partnerships, projects, and renewed confidence for churches seeking to play their part in building healthier communities.
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