Free wellbeing and fun day Joyfest returns to Fylde coast

A free wellbeing and fun day on the Fylde coast is proving so popular it’s now become a much-anticipated annual event.

Joyfest 26 includes wrestling for children, live music, fun with Lego, health checks and much more.

It all takes place at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood on Sunday February 1, between 11am and 3.30pm. Coordinator Karen Nicholson, 61, is the creator of Jars of Joy CIC, an innovative and successful wellbeing project which has been nominated for a string of community awards in Wyre and on the Fylde coast.

The basic idea behind Jars of Joy is that if people can get a glass jar, decorate it and fill it with items that make them happy and bring back fond memories, it can literally transform their mood and give them a sense of wellbeing and joy.

People attending the event will also be able to make their own jars of joy and take them away.

Since this simple idea took hold in the midst of lockdown six years ago, Jars of Joy has really taken off, with the Facebook group alone now having almost two thousand members and Karen appearing in videos with her mum, Margaret.

Karen said: “Our Joyfest event has been growing each year and hopefully we’ll have a good turn-out this time. Everything on the day will be completely free.

“The idea is to promote good mental health, wellbeing and joy, helping people to learn about longer term resilience – and have fun on the day.

“Mental health is really important in Fleetwood and the Fylde coast because we have some of the most deprived areas in the country.

“Joyfest 26 will help people and families to live healthier lifestyles and enjoy a better quality of life by raising awareness of our availability to access the joy that is inside of us in our everyday life.

“We can find joy by participating in activities that promote positive mental health and wellbeing and are fun.”

Karen said she had worked closely with Wyre Council, who had helped with the venue.

The event will be attended by Blackpool-based wrestling champ Ross ‘Rossy Rascal’ Goodwin, singer Katy Connolly, wedding singer Christy Joyce and the Harmony and Health Singers.

The event will also include HARI the health bus, the Alcohol Free Women group and Wyre Council’s bicycle-powered smoothie machine.It will also include free soup and cake.

It is being funded this year thanks to sponsorship from local businesses who will have stands out on the day.

Any businesses wishing to sponsor the event via wristbands with their name on can contact Karen on karennicholson@me.com or on 07795414000.