New Partnership Leads to Successful Health and Wellness Workshop
The NH Disability and Health Program partnered with the Exeter Parks and Recreation Department to host a 10-week Living Well in the Community (LWIC) workshop. Seven individuals enrolled, with five completing it. At the start of the workshop, participants identified meaningful, achievable health and wellness goals that were unique to them. By the end of the workshop, all participants reported either achieving their goal or making meaningful progress toward it.
Feedback from the session highlighted the importance of peer support and practical workshop materials in helping participants stay motivated and become more engaged in their communities.
“10 out of 10! Thank you so much. The topics and resources were so helpful. I appreciate the exercises.”- LWIC Exeter Parks and Recreation Participant
Participant Workshop Highlights
LWIC Participant’s words of affirmation card.
Over the 10 weeks, participants explored topics including goal setting, physical activity, and communication. One of the most impactful activities for several participants was creating personalized visuals of words of affirmation. When asked what supported their progress, one participant shared, “The words of affirmation [activity] and writing it down to display was such a great reminder and eye-opening on what we are capable of doing”. Another participant noted that she keeps her affirmation card on her car visor as a daily reminder.
Participants reflected positively about the Healthy Communications workshop. One participant noted how a communication strategy shared in the workshop supported her progress, “The tip to say, “When ___, I think ___, which makes me feel ____.” I used this every day. It helped me slow down while feeling burnout.”
Peer Support and Sharing Information
Participants emphasized the value of building new peer relationships and learning from one another’s experiences. These connections supported increased independence and community involvement. One participant shared that she, “was able to meet new peers and we hit it off and [they were] able to share resources and events in the community”.
Participants exchanged resources on public transportation and the Aging and Disability Resource centers. Emilia Poehlman, the workshop facilitator, also observed the impact of these connections, “Over the course of the workshop, I watched program participants identify common interests, share and use new resources, and attend community events together.”
