The Dentaid charity is kicking off the Cambridge Road Estate (CRE) Wellbeing Day on 5 September.

After a successful session with the mobile dental clinic in August, where residents could access a free dental check, Dentaid is joining forces with the Wellbeing Day

The monthly event organised by RBKares, a volunteer-run charity, provides CRE residents one-stop shop for a health and wellbeing MOT.

Dr. Kate Kenyon, head of RBKares charity, said: "We're giving them the tools to help themselves."

These 'tools' include GP health checks, mental health support from MIND and the Samaritans, foot care from a podiatrist, bike repairs, SIM cards from Superhighways, stop smoking services, support from Specsavers initiative and respiratory services.

Wellbeing Day poster. (Photo: RBKares and CRest)

Running from May 2022, Kenyon said the Wellbeing Days have "developed into a really wonderful event as there's so many more agencies coming on."

The event has evolved from 'simple' health checks to much more specific services which can have tangible effects on residents' lives.

RBKares team with Dentaid charity in front of mobile clinic. (Photo: Emily Dalton)

With four sessions funded by The Brother's Trust (locals Nikki and Dom Holland), Dentaid is the newest addition to the Wellbeing services. "It's been a year of trying to get dental help to these people," Dr Kenyon added. "It is a really significant achievement so we're really proud of that."

Kingston Council have also got involved: residents can receive advice and help to access benefits from the financial inclusion team as well as digital training from the council's skills and employment team, 'We are Digital'.

Dr Kenyon said: "We know how important physical and mental health is, and it's great to work with KCC and Full Cycle who support us with basic bike repairs and bike provision as well as the Get Active team who gave out leaflets about the free gym referral at our August event."

Dr Bike helps residents with their repairs. (Photo: Suzanne Seyghal)

A collection of stalls in marquee tents are set up outside the Queen Mary Hall to offer a health MOT for residents. 

Queueing for the Food Bank, residents fill out an anonymous survey which allows the volunteers to signpost them to the service they may need.

Survey questions for residents could include: have you got any pain with your feet; what you do to maintain your mental health; do you have a working bike and so on.

With around 90-120 people attending the food bank, Kenyon estimated RBKares team interacted with about 80%.

Dr Kenyon recounted asking a resident if he wanted his feet checked by the podiatrist. She said: "After the consultation he went out saying, 'I went in broken, and I've come out a whole man!'."

She added: "They say 'I feel like I'm walking on feathers now' because they have had so much pain there."

RBKares and CRE residents. (Photo: Suzanne Seyghal)

RBKares is a local charity, organised through Facebook and WhatsApp groups, which responds to local needs in the community.

"It's a team of volunteers so it's all about galvanising them and harnessing the good will in our community and turning it into meaningful action," Dr Kenyon said.

"There's a lot of people who want to help but don't know how to help, this allows them to see what they can do."

Dr Kenyon also encouraged locals to volunteer or come as a guest to the monthly event. She added Kingston residents can also contribute through donations via the RBKares website.

The next Wellbeing Day is Tuesday 5 September, 11am-2pm at Queen Mary Hall.