A celebration of all things that support us in our quest for wellbeing!

Each year, the Feel Good Fest brings together University staff and students with local artists and organisations to take part in an afternoon of FREE food, fun, and activities.

Together, we celebrate the diversity of what Portsmouth has to offer in supporting, encouraging, and inspiring us all in maintaining our personal wellbeing.

There is a wide range of activities, brought to you by University departments such as UoP Library, UoP Careers, Global, Sports and Rec, our UoP societies and Student Union, as well as local partners such as Highbury College and Southern Domestic Abuse Services. Portsmouth based artists such as Miss Bespoke Papercutting (a UoP alumni) and Hoopshaker also support the event.

Wide range of fun activities

This year, we are also excited to have secured Vidura Fonseka as a speaker and performer at our event.  He speaks about his own journey with depression, and how dancing has provided him with a creative outlet to help manage his mental health and support his recovery and ongoing personal journey.  (https://www.vidura.co.uk/and https://happiful.com/body-popping-my-way-back-to-health-viduras-story/)

The Festival is based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing – a set of actions proposed in 2008 by a government thinktank, (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/five-ways-to-mental-wellbeing) to decrease some mental health problems and help people to flourish.

The 5 actions to improve personal wellbeing are:

  • connect
  • be active
  • take notice
  • keep learning
  • give

The Festival therefore attempts to provide activities and performances that link and promote each of these five ways to wellbeing – giving staff and students an opportunity to experience new things and connect with new people, all in a fun and supportive environment.

It was a great, friendly, atmosphere!!

In the past, we have taken over Third Space for the afternoon – this year we have expanded and have also secured The Waterhole space for the afternoon too !!

The performances this year are –

  • UoP Show Choir – opening the festival @ 1pm
  • UoP Capoiera Society – @ 1:30pm
  • Vidura – a speaker and performer with lived experience of Mental Health challenges @ 2pm
  • Individual performance slots of music from two students  – @ 3:15 and 3:30pm

There is also –

  • Free food
  • Drop-in craft activities such as crochet and mug painting
  • Free Massage
  • Get Active sessions from Sports and Rec
  • Lego building
  • Try out static rowing and mini-trampoline’s

Free food was delicious and healthy!!

There will be giveaways and raffle prizes, and wellbeing staff to chat to – all under
one roof!

If, at the event, you need some quiet time away from all the action, The Huddle is the perfect place to have a space of calm.

No need to book – just turn up!

DATE: Wednesday 5th February 2020
TIME: 1.00pm–4.00pm
VENUE: Third Space and The Waterhole, Students’ Union

Follow us on social media for updates on the festival schedule, and if you would like to get involved on the day – get in touch !!

Feel Good Fest Poster