Stronger Together: How to create thriving wellness communities
In a world that feels increasingly uncertain - socially, economically, politically, and environmentally - community is no longer a buzzword in wellbeing; it’s a necessity.
This June, as we officially launch the BWF Community, we invite wellness professionals, facilitators, creatives, and changemakers to come together for a powerful conversation on why community is not only the future of wellbeing, but a powerful tool in which to create impact.
Together, we’ll explore:
🌍 How our speakers shifted frustration into meaningful movements for collective betterment
🧠 Why true wellbeing can’t happen in isolation - and how belonging supports healing
💼 How community is becoming a resilient and regenerative way to do business
🤝 The value of collaboration over competition, and what it really means to build in solidarity
🔥 Why being part of a movement - rather than a solo brand - is the medicine of our time
🧡 What the BWF community is, and how you can join the Brighton Wellness Festival 2025 movement.
Come curious, come as you are, come ready to connect and learn!
*** All attendees will receive an invitation to join BWF Community at a founding member rate - 15% off an annual subscription ***
OUR SPEAKERS:
Dan Flanagan (he/him): founder @ Dad La Soul: Award-winning social entrepreneur. TED Speaker. Leading dad-led mental health & social impact.
Rifa Thorpe-Tracey FRSA(she/her): coaches women in tech, digital and creative industries to thrive and create lasting change. Chair of the Women of Colour Brighton group and runs SheSays Brighton.
Jo-Anne Godden (she/her): founder of RubyMoon CIC, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering women globally through a Gym To Swim collection of circular-designed activewear. RubyMoon also holds events to yoga, dip and dance on every full moon and midsummer.
Lara Sheldrake (she/her): Community leader and founder of Found and Flourish. Bridging the gap between purpose and profit. On a mission to support founders who give a sh*t.
Natasha Gilbert (they/them): Natasha Gilbert is a therapeutic coach, body positive activist, and neurodivergent educator who empowers people with marginalised identities to embrace their authentic selves. They foster inclusivity in wellbeing spaces and lead workshops that celebrate diverse bodies and identities.
Vicky Critoph (she/her): founder of Happy Freelancers: a community of freelancers and founders dropping the hustle and putting their Health & Happiness first, and Empower Her: helping women to build confidence and connection to their bodies through empowering movement
Jago Leckie (he/him): Angry Pablo co-founder, a hybrid clothing brand that views sport and leisure through a more playful, inclusive lens. Host of Brighton Staple Run Club, with more than 200 members.
Sarah Taylor (she/her): founder of Proud Wellness CIC, a UK-wide social enterprise creating inclusive, accessible, and safer wellness services for LGBTQIA+ communities, through a thriving membership, targeted training programmes, and LGBTQIA+ led wellness events.
Natasha Jackson (she/her) Event Host - founder of Brighton Wellness Festival and BWF Community. Holistic health advocate + Life & Business Coach. On a mission to cultivate the wellness revolution through community, coaching and events.
~ WHAT IS THE BWF COMMUNITY? ~
The BWF Community unites practitioners, coaches, teachers, and healers who want to engage in meaningful, multi-perspective conversations about what it means to be well in 2025.
As a member, you’ll connect with and learn from like-minded professionals, share resources and research, cross pollinate ideas between sectors, and amplify your presence through our public facing directory and 'What's On' events calendar.
As the people behind Brighton Wellness Festival - the UK’s first city-wide holistic health and wellbeing event launching in October 2025 - we are more than just a network, we are the people shaping what we want (and need) from the wellness industry in 2025 and beyond.
We are on a mission to redefine (or remember) what it really means to be well so that we can support mass individual and collective healing - together.