LOCALS will be encouraged to ‘sing for their supper’ in Bridport.

The fundraiser Songs and Supper, hosted by the Bridport Health Alliance, is to support wellbeing and health in the area and is due to take place on Saturday, September 16 between 7pm and 10pm at St. Mary’s Church Hall.

This comes as part of an initiative from the Bridport Health Alliance and is designed to create a community health support service for the people of Bridport, which would include the provision of community-based care or social prescribing.

The Alliance has been set up to go some way to alleviate pressure on the NHS. They intend to become a charitable organisation and aim to collaborate with other local groups with similar focus.

Musician, singer and songwriter Mitch Hiller will be in attendance that night.

The artist has played with such diverse acts as Vera Lynn, Chaka Khan and Amy Winehouse, was a member of The Foundations for nine years, and performed on CBBs and Spitting Image. Portland musician Chris Davies will also be performing on the night.

Group founder, Lyn Lidiard said: “We put a call out for volunteers who are interested in pursuing these ideas. We already have assembled a group of very skilled local people who have knowledge in all aspects of mental and physical well-being, including two paramedics. We reached out to the public with our ideas by having stalls at the Henge Festival and in Bucky Do Square.”

Group member, Local Medical Herbalist Sarah Hillyer said more about the work the Bridport Health Alliance was doing: “We want to encourage people to take responsibility for their own health, so education on health and well-being will be a huge part of what we offer.”

A Community Food growing group as part of the Alliance has been formed by encouraging the benefits of locally grown fresh food. This has already shown to be helpful with health issues including mental health.

Tickets for the event will be £10 which includes food and refreshments, although guests are also encouraged to bring their favourite dishes along for this community event. For more information on how to get involved, contact Lyn Jones at lynlidiard@btinternet.com.