NHS Walsall and Walsall Council joined together to bring Halloween mayhem to the streets of Walsall in two Wicked Health Day events.

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The town centre became the focal point for a range of creative interventions to capture the public’s attention and promote a whole range of health messages around obesity, smoking, sexual health, mental health, drugs and alcohol. The day incorporated Halloween themed street performances, musicians, costumed characters giving out free fruit, balloons, children’s face painting, the local town cryer shouting Halloween health tips along with a market stall transformed into an evil ‘misfortune’ tellers den. Health care staff were on hand to carry out health checks and give out advice and information.

“There are many horrific health problems which people don’t always know enough about. Halloween gave us the opportunity to raise awareness of such problems but in a creative and interesting way.”
Chief Executive of Walsall Teaching Primary Care Trust

Packs of character themed promotional cards were produced and handed out at different points about town throughout the day to reinforce the health messages and contacts for local support services available. These proved to be very popular and collectable.