Health and Wellbeing

University of York researcher and activist Maddy Power exposes the inner workings of Britain’s food banks, revealing how religion structures food distribution and how Whiteness shapes the daily practices of food banks.

Join BBC presenter and Team GB triathlete Louise Minchin for a celebration of adventurous, brave, courageous women who are doing extraordinary things through sport, exercise and a love of the great outdoors.

This workshop, hosted by University of York sociologists, will explore how women communicate their body sensations during labour, and the ways in which midwives respond.

Join Peter Harvey, teacher of mindfulness of breathing and scholar of Buddhism, to find out more about mindfulness as understood in Buddhist philosophy.

Our expert panellists discuss how reimagining the way we incentivise drug development could lead to innovation at a reasonable price.

Join us for an immersive audio experience that tells the story of a digitally excluded user of mental health services, challenging you to walk in her shoes and think how you can help.

Join community environment charity St Nicks to see river restoration in action as part of the York Cares Big Community Challenge, which aims to support river and wetland restoration at various locations across our city.

Cognitive neuroscientist Ana B. Vivas from CITY College, University of York Europe Campus discusses a new approach to improve learning in people with cognitive impairments.

Join community environment charity St Nicks to see river restoration in action as part of the York Cares Big Community Challenge, which aims to support river and wetland restoration at various locations across our city.

Clinical neuropsychologist Kalliopi Megari from ​​CITY College, University of York Europe Campus provides intriguing insights into the dynamic relationship and strong connection between the heart and the brain.

Join award-winning reporters Paola Totaro and Robert Wainwright for a fascinating exploration of how losing our sense of smell can shape our world, and how the global pandemic transformed our understanding of this mysterious sense.

Neuroscientist and bestselling author Dean Burnett puts our everyday emotions under the microscope, uncovering how, far from holding us back, they make us who we are.

Award-winning dog groomer, TV personality and experienced dog handler Verity Hardcastle tells you everything you need to know to create a joyful friendship with your dog.

Immerse yourself in gorgeous harmony with a massed choir of singers as we test the idea that group singing is an effective way of forming social connections with strangers.

Award-winning health journalist Sarah Graham reveals the systemic and deep-rooted sexism within medicine, and explains what it will take to bridge the gender health gap.

Hear from service users, carers and healthcare professionals in this panel discussion, which considers how and why our healthcare system has to change to meet the needs of people with severe mental illness.

Come along for a hands-on experience of what it’s like to be a student nurse at York St John University, and discover the cutting-edge facilities that are shaping the nurses of the future.

Personal and Business Coach Diane Tricker helps you discover a brilliant new way to problem-solve and expand your sense of possibility in partnership with the world around you.

Award-winning psychologist Harriet Ennis returns to the Festival to discuss the latest, intriguing dream theories and to explore the science behind why we dream.

Discover the Brazilian martial art of Capoeira with musician, percussionist and workshop leader Claudio Kron in this fun-packed introductory session guaranteed to keep you on your toes.

Discover the Brazilian martial art of Capoeira with musician, percussionist and workshop leader Claudio Kron in this fun-packed introductory session guaranteed to keep you on your toes.