the

‘Health Mela’initiative

The initiative grew out of:• an awareness amongst health professionals and leaders in the Preston Gujarati community of health inequalities

within local social and ethnic minority groups• a conviction that involving the community in promoting its own health would help reduce these inequalities• a search for an appropriate strategy to engage the community• As a result of these concerns a steering group, the Lancashire Gujarat Health Users Forum, (now the National

Forum for Health and Wellbeing) was set up. Support and premises were provided by the Gujarat Hindu Society

The group looked to the traditional South asian ‘Mela’ to provide an appealing

environment for health promotion

Mela is a Sanskrit word for a festival involving:

• entertainment• information exchange• community involvement.

The first Health Mela was held in Preston in 2002. It became an annual event soon extending its influence way beyond its initial focus on the Gujarat community.

The 12th Health Mela, held in the Guild Hall in 2013, attracted over 2,000 visitors of all ages and ethnicities.

A typical Health Mela provides:

• a breakfast meeting for invited guests, addressing a topical community health issue

A typical Health Mela provides:

• stalls representing a wide range of health providers -

A typical Health Mela provides:

• activities for children

A typical Health Mela provides:

• taster sessions for adults

A typical Health Mela provides:

• entertainment and refreshment.

Central to the day’s activities is

• a comprehensive selection of health checks (the Health MOT) together with appropriate advice and counselling.

The ‘Health MOT’ is a particularly important component of the Health Mela. It offers visitors checks on:

• body mass index• blood pressure• cholesterol level• blood glucose• sight• hearing.

• a comprehensive selection of health checks (the Health MOT) together with appropriate advice and counselling.

Examples of the ‘Health MOT’ results from recent events:

• Leyland - 220 tests completed, 46 individuals advised to consult their GP.

• Preston – 247 tests completed, 65 individuals advised to consult their GP.

Nfhw has sought to extend its range and influence by establishing collaboration with Rotary International, developing working partnerships with local Rotary Clubs.

The first joint NFHW/Rotary Health Mela was organised in Leyland in 2012.

Support for the Health Melas, comes from a number of sources including:

NHS trustslocal authorities the Gujarat Hindu Societyuniversitiespharmaceutical companiescommercial organisations.

GHS

Nfhw also aims to provide local health professionals in training with the opportunity to experience work in a community led setting. This activity is endorsed by the General Medical Council.

Health Melas also provide a much appreciated networking opportunity for local health professionals.

The Preston team has provided advice and support for the development of Health Melas across the country including those in:

BradfordBoltonLondon CardiffBlackpoolLeyland.

Preston Health Mela

“I just wanted to congratulate you and your team on an excellent event. It was nothing like I had expected! It was a fantastic, vibrant, dynamic, diverse programme that brought together so many themes about health management, ill health prevention and education. You and the team should feel justifiably proud of pulling together such an excellent event and I do hope you’ll invite me to be a part of it again next year.”

Karen Partington, Chief Executive, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Preston Health Mela

‘Human rights are all about dignity, equal treatment and fairness, not unlike the best traditions of the National Health Service. So it was a real honour and joy to attend the Preston Health Mela and have the opportunity to talk about the importance of respecting patients’ fundamental rights and freedoms in the context of looking after them. As human rights protect us from abuses of power, these values become especially important in the clinical setting where people can be so vulnerable, disorientated and alone. . . . . . . . The Mela itself is an extremely positive event in making the sometimes mystical world of medicine more accessible to the whole community and to demonstrate and celebrate humanity in healthcare.”

Shami Chakrabarti,Director of ‘Liberty.’

Leyland Health Mela

‘This was an extraordinary event. There was a wide range of displays of the work of a great number and diversity of NHS and charitable health bodies all of whose representatives were giving their weekend time to talk about their work. This was an astonishing display of total community involvement and unity of purpose. . . .for a pathologist, the most striking part of the day was the open access for the whole community to health checks. . . the Health Mela means that people can access the skills of these people much more easily, with fewer delays and less anxiety. Let’s hope such events increase in number and spread further across the country.’

Dr Archie PrenticePresident, Royal College of Pathologists

The Health Mela Concept is coming to Carlisle

Taking over Carlisle City Centre on Saturday 14th May

Using the Assembly Rooms for the Health MOTs

Taking over the City Centre on Saturday 14th May

With a number of “Streets” hosting ……..• Health & Wellbeing advice• Complementary Therapies• Listening Therapies• Food & Cooking• Gardening• Exercise• Music & Entertainment

Partners include;• Sustainable Carlisle• Carlisle City Council – Healthy City• Carlisle Ambassadors• The Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust• Cumbria CC, Public Health Team• CFM• Carlisle College

Team have been working on the project since last Autumn

In addition to the standard Mela activities we hope to have• A Fun Run• Cycle Rides• Carlisle FC / American Football• Gardening• Walking groups• Buskers and Dancing

We still need • Gazebos or Marquees• Silent Generators and Electrics• Sponsorship (Printing, Food, Entertainment)

And of Course• Volunteers

• For the Planning Team• On the day – stewarding & guiding, meeting & greeting,

promoting

Funding is from• The First Response Global Grant • In Kind Donations from Carlisle City Council and …….• Bid to be submitted to Cumbria Community

Foundation

We are taking account of community and personal issues that will still be around following the floods.