Reducing health inequalities in BME communities was the focus of the Big Health Connect Event.
Supported by our Centre, the event took place on Monday, October 16, at Moat Community College, Maidstone Road, Leicester.
Advice on healthy eating was given and delegates also got an opportunity to hear from leading experts as well as the chance to be tested for Type 2 diabetes.
There was also reflexology and holistic therapy and a corner for children with arts and crafts as well as a playbus outside the venue.
The event also presented an opportunity to celebrate older people’s experiences from the West Indian Senior Citizens Leicester Ageing Together Project. A fashion show celebrated older people’s confidence.
There was no charge for admission and delegates also enjoyed a free hot Caribbean lunch.
Speakers covered subjects including prostate cancer, sickle cell and mental health and visitors can also browse a variety of stalls.
The event was featured on Sunday Politics East Midlands on October 22, with organiser Pamela Campbell-Morris telling the show: “What organisations need to do and the powers that be is to target, so they know where the gaps are, they know who are not accessing services until they are at crisis point.
“It’s about targeting those groups, targeting them and ensuring that we are addressing their needs at that early stage before they get to crisis point.”
She added: “People are dying, people are entering into mainstream services at crisis point. Now for me the issue is about awareness, it’s about education but it’s about mainstream organisations having an understanding and getting a grasp of the issue in itself.”
A selection of short videos from the day
