The National Forum for Health and Wellbeing (NFHW) held its fourth and final Health Mela of its Silver Jubilee year on Saturday, 26 September 2026, at the Civic Centre in Leyland. The event was organised in collaboration with South Ribble Borough Council and the Rotary Club of Leyland.

The Health Mela brought together health and wellbeing organisations, NHS services, community groups, charities, voluntary organisations and local representatives, providing residents with access to health information, advice, screening and a wide range of wellbeing activities in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Primary Healthcare in Focus

The day began at 10.00am with a breakfast meeting on the theme “Primary Healthcare – Is It Fit for Purpose?” The meeting was chaired by His Worship the Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Caleb Tomlinson.

The Guest of Honour was Rotarian Annette Ramsden PHF, District Governor of Rotary Cumbria and Lancashire. Other distinguished guests included Paul Foster MP for South Ribble; Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, Leader of South Ribble Borough Council; Dr Bryan Jones, Dean of Health and Social Services and Sports Medicine at the University of Lancashire; and Dr Lindsey Dickinson, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, together with representatives from a number of organisations and community groups.

NFHW Community Engagement Officer, Mr Russell Hogarth, welcomed the guests. NFHW Chairman, Professor Romesh Gupta OBE, introduced the Chief Guest and outlined the theme of the discussion.

The discussion on GP services was led by Dr Lindsey Dickinson and Dianne Hogarth. Dr Dickinson spoke about the changing nature of general practice, increasing demand on GP services and the expertise and support provided by staff within primary care settings. The catch phrase by Dr Dickinson was ” Nobody goes out to do a bad job”.  She added that the GPs are dealing with complex cases and are involved in train and supervising increasing numbers of clinical staff.

Dianne Hogarth highlighted the important role played by patient participation groups and their contribution to supporting patients within local communities.

The session generated considerable interest, with members of the audience actively participating in the discussion and sharing their experiences and views.

Health Mela Officially Opened

Following the breakfast meeting, the Health Mela was formally opened by the Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Caleb Tomlinson.

The opening ceremony included a dance performance by children with Down syndrome. NFHW Fellowships were presented to the Rotary Club of Leyland and Dr Alpana Asurlekar of the University of Lancashire’s School of Medicine.

Entertainment throughout the day included Indian music performed by Manisha Frost on keyboard and Deepak Kumar on tabla, as well as a performance by the Chorley Cakes Folk Ceilidh Band, which entertained visitors and added to the lively atmosphere. There also was an entertaining dance performance by the Down Syndrome children

More Than 45 Health and Wellbeing Exhibitors

Around 45 organisations took part in the Health Mela, offering information, advice, support and practical expertise across a wide range of health and wellbeing topics.

The event attracted visitors of all ages, with exhibitors reporting strong engagement from members of the public. Visitors were encouraged to ask questions, participate in activities and find out more about local services and community initiatives, including walking and cycling groups, gardening, healthy eating and other activities supporting wellbeing.

The Teddy Bear Clinic proved particularly popular with younger visitors. Children enjoyed interacting with the soft toys, giving them plenty of cuddles and even visiting the event’s resident skeleton.

Another popular attraction was the smoothie bike, which allowed visitors to pedal their way to a freshly prepared fruit drink while demonstrating the importance of physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices.

The family-friendly atmosphere was evident throughout the day, with exhibitors taking considerable pride in their displays and making every effort to ensure visitors felt welcome and involved.

Health Checks Identify Potential Health Concerns

Health MOTs were provided by medical and pharmacy students from the University of Lancashire under the supervision of Dr Alpana Asurlekar and Ms Ann Urmston respectively. The Blood Drop Team from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust also provided blood testing.

A total of 74 individuals took part in the health checks. The assessments identified:

  • 6 individuals with high blood pressure;
  • 5 individuals with raised cholesterol; and
  • 8 individuals with results indicating possible diabetes.

Those identified with potentially concerning results were advised to contact their GP for further assessment.

The Reiki team, led by Mr Khushal Kumar, also provided holistic Reiki sessions. Ten people took advantage of the sessions, with participants providing positive feedback about their experience.

More Than 800 People Attend

The Health Mela remained lively throughout the day, with music, entertainment, educational activities and opportunities for visitors to engage with health and community organisations.

By the time the event concluded at 3.00pm, more than 800 people had attended.

Reflecting on the event, NFHW Chairman Professor Romesh Gupta OBE said: “This Health Mela has demonstrated what can be achieved when elected representatives, voluntary organisations, charities, NGOs and the NHS work together for the betterment of the health and wellbeing of the population.

“The Health Mela is a fantastic example of providing comprehensive healthcare, with health assessments, advice and information about additional services all available in one place and in a non-threatening, family-friendly environment.

“I am proud that this model has not only survived but grown, thrived and spread beyond England over the last 25 years. For this, I would like to thank all the attendees, partners, participants and volunteers. Long may this continue!”

Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, Leader of South Ribble Borough Council, said: “Bringing together leading health organisations, community groups and local partners in one place, the Health Mela is a fantastic opportunity for residents to access free health checks, expert advice and support in a friendly and welcoming environment.

“We are proud to support this initiative, which encourages people to take positive steps towards better health and wellbeing.”

Thanks to Exhibitors, Volunteers and Partners

NFHW Events Organiser Mr Ravin Shah thanked all the exhibitors and organisations that contributed to the event.

He said:

“On behalf of NFHW, I would like to thank each and every stallholder for attending the event and giving their precious time over the weekend for the benefit of the community.

“Many of them have supported us for many years and have found it to be a very satisfying experience. It also provides them with opportunities to network and engage with the community. I am certain we can expect their participation to continue.”

NFHW Secretary Ms Sarifa Kabir also expressed her appreciation to everyone involved in making the event possible.

She said:

“On behalf of NFHW, I would like to thank the Civic Centre in Leyland for hosting the Health Mela as part of our Silver Jubilee celebrations. A big thank you also goes to the Rotary Club of Leyland for helping to make the event possible.

“I cannot thank enough all those who attended the event, including officials, councillors and staff of South Ribble Borough Council and the Civic Centre; stallholders; volunteers from the Blood Drop Team; the University of Lancashire and its students; the Reiki Team; the Chorley Cakes Folk musicians; and everyone else who directly or indirectly helped to make the event such a great success.

“We hope you will continue to support us in the future.”

The successful Leyland Health Mela marked the conclusion of NFHW’s four-event Health Mela programme during its Silver Jubilee year, celebrating 25 years of promoting health, wellbeing and community engagement.

Following is the reflection of Mr Ian Smith, an amateur photographer and a volunteer  of NFHW who has been photographing various events for last few years.

“Once again thank you for your energetic contribution to the last Health Mela of our 25th year.  You all make every event a fun show, it feels like friends having a day out!! Your positivity and your enduring enjoyment shine through on every photograph. Here are a selection of images from Leyland Health Mela, 26th Sept. 2026. Thank you all very much.”