“I WILL GET MY HEALTH MOT TODAY”

“I will get my health mot today.” These were the words of the Mayor of South Ribble Councillor Peter ​​​​​​Mullineaux as he opened National Forum for Health and Wellbeing’s Health Mela in Leyland on Saturday 28  September 2024. The Health Mela was held at the St Mary’s Community Centre, Broadfield Walk, Leyland and had nearly 20 stalls from various voluntary, NHS and other organisations.

In his speech, Mayor Mullineaux congratulated National Forum for Health and Wellbeing for going strong for last 24 years with Health Melas and hoped that it would continue for another 24 years. He praised NFHW for its work in health education, health awareness as well as community empowerment and said he was very proud to attend the event with Mayoress Margaret McManus. He requested all members of the community to avail of the facilities available and before declaring the Mela open, asserted that he would be having his free health MOT today.

The event started at 11 am with Professor Romesh Gupta, OBE Chairman of NFHW welcoming the guests, attendees and exhibitors. He said “We need to try to live healthy lives, prevent illnesses and reduce the burden on the NHS. Throwing more money to the overstretched NHS is not the answer. We need to take control of our health and wellbeing and NFHW is working towards this aim by holding Health Melas to engage, educate and empower local communities.” He thanked medical students and their teachers from UCLan’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, Dr Vinayak Mishra and Professor Pappachan Joseph, consultant endocrinologist from LTHTr for their help in the success of health MOTs.

Ms Sarifa Kabir, secretary of NFHW thanked the Mayor and Mayoress, visitors, participants, volunteers, sponsors and all the partnership organisations. She also thanked Chorley Cakes folk community band for their presence and making event very memorable.

According to Ravin Shah, Events Organiser & Co Ordinator of NFHW, there were 25 exhibitors from various organisations who provided health and wellbeing information to visitors. Amongst the exhibitors there were many who have been associated with NFHW for few years and been attending Health Melas regularly. They find the event very healthy and enjoy networking with other healthcare workers.

Also present at the event were County councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for health and wellbeing and Michael McNulty, senior member, Rotary Club of Leyland.

The highlight of the event was Chorley Cakes folk community band who entertained the attendees with soft background music. This was enjoyed and highly appreciated by all.

More than hundred visitors attended the event throughout the day and many took advantage of undergoing free health MOTs. Various health assessments during the Health MOT were carried out by medical students under the guidance of senior staff whereas blood tests were carried out by the ‘Blood Drop’ volunteers. Of the 45 visitors who had free health checks, ten needed further referrals back to their general practitioners for further intervention including one person found to be prediabetic and one person with raised cholesterol. All others were obese or overweight needing weight Management.

The Health Mela was organised by NFHW with the help of partner organisations such as Rotary Club of Leyland, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and many others. Volunteers from St Mary’s Church community centre provided free tea/coffee for everyone and we are thankful or their help.

Below are a few pictures of the event.