More than 1,000 people visited the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) this weekend for the annual Preston Health Mela.
Organised by the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing (NFHW), in partnership with the University’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, the popular event offered free health and wellbeing checks to the general public, as well as the chance to speak to health care professionals and enjoy Bollywood dancing and free Reiki and yoga taster sessions.
"Today’s Mela has been a brilliant example of the passion and enthusiasm clinicians, communities and patients can bring to this important issue."
— Christopher Gormley, Acting Chief Sustainability officer for NHS England
Clinicians conducted blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol checks whilst more than 70 stalls hosting NHS and third sector organisations offered a variety of services, including a fully equipped and staffed mobile ambulance carrying out liver function health checks throughout the day.
Professor Kevin Fenton CBE, President of the Faculty of Public Health UK, and Christopher Gormley, Acting Chief Sustainability officer for NHS England, officially opened the Health Mela.
Chris Gormley said: “Healthcare professionals recognise the importance and opportunity in delivering high quality patient care sustainably.
“Today’s Mela has been a brilliant example of the passion and enthusiasm clinicians, communities and patients can bring to this important issue.”
"Taking health and wellbeing advice direct into the community of Preston is something that I am sure the University must be proud of ..."
— Councillor and Mayor of Preston Yakub Patel
Professor StJohn Crean, UCLan Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, officially opened the event. He said: “‘’The University congratulates the organising team for a tremendous Health Mela. The close association with UCLan and its staff and students is something that we value very highly and remain committed to future events.”
Councillor and Mayor of Preston Yakub Patel also attended the Mela. He said: “Taking health and wellbeing advice direct into the community of Preston is something that I am sure the University must be proud of and the difference that it must be making to improve the lives of our local Preston community members.”
Romesh Gupta OBE, Chair of the Steering Group of the NFHW and Honorary Professor at UCLan, said: "As always, this was a successful collaborative event and I want to thank everyone involved. The fact that it was also It was new year, Baisakhi and Eid certainly added to the celebratory mood and we’re already excited about next year’s Preston Health Mela.”
" As always, this was a successful collaborative event and I want to thank everyone involved."
— Romesh Gupta OBE, Chair of the Steering Group of the NFHW and Honorary Professor at UCLan
UCLan Honorary Fellow Russell Hogarth, Community Ambassador and Chair of the UCLan Creative Communities Group (CCGUK) which helps to run the Mela, added: “This year's Preston Health Mela was a tremendous success and we received comments and feedback from visitors who appreciated the opportunity to get a free health check and they loved the variety of stalls offering health and wellbeing advice from both the NHS and the third sector.
“I was also delighted to see so many of our university students taking part in the activities throughout the day from medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.
“We are already looking forward to the Burnley Health Mela on Saturday 11 May where we can offer the same services to the people of East Lancashire.”
