NELCA at the Winter Health Mela: A Day of Community Engagement and Awareness

On 12th November, North East London Cancer Alliance was invited to participate in the Winter Health Mela, a Bangladeshi health and wellbeing event held at the Sundial Community Centre. The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with local residents and other charitable organisations, while promoting health awareness and collaboration. 

Throughout the day, we engaged in conversations with charities and grass root organisations about the important work we do and explored opportunities for future partnerships. We also had the chance to speak with residents who were eager to learn more about cancer prevention. 

Many showed an interest in the physical activity leaflets we had available, with some mentioning that while they wanted to stay fit, they struggled to find the right routine. Our 'Tell Me About It' leaflets were also particularly popular among attendees, as many expressed uncertainty about how to make the most of their time during GP appointments. 

These leaflets, which include guidance on how to prepare for a GP session, were greatly appreciated. A resident who required a translator on the day was pleased to find that some of the information was available in Bengali. He took a copy for himself and for friends who could benefit from the information. 

It was a rewarding day of community engagement, networking, and spreading awareness about the cancer services available in north east London. We're grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many individuals and to continue our work in raising awareness about cancer prevention and health services.

A big thank you to all our partners who made this happen, including the London Bangladeshi Health Partnership and Bangla Housing.