Planning is well underway for this annual Preston Health Mela, an exciting event celebrating another year of family and community health in the town and region which will take place on Saturday, 4th April 2020. Attendance, Health Checks and Parking are all FREE.
This family friendly festival, organised by the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing (NFHW) is hosted by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and is supported by the University with its Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences and the Faculty of Health And Wellbeing, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, Lancashire Care and North West Ambulance NHS Trusts.
The location this year is the Greenbank social space, home to the University’s Medical and Dental Schools. This is the Health Mela’s first visit to what is an attractive new venue providing excellent, easily accessible accommodation for the wide range of exhibits, events and activities on offer. Ample and convenient free space is available for exhibitors and visitors on the adjacent University car parks.
The Mela capitalises on the enthusiastic support of a very wide range of health professionals, local authorities, NHS and voluntary organisations and individuals. Working together they represent the very widest and best-informed range of perspectives on family and community health and wellbeing. Modelled on the traditional South Asian original, this innovative festival is designed to allow health professionals and the community to meet, exchange news, socialise, be entertained and access new insights and skills related to the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.
Visitors to the Health Mela will find.
- 50+ exhibition stalls with friendly staff and information covering a wide range of health topics
- Activities including Reiki, Head Massage etc.
- Entertainment with dancers and choir
- Mini ‘lectures’ on topical issues
- A ‘Teddy Bear’ clinic and other children’s activities
- Refreshments
- A wide series of health checks including a ‘Health MOT’ covering height, weight, BMI, blood sugar, cholesterol etc with confidential counselling from friendly health professionals.
etc.
The form of the Health Mela is based on a conviction that, provided with the right opportunities, individuals and communities can be energised to take an active part in the promotion of their own health and wellbeing. Many thousands of visitors of all ages and ethnic groups have, to date, enjoyed the Health Mela experience, often returning, year on year to catch-up with the latest developments.
The event will be opened at 11,00 am by Chief Guest:
Professor Maggie Rae, President of the Faculty of Public Health
The Breakfast Meeting
A ‘Breakfast Meeting’ for invited guests will be held at 10.00 am before the Mela opens to the public. This provides an opportunity for health and associated professionals to discuss a topic of current local interest. Due to recent public health issues affecting people like floods and Corona virus Professor Maggie’s talk will cover these topical hits.
” Public Health — Your Best Days Are Yet To Come“
To request an invitation to the Breakfast Meeting or to find out more about NFHW and the Health Mela please contact:
Sarifa Kabir Hon. Secretary sarifa.kabir@nfhw.org.uk
Derek Ormerod Hon, Public Relations Officer derek.ormerod@nfhw.org.uk
