Earlier this year, one of the original City & Hackney Community Health Champions, Bashir Uddin, chief executive of Bangla Housing Association (BHA), hosted a wellness event titled “Health Mela: Stay Warm Stay Well.” We caught up with Bashir to learn more about the day.
Tell us about your organisation and how you support the Hackney community?
BHA is a social housing provider and a VCSE organisation based in Hackney. Established in 1991 by a group of Hackney Bangladeshi residents, BHA aims to support individuals with housing, welfare and other needs.
Our services include dedicated housing management for our residents, Welfare Benefits Advice for the community, and Health and Wellbeing Programmes for both residents and the wider community.
Since the pandemic, BHA has actively supported Hackney’s Bangladeshi, South Asian, and Muslim communities through targeted health and wellbeing programmes. These programmes focus on raising awareness, prevention, and management of long-term conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as promoting vaccination programmes.
Since 2020, I have been involved in the City & Hackney Community Health Champion programme, attending network meetings, sharing health information with Champions and health professionals, and relaying this information to residents, staff, volunteers, and the community. I also participate in co-designing and co-producing culturally appropriate health information materials.
BHA hosts the London Bangladeshi Health Partnership (LBHP), which acts as a strategic convenor, bringing together system stakeholders, VCSE organisations, community, and public health teams to address health inequalities faced by the Bangladeshi community. In partnership with the NHS, LBHP, local GPs, and other health agencies, BHA has successfully delivered workshops on diabetes, cancer screening, and immunisations.
BHA successfully hosted a Health and Wellbeing (Health Mela) event on 18th February 2025.
Where did the idea for the wellness event come from and how did you put it together?
There is evidence that ethnic minorities, particularly Bangladeshi communities, are not accessing flu vaccination services, due to a lack of information and knowledge about the virus, as well as cultural and religious beliefs. Through our community health engagement, we aim to provide accessible health education, preventative care, and culturally sensitive interventions. We felt an urgent need to host workshops and events to facilitate access to vaccinations and health conversations, empowering our community to take charge of their health and promote holistic well-being. These efforts are in line with raising awareness about the flu and the benefits of vaccination, considering cultural and faith-based perspectives.
With this in mind, I contacted Jackie Walker, Operational Director of Covid-19 and Influenza Vaccination Programmes at NHS England – London Region, with a funding proposal. Thankfully, they agreed to fund two events: one in Hackney and one in Tower Hamlets.
Why did you feel this type of event was important for your community?
This event is an excellent way to engage the community, creating a happy and safe environment where families, neighbours, and friends can come together to enjoy a festive atmosphere with food, refreshments, and giveaways. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for meaningful conversations about health issues with trusted individuals in a trusted place.
We ensured everyone felt welcomed and enjoyed the event, while also encouraging them to speak with the medical team about vaccinations and health checks. Visitors were invited to interact with representatives at all the stalls and take health information leaflets. As an incentive, we offered free raffle tickets to those who visited all the stalls and completed feedback forms.
What were some of the activities?
The event, entitled “Health Mela: Stay Warm Stay Well.”, was designed to create a festive atmosphere and offer something for everyone. It featured a flu vaccination and health checks clinic provided by Richmond Road Medical Centre. Attendees could access translated health information leaflets on topics such as healthy eating and exercise, health and wellbeing during Ramadan, cancer services, Ramadan and diabetes, and staying well during winter. There were also advice and information stalls on quitting smoking, bowel cancer, and recycling. Additionally, free fruit bags, books, toys for children, Bangladeshi food and refreshments were available, along with a free raffle for those who completed feedback forms.
What was the feedback you received about the event?
We received very positive and encouraging feedback from attendees, with many expressing that they enjoyed the event and plan to attend again. Participants highlighted several key takeaways, including learning about maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, spending time outdoors, and quitting smoking. The vaccination and health check team reported that three individuals received vaccines and more than 20 people underwent health checks. All stall holders mentioned they had meaningful interactions with numerous attendees. Additionally, some participants requested bowel cancer test kits to be sent by mail.
Everyone who completed the feedback form rated the event positively, with 11% rating it as good and 89% rating it as excellent.
Was there anything about the day that surprised you?
People were very eager to engage with the health stall holders and take advantage of the health checks. Some individuals discovered they had moderate to high blood pressure without being aware of it. They have been advised to make an appointment with their GP for further evaluation. Additionally, some individuals who were already on medication showed high blood pressure readings and have also been advised to contact their GP.
You’ve been a Champion for quite some time. How has it helped you impact your community?
Being part of the CHC network has allowed me to collaborate with various partner health organizations. This collaboration ensures that residents’ voices are heard, their questions are answered, and barriers to engaging with healthcare services are identified and addressed. It has also enabled me to gather and share insights from those we support with healthcare professionals, providing valuable information that informs practice and is shared across the wider health system.
At CHC Forum meetings, where health information is shared with Champions by health professionals and partners across the health system, I have been able to provide feedback and ask questions on behalf of our residents and the community. Then, I relay this information back to them, often translating it into formats that are relevant and culturally appropriate. For example, with support from and collaboration with the CHC programme team, I have been involved in the co-production, design, and distribution of targeted health and wellbeing communication assets for Ramadan, benefiting our Muslim community.
Website: www.banglaha.org.uk
Phone: 07962 132 441
Email: [email protected]