Free Preston Health Mela will return in April

26 March 2024

UCLan and National Forum for Health and Wellbeing team up for annual community event

Preston’s annual Health Mela will return in April offering a wide range of free health checks to the local community.

Organised by the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing (NFHW), in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, the free event on Saturday 13 April will bring together health professionals, community volunteers and UCLan students to offer health checks and advice to visitors.

There will be opportunities to have blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, as well as speaking to health professionals about cancer support, pain management and oral health, to name a few. The popular Teddy Bear Clinic will return for children and people can also enjoy reiki and a Bollywood Dance performance.

"We can’t wait to once again welcome the local community to this brilliant annual event. People can access a range of health services for free and enjoy a family day out at the same time."

Romesh Gupta OBE, Chair of the Steering Group of the NFHW and Honorary Professor at UCLan

Special guests Professor Kevin Fenton CBE, President of the Faculty of Public Health UK, and Christopher Gormley, Acting Chief Sustainability officer for NHS England, will officially open the Health Mela, which this year will focus on the theme of Sustainability and Healthy Communities.

Romesh Gupta OBE, Chair of the Steering Group of the NFHW and Honorary Professor at UCLan, said: “We can’t wait to once again welcome the local community to this brilliant annual event. People can access a range of health services for free and enjoy a family day out at the same time.”

The Preston Health Mela will take place between 11.00am – 3.00pm on Saturday 13 April in UCLan’s Foster Building on the Preston Campus. UCLan’s Creative Communities Group staff, students, and community members will also be on hand to offer support at the event.

For more information, email Romesh Gupta and follow @NFHW1 and #HealthMela2024 on X.