One Voice Health Mela is a Knockout

We were proud sponsors of the 2016 One Voice Mela, an annual health event, on Saturday 30 July. The event was a huge success with well over 2,000 members of the Blackburn with Darwen community enjoying the day at Corporation Park.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, launched the event in Corporation Park, Blackburn alongside Phil Benson, Service Manager from our EachStep Blackburn specialist dementia care home as well as Student Ambassadors from Blackburn College.

The lively event included over a dozen health stalls and fun activities including an assault course, a bouncy castle, a giant slide and a shooting range.

The centrepiece of the Mela was an ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition and an obstacle course that we sponsored. The highly contested ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition was won by Brookhouse Primary School.

The One Voice Mela is an annual event, working in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, to deliver both community and education initiatives, and integrate information into existing health promotional activity for the local BME community.

Health experts were on hand to meet and greet the public and offer advice and information including Alzheimer’s Society, Macmillan Cancer, AgeUK, Women’s Refuge, Advocacy Focus and Organ Donation.

Those who came over to the Community Integrated Care stand had a real treat as Blackburn Rovers FC coaches were on hand to offer advice and support on dementia – and also had a knock-about with them too!

Phil Benson, Service Manager at our EachStep Blackburn service, said: “We sponsored the One Voice Mela to raise awareness of dementia issues and introduce people to EachStep Blackburn, and also celebrate our brilliant partnership with One Voice, who have helped us to support our vision of making EachStep an inclusive and community-focussed home. This event enabled us to meet thousands of people and also be part of a very special event for the local community.”