Barking Learning Centre came alive with energy, culture, and community spirit as over 300 people gathered for the African & Caribbean Health Show.

A vibrant, free event focused on empowering Afro-Caribbean residents with tailored health information, support, and services.

The event was led by Parissé Devaux founder of the Village UK, a community organisation dedicated to supporting African and Caribbean communities through cultural events, education, and outreach initiatives in collaboration with the NELFT Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework team.  

The health show featured an extraordinary line-up of services and activities. From GP consultations, safeguarding support, and mental health check-ins to long-term condition management, blood services, sexual health, and dental services, the show truly covered the full spectrum of health and wellbeing. A total of 38 services were represented at the health show.

NELFT was on-site, alongside professionals from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (LBBD) housing and social services, digital health teams, North East London Cancer Alliance, and many others. Crucially, these services worked together in real time, delivering instant multi-disciplinary team (MDT) support to resolve issues on the spot, reducing emergency visits and connecting people to long-term support.

The event wasn’t just about services, it was about celebration, conversation, and connection. There were powerful health talks and personal stories, particularly from Afro-Caribbean residents living with diabetes and sickle cell anaemia, which brought lived experience to the forefront of addressing health inequalities and learning.

The Panel discussion tackled health inequalities with honesty and urgency, with Wellington Makala, Executive Chief Nursing Officer at NELFT, summing it up best:

“We are not the hard to reach group, we are just easily ignored. Community engagement is how we build healthier, more connected communities, where every resident has the chance to live a full, healthy life and thrive in every area.

“A heartfelt thank you to all involved, especially the residents who came and shared their stories, their time, and their trust.”

Attendees also enjoyed free haircuts and massages, authentic Afro-Caribbean food and a lively atmosphere created by a DJ spinning classic tunes that brought joy and unity to the space. There were intergenerational activities, support for social isolation, and moments of healing as attendees opened up about trauma, both personal and systemic.