09/06/25

A BRAND-NEW community health project aiming to tackle the rising tide of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes in Bolton’s Central South neighbourhood will be officially launched by the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor David Chadwick, on Tuesday, 17 June, at an event hosted by Asian Elders Resource Centre.

The project, led by Bolton GP Federation in collaboration with Rumworth and Central Primary Care Networks, Bolton CVS and the Central South neighbourhood team, is called “Do It For You!” – a campaign title chosen and co-designed by members of the Central South community to reflect the deeply personal reasons people make lifestyle changes and seek healthcare.

Do It For You! focuses on early detection, culturally sensitive communication, and trusted, hyper-local access to support and screening – particularly targeting groups who face some of the greatest barriers to healthcare access, such as people from ethnic minority backgrounds, those with learning disabilities, carers, asylum seekers and older residents.

Dr Saveena Ghaie, Clinical Director for the Rumworth Primary Care Network, said:

“We know that heart disease and diabetes are hitting Central South communities hard, especially as many people feel well, but their symptoms are silent and can only be detected by screening. We also know that trust, familiarity and the right message in the right setting can make all the difference.

“This isn’t just about appointments and screenings; this is about people understanding their risk, connecting with others, and taking action – on their terms.”

The project will run for six months, offering free NHS Health Checks, drop-in screening events, mobile clinics, home visits, and tailored advice and support from a team of clinicians, health coaches and community partners. No appointment is needed, and services will be delivered in trusted community spaces – not just clinics.

The campaign’s look, feel and tone have been shaped by local residents, influencers, and volunteers to reflect the unique character and needs of Central South’s communities. Materials and messages will be delivered across social media, WhatsApp channels, and face-to-face outreach events.

To support the programme, Bolton CVS has developed a free one-day training course for staff and volunteers from voluntary and community organisations who work in the Central South neighbourhood.

The training will provide the skills, knowledge and resources to enable attendees to have confident informed conversations with local residents about heart health and diabetes.

The launch event will take place on Tuesday, 17 June, 10am to 2pm at Slaterfield Community Centre, Carrington Drive, Great Lever, BL3 6YE, with the Mayor, representatives from the community, local health services, and partner organisations gathering at 10:15am to mark the project’s start. Health checks will also be available for residents throughout.

Pop-up clinics and events will run through to December 2025 and will be advertised via social media channels and on www.boltongpfed.co.uk/communityhealth