The Osmani Trust week of celebration started off with a buzz of health activities when the new Osmani Centre was brought to life with the inaugural Health Expo event last Thursday 9th February 2012. The Health Expo has been a huge success, with both exhibitors and visitors reporting a very productive and vibrant event.
The Health Expo brought the whole community together by bringing professionals and practitioners from the health and wellness industries, NHS services and local community projects with the general public to encourage a lifestyle of health and wellbeing through networking, information sharing, taster exercise sessions and awareness of local health services.
The event attracted over 65 stall holders and around 450 people from all over Tower Hamlets and neighbouring boroughs. People enjoyed a whole range of activities including reflexology and shiatsu back massage, women only Zumba and Pilates classes, men only Boxercise and keep fit classes, BMI checks, blood pressure checks, diabetes checks, dental screening, cancer screening etc.
The event was themed around eight key health topics such as healthy eating and nutrition, physical activity and exercise, mental health, dual diagnosis and alcohol, health checks, children and families, smoking and tobacco, psychology and therapy. Local people and families got the opportunity to speak to the experts, received free health screenings and gathered cutting edge information about services on a wide variety of health issues.
A local resident said “I really found today’s event most enjoyable, informative and educational. I collected lots of useful information, talked to various professionals at the stalls and also took part in the exercise class and a message session – it was brilliant. Overall, I thought the whole event was a great success and it attracted many local people – a credit to the excellent work that Osmani Centre does in the borough.”
Commenting on the events success, Shelim Shakir, the Health Trainers Team Leader and event organiser said “I am delighted by the overwhelmingly positive feedback received so far and would like to say a huge thank you to all of our exhibitors, visitors, guests and supporters, for making the Health Expo a very successful, inspiring and educational event.”
The event was also attended by Stephen O’Brien who is the Chairman of the Bart’s and the London NHS and a key patron of the Osmani Trust along with Brenda Scotland the Healthy Lifestyles Programme Manager for LAPs 1 & 2. Stephen later said “It is always a pleasure to visit the Osmani Centre. The commitment of staff and supporters to their projects in the community continues to inspire. Their Expo event last week around health was no exception. It was an event that where a national initiative gets the best results from being delivered locally.”
For more information about the event and the Health Trainers service, including how to register, please call on 0207 247 8080 or email Shelim.shakir@osmanitrust.org.