Attendees of this year’s World Halal Food Festival were hungry for more than the delicious fare on offer. As well as spending the weekend enjoying a smorgasbord of food, culture, and celebrity entertainment, visitors also joined Our Future Health, to help everyone live longer and healthier lives. 

We want to make it as easy as possible for people who are underrepresented in health research to join our programme, such as those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. 

That’s why we’re testing ‘pop-up’ clinics at events like this – so people can sign up immediately, without having to book an appointment in the future. 

Over the weekend event, festival attendees booked 82% of the appointments we had available, proving their appetite to help prevent, detect and treat diseases.

‘Unless we step forward and take part, we won’t be included in the reward’

Signing up to the world’s biggest health research programme of its kind wasn’t on 35-year-old Mika Curtis’ to-do list when she arrived at the World Halal Food Festival. But sign up she did. 

“Having the clinic right there made it so easy to contribute and learn about my health,” she said. “I actually found out that I need to keep an eye on my blood pressure, so that was helpful. 

“I have a family history of hypertension, and my father had a stroke, so I want there to be more understanding about these things. Often people don’t consider them until they affect you, but they could happen to any of us or our loved ones – that’s why supporting Our Future Health feels like investing in your own future.” 

For Sabina Hoque, 26, from Southend, being represented in health research was front of mind when she signed up. 

“It’s like everything, unless we step forward and take part in things like Our Future Health, we won’t be included in the reward of a healthcare system that reflects our needs,” she said.  

“Having the clinic right here at the World Halal Food Festival will help to start the conversation in the community. 

“And for younger generations, if we could be more aware about our health and find out what diseases may be in our future as early as possible, we could make proactive changes. It would be amazing to move from ‘if only’ to ‘I can do something about that’.” 

Optometrist Janani Arumugam, 31, joined Our Future Health at the festival alongside several of her family members. 

“We had a letter in the post from Our Future Health a while back, but life got in the way, and we never got around to booking appointments,” she said. “Seeing the van here felt like the perfect opportunity had come to us! 

“In my work I see people struggling with issues related to glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Sometimes I’m the first person to inform them they have these conditions and prepare them for how symptoms might progress.  

“If I could direct people with early signs to preventative treatments, that would be incredible.” 

A ripple effect

Our Future Health member of staff, Cathy Nazzaro, worked at our festival clinic. 

“A lot of healthcare nowadays feels like firefighting, but we need more prevention,” she said.

“That’s why it’s great that Our Future Health has exposure at events like the World Halal Food Festival – so we can reach communities who don’t typically take part in this kind of thing, and make sure everyone’s involved.” 

Senior Contract Manager at Our Future Health, Raja Iqbal, volunteered his weekend to chat about the programme with festivalgoers. 

“Attending events like the World Halal Food Festival and engaging with people is always a real joy,” he said. “Getting the word out to help recruit a diverse cohort that truly reflects the UK is key to helping scientists develop preventions and treatments that support the people in these communities. 

“I hope it creates a ripple effect. I have a daughter myself and want to make sure my actions and approach to life have a positive impact on her and the health of her generation. Our Future Health feels like an important step towards that.”