In this blog series we will be featuring our award winners and highly commended recipients from the Faculty’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to PPIE’ awards. The awards showcase inspirational and outstanding commitment to PPIE that has made a positive difference to our community and highlights the amazing events, activities, people and groups from across the Faculty.  

Our latest blog in this series features the Rochdale Health Seminars team, who have addressed health inequalities through educational seminars in Deeplish, Rochdale. The team were highly commended in the public engagement category at the 2024 PPIE Awards. 

The Rochdale Health Seminars team have made a fantastic contribution towards tackling health inequalities through community-led education in Greater Manchester. Comprising doctors, BAME representatives, and community workers, the team has collaborated to design, develop, and deliver culturally sensitive health education events in Deeplish, Rochdale, one of Greater Manchester’s most deprived areas.  

Their initiative, “Addressing health inequalities through health education seminars in Rochdale,” was born from community-based research led by FBMH academic Dr Louise Tomkow. During this research, local public contributors voiced a clear need for more accessible and relevant health education. 

In response, the team launched quarterly seminars co-designed with a South Asian community group and hosted at the Deeplish Community Centre, a vital hub for the predominantly South Asian population. Topics have included stroke awareness, respiratory viruses, and mental health, with sessions offering practical demonstrations, translated educational materials in Urdu, and access to healthcare services such as blood pressure checks. 

The project is built around four key objectives; the team aims to raise awareness of common health conditions, build trust between minoritised communities and healthcare providers, create networks to address health inequalities, and to enable research participation among underrepresented groups. 

By partnering with local health-promotion organisations and offering translation services, the team ensures that each seminar is inclusive and impactful. Their work not only improves health literacy but also fosters long-term relationships between communities and the healthcare system. 

The team is also committed to sustainability by involving medical students and allied health professionals in future seminars. Their recognition at the PPIE Awards underscores the importance of grassroots, community-driven health initiatives in creating lasting change. 

Find out more: 

• Addressing health inequalities in our local communities with the help of Faculty funding 

To find out more about PPIE: watch our short film, sign up to the monthly Public Engagement Digest, visit the PPIE blog, or contact srbmh@manchester.ac.uk.      

To read more about other PPIE Award winners visit here. 

Related