SAHA is a charity that supports the physical and mental health needs of the South Asian community, both in Leicester and nationally. Being patient and carer led provides lived experience and their close ties to the local South Asian community has been invaluable as a key partner of the BioResource for almost 2 years.
Kirit, Keval and the SAHA team are currently supporting design and delivery of an outreach campaign to the South Asian community for our under 16s research programme: D-CYPHR.
The Leicester Mela Festival is an annual event showcasing live music, dance, food, fashion and culture. SAHA were speaking with visitors about D-CYPHR, alongside members of Egality Health and the team from NIHR BioResource.
Keval from South Asian Health Action said:
“SAHA UK is pleased to collaborate with NIHR BioResource, Egality Health and Aikyam UK on the world’s first national children’s DNA research project, D-CYPHR.
“Leicester Mela was a great opportunity to connect and engage with members of the South Asian community. We managed to bring awareness and education around involvement in medical research and teach how our community can help benefit future generations by improving treatments and medications.
“It also gave us an opportunity to learn about potential obstacles and challenges this community faces.
“Overall, we had a very positive response and look forward to working more within the community with more NIHR BioResource projects.”
The team at SAHA have been leading advocates for better health equality in their field, providing guidance and inspiration for our team on how to better engage with the public. Over the weekend, the NIHR BioResource were joined and supported by SAHA team members, Kirit, Keval and Esha.
Hear from Keval as he talks about the importance of getting involved in D-CYPHR.
D-CYPHR had a stand at the festival with a range of DNA activities for children and young people to get involved in. The event brought together families that were interested in hearing more about what D-CYPHR is and how they can make a difference.
Become a DNA hero!
D-CYPHR (The DNA, Children + Young People’s Health Resource), is a nationwide research programme aimed at families of children aged 0-15. Our goal is to provide a platform for researchers to uncover the clues to a wide range of health and disease areas that may be hiding in our DNA.
To make sure healthcare is beneficial to all ages and all communities, it needs research volunteers of all ages and from all communities. That’s why D-CYPHR is working with grassroots organisations such as SAHA to reach families like yours all over the country.
You can join D-CYPHR with and without a health condition. Take a look at our website and play your part in helping children’s health research.