New Leeds health hub to help the elderly

The Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) health and wellbeing hub on Reginald Terrace aims to meet the specific needs of minority ethnic older people.

Coun Rebecca Charlwood, executive member for health, wellbeing and adults, said: “By building on the strength of community connections and relationships we can reduce isolation, helping support people with care and support needs through these key community support networks.

“By making sure services are designed in conjunction with communities and flexible to meet future changes and needs, we are rising to the challenge of the changing population in the city and the different requirements and opportunities that come from this.”

The centre, which opened on Monday, is a purpose-built single storey building with wheelchair access. It was formerly known as the Frederick Hurdle Centre and was established at the same time as Leeds Black Elders Association in 1991. It has now been refurbished and redesigned. The remodelling helps bring together BAME groups across the city, offering a new amalgamated service to serve a diverse Leeds population including 140 different ethnic groups. It will run various activities, a meeting space and café, and signpost people to new services. Cath Roff, Leeds City Council’s director of adults and health, said: “People who want to make use of BAME Health and Wellbeing Hub can be referred for support from a range of health and care services, and following appropriate assessment, will be offered a time and day to attend a pre-visit at the centre. They can then make sure it will meet their needs and they can then access support to make sure they can live a better quality life.”