On Wednesday, 4 June, Limehouse Project hosted a landmark Health Fair for Muslim Women at the Ecology Pavilion in Tower Hamlets, bringing together over 163 women for a day dedicated to health awareness, empowerment, and community connection.

Funded by Tower Hamlets Public Health, the event aimed to tackle deep-rooted health inequalities affecting Muslim women in the borough—particularly those from the Bangladeshi community. Tower Hamlets has the lowest healthy life expectancy for women across all London boroughs, and according to the 2021 Census, Bangladeshi women face some of the poorest health outcomes, often living with multiple long-term conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory disease.

Recognising this urgent need, Limehouse Project curated a day focused on practical, faith-sensitive support around nutrition, physical activity, mental wellbeing, and preventative care. The fair featured free health checks, opportunities to speak directly with breast and cervical cancer screening teams, and one-to-one advice sessions on healthy eating, exercise, and emotional wellbeing.

“Our goal was simple—to raise awareness and to inspire women to prioritise their health,” said Farida Yesmin, Chief Executive Officer at Limehouse Project. “But this event was also about trust—building trust between health services and our communities, and encouraging women to trust themselves, to believe that their health matters.”

More than 18 different health and wellbeing services hosted stalls at the event, providing culturally appropriate services and resources to attendees. Stallholders and healthcare professionals were encouraged by the high level of engagement and enthusiasm from the women who attended.

Representatives from Tower Hamlets Public Health, including Stef Abrar, Healthy Communities Programme Lead, also participated in the event. Stef spoke directly to the women in attendance, offering practical advice and encouragement on maintaining health and wellbeing in daily life.

The Health Fair stands as a powerful example of how trusted community organisations like Limehouse Project can serve as a bridge between public services and marginalised communities—ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward better health.