Date: 6 May 2025 

Local NHS Supports York Health and Arts Mela Multicultural Festival for the second time at York Museum Gardens 

NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), in collaboration with various local organisations, is once again supporting the York Health and Arts Mela multicultural festival in the York Museum Gardens. 

Following the success of the inaugural Mela event in 2023, the festival won a Community Pride Award in 2024, and we are delighted that is it back on Sunday, 11 May 2025, at the Museum Gardens and Exhibition Square in York.   

The York Health and Arts Mela is a multicultural health festival aimed at addressing health inequalities in underrepresented groups. The term ‘Mela’ means ‘meeting’ or ‘gathering’ in Hindi. 

Shamim Eimaan, Director of Eimaan Culture and Community Services CIC, organiser of the event, said: ” Health Melas are an opportunity to address health inequalities, explore barriers, raise awareness, learning and promoting services to underrepresented groups and the wider community.  It is a platform to encourage individuals to make lifestyles changes and to empower communities to take better care of their health and wellbeing.’  

“The multi-cultural event is an opportunity to showcase traditional music, food and entertainment associated with a range of diverse cultures. 

“There will be a number of healthcare professionals in attendance who will be delivering learning and screening checks in a fun and traditional environment. 

“There will also be a number of other mobile units offering a plethora of health information.” 

You can view the full programme of event for both the Museum Gardens and the Exhibition Square, accessibility information, stand information and directions in this leaflet. 

The event is free to attend – it will be an inclusive event and open to the public who can join in and learn about and enjoy the different cultures.  

Community Participation Manager, Philip Newton, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the Mela festival back for its second year. A sense of community and maintaining wellbeing are such important parts of our busy lives that we often neglect, so this festival hopes to bring attention back to the self but whilst also exploring and sharing in other cultures within the City of York.”  

ENDS 

Notes to editors 

For media enquiries, email: hnyicb.communications@nhs.net.
 

Media invitation  

We are encouraging local media outlets to come down on the day and do some interviews, take photos, shoot videos, and enjoy the entertainment. If you are interested in attending and want more information please email alex.flowers@nhs.net.  

About Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership  

The Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership is a collaboration of health and care organisations which brings together NHS organisations, local councils, health and care providers and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. It is committed to ensuring everyone living in in the area can live a happy, healthy life. Six geographical places make up the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership: North Yorkshire, City or York, Hull, East Riding, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire.  

About Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board  

NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB is a statutory organisation accountable for NHS spend and performance for 1.7 million people across a large geographical area. The ICB is a core member of the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, alongside NHS providers, local councils, health and care providers and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. 

About York Museum Gardens 

York Museum Gardens was established in the 1830s by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society. The York Museum Gardens are famous for their collection of trees, shrubs and perennials, and bulbs. The land was granted to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society under the condition that botanical gardens would be established on the site. These were created Sir John Murray Naysmith and originally contained a conservatory, a pond and a menagerie. In 1960, the gardens and the Yorkshire Museum were given in trust to the City of York Council and, since 2002, have been managed by the York Museums Trust.   

For more information about the York Museum Gardens please contact:    

Amy Cope, Public Relations Officer   

Email: amy.cope@ymt.org.uk