NHS Reaches Stoke-on-Trent's Sikh Community as City's First Hindu Temple Opens

Two significant moments for Stoke-on-Trent's South Asian communities have come to the fore. The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust has carried health services directly to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, tackling persistent inequalities in cancer screening and preventive care among Sikh residents, while the city's Hindu community has celebrated the opening of Staffordshire's very first dedicated Hindu temple — a milestone built on decades of shared aspiration.

UHNM and Sikh Leaders Join Forces on Cancer Screening and Wellbeing

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust has brought health services directly to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara and Sikh Cultural Centre in Stoke-on-Trent, co-hosting a health and wellbeing event with local Sikh leaders to raise awareness of cancer prevention and promote NHS screening programmes. The event was delivered in partnership with UHNM Cancer Screening Services, the UHNM Population Health team, VAST, and the local Sikh community, with the shared goal of reducing health inequalities by reaching underserved groups in a trusted community setting. Visitors were able to learn about NHS screening for bowel, breast, lung, and cervical cancers; speak with healthcare professionals about symptoms, early detection, and available support; take part in wellbeing activities; and receive flu vaccinations if eligible. Alex Nisbeck, UHNM Public Health Practitioner, said such events play a vital role in improving community health: they provide opportunities for early detection of conditions like cancer, build trust between healthcare providers and communities, and promote preventative health through education on diet, exercise, and mental wellbeing. By meeting Sikh residents inside the gurdwara — a space already central to community life — UHNM is creating a supportive environment where people feel comfortable asking questions and engaging with healthcare in a way they might not in a clinical setting. [1]

Gurdwara Health Visit Surfaces Barriers Facing Stoke's South Asian Residents

An NHS trust has taken its health outreach directly to Stoke-on-Trent's Sikh community, visiting the Guru Nanak Gurdwara and Sikh Cultural Centre in a pilot initiative to combat health inequalities among South Asian residents. The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust joined forces with local Sikh leaders to promote cancer screening and healthy lifestyles — and the event quickly revealed the depth of challenges faced by community members navigating the NHS. Sadaff Butt, an organisational development consultant at UHNM who helped bring the event to life, said attendees raised practical concerns: confusing appointment letters, difficulty cancelling appointments, and a general lack of clarity about NHS processes. Butt identified multiple barriers — limited health literacy, cultural hesitancy around asking medical professionals questions, and low digital confidence — and was direct about the need for change. The event came about after UHNM executives visited the gurdwara and found that residents would genuinely welcome a health visit in that setting. Visitors could access information on NHS cancer screening, speak directly with healthcare professionals, receive guidance on diet and mental health, and get flu vaccinations. Butt said the response was overwhelmingly positive, adding: it has been brilliant, and she is eager to replicate the event at local mosques, temples, and other community settings across the city. [2]

Staffordshire's First Hindu Temple Opens in Hanley with Three Days of Celebration

Staffordshire's first dedicated Hindu temple has opened its doors in Stoke-on-Trent, marking a historic moment for the city's Hindu community after years of worshipping in community halls and travelling to Manchester or Birmingham. The new temple sits on Bold Street, off Keelings Road in Hanley, and was developed by the Hindu Cultural Society of Stoke-on-Trent, which has been active in the city since 1995. Dr Chandra Cheruvu, chair of the society, spoke of the time it took to complete the structures and domes, and to source marble, bronze, and granite idols brought directly from India. Three days of inaugural celebrations marked the opening, with leaders from local Christian churches, Muslim mosques, and the Sikh Gurdwara all invited to attend. Dr Cheruvu underlined the practical difference the temple makes for older residents in particular: having a local temple means that people in their seventies and eighties can now meet community members, speak the same language, and celebrate together without long journeys. Catering facilities for up to 1,000 people are available in the building, enabling the community to mark India's many festivals in the city for the first time. Dr Cheruvu described Hinduism as a way of life built on togetherness and respect for all beliefs, adding that the temple is a cultural centre meant to be shared with the whole of Stoke-on-Trent. [6]

Sources: [1] uhnm.nhs.uk · [2] BBC · [6] BBC