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Living Well Rochdale shortlisted for national award
Living Well Rochdale has earned national recognition for its Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention Project.
Delivered in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council, the project has been listed as a finalist at the 2026 MJ Awards, recognised as a strong example of community engagement in practice.
Described by judges as “a gold standard approach to tackling health inequalities”, the project focuses on reaching people who are less likely to engage with traditional health services to raise awareness around heart health, particularly those living in areas of high deprivation and South Asian residents.
This includes offering free blood pressure checks and point-of-care testing for cholesterol and diabetes, making support more accessible across Rochdale. Over the past two years, the project has led to:
- 6,500+ heart health conversations
- 4,200+ blood pressure checks
- 320+ cholesterol and diabetes tests
Mohammed Moheeb, Living Well Rochdale Community Engagement Worker for South Asian Communities, said: “Being named a finalist at the 2026 MJ Awards in London is an honour, but seeing this approach recognised as best practice is really encouraging. The real success goes beyond the numbers – we’re seeing more people from underserved communities, especially South Asian residents, accessing primary care and taking control of their heart health. That comes from building trust, strong relationships and working closely in partnership.”
Talking about the impact the project has had on residents, Rochdale Councillor Dalaat Ali said: “Everyone in Rochdale deserves a long, healthy and happy life. The work of Public Health and Living Well is helping to make that a reality, and there is no doubt it is saving lives.”
The CVD Prevention Project is a great example of what can be achieved through strong partnership working and community engagement. To find out more about the project and to see Living Well Rochdale in action, watch this video
The 2026 MJ Awards will take place in London on 19 June, recognising the achievements of those working in and with local government across the UK.