Welcome to our 50 steps newsletter for May and June 2025. 

In my role as a local GP and NEL ICB lead for vaccinations and screening outreach across Newham, I have the opportunity to participate in events in Newham to offer advice and support about health and wellbeing. At the end of May, I attended with colleagues from our Woodgrange Medical Practice, a Summer Health Mela in East Ham. The event was organised by the Bangla Housing Association in partnership with the London Bangladeshi Health Partnership and NHS England. It was supported by us at Woodgrange, Well Newham, school nursing and health visiting, the NEL Cancer Alliance, Genes and Health and the Community Closet. It was a great turnout and whilst enjoying refreshments, residents had conversations about their health and wellbeing with local providers including about vaccinations. 

Conversations about vaccinations were timely as cases of measles have been reported in Newham. Since January 2025, Newham has had the third highest number of cases of measles among all local authorities in England. This includes a recent measles outbreak affecting two of our schools. Earlier this year, a travel related case of hepatitis A was also reported in another school in Newham. I am very thankful for the coordinated efforts of the schools involved, our local health protection team, child health, Vaccination UK, and primary care who together, supported families and staff to implement health protection measures, receive public health information and enable uptake of vaccinations, thus preventing further cases. 

The best way to protect ourselves against measles and other childhood and travel related diseases is to get vaccinated. With summer holidays and visits overseas to see family members looming, I want to encourage families to check if their children are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations, and if traveling, to consider if other vaccinations are needed. More information about measles and resources to help protect ourselves and our communities is available in this Newsletter. 

Wishing you all a happy and healthy summer. 

Dr Muhammad Naqvi 

Newham GP and the NHS NEL ICB Clinical Lead for Vaccinations and Screening

Measles, other childhood diseases and vaccinations.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads very easily among unvaccinated children, especially in nurseries and schools.1 in 20 children with measles will develop pneumonia.

The Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most effective way to protect ourselves and our communities against measles, mumps, and rubella. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide lifelong protection against these highly contagious diseases.Residents can have the MMR vaccine at any age if they have missed a dose.

Uptake of MMR vaccine in Newham is low compared to London and England (Fingertips, DHSC). Cases of Measles are also rising elsewhere with Romania, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria, among the largest reported cases (UKHSA). With summer holidays and visits overseas to see family members looming, public health colleagues are concerned that we may see more cases of Measles and potential for outbreaks, ill health and disruption to everyday life. 

We want to encourage families to check if their children are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations, and if travelling, to consider if other vaccinations are needed.

Do share across your network to encourage parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and read more here

Caring about Equality - Carers Week 2025 

Carers Week (9-15 June), is a national campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities.

This year the theme is 'Caring About Equality' calling for an equal society where carers are truly valued, recognised and supported.  Newham Carers Community are running events across Newham during carers week, to get in touch please contact: 020 3954 3143 or email info@newhamcarerscommunity.org.uk 

Please share across your networks and see more about support for carers here

Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 9–15 June 2025

From day one, a baby’s emotional world is nurtured by caring adults. This week, we shine a light on the 2025 theme: Who is holding the baby? It is okay to need a little help especially when life feels overwhelming. 

In Newham, a network of caring professionals and parents are here to support parents including:

• Early help parenting programmes
• Parents in Mind peer support 
• Dad and new fathers groups
• Looking for more services and resources? 

Read more here and help people access the support they need! 

Have Your Say: Out of Hours Mental Health Crisis Offer in Newham

Residents, service users and carers from across Newham are being invited to give their views on mental health crisis support available outside of standard working hours. A period of engagement with the local community in Newham has begun, aiming to ensure the safety of residents seeking mental health crisis support. 

Residents and/or staff working with residents who have experienced mental health crises can provide their views in the surveys below:

• Newham Mental Health Crisis Services Engagement - Residents 
• Newham Mental Health Crisis Services Engagement - Staff 

Read more here and encourage people you know to complete the survey so their voices are heard.

Summer Health Mela

At the end of May, a Summer Health Mela was held in East Ham with our Bangladeshi community. Ninety-five adults and around 30 children attended the event, creating a positive and supportive energy. Residents were able to visit different stalls and interact with various professionals and community advocates about their health and wellbeing.

The event was organised by the Bangla Housing Association in partnership with the London Bangladeshi Health Partnership and NHS England. Organisations had been carefully selected by the Bangladeshi community as being most relevant to meet their health needs.

The team from Woodgrange Medical Practice attended to promote prevention and early detection. The team delivered 55 blood pressure checks and 46 residents had a blood glucose check which monitors sugar levels, helping diagnose and monitor diabetes. 11 of the blood glucose checks showed an abnormal result requiring diabetes medication review. All 11 residents were supported to make appointments with their local General Practitioner for a review.

Read more here

World No Tobacco Day 2025

To mark World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, the Council redoubled its campaign to encourage smokers to quit with support from “Quit Well Newham”.

In the last year, over 1000 smokers in Newham were supported to quit. This year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day was ‘Unmasking the Appeal’ highlighting the dangers of using tobacco. 

In the lead-up to World No Tobacco Day, Trading Standards enforcement activity between 8-9 May 2025 resulted in the seizure of over £100,000 worth of illicit tobacco, along with other illegal tobacco and nicotine products. Working together, Newham’s Public Health team and Trading Standards colleagues are aiming to make non-smoking a better choice.

Quit Well Newham support is available in English, Bengali, Urdu, Gujarati, Lithuanian and British Sign Language to residents.

Please share across your network and read more here

Healthy Start Scheme

Pregnant people and families with children under the age of 4 may be eligible for help to buy healthy food and milk if they are on certain benefits.

This programme offers vital support to eligible families and young people, helping them access healthy food and milk. 

There are over 2000 eligible families in Newham who are missing out on payments to buy vegetables, fruit, legume/lentils/beans and milk.

Please share across your network and help people access the support they need!

Nutrition support for Newham families

The Early Start Nutrition Team delivers FREE online nutrition support to Newham families, including webinars and online course. 

Weaning your Baby and Toddler Meals and Snacks webinars will be hosted on the 16th and 25th June respectively, providing families with information, tips and recipe ideas, plus a chance to ask questions. 

• Weaning your Baby webinar will cover suitable first foods, mealtime routine and recipe ideas, food texture progression and many more. 
• Toddler Meals and Snacks webinar will cover meal planning advice, what foods to offer, creating a positive mealtime environment and many more. 

Please share across your networks and read more here

Spread the word about the Child Trust Fund available to young people!

A Child Trust Fund is a long term tax-free savings account. The government set up these accounts for anyone born between September 2002 and January 2011, with an initial contribution of £250 or £500. Over time, the funds in the Child Trust Fund have grown, and young people can access them only when they turn 18. 

Read more here and please share across your network to increase uptake for this fund.

Upcoming Social Welfare Alliance training 

The Social Welfare Alliance offers free training for anyone who has regular conversations with residents who have a range of social welfare issues. The online sessions are delivered by expert tutors and cover topics, such as: mental health, immigration, employment, housing, safeguarding and domestic abuse. 

Upcoming training includes: 

• Understanding the Role of Adult Social Care (ASC): Wed 25 June, 10-11.30am 
• Financial Wellbeing: Thursday 26 June, 10-11.30am 
• Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing: Tuesday 1 July, 10am-12noon 
• Working with Migrants: Friday 4 July, 10-12noon 

 Please share across your network and view the full programme here

Ashok’s Vision International wins national photography competition

Newham youth mental health charity, Ashok’s Vision International, has won the Mental Health Foundation’s national photography competition to find the best community images across the UKLocal charity.

The initiative for the addition of a ‘Community’ category in its existing Positive Mental Health Image Library came from the Mental Health Foundation ahead of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May), which this year was focused on community. 

Congratulations to the team!

Read more here 

Spotlight on Doris Ekos Okundaye - Founder and CEO of True Ambassadors 

In 2018, Doris founded True Ambassadors, a charity that promotes health, digital inclusion, and social connection through fitness sessions, health awareness events, and cultural programs. 

She ensures vulnerable residents receive vital support.True Ambassadors collaborates with NHS, local council, universities, and community organisations to run impactful initiatives like “Tasty Tuesdays” and digital literacy workshops. 

We thank her for all the fantastic work she does and for being a 50 Steps partner! 

Read more here about the work Doris does.

Spotlight on Vinicia Ferreira - Founder and CEO of Young Generation Needs Us CIC 

Drawing from her own experiences with bullying and a passion for sociology, Vinicia founded the Young Generation Needs Us to break down barriers related to emotional, social, and mental well-being, including confidence, emotional regulation, self-esteem, neurodiversity, and special educational needs.

She is committed to empowering young people and families through her social enterprise.

We thank her for all the fantastic work she does and for being a 50 Steps partner! 

Read more here about the work Vinicia does.