Booking is now live for the fourth session in this series, which will take place on Wednesday 23 March at 12pm – 1pm

At this session we will discuss inequalities around health and wellbeing.

We will be hearing from Dr Maria Maynard of Leeds Beckett University and Heather Nelson of Black Health Initiative.

Dr Maria Maynard is a Reader in Public Health Nutrition at Leeds Beckett University, is a Registered Nutritionist (Public Health) and an Advance HE Fellow. Maria leads the Migrant Health Research group in the School of Health, and the Tackling Disparities theme of the Obesity Institute, Leeds Beckett. Maria is also the UK lead of a multidisciplinary and multiagency network funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund conducting projects addressing malnutrition, urban renewal and sustainable livelihoods among vulnerable women and their children in Ghana and Nigeria. She is Chair of the University’s Race Equality Forum.

Heather Nelson is the Chief Executive Officer of the award winning charity Black Health Initiative (BHI). A community engagement organization with its main office based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Working regionally, nationally and developing its international work. Working in partnership with statutory and private sector service providers and working with and for diverse communities. Heather arrived at BHI with over 30 years experience within the Third Sector with an emphasis on Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Influencing decision makers on equality and equity ensuring this is a cross-cutting theme through all policies, practices and procedures which impact on all of society. Heather has presided over Adult Crime cases for over 21 years as a Magistrate, resigning in 2021.

Heather is part of the first cohort of the PRS Foundation, Power-up programme. Recruited as an Industry Professional. Supporting and developing those from diverse communities who often face challenges and barriers within the music industry. Being a member of the national NHS Race and Health Observatory strengthens the impact she is able to make around narrowing health disparities. Supporting Genesis Sun supports Heather’s ethos of equality using innovative ways of engaging and encouraging participation and elevation.

Book your place HERE.

About ‘Ideas for a More Equitable Leeds’

A bi-weekly seminar series presented by Voluntary Action Leeds and Leeds ACTS! –  acknowledging, challenging and exploring solutions to rising inequalities in Leeds.

Each of these online lunchtime seminars, hosted by Peg Alexander, will address an area of inequality:

• Money (this session took place on 9 February)
• Environment & Greenspace (this session took place on 23 February)
• Housing (this session took place on 9 March)
• Health and Wellbeing
• Food (book here)
• Education, Skills & Employment (details to follow)

You’ll hear from two speakers, one providing input from an academic perspective and one providing a community perspective. After the speakers give a brief introduction to the topic, Peg will open up a Q&A session between attendees and the speakers, seeking to identify one or two key actions the city should undertake to reduce the causes of that inequality.

At the end of the series we’ll be sharing a report outlining the key outcomes of the seminars.

We hope you will join us over the lunch hour as we come together as a city to discuss the challenge of rising inequalities and how we can work towards a more equitable city.