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Improving access to healthcare for diverse communities
Advancing culturally-informed care for Greenwich’s diverse communities was the focus of a workshop which brought together primary care staff from across the borough.
Ariane Zegarra, Consultant Clinical Psychologist with our Greenwich Older People's Mental Health Service, represented Oxleas at the primary care PLT (Protected Learning Time) workshop at Charlton Athletic FC.
Ariane leads initiatives within our Adult Community Mental Health Services, including a steering group, supported by Arka Timsina from Community Empowerment & Support Initiatives (CESI), to coordinate engagement with the Nepali community.
The aim of session was to deepen understanding of the unique health beliefs, dietary practices, and health-seeking behaviours of the borough’s West African, Vietnamese, and Nepali communities and equip staff with practical knowledge and confidence to deliver more inclusive, person-centred care.
The Nepali-focused section was developed and delivered by a dedicated team including Dr Numa Thebe (GP), Sobha Sharma (Clinical Pharmacist) and Dr Priti Gurung (GP, Triveni PMS), all active members of the local Nepali community.
Ariane provided an insight into the work Oxleas has done with the Nepali community in Greenwich, by partnering with local leader Arka, to develop a joint strategy to promote the health and wellbeing of the local Nepali community, including the delivery of workshops on topics including mental health, dementia awareness, and diabetes.
As well as public workshops, Areej Elgaziari, Rashmina Shrestha and Arka Timsina produced educational videos on dementia in collaboration with community members
These are being distributed via YouTube and WhatsApp groups to reach Nepali families directly.
You can watch the videos on our Vimeo channel here or on our community YouTube channel here.
A Healthy Ageing event is being held in March 2026 for the Greenwich Nepali community and is a collaboration between CESI, Greenwich OPMH and GTT, Community Health teams, local GPs and with support from Public Health.
The PLT workshop exemplifies Oxleas’ strategy of co-production and partnership, ensuring that services are shaped by the lived experiences of the communities they serve.
By fostering relationships with local organisations, we’re helping to break down barriers to care, improve patient engagement, and promote healthy ageing within the Nepali community.
This collaboration between Oxleas mental and community health directorates, local charities and primary care colleagues has been an example of how possible it is to build trust with and tackle the barriers to health that many of our communities experience.
We can achieve so much more when we create these partnerships and are committed to continuing to do so.
Ariane Zegarra, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
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