Naz Asghar, Project Manager, along with her team members Robana Naqvi, Shagufta Majid, and Sania Rehman, represented their project, Sahara, at the Three Meem open community event. They presented valuable information about dementia and the specific support that Sahara provides for South Asian communities, addressing a critical need within these populations.

“Sahara”, meaning “support” in Urdu, is a specialized service focused on offering dementia support for South Asian communities, also known as BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) communities in the UK. Research shows that individuals from BAME backgrounds may be at a higher risk of developing dementia. This increased risk may be linked to higher rates of underlying health conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, all of which are known risk factors for dementia.

Additionally, awareness and understanding of dementia tend to be lower in BAME communities compared to the broader UK population. Sahara’s mission, therefore, includes not only providing practical support to individuals affected by dementia but also working to raise awareness, improve understanding, and promote early intervention within South Asian communities. Through outreach efforts like the Three Meem event, Sahara aims to bridge the knowledge gap and ensure that community members have access to the support and resources they need. Naz Asghar and her team distributed information leaflets to attendees.