Northampton charity launches five-month fitness and nutrition programme to protect vulnerable BAME community from Covid-19

A Northampton charity is funding free yoga and fitness sessions to help protect members of the BAME community from Covid-19.

The Centre for Policy, Promotion and Prevention (CPPP), set up by owners of Indian restaurant, Saffron, is a non-governmental organisation which works on projects across the UK promoting improved cohesion between marginal communities and the wider society.

To help improve the health of those within the BAME community, which is particularly susceptible to Covid-19, the charity has organised a five-month fitness and nutrition programme.

The sessions, which will adhere to current guidelines and will run from November to March, featur women’s yoga classes to be led by instructor Michelle Christie, nutrition advice from Sheena Rose and men’s fitness classes run by CPPP founder Imran Chowdhury.

Mr Chowdhury said: “Covid-19 has been a body blow to our community, we have lost so many lives.

“The BAME community is highly vulnerable, both genetically and also because so many are working on the frontline every day, whether that be in the NHS or as bus drivers or in restaurants.

“Underlying health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes which is more prevalent in the South East Asian demographic, mean that the chances of dying when contracting Covid are heightened.

“We are trying to do something about that and change lifestyles, moving away from being sedentary into a much more active way of life with a focus on healthy eating.

“We need to face this crisis strongly and boldly, by coming together to tackle it head on.”

Co-director Naz Islam added: “I lost a close friend to Covid. She was 46. Her death hit me hard and illustrated just how seriously we need to take this. We need to raise the alarm and act now.”

The charity will also donate 10,000 re-useable face masks to anyone who needs them, to help protect against the spread of the virus.

The face masks will be distributed to other local charities such as The Hope Centre and the Northampton Night Shelter and while members of the public can request one by emailing [email protected].

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