Residents are being encouraged to take advantage of a free Community Healthy Heart Event taking place in Smethwick next month, offering health checks, expert advice, practical activities and opportunities to learn how small lifestyle changes can make a big difference to long-term heart health.
Organised by Sandwell Health and Care Partnership, the event will be held at Sandwell Aquatics Centre, Londonderry Road, Smethwick, B67 7EW, on Wednesday 23 September 2026 from 10am to 2pm. The free event will bring together healthcare professionals, clinicians and community partners to help people better understand their cardiovascular health and identify potential risks early. Visitors will be able to access a range of free NHS health checks, including blood pressure monitoring, height and weight measurements, blood oxygen level testing and ECG heart tracing. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet experts from across the health and care system, who will be on hand to provide advice and support on healthy eating, physical activity, smoking cessation, weight management, diabetes prevention and management, sleep, alcohol awareness and overall lifestyle wellbeing.
Consultant Cardiologist Professor Derek Connolly will be attending to speak about the importance of heart health, reducing cardiovascular risk and recognising the steps people can take to prevent serious illness.
As well as health checks and advice, the event has been designed to encourage people to experience first-hand how being active can support a healthy heart. Visitors will be able to take part in gentle exercise sessions, try badminton, enjoy a swim at the Aquatics Centre and find out more about circuit training and activities that can help build strength, stamina and confidence. A range of interactive information stands will showcase local services and support available across Sandwell, helping people access ongoing advice and programmes beyond the event itself. Whether someone is looking to become more active, improve their diet, stop smoking or better understand their cardiovascular health, there will be practical guidance and signposting available throughout the day.
The event follows the success of a previous community heart health awareness event held in memory of the late Councillor Waseem Zaffar, which attracted hundreds of local residents and delivered health checks, advice and education that helped raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and the importance of early intervention. The event demonstrated the value of taking healthcare into community settings, helping to reach people who may not routinely engage with health services and encouraging them to take positive steps to protect their health.
Kat Rose, Group Chief Community and Partnership Officer, said: “This event is about making it easy for people to take positive steps towards a healthier future. Cardiovascular disease often develops silently, and many people are unaware that they have risk factors such as high blood pressure until they are screened. By bringing together free health checks, expert advice and opportunities to try different forms of physical activity, we hope to inspire people to think about their heart health and make informed choices that can reduce their risk of future illness.”
“Our previous heart health event demonstrated just how powerful community-led health engagement can be. We were able to reach people who might not otherwise have accessed health services, helping them better understand their health and the support available. We are delighted to be building on that success and look forward to welcoming residents from across Sandwell to another important day of awareness, prevention and wellbeing.”