Local NHS Trust to make links between Kirklees and India

An associate director at South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust is to visit Gujarat, India to learn about their culture and develop links with hospitals and health services there. Mike Young, who is based at Ravensleigh Cottage, Dewsbury will spend three weeks in India during March and April.

There are around 12-15,000 people from Batley and Dewsbury who originate from Gujarat. Mike hopes to be able to use what he learns in Gujarat to improve mental health services for the Gujarati Muslim community in North Kirklees.

Mike says, "I’m spending three weeks in Gujarat to learn more about the culture, lifestyle and health services there. I will be visiting hospitals, talking to mental health workers and spending time in some of the towns and villages in the Surat and Nousari areas which have strong connections with North Kirklees. I would like to see if we can develop links between the Trust and some of the communities in Gujarat. I think this will be really beneficial for both communities and we can share useful knowledge and learn from each other."