Croydon host outreach event with local youth in light of Sickle Cell Awareness Month
The Croydon Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Team, in collaboration with a local, youth-led group of patients impacted by the disease, hosted a hugely successful outreach event in the lead up to Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
The event, held at the Legacy Youth Centre in Croydon last month, was designed to support young people moving from paediatric to adult care, providing a welcoming space to share experiences and connect with the services and professionals who will guide them through this important stage of their healthcare journey.
It was organised and hosted alongside the Bloodline Warriors, a youth-led initiative by young people in Croydon living with or impacted by sickle cell and thalassaemia. They played a key role in the event which saw lots of visitors throughout the day, leading interactive and informative stands with quizzes designed to spread awareness.
In support of raising awareness, there were several information stands from other teams and organisations, including the London Ambulance Service, our paediatric play specialists, the Kings College Hospital Youth Transition Team and more.
Also in attendance were our CEO Matthew Kershaw, South West London's Sickle Cell Community Improvement Project Manager, Shaleen Simmonds and Programme Officer, Leonie Aboagye.
The group was created to provide a supportive space for peer mentorship, empowerment, and collaboration, while also raising awareness and shaping the future of transition care through shared experiences and community-led initiatives.
We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was involved in the organisation and planning of this exciting event, which marked an important milestone strengthening support for young people with Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia in Croydon.
The enthusiasm, engagement, and collaborative spirit demonstrated throughout the day gave us great confidence for the continued growth of this community initiative.