At the Black Health Inequalities Summit 2026 in London, a powerful campaign led by the Africa Advocacy Foundation in partnership with King’s College London is shining a light on this issue.

"It's so important for everybody to take every opportunity to get their blood pressure checked. There are all sorts of places where you can do this around Lewisham, and it could be an absolute lifesaver. You don't want to think that you've had a stroke when you could have had treatment that reduced your risk." - Cllr Jacq Paschoud, Speaker of Lewisham

"It's absolutely essential to stay safe, stay healthy, and make sure that you don't end up in hospital." - Councillor James Rathbone

High blood pressure often remains a silent condition, yet its impact on long-term health is profound. In a concerted effort to bring health awareness directly to the community, Rt Hon Janet Daby, Labour MP for Lewisham East and Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Education, joined Councillor Hilary Moore of Grove Park at a local outreach event in Beckenham Place Park.

Led by the Africa Advocacy Foundation in partnership with King’s College London, this campaign brings together local organisations, faith leaders, and trained Community Champions.

Most people with high blood pressure feel completely fine - which is exactly why so many cases go undiagnosed. In the UK, millions are living with raised blood pressure without realising it, increasing their risk of heart attack and stroke.

High blood pressure often has no symptoms which is why regular checks matter. Whether you’re monitoring an existing condition or just staying proactive about your health, we’re here to help.

Today we were out on the ground in Lewisham salons and barbershops, bringing real conversations about health into everyday spaces.

High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but regular checks can prevent serious health problems. Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make the outreach a success.