Bolton Charity PA is a podcast star boosting wellbeing across the pond

Personal Assistant Akeela Shaikh, who works for the award-winning Bolton charity Lagan’s Foundation, has become a podcast star in the United States of America.

The mother of two from Bolton appeared on the famous Chasing Life show hosted by Dr Sanjay Gupta on CNN on January 30th to talk about how social prescribing turned her life around.

Her story is now inspiring thousands of Americans and helping to spread the word about the benefits of the practice, which is not very well known in the USA.

Dr Gupta, a practising neurosurgeon and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, explores various health and wellbeing topics on his show and wanted to interview Akeela about her experience.

Social prescriptions connect people with community groups and activities which provide non-medical support for mental and physical wellbeing.

Akeela was first introduced to social prescribing as part of a pilot at Tonge Fold Health Centre, Hilton Street, Bolton in 2019. She was referred to the scheme after she lost her job as a healthcare assistant following a back injury 16 months previously.

The mother of two was helped through her depression with a social prescription for volunteering.

She volunteered at Lagan’s Foundation, a charity which provides respite care for parents and children with complex health needs including heart defects.

After a number of months, the charity Founder and CEO Carren Bell wanted to support Akeela and asked her what she wanted to do next. The charity then supported her to complete a Level Two apprenticeship at the age of 48, alongside a group of 16 and 17-year-olds.

She was taken on full time at the charity after her graduation and is now Carren’s PA.
Akeela said: “In America, they don’t really know much about social prescribing. It isn’t something which is prescribed, instead people are given medication. But that is starting to change and Dr Gupta wanted me to talk about how my experience to raise awareness.

“I was so lonely after my back surgery and became depressed. I was offered a social prescription with Bolton CVS and when I went to see my mentor there Joanne Gavin, I bumped in Carren.

“She offered me the opportunity to volunteer at Lagan’s Foundation as an administrator and taught me lots of new skills. After a while, she asked me what my plans were for the future and funded my apprenticeship. It was funny being at college with a group of young people but I passed first time.

“I haven’t looked back since and I am happy to share my story if it will help others.”

A video was created about her story by Bolton CVS and Akeela’s story was featured in the local media. As a result, she was approached by a freelance journalist from America who was intrigued by her story and pitched it to Dr Gupta.

Akeela’s podcast can be listened to here.