Dawoodi Bohra community centres in Bradford, Croydon, Leicester, London and Nottingham organised a series of events at the beginning of June to mark Global Wellness Day 2025, mobilising hundreds of volunteers for fitness challenges and educational talks.
More than 500 participants took part in the nationwide initiative collecting over 150 bags of litter, planting trees with local officials, and attending expert‑led sessions on mental health, nutrition and longevity.
Belgin Aksoy, founder of Global Wellness Day shared, “We are truly inspired by the Dawoodi Bohra community’s wholehearted embrace of Global Wellness Day in the UK. Their thoughtful activities — which brought together diverse communities and people of all ages through movement, connection, and service — reflect the true spirit of our message: “One day can change your whole life”. We are so grateful for their dedication and look forward to many more celebrations together.”
Bradford: Litter pick and cemetery clean‑up
Volunteers came together to do their bit for the neighbourhood by picking up litter along Thornton Road, Ingleby Road and Scholemoor Cemetery. The activity saw equal participation from children, parents and elders in an evening filled with smiles and laughter.
“Having a day to reflect is such a powerful way to pause and think about the things taken for granted. This Wellness Day reminded me that even small steps toward physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing can lead to lasting positive change,” said Najmuddin Master, a community volunteer.
Croydon: Community clean‑up with Mayoral support
Forty‑five volunteers conducted a neighbourhood clean-up on the second Saturday of June, joined by Mr Jason Perry, the Mayor of Croydon, who planted an apple tree to symbolise long‑term community care.
“It was a pleasure to attend the local South Croydon Dawoodi Bohra’s Global Wellness Day.
It was great to see the involvement of the wider local community in cleaning up the local area,” he said.
The day concluded with light refreshments accompanied by warm conversation, reflecting the spirit of togetherness and service.
Leicester: Picnic and games at Rutland Water
More than 220 people gathered on 1 June for a “Reconnect with Family and Friends” picnic featuring a BBQ, team sports and art therapy.
The day was packed with outdoor fun, including games like rounders, volleyball, badminton, and football. For those who preferred a quieter pace, art therapy sessions offered a calm and creative space to unwind. A special physiotherapy session was especially appreciated by the elderly attendees.
A highlight of the afternoon was the raffle draw which had a variety of delightful prizes.
“The event was a tremendous success—a perfect blend of wellness, community spirit, and meaningful connections. It truly reflected the essence of Global Wellness Day and left everyone feeling uplifted and reconnected,” said Huzaifa Adamali, an organiser.
London: Longevity Quest interactive fair
In the capital, the community hosted a seven‑station ‘Longevity Quest’ covering sleep, balance, stress, nutrition, movement, hydration and gratitude. Participants earned stamps in a “Longevity Passport” for completing each task, reinforcing everyday wellness habits.
“This day encourages individuals worldwide to adopt healthier lifestyles. As a community, we now plan to have follow‑up initiatives to maintain the momentum built over these two weeks,” said Ummulbaneen Arsiwala, a volunteer.
Nottingham: University‑led wellness seminars
At Husami Markaz on 1 June, around 70 attendees heard Nottingham Trent University’s Dr Mustafa Sarkar discuss resilience, while Dr Kirsty Hunter gave a talk on gut health.
“A really fantastic event for all members of the community. I loved the emphasis on practical things that can be done to improve our health and wellbeing,” said Dr Kirsty Hunter, a speaker at the Nottingham event.
“A wide range of topics covered with lots of interaction with the audience members who were a joy to present to. Thank you to the organisers for asking me to speak and for their support in the run up to the event,” she continued.
The day served as a gentle reminder of the little yet important things in life. Dawoodi Bohra communities across the country look forward to working together for the betterment of their local communities and making positive contributions to the wider society.