Who we are
Why we are here
Welcome to Heartlink and our website!
Have a look round the site to get full details of what we do and our many activities
You can find help and advice about heart disease by clicking the link HERE.
We want you to join us, whether you need help yourself, want to help others or just want to get involved.
Heartlink is a local charity led by heart patients, for heart patients and their families. Based in Southall, Greenford, Hanwell, Ealing, and West London, we provide support and advice to those living with heart conditions, especially those undergoing or recovering from hospital treatment.
While clinical staff focus on medical care, Heartlink offers something equally vital, personal understanding and guidance from those who’ve been through the same journey.
We are deeply committed to raising awareness about heart disease risk factors within the community. By hosting educational workshops, health awareness events, and outreach campaigns, we help individuals identify and address common risks such as high blood pressure, poor diet, smoking, and lack of exercise.
Our goal is to empower people with the knowledge they need to make healthier choices and reduce their chances of developing heart-related conditions.
. Our website is 'heartlink.charity'.
See the 'About us' section for fuller details of us and what we do.
Vaccinations for heart patients at the Hub
At our Community Hub on 16th October we were fortunate to be visited by our friends the Pharmacy Team from Southall Pharmacy.
Many of our members, most of whom are heart patients, took up the offer of flu or Covid vaccinations given by the Team.
Taking up our entitlement to these vaccinations is important to us as heart patients,
as we are particularly vulnerable to complications arising if we catch flu or Covid.
The vaccinations were given after a packed hall of members & supporters had taken part in the regular chair yoga exercise session led by the popular Mr Chana. While those attending chatted and had refreshments, the Pharmacy team carried out the vaccinations and then offered blood pressure checks to our members. The vaccinations were given based on individual’s eligibility in line with NHS criteria, and full records of each vaccination were taken by the Pharmacy Team to be forwarded to the relevant GPs for adding to patient records.
All members who are entitled to them and have not done so,should
take up their vaccinations as soon as possible as the autumn/winter season of flu and Covid is getting underway.
A huge thank you to Anish and his team from Southall Pharmacy.
Heartlink AGM – building a healthier future
At our Annual General Meeting on 2nd October, Heartlink members endorsed plans to strengthen our activities to support local heart patients and to develop new heart health initiatives for the wider local community.
In his keynote speech, Dr Harmandeep Singh, Heartlink Trustee, spoke about the vital impact that Heartlink has in tackling the high levels of heart health problems locally. He spoke passionately about the difference it has made to many patients, including those on the Hospital Cardiac Ward, to be able to share experiences with other heart patients and to become part of a supportive local group.
He emphasised our key role in the local community in providing reliable, accurate information about heart health, given the volume of misinformation, particularly on social media. He encouraged us to develop our own material, such as podcasts and short video clips, to set up our own Heartlink social media presence in the next few months. He also wants us to do more to encourage local people to have basic heart health checks, including blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
The well attended and enthusiastic meeting reviewed our work and finances for 2024, elected a committee for the next year and endorsed six key local cardiac specialists as Trustees of our charity. Our programme was endorsed by 70 members and key local supporters, including Cllr. Polly Knewstub, Ealing Council Cabinet Member for Healthy Equal Lives, and Cllr. Mrs. Mohinder Midha, ex-Mayor of Ealing, and long -time Heartlink supporter.
