Ten Cheltenham community-based organisations are now providing free blood pressure checks, giving residents the opportunity for a simple test whilst visiting for regular activities or accessing other support services.
Springbank Community Group CiC has successfully bid for £45,000 from NHS Gloucestershire to provide the organisations with a range of blood pressure testing equipment, plus small contributions towards their running costs. It’s expected that around 1,600 people will be reached by the end of December 2026.
Organisations taking part in the project include: Springbank Community Group CiC, Caring for Communities and People (CCP), Cornerstone Centre, West Cheltenham Pantry, Lakeside Community Project, Fresh Hope (School House Cafe), Cheltenham Foodbank, Men in Sheds, Indian Association and YMCA Cheltenham.
These organisations already deliver a wide range of community support including food support, financial guidance, household budgeting and debt advice, healthy living activities such as strength and balance classes and opportunities for social connection. As a result, they have established relationships with groups identified as less likely to have their blood pressure checked or to receive treatment for diagnosed high blood pressure.
Providing blood pressure checks within community settings offers a practical and accessible alternative to a more formal doctor’s surgery setting. Staff and volunteers are familiar and trusted and can help reduce any concerns around testing and offer reassurance during and after checks. They can also provide on-going support and encouragement to take appropriate next steps following the test.
Councillor Izaac Tailford, cabinet member for economic development, wellbeing, culture and public realm, said: “By bringing free checks into the community, more people can get tested as part of their everyday routines. These community groups already support residents in so many ways, and adding quick blood pressure checks means individuals can get a simple test and early advice.”
Faith Rooke-Matthews, director of operations at Springbank Community Group CiC, added: “Community hubs see people every day who may not come forward for a health check elsewhere. With this funding from NHS Gloucestershire, we can offer free blood pressure checks in a setting people already feel comfortable in. It means we can start conversations earlier and support individuals with the advice or follow‑up they may need.”
Shane Devlin, cluster chief executive at NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, said: “One in three adults in our county is living with high blood pressure and it can often be a silent threat, with no obvious symptoms.
“Working with trusted community groups helps us reach people earlier and increase access to testing by bringing the tests into neighbourhoods and local settings. We would urge people to pop along and take advantage of the opportunity to get tested.”
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