• asifmdhasan@gmail.com
• July 15, 2026

Pink Chai CIC is incredibly proud to have supported and mentored a team of final-year students from Manchester Metropolitan University as they developed and delivered an inspiring community project focused on breast cancer awareness and tackling stigma within South Asian and other ethnic minority communities.

After months of research, planning, collaboration and determination, the students presented their intervention at The Hive in Oldham to an invited audience. Their project encouraged open conversations about breast cancer, challenged cultural stigma, and highlighted the importance of early detection and screening. The event featured engaging discussions and demonstrated how simple community conversations—often over a cup of tea—can help save lives.

The students were mentored throughout the project by Muzahid Khan MBE DL, who remained committed to supporting the team despite being in Bangladesh during a period of heightened conflict in the Middle East. Determined not to let the students down, he flew back to the UK to ensure he was there to support them on the day of their final presentation—a reflection of his dedication to nurturing the next generation of community leaders.

That commitment, combined with the students’ passion and hard work, paid off. Their project was recognised with the Most Impactful Intervention Award at the Community Project Showcase Event.

Pink Chai CIC also extends its thanks to the university staff, including Andrew Baird and Thomas Davis, for their guidance throughout the project, and to Najma Khalid MBE DL from the Women’s CHAI Project for sharing her experience and inspiring the audience.

This achievement demonstrates the power of partnership between universities, community organisations and local leaders. Most importantly, it shows that when young people are empowered to address real-world health inequalities with creativity, empathy and purpose, they can make a genuine and lasting difference.

Congratulations to the entire student team on this outstanding achievement. You have not only won an award—you have helped start conversations that could save lives.

Together, we are serving hope, one cup at a time.