A PYSHIOTHERAPIST based at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Rakesh Kumar, 46, is a clinical specialist physiotherapist at the hospital’s Hergest Unit for mental health services.
He was appointed a MBE for his “services to the black, Asian and minority ethnic communities”.
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Mr Kumar has been “creative in his approaches to bringing people of diverse backgrounds together and reducing inequality, having developed and grown projects”.
An example of this was his work in the Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) Community Learning Project.
This project recognised how the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected people from the BAME community, including Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board patients and staff.
While juggling a busy schedule as a dad of two young children, a full-time physiotherapist role, and part-time PhD studies, Mr Kumar was both surprised and honoured to receive a MBE for his work with BAME communities.
"It came as a complete shock!" he said.
"I don't know who nominated me, but it's incredibly humbling to know my efforts have been recognised.
"Balancing everything can be demanding, but giving back to the community brings me immense happiness and satisfaction."
Mr Kumar saw a need for strong community rehabilitation and recovery to support ongoing physical health and emotional wellbeing support during and after the pandemic.
He drew on his specialist knowledge to develop a project that addressed barriers for BAME populations in accessing this.
One area of participation that needed addressing was swimming - there is a lack of swimmers, in both the competitive and recreational arena, that reflect diversity from BAME communities.
His vision was to integrate the BAME population within the swimming community to create a positive social environment and foster connections, friendships, and cultural learning.
This project was able to secure funding and work in collaboration with Fitness First to offer a swimming programme and exercise access from autumn 2022.
Mainly consisting of health board employees, service users and underprivileged members of the community also take part.
Mr Kumar was also able to create a special evening class for women, for those who felt more comfortable with a quieter time, and with swimwear that met their needs.
He has also been instrumental in Bangor Indians & Friends Association (BIFA), a cultural and community group that “organises activities to promote cultural, health, educational and community affairs of the South Asian people across North Wales”.
BIFA fosters friendship and understanding between South Asian people and the Welsh community and other ethnic minority communities to support humanitarian causes.
Through his role in BIFA he has organised many cultural events, such as Diwali, Eid and Holi, welcoming a mix of health board staff and members of the community to celebrate together and raise money for charity.
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