AN open day at Glasgow Central Mosque on August 21 will look at all matters health related.

Organised by the city's Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, it comes as a direct result of a widening access programme to reach out to ethnic and culturally diverse communities.

Barbara Love, a specialist in palliative care at the hospice, said after years of working with different religious leaders and respected elders within multi-ethnic communities, it seemed the ideal time to offer information on how to live well.

"There will be multiple speakers and 50 information stands from health and care providers from the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, Kidney Research UK and Breast Cancer Care as well as many of the organisations that come together to support end-of-life care, including ourselves at the hospice and the Muslim Bereavement Service," she said.

It was after years of working as a district nurse that Barbara realised there was a gap between ethnic communities and the hospice.

"South Asian families, traditionally look after their own at home and as a district nurse and palliative care specialist, there were many occasions that I could see areas that we could improve end-of-life care but also if we can engage with the communities at an earlier stage of illness or disease, an early diagnosis of so many conditions, would ensure that they would not require end of life care for many years to come," she added.

The widening access programme has resulted in multi-cultural admissions rising at the health facility in Carlton Place on the Clydeside, with the hospice now boasting 60 ethnic volunteers.

"Barbara has worked hand in hand with all of the communities to ensure the best access to health care information and end of life care for everyone," said MSP and Evening Times columnist Humza Yousaf, who will be speaking at the health fayre.

"By treating all of our communities with respect Barbara and her team have gained the respect and support from the communities and continue to work with all of their partners for the best health and welfare for everyone.

"I am proud to see Glasgow Central Mosque opening its doors to everyone."

The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice helps patients with life-limiting illnesses achieve the best quality of life possible for the precious time they have remaining.

It no longer meets the requirements or the vision for the future of care of patients and their families. Their brand new, purpose-built hospice in Bellahouston Park will bring 21st century care to the people of Glasgow who will benefit from our support at the most difficult times of their lives and be able to offer the privacy, choice and compassionate care that all with a life limiting illness should have.

After years of careful planning, the first spade went into the ground in May and launched the Foundations Appeal as part of their Brick by Brick Appeal, backed by the Evening Times. With a £21 million overall target, so far the hospice has raised £14.5 million with an overall target of £6.5 million to go.

The total cost of laying the foundations is £1 million. Thanks to the generosity of supporters it already have two-thirds of that amount in the bank. It urgently needs to raise the remaining £330,000 to begin laying the physical foundations and the foundation of future care for the people of Glasgow.

We're turning to our supporters for their help to build a new home for the city's Hospice – a home that will care for local people and their families for decades to come. We want everyone to help us lay a strong foundation for future care. You can do this putting your heart in our new home. Message hearts will be taken from all over the city and placed in the foundations of the new building underneath the main entrance to the new Hospice. With this simple gesture, we will take the important memories of our current home and with them create a brand new Hospice that is built on the support and commitment of the community.