Solo Play Addresses Health Disparities in Black Community

A solo theatrical production is being presented across the West Midlands region to highlight health inequality within the Black community. The character of Miss Ida, shaped by the experiences of elderly African and Caribbean individuals, aims to address health concerns with a comedic twist. The show’s producers engaged with senior members of the Black community in the West Midlands to develop this character. Performances are scheduled for Friday at two venues, Smethwick and West Bromwich, following earlier showings in Wolverhampton and Birmingham. The production, titled Miss Ida – Tek Charge of Yuh Health, is a collaborative project between Women & Theatre, a Birmingham-based theatre company and charity, and The William Wilson Turner Foundation, which supports initiatives promoting and advancing public health. Tonia Daley-Campbell portrays Miss Ida, a retired nurse who has dedicated her life to championing health and well-being. Women & Theatre stated that the character expresses concern regarding “the healthcare disparities amongst elders – particularly those in the African and Caribbean communities.” Joan Blaney, CEO of the Foundation, stated: “We met with a group of black men in Wolverhampton and they’d said it was the very first time anyone had asked them about how they felt about their health.” She added, “It enabled people to feel they had an ownership and that their views were being taken seriously.” Ms. Blaney mentioned her own background as a nurse and noted that “we recognised the trust and the respect that older nurses have.” The CEO further explained that it was determined it would “be good to have a character who was actually playing that,” as individuals would be more inclined to “be engaged and listen to what she had to say.” The performance debuted during Black History Month at the Heritage Centre, Wolverhampton, on October 25, subsequently moving to the Legacy Centre in Birmingham on November 7. This complimentary show is now scheduled for Brasshouse, Smethwick, at 13:00 GMT on Friday, and at Shiloh church in West Bromwich starting at 18:00. For updates, follow BBC Birmingham across BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. Please note that the BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.