JohnBy Haddy Folivi
Harehills Community Health Centre has been officially launched – with a helping hand from the Lord Mayor of Leeds.
Built during a period marked by economic turbulence—emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and grappling with skyrocketing inflation—the project, spearheaded by Rohin Dhand, founder, Mayfair Group Investment, required unwavering determination and strategic foresight.
Despite these challenges, Rohin remained steadfast in his mission to bring essential healthcare services to the people of Harehills.
He views these projects as interventions that go beyond bricks and mortar, believing that education, outreach, and continued community engagement will also be key in addressing the broader social issues that affect these areas.
While the Harehills Community Health Centre is already serving a vital role in the community, there is still space available on the second floor of the development. This area spans over 520 square meters and presents an opportunity for further healthcare services to be introduced to the centre.
Rohin and his team are actively exploring options to develop this space into a walk-in centre or other ancillary healthcare uses, which would enhance the range of services available to the local community.
Once this space is fully utilised, the Harehills centre will be considered fully complete, further cementing its role as a critical healthcare hub for the area. Rohin was inspired by his father, Rajeev Dhand, whose legacy in Leeds’ healthcare sector spans more than four decades.
In 1983, Rajeev opened his first pharmacy in Chapeltown, borrowing money from family and friends— a common practice among first-generation Indian immigrants.
The launch itself was attended by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, and Burmantofts and Richmond Hill councillor Asghar Khan, both of whom were impressed with the centre.
Leeds Lord Mayor, Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung: “Such a great vision from the Dhands. The opening of Harehills Community Centre is a significant milestone for the local community. This centre will serve as a hub for connection, learning, and support, offering a safe and welcoming space for residents of all ages. It represents a step forward in fostering unity, providing essential services, and empowering the people of Harehills to come together and thrive.”
Cllr Asghar Khan said: “Fantastic to see high-quality Harehills Community Health centre project come to life. The new healthcare centre will make a real difference in people’s lives—especially those in the most deprived and challenged areas and to help address longstanding health inequalities in Harehills, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill area. Thank you to Rohin Dhand and his team for developing the state of the art (HC2)medical centre.”
Residents of the centre are also excited to occupy the building, and it has made a huge difference to patients:
Hilary Brockway. Practice Manager. North Leeds Medical Practice, said: “At North Leeds Medical Practice, we were very excited to move to Harehills Community Health Centre, it is a fantastic building and we have had great feedback from our patients. The space has allowed us to run additional clinics and bring in other services, which will improve access for our patients and, we hope, reduce health inequalities.”
