Back-to-Roots
Reviving Natural Wisdom for Community Health
The Back-to-Roots project was launched in 2020 as a seasonal initiative designed to help communities across the UK manage and prevent the annual rise in infections, especially during flu season and other high-risk times of year. Recognizing that many seasonal illnesses can be mitigated through simple, natural approaches, the project integrates evidence-based food practices and hygiene measures at the community level to reduce strain on healthcare systems and empower people with the knowledge to care for themselves and their families.
Every year, Back-to-Roots returns during key seasonal transitions — particularly autumn and winter — to bring communities together in proactive, preventive health action. By focusing on education, local engagement, and the revival of traditional natural care practices, the project helps reduce unnecessary doctor appointments and hospital visits, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Project Goals and Approach
The project’s mission is to reconnect communities with accessible, culturally responsive health strategies that blend natural foods, proven hygiene habits, and simple home care techniques. It aims to strengthen everyday resilience, equipping individuals and families with knowledge and tools that reduce the spread and severity of common seasonal illnesses. At the heart of this effort is the belief that prevention begins in the home and community — not just in clinics and hospitals.
What makes Back-to-Roots unique is its holistic and practical design. It combines workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and direct support through the BridgeRoots Community Apothecary, a dedicated resource providing carefully curated food and natural product combinations that have shown effectiveness in managing minor symptoms and enhancing well-being. The apothecary, developed as an extension of the project, serves as a sustainable, community-led supply source, reducing the need for commercial or clinical interventions where simpler solutions suffice.
Community Focus
The project works with families, elderly residents, high-risk groups, and culturally diverse communities across multiple regions of the UK. By tailoring messages and materials to different cultural contexts and languages, Back to Roots ensures that everyone — regardless of background or income — can benefit from preventive care approaches. Through local workshops and community gatherings, people learn how to prepare seasonal foods that boost immunity, practice hygiene techniques that cut infection risks, and use natural remedies that complement, not replace, formal medical care.
Our Progress
Back to Roots strengthens community resilience by restoring confidence in safe, evidence-based self-care for seasonal illness. By supporting people early and practically, the initiative helps ease pressure on the NHS while improving everyday health outcomes—returning care, knowledge, and confidence back to the community where it belongs.
Sustained Community Delivery During Peak Winter Pressure
During winter peak period, Back to Roots has supported hundreds of individuals and families annually through community-led seasonal health guidance, demonstrating sustained relevance, trust, and demand over winter cycles.
Increased Community Health Literacy in Seasonal Self-Care
Internal monitoring and session feedback suggest that over 70% of participants report improved understanding of early symptom recognition, safe use of home remedies, and clarity around when NHS escalation is required.
Contribution to Reducing Avoidable Self-Limiting Conditions
By providing early, evidence-informed self-care guidance, Back to Roots has contributed to more appropriate help-seeking behaviour. Community feedback indicates that a significant proportion of participants felt able to manage symptoms at home.
Key Takeaways
Community-Led Prevention Reduces Winter Health Pressure
Back to Roots demonstrates that preventative, community-led support can play a meaningful role in reducing predictable winter pressure on the health system. By equipping individuals and families with practical guidance to manage common seasonal illnesses early, the project helps prevent avoidable escalation to GP appointments, NHS 111 calls, and urgent care services. This early-stage intervention aligns with national prevention priorities and supports a more sustainable use of clinical resources during peak winter demand.
Key Takeaways
Culturally Grounded Approaches Increase Engagement
Back to Roots highlights the importance of culturally familiar and respectful approaches in public health delivery. By drawing on evidence-based home remedies, Ayurvedic seasonal principles, and herbal knowledge—presented responsibly and inclusively—the project reaches communities that may otherwise disengage from mainstream health messaging. This cultural grounding increases trust, participation, and sustained engagement, particularly among communities historically underserved by conventional services.
Key Takeaways
Clear Boundaries Support Safe, Responsible Care
A key learning from Back to Roots is that community-based health initiatives are most effective when they operate within clearly defined boundaries. The project maintains a strong emphasis on safety by clearly distinguishing between self-manageable seasonal illness and situations requiring medical attention. Clear escalation guidance and signposting ensure that the initiative complements, rather than competes with, NHS services, reinforcing appropriate and timely access to care.
Key Takeaways
A Scalable, Low-Cost Model with System-Level Benefit
Back to Roots provides a scalable and cost-effective model for seasonal health support that can be adapted across different communities and regions. Its repeat annual delivery since 2020 demonstrates sustainability and transferability. By strengthening community capacity for self-care and prevention, the project offers measurable social return, including reduced service pressure, improved wellbeing, and stronger community resilience—making it well suited for integration into winter-pressure planning and VCSE-health partnerships.
OUR CREATIVE TEAM
Dr Neha Sharma
MD, Aarogyam (UK) CIC
Dr Jaydeep Joshi
Founder, Former Director Aarogyam (UK)
.jpeg)
Dr Mridu Sharma
NED, Aarogyam Apothecary
Evidence & Publications
Our Evidence & Publications section brings together project reports, research summaries, community case studies, and evaluation findings that highlight the impact of our work.
Reducing Winter Health Pressures Through Community Prevention: Impact Findings from the Back to Roots
An Evidence-Informed Evaluation of the Back to Roots Preventive Health Model (2020–2025)
.png)
.png)
.png)