Last month, our Head of Client Services, Claire, was invited to Ranchi, India with our client, The Leprosy Mission Shop, to see first-hand the incredible work being carried out by the wider team at The Leprosy Mission (TLM).
Leprosy remains a huge challenge in India, with around 70% of all reported cases occurring there. Claire’s journey offered a powerful insight into the dedication of TLM’s staff and the life-changing services they provide to people often overlooked and excluded by society.
Stop 1: Purulia Hospital
The first stop was Purulia, one of TLM’s largest hospitals, where patients receive free diagnosis and treatment for leprosy.
Set in an extremely rural location, the hospital is surrounded by beautiful greenery — with wild cows wandering peacefully through the grounds.
There are just 60 staff members, many of whom are related due to the small local population. It’s a true community hospital in every sense. With only two counsellors responsible for meeting with every patient to explain their diagnosis, the workload is immense, yet their commitment is unwavering. Every day, all staff members refuse to go home until every outpatient has been seen, however long the queue.
Claire with Amanda and Karen (TLM Shop CEO and Board Director) and the two dedicated counsellors who ensure no patient is left alone to cope with a diagnosis of leprosy.
Purulia Hospital recently launched a new Physiotherapy degree course, which welcomed 18 students this year. The long-term vision is to develop more courses and nurture future staff from within the local community. At the morning Chapel, the students were excited to take selfies with Claire and the team and share their hopes for the future.
The Physiotherapy students- the next generation of healthcare professionals.
During a tour of the hospital, Claire also met some of the remarkable women working behind the scenes. One woman carefully crafts bespoke prosthetics for patients using plaster of Paris, and another is leading clinical trials for a new cocktail of antibiotics, helping patients complete their treatment more reliably and with fewer side effects.
Punam who makes the prosthetics and the clinical trial doctor.
As leprosy remains a neglected tropical disease, the multi-drug therapy used to treat it has not changed in over 40 years. The treatment can darken the skin, making it obvious that someone is undergoing therapy. For many, this visible side effect fuels stigma.
And stigma remains one of the greatest barriers.
People affected by leprosy risk losing their jobs or even being disowned by their families. As a result, some refuse diagnosis, treatment — and even the protective handmade shoes the hospital provides free of charge to prevent injury to desensitised feet.
A striking fact: the annual budget for Purulia Hospital is just £0.5m, roughly equal to what The Leprosy Mission Shop contributes each year to The Leprosy Mission through Gifts for Life and donations.
Stop 2: Bankura Vocational Training Centre (VTC)
The welcome at Bankura’s Vocational Training Centre, where 70% of students are affected by leprosy, was unforgettable for Claire and the TLM Shop team. They were greeted with singing, dancing and an overwhelming sense of joy.
Their welcome included marigold garlands and beautiful bunches of flowers.
The VTC runs practical, employment-focused courses including electrical engineering and welding — with many female students enrolled, demonstrating powerful steps toward gender equality and independence. There is also a sewing class, where the teacher makes all the school uniforms on-site.
Girls learning to use circuit boards and the male staff member who creates the uniforms.
Each day ends with games for students and staff — and Claire happily joined in, sharing laughter that transcended language barriers. It was a reminder that empowerment is not just about skills, but about community.
Stop 3: Snehalaya Home for the Elderly
At Snehalaya, a residential home for elderly people affected by leprosy, Claire met a woman who has lived there for 45 years. Rejected by her family at just 21 years old, Snehalaya became her home and her community.
Claire joined residents in games and daily activities, experiencing first-hand the warmth, resilience and strength of this community. Despite lives marked by exclusion, the atmosphere was filled with joy and belonging.
Stop 4: Princes of Wales Centre
The final stop was the Princes of Wales Centre, home to TLM’s fundraising team and dedicated call centre. Here, staff work tirelessly to connect with individual supporters to encourage donations.
In India, government policy requires companies to donate 2% of profits to charitable causes under Corporate Social Responsibility regulations. Today, around 70% of TLM India’s funding comes from corporate donors.
The Centre also runs training courses for students, including computer skills and beautician training, with fashion and AI courses planned for next year.
Claire’s henna, beautifully done by the beautician students (who also plaited her hair!).
Bonus stop: The Taj Mahal
Claire ended her trip with a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal — a moment to reflect on everything she had seen, learned and experienced.
Claire’s visit brought to life the dedication, innovation, and resilience of TLM’s teams and the communities they support. For Claire, it was inspiring to see the impact of TLM’s services in action and a powerful reminder of how much more can be done to fight stigma and improve lives.
The Leprosy Mission is more than healthcare.
It is opportunity created.
It is stigma challenged.
It is community restored.
And it is proof that, together, so much more can be done.
Find out more about this amazing charity here: https://www.leprosymission.org.uk/
