Welcome to the January edition of our newsletter
Read on to find out about diet and nutrition courses and information, help with energy costs, free services, community events, help to beat the “January Blues” and a focus on physical activity
Healthy food and you
Creating a healthier and more sustainable food system.
 The food system is complex and affects us all, it’s about the food that is grown, produced, sold and eaten. Lives are being cut short in Bradford district due to our broken food system.
This is happening because:
- People are eating too many foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt
- Large amounts of food get wasted while some people go hungry – 25% of low-income households in Bradford have skipped a meal or run out of food. (Over 25,000 tonnes of food are wasted in the UK every single day)
- Our limited access to healthy food – 22% of people in Bradford say they can’t access healthy food locally
- Too many tempting adverts for unhealthy foods – especially in our urban towns and city areas
- The climate emergency – 86% of people in Bradford are concerned or very concerned by the climate emergency
(This info came from community engagement work, part of the development of the new Good Food strategy - find out more here)
Here’s the good news!
Everyone who lives, works or plays in Bradford district can contribute towards creating a healthier and more sustainable food system. You can make small changes to the way you buy and prepare food, and how you manage your food waste, that will help protect not only the local environment and the planet but also help to improve your own health and wellbeing.
- Watch our short film and encourage your friends and family to watch it here
- Visit our top tips page to help you get started – here
- Eat less high fat, sugar and salt. Find out about easy healthy food swaps, you and your family can make every day here
- Share your story about ways that you are contributing – here
- You can also contact us to find out more, email foodstrategy@mylivingwell.co.uk
12 weeks free weight management support
 What better time to start making positive choices than at the start of the year! Making positive choices about our eating habits and exercise can really impact your mental wellbeing as well as your physical health.
We’re still offering new customers 12 weeks completely free access to Slimming World OR Weight Watchers. You need to live in Bradford district, be 18 years and over and have a BMI of 25 or more to qualify for this offer. please note places are limited.
You can also find inspiration for healthy meals with recipes and easy food swaps on our website.
Keighley Healthy Living - Activities for 2024
 KHL offer a huge range of activities, groups and services, based in the heart of Keighley they are accessible to anybody who might want to improve their health and wellbeing, create new friendships and learn new skills. All of the activities are free (donations welcome).
Some of the activities on the timetable have been refreshed for 2024 and include:
Weight Loss Club and Weight Loss Cookery programmes have been renamed ‘My Healthy Weight Journey.' Both sessions outlined below are independently structured, however complement each other for a comprehensive view of healthy weight.
Healthy Cookery 6-week course begins on Tuesday 16th January, 10 – 12noon.
Seated Somatic Yoga has changed slightly to become Mindfulness Yoga, incorporating holistic techniques and self-awareness (Fridays, 1 – 2pm at Silsden Town Hall).
Keighley Crafters are returning to KHL from Friday 5th January, 7 – 9pm.
Maternity Circles will be starting the week commencing 8th January – providing antenatal and postnatal support for expectant and new mums.
- 12.30 – 2.00pm on Mondays at KAWACC
- 12.30 – 2.00pm on Thursdays at KHL
Make 2024 the year you quit smoking for good!
 We know it isn’t easy, but with help from our free service, even if you have tried before, this time… You CAN quit, and we CAN help!
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths and quitting is the single best thing a smoker can do to improve their health, reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, coronary heart disease and cancer.
If you’re ready to start your quit journey, you’re three times more likely to be successful using the Living Well stop smoking service.
At your first appointment a specially trained advisor will help you decide the best way for you to combat nicotine cravings and can prescribe Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT). The service is completely free of charge, you will only pay for prescribed NRT treatments if you usually pay for your prescriptions.
When you quit you will feel so much better mentally, physically and also financially too! (An average smoker can save over £2,000 per year!)
Contact the Living Well stop smoking service on 01274 437700. Appointments can be made face to face, over the phone or by email, whatever works best for you.
Big Energy Saving Week 2024: 15 - 21 January
 Big Energy Saving Week is a campaign aimed at raising awareness about energy efficiency, reducing energy bills, and combating fuel poverty.
The Citizens Advice Bureau and The Energy Saving Trust) are offering information and advice to help people manage their energy bills, reduce energy waste, improve home insulation, and access financial support for energy bills.
The potential benefits of making changes in the home to improve your energy efficiency include improved physical health, such as reduced symptoms of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, rheumatism, arthritis and allergies, as well as fewer injuries.
Bike security marking event in Keighley
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West Yorkshire Police are offering a bike marking security session on:
27th January from 12noon – 2pm at Victoria Hall Car Park, Keighley
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There’s no booking required – Just turn up with your bike
Please remember that the car park is available to other users, vehicles and pedestrians – there is a one way system in place.
Capital of Cycling also run other events throughout the Bradford area, bookable via Eventbrite
Managing high blood pressure health talk
 Dr Claire Oliver from Dyneley House Surgery, Anna Sheryn and Cerin Rees from Eat, Move, Be Happy, Social Enterprise are holding an online session talking about self-management of high blood pressure on: Thursday 25th January 6.30pm - 7.30pm.
You can learn about the effects that high blood pressure has on your body, how to manage symptoms and the benefits of lifestyle medicine. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Everyone is welcome to attend, in particular anyone currently taking medication for high blood pressure, and anyone who has been told they are "at risk" of developing high blood pressure.
People who book a place will receive a link to join the talk. It will arrive by email 24 hours before the event.
January is cervical cancer awareness month
 January is cervical cancer awareness month also known as cancer of the cervix. It’s a type of cancer that can affect people of all ages and this month is to raise awareness about the importance of screening for early detection.
Very early-stage cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms, so screening is vital. But some of the most common symptoms can include vaginal bleeding (that is unusual for you), changes in vaginal discharge, pain or discomfort during sex, pain in your lower back or pelvis.
Talk to your GP or practice nurse and get any symptoms checked. Symptoms can be embarrassing, but your GP or practice nurse will understand and put you at ease. The earlier cervical cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.
If you’re a trans man or non-binary person and have a cervix, you should have screening too. However, you may not be sent an invitation if you are registered as male with your GP. Let your GP know if you want to have cervical screening, so they can arrange regular tests for you.
Cervical screening
The first part of cervical screening is a smear test. For lots of reasons 1 in 4 people don't attend their cervical screening test, this month provides an opportunity to encourage people to take up the offer of a smear test.
When will you be invited for cervical screening?
| Under 25yrs |
Up to 6 months before your 25th Birthday |
| 25-49yrs |
Every 3 years |
| 50-64yrs |
Every 5 years |
If you’re worried about having a smear test, read this online community blog post about 'overcoming smear fear' helpful.
Watch these videos to find out why having a cervical screening helped Bradford residents Sue, Parveen, Tanya and Laura.
Visit the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website.
Find out more about cervical screening on the NHS website
Prevention by vaccination
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus, commonly known as HPV. There is an HPV vaccination which is very effective in preventing cervical and some other types of cancer. A national vaccination programme for girls and boys aged 12-13yrs is offered (in most cases in secondary school).
If you missed this vaccine, it’s available for free on the NHS for girls under 25 or boys born after 01 September 2006 and some other groups at higher risk of HPV including men who have sex with men.
Check In With Your Mate campaign
 Bradford City AFC, Bradford Bulls, Keighley Cougars and Leeds Rhinos are among the high-profile clubs who have supported the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership's (WYHCP) Check In With Your Mate suicide prevention campaign over the Christmas / Winter season, which encourages people to start having more open conversations about mental health with their friends, family and colleagues, as well as with trained health professionals.
Keighley Cougars held a Boxing Day Match where they promoted the Check in with your Mate campaign, distributing flyers about the campaign to everyone and promoting it over the Tannoy system.
Beating the “January Blues”
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Now the festivities are over, January can seem drab in comparison, leading to feelings of sadness, low motivation and a lack of energy. |
There is no scientific evidence for the “January Blues” (people can experience low mood, depression or anxiety at any time of the year) but there are several factors that might lead to you having these feelings in January:
- A reduction in daylight hours
- Financial worries (especially following Christmas)
- Returning to work after a long break
- Lack of motivation to complete your New Year Resolutions
- Drinking and eating habits over the holiday period may result in a lack of energy or weight gain
- Some people may already have been experiencing feelings of loneliness or loss during the holiday period
 Five Ways to Wellbeing are evidence-based actions offering simple things that you can do in your everyday life to boost your wellbeing. You can read about this on our website, just click the pink button below.
Focus on: Physical activity!
Bradford Encouraging Exercise in People (BEEP)
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BEEP is a completely free physical activity referral service for people who are inactive and/or living with a long term health condition. |
Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and can help you to control or reduce the chance of developing high blood pressure. It can help to control or reduce diabetes and improves your mobility.
Being physically active can also help to reduce pain. It decreases anxiety, stress and depression, improving your self-esteem, confidence and independence. It can also help you to meet new friends!
BEEP is a great way for people to improve their health and offers a full 52-week support programme.
To join the BEEP programme all you need to do is:
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- Live in Bradford district
- Be 16 years or older
- Be currently inactive
- Have a long term medical or mental health condition and/or a BMI above 25
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If you answered yes to the above, call 01274 435388 to take your first step!
BEEP offers a range of free and discounted exercise options. You might want to join a gym with a programme created especially to suit your needs, or find a walking group near to you, or something completely different. Our team of trained advisors can help you find activities and sessions that suit you, to help you become more active safely.
 Watch this short film about BEEP here
Join ClubActive!
 Get fit and keep healthy by joining Club Active this January.
For less than £1 a day a Club Active monthly membership gives you access to multiple gyms and swimming pools across the district, including the newly refurbished facilities at Sedbergh and Keighley Leisure Centre. You will also be able to take part in over 100 fitness classes including Les Mills Body Pump. There is no contract or joining fee.
Call into your nearest centre or click the link below.
Join the 20 Minute Movement
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If the gym isn’t for you, why not join the 20 Minute Movement with bitesize chunks of activity throughout the day? |
Government guidance tells us that to benefit our physical and mental health;
- Children 1-5 yrs should be physically active for 180 mins per day
- Children 5-18 yrs should be physically active for 60 mins per day
- Adults should aim for 150 mins of moderate physical activity (roughly 20 mins every day) or 75 mins of vigorous intensity spread over a week.
Moderate physical activity
This includes things like; brisk walking, cycling and swimming.
Vigorous physical activity
This should make you breathe fast and includes things like; running, sport or climbing stairs.
More details about how much physical activity you should try to do can be found here
Physical activity finder
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If you haven’t tried it yet, check out this physical activity finder to see local activities you can enjoy near to where you live or work. |
You can find it on our website (just scroll down to the bottom of the home page and add your postcode) or on its own dedicated page – just click the pink button below.
Add your postcode and use the search filters to decide on the distance from your home, price, level of activity, time of day etc to narrow down your search and it will find lots of options for you to try.
Meet the Living Well team!
Living Well advisors are going to attend monthly coffee mornings on the last Thursday of every month at the EAST Family Hub (365 Barkerend Road), an opportunity for you to make connections with the local community and get more information about eating well, moving well, sleeping well and being mentally well.
You can find out more about our Family Health team below.
Community Health Development Team
The Living Well Community Health Development team are planning an exciting year ahead with community partners. Some of the highlights to watch out for are:
The February opening of the Great Horton Health and Wellbeing Hub at Great Horton Village Hall (BD7) will provide holistic health and wellbeing support for people living in the local area. This can range from debt advice, drug and alcohol, employability support and of course information on Living Well. Gulsoom from Living Well will be based at the hub one day a week so please do come along and say hi!
Following the success of the exercise classes in the Brackenhill Park area (BD7) we will continue to partner with Happy Healthy You to deliver sessions from Brackenhill Primary School. Exercise classes are also being developed with our partners at Bierley Community Centre and will start shortly.
In Bradford East and Shipley, we will be continuing to work with eight community groups to develop the Living Well offer and will be supporting five new groups this year. There will be a focus on tackling loneliness and work with older people as well as the ongoing work to develop green spaces.
Following the success of International Men’s Day, Mohammed will be setting up a Men’s Health Network. This will be an opportunity for the existing Men’s and Male Carers groups to come together to share good practice and resources. The first meeting will take place in the Ravenscliffe area.
In Keighley a consultation event will be held on 17th January at Kinara Close with Manningham Housing Association to co-produce a plan to engage residents in physical activity and repurpose green space. This will also provide an opportunity to share information on the Living Well and Active Travel initiatives for walking and cycling.
A door knocking exercise will also take place in February in the Bracken Bank area to promote Sue Belcher Centre’s ‘Health Promotion Hub’ taking place on the first Thursday every month and we will also be at St Andrews Church in the heart of Keighley Town Centre and St Marks Church on Greenhead Road with further community health development events. Watch this space!
Follow us on social media to stay up to date
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