Welcome to the April edition of the Living Well newsletter.
In this issue we will be looking at free training opportunities, combating loneliness with some ideas on how to get outside, make friends, and improve your wellbeing, along with an update on our recent Grow Well to Eat Well campaign.
Our focus this month is on: National Cancer Campaigns
Read on to find out more!
 Feeling lonely is actually completely normal. Many of us can feel lonely while checking our social media, or when we’re on our own, or with others. It’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of.
Sometimes admitting we feel lonely can be hard but it’s important to remember that many others experience similar feelings too. Understanding reasons for feeling lonely can help us identify and manage these feelings.
Young people often experience stigma associated with loneliness, partly because most people associate loneliness only with older, isolated people, but recent research shows that 16-24 year olds are at higher risk of feeling lonely compared to other age groups, and less likely to seek advice and support.
If you're feeling lonely, or know someone else who is, there are simple, affordable things you can try including:
- Going for a walk with someone
- Inviting someone out for a coffee and a chat
- Finding out about affordable events nearby. Visit What’s On Bradford
- Going along to a gym class or playing in a sports team. Try our Activity Portal to find options near you
- Joining a society or local community group to meet like-minded people; and reaching out to those around you so you can both feel the benefits of in-person social connection.
You can find more support and advice to help yourself or others who might be feeling lonely click the button below or search ‘Loneliness Every Mind Matters’
Older people are also vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation – and it can have a serious effect on health. But there are ways to overcome loneliness, even if you live alone and find it hard to get out.
NHS Diabetes Experience Survey 2024
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A new survey for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to feedback on their experiences. |
This survey has been designed to help local diabetes services make improvements on what really matters to people living with diabetes. Until now, there has not been a national survey of this scale for people living with diabetes in England.
NHS England need as many people as possible to respond to this invitation so that the results reflect the views of different people living with diabetes. Around 100,000 people will be randomly selected from those who apply to take part in the survey by letter and text message.
NHS England have collaborated closely with people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, carers of those living with diabetes, healthcare professionals, and local providers to develop this survey.
To take part or find out more about the survey and other ways to provide feedback on diabetes care, please click the button below.
New dates for FREE Living Well Academy courses!
 RSPH (Royal Society for Public Health) Level 1 Health Awareness Training Course (Course Code: RSPHHA019)
15th May: 9am – 4.30pm at City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HX
A FREE training course suitable for anyone living or working in Bradford district who would like to know more about health and wellbeing.
A course to gain knowledge and confidence to support yourself, family and friends to live a healthier lifestyle. Learn about local services that can help to support health and wellbeing and you will receive a certificate at the end of the course.
Find out more
MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) Adult Mental Health Aware course (Course Code: MHFAhalf011)
8th May: 10am – 2pm (Online with Microsoft Teams)
A FREE practical mental health awareness course designed to give anyone living or working in Bradford district an understanding of what mental health is and how to challenge stigma.
You will learn to recognise some common mental health issues along with an introduction to looking after your own mental health and maintaining wellbeing with the confidence to support someone in distress who may be experiencing a mental health issue.
Find out more
Uniform Saver Scheme
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Get a £100 boost in August to help with the cost of school uniform. |
This scheme will reward savers (who save at least three times) with a £100 boost into their savings account in August 2024, to help with the cost of school uniform.
Bradford District Credit Union Uniform Savers is a West Yorkshire Combined Authority funded project working in partnership with Bradford District Credit Union This scheme was featured in the BBC earlier this year and has proven very successful in previous years, please note there are only 285 places available to benefit from the scheme.
For further information or to join the UniformSavers initiative, please email uniformsavers@bradford.gov.uk to arrange an appointment. Please note you can only qualify for the incentive once. This is to ensure as many people as possible are able to benefit.
 The Yorkshire Ability Triathlon is a fantastic Swim Bike Run event aimed at children and young people aged 6-17 with a physical and/or learning disability.
The event caters for a range of abilities and complex needs and participants can take part in 1, 2 or all 3 of the Swim Bike Run disciplines.
Whether you dip your toe in the water or swim numerous lengths, sit on a specially adapted bike or ride it around the track, run a few laps or get pushed around in your chair, you are all champions to us. If you’re not sure what it might look like, take a look at the 2023 event video.
The event will take place at Leeds Beckett University on Sunday 19th May 2024 and there will be support provided by event volunteers on the day.
14th Vaisakhi Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
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Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Saturday 22nd June 2024. |
The walk is a great way to enjoy the Yorkshire countryside while testing your determination and stamina. You can set your own challenge:
- All three peaks - over 24 miles
- Two peaks - approx 16 miles
- One peak - approx 8 miles
There will also be a shorter and more leisurely walk, or you can still join in as a volunteer and help with running the event. Everyone is welcome - come and enjoy Yorkshire Dales and bring your friends along!
For more information, please click the button below to send an email or call 07828 762961.
Shaping Spaces: All Ages
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For people who want to get out in nature, help the environment and improve their wellbeing. |
The group will meet each Thursday for about three hours working on light conservation or environmental tasks, spending time together, enjoying beautiful local green spaces. The project will work with small groups of people and two members of staff to learn new skills, make new connections and improve their wellbeing, learn about conservation and nature, and keep active whilst doing something positive for wildlife and for Bradford. Many people have found they feel calmer, and their spirits are lifted when out in green spaces
Staff will create a safe and welcoming space for all and take time to explain what to do. No experience is necessary, but you need to be willing to be outside in all weathers. People can attend up to 26 sessions within 12 months.
Shaping Spaces All Ages is run by BEES (Bradford Environmental Education Service), part of YMCA Bradford, specialising in environmental education and practical conservation work around Bradford district.
For more info please email Shona Waddington or call 07845239196 or Rachel Deadman or call Tel 01274 371304.
Shaping Spaces: 16 – 25yrs
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For 16–25 year olds to get outside, make friends, and improve their wellbeing. |
Spending time out in nature is proven to be great for mental and physical health, especially when we slow down and notice our surroundings (mindfulness).
People taking part will spend time with a small group of young adults in beautiful green spaces around Bradford, improving wellbeing, increasing social interaction, and building connection with nature, each other and with self.
The programme is on Wednesdays during the day. We will set out from our base at Culture Fusion on Thornton Road and return there in our minibus after each session. People can attend up to 26 sessions in 12 months.
We support people to build new friendships, increase confidence and self-esteem, connect more with nature and themselves, improve personal wellbeing and develop future plans and life skills.
For more info please email Shona Waddington or call 07845239196 or Rachel Deadman or call Tel 01274 371304.
Shaping Futures
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For 17-25 years olds taking first steps into employment, education or training but need some skills and confidence. |
People will work together to plan, organise and carry out a practical project, supported by experienced staff.
The programme will help you to develop confidence, gain experience working as part of a team or individual, learn about the environment and make new friends!
To be eligible young people need to:
- be NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training)
- Aged 17-25
- Available on Tuesdays
- Willing to commit to attend every week for 12 weeks
- Have a reasonable chance of progressing into employment or a training opportunity
- Be prepared to work outdoors in all weathers
For more info please email Shona Waddington or call 07845239196 or Rachel Deadman or call Tel 01274 371304.
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Grow Well to Eat Well
Campaign update
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Due to unprecedented demand all of our free seed packs have now gone. But you can still join in! Buy some seeds for foods you enjoy eating and find useful tips on how to get started here. You don't need a large garden, you could have a window box or a pot on your windowsill or balcony. Come on Bradford, let's get growing!
Volunteer at Horton Community Farm and help the community!
Horton Community Farm supported Grow Well to Eat Well! |
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They packed and distributed hundreds of free Seed Kits so that people in Bradford district could have a go at growing some of their own food at home. We want to say a massive THANK YOU to them for being such a great partner to Living Well!
Horton Community Farm is a 2-acre green oasis in Great Horton, Bradford. They would like volunteers to help them provide local food, enhance an urban wildlife area, and improve the space for the community. Get the great feeling of making a difference, being outdoors, learning new skills and meeting new people. You can also earn Citizen Coins as you go, for discounts at Bradford retailers, and take home a certificate after attending 8 sessions.
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Their aim is to create a centre for food growing and community resilience. |
They will achieve this with forest schools, horticultural therapy, wildlife, and food growing, all to benefit the sections of our communities that are most in need.
Not only will you benefit your local community by volunteering, but being out in the open air and moving more, being active for at least 20 minutes per day can also improve your mental health and wellbeing, as well as your physical health.
Find out more about growing food at home with helpful tips and links to useful resources - click the link below.
Fruit Works Co-op
Fruit Works Co-op also supported Grow Well to Eat Well! |
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Fruit Works provided free fruit trees to local schools, businesses and voluntary organisations in Bradford and they're helping to plant them so that future generations can enjoy free fruit. We want to say a massive THANK YOU to them for being such a great partner to Living Well!
As part of this work they planted trees and “jam hedges” at seven Bradford primary schools. They ran a summer design session with pupils, did some “autumn- juicing” and will be back with them again in the summer to help pupils and teachers learn how to care for and maintain their orchards.
This month mini-orchards were planted at St. Oswald’s and All Saints Church, Anchor Project Royds Community Association’s Woodside Village Centre, Shine West Bowling, the Ridge Medical Centre, the West End Centre and Lister Community Avenue Garden.
 As if this wasn’t enough, Fruit Works worked with Better Place Bradford to visit 190 homes in the Better Start Bradford area with a fruit tree or fruit bush and planted two new community orchards in Shipley and extended the Cliffe Castle Museum orchard, Several of these projects have been carried out in partnership with Trees for Cities as part of their “Trees for Climate Action” project to get children and adults planting trees together around the Bradford district.
Stop Food Waste Day: 24 April 2024
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Drawing attention to the issue of food waste and its impact on the planet and people. |
PREVENT food waste, INSPIRE people to reduce food waste, and REPURPOSE older or surplus food by giving it a second life.
33% of food produced globally is wasted and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Just 25% of the food that is wasted globally could be used to feed all of the under-nourished people in the world - almost 800 million people!
People in the UK throw away 7 million tonnes of food and drink every year. Wasting food costs the average family nearly £700 a year, (about £60 a month!).
Just think what reducing food waste in your own home could do for you and your family, your budget…not to mention the entire planet!
Simple changes can make a huge impact. Food waste often happens because we cook and prepare too much food (and then don’t eat it) or we don’t use food in time (so it “goes off”). There's also a lot of confusing food-labelling information about “use by” dates (this is about safety) and “best before” dates (this is about quality, so it will still be safe to eat after the date shown). This can all lead to food being wasted.
TOP TIPS YOU CAN TRY
- Be aware of the “best before” and “use by” dates of food products and use the oldest items first to prevent them going to waste. For guidance visit - Best before and use-by dates | Food Standards Agency
- Plan meals and make a shopping list to help you buy only what you need. Download our handy meal planners in the Swap Well to Eat Well Toolkit
- Use up leftovers – there are many ways to use up older ingredients such as bread, milk, eggs and veg here.
- Freeze food you can’t use in time, most items can be defrosted and used at a later date (milk, bread, cheese, meat/fish, vegetables, prepared meals).
- Share spare food with neighbours, friends or family, or donate to a local food bank.
Top Tips to play your part in Good Food Bradford
Love Food Hate Waste / Preventing food waste
Share your Spare – Feeding Bradford & Keighley
Find Food in Bradford – Find your local foodbank or low-cost market in Bradford District
Bradford-based organisation Inn Churches is a much-valued partner to the Living Well Service.
They support the Bradford “Good Food” Strategy and are working hard to save tonnes of food from going to waste, distributing it to local food banks and even visiting community centres to demonstrate how to make food in their pantries into delicious and nutritious meals. Read How Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food changed a nation
Living Well celebrates success of RIC Schools at showcase event
 An event was held in March to celebrate the success of the first three years of the Reducing Inequalities in Communities (RIC) Schools programme and showcase how this will transition into the Living Well Schools initiative.
30 schools across the district were involved with the RIC programme, working with facilitators who supported them to increase physical activity throughout the school day, support emotional wellbeing and mental health, and promote sustainable and nutritious food.
Representatives from some of the RIC schools were joined at the event by health providers, stakeholders and members of the Public Health team with a ‘marketplace’ of stalls, and presentations throughout the day.
Living Well Schools is now using the learnings from RiC to deliver a healthy schools programme, bringing together evidence-based providers and resources to support schools to be health promoting environments.
Living Well Ric Schools Facilitators recently delivered a successful packed lunch workshop at Newby Primary School in Bradford.
Create a healthy tasty lunchbox for your children!
There was very positive feedback from the Headteacher:
“The parents absolutely LOVED it! We wondered if we could book it in for more of our parents - not just targeting packed lunches but anyone - there was so much really helpful information and parents really loved the way it was presented.”
Focus on:
National Cancer Awareness Campaigns
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
 Cancer Awareness Month is to raise awareness of bowel cancer and screening opportunities.
Bowel cancer is the 4th most common type of cancer; the earlier bowel cancer is spotted, the more treatable it’s likely to be. More than 9 in 10 people survive bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage.
Bowel Cancer Screening Checks are available to anyone aged 60 - 74 years. You will be sent a free home testing kit (called a FIT) to your home every 2 years. (This programme is expanding to include people 50 - 59 years).
Don’t wait until your screening if you have symptoms at any age.
See your GP if you have any symptoms of Bowel Cancer for more than 3 weeks, or earlier if your feel you need to. If you have black, dark red poo or bloody diarrhoea, get an urgent GP appointment or advice from 111.
Further information:
NHS Screening Helpline: 0800 707 60 60
Find useful information and a Bowel Cancer quiz at www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Cancer of the testicle is a less common cancer, only accounting for 1% of all cancers in men (about 2300 people a year in the UK) BUT it's also the most common cancer in young men.
Anybody who has testicles can get testicular cancer but it's more common in white men, men aged 15-49, men who have a family history and men who have had testicular cancer before.
Typical symptoms are a painless swelling or lump in one of the testicles, or any change in shape or texture of the testicles, an increase in firmness, difference in appearance, a dull or sharp pain (which may come and go) and sometimes a feeling of heaviness.
Most lumps or swellings in the scrotum are not in the testicle and are not a sign of cancer, but they should never be ignored. Be aware of what feels normal for you, get to know your body and see a GP if you notice any changes. If your GP thinks it may be cancerous, you'll be referred for further testing within 2 weeks.
Reece's Story
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To be diagnosed with cancer at 25 was a shock to the system. Especially given how healthy I'd been until that point. |
Thankfully I managed to catch it incredibly early due to being told about the dangers of testicular cancer and how important it is to check yourself. I'm now 9 months post treatment and back to 100%.
Watch a film featuring Mark and Jack, who have had testicular cancer, talking about their experience of it and the importance of checking for early warning signs. Plus advice from an expert.
Further information:
Read more about the look and feel of normal testicles, the symptoms of testicular cancer and diagnosing testicular cancer.
The Macmillan helpline number 0808 808 00 00, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation information day
Aimed at people living with lung cancer; there will be expert speakers and the opportunity to meet others who share similar experiences to your own.
Friday 10th May 2024, 10.00am to 4.00pm at Cedar Court Hotel, Mayo Avenue, Bradford, BD5 8HW.
The Living Well Stop Smoking Service Advisors will also be available to speak to and offer support to people who would like to stop smoking, at this event.
You will need to register to attend: to book a place please call Mari or Callum on freephone: 0333 3237200 (choose option 2) or email: info@roycastle.org
Community Events & Groups
Laisterdyke Hub
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Men's group to enhance physical and mental wellbeing. |
Activities include walking groups, creative sessions and ‘gup shup’ - chit chat sessions at Laisterdyke Hub. Walking and “Be active” movement, weekly walks, including ‘Walking for Life’ in nearby parks with two volunteers as leaders.
One of the participants said:
“Since coming to the sessions for men I have become confident in doing the exercises and have seen a great improvement in my health”.
This project was supported with a Living Well Community Health Development grant.
Karmand Centre
A new men’s exercise group will be starting at Karmand Centre on 11th of April, every Tuesday and Thursday between 11am and 12pm.
The sessions include gentle stretching moves, balancing exercises, strength building exercises and breathing exercises as well as the chance to improve social connections and develop new skills to keep healthy.
To find out more about joining the group contact Zafar: 07971 030159 - zafar.kayani1@gmail.com or thelaisterdykehub@gmail.com
Or you can get in touch with Amarjit Birdi, Living Well Community Development Worker for Bradford East: 07977 814170 or email: Amarjit.birdi@bradford.gov.uk
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