Welcome to the October Living Well newsletter!
It’s another jam packed edition with information on free cycling lessons, details about how we’re working with local takeaways, growing your own food, free courses, training and events, awareness months - highlighting ways to stay on top of your health, competitions and surveys you can take part in and more!
Our focus this month is on: Families, children and young people
Information on free training, a food survey, events, and children’s vaccinations.
Get on your bike!
 Capital of Cycling work with community partners and groups to provide bikes, deliver events and offer training that can help improve the health and wellbeing of people in Bradford district.
Free cycling lessons are available for all abilities from beginners to improvers. Learn to ride a bike, improve your cycling skills and cycle with more confidence! (Bikes and helmets provided).
There are also wellbeing rides and bike maintenance workshops, which are free and can be booked on Eventbrite. New dates are added regularly, click the button below to find out more.
1DayaWeek
 Do you live in Bradford district? Do you want to win prizes? 1DayaWeek is here to help you get active with fantastic monthly prize draws to encourage you to walk, cycle or wheel more often in your local community!
It’s free, and it’s really easy to take part, just visit the website (click the pink button below) to find out how!
Take a fabulous photo (see website for details) to enter into the prize draw using #my1DAW and #bradford and tag @1dayaweek. Winning photos will make us smile, will be nice and clear and make us want to get active, so get snapping!
FREE Training with the Living Well Academy
 This free Adult Mental Health First Aid course will be held in person over two days, and you must attend both of the days to qualify and receive your certificate.
The course is for people who would like to take on the role of Mental Health First Aider in their organisation or workplace.
Course title: Adult Mental Health First Aid
Course code: MHFA021
21 & 27 November: 9am – 4.30pm
City Library, Centenary Square, Bradford BD1 1SD
Click here to book a place online or click the button below to find out more.
Working with takeaways to create a healthier future
 Ordering takeaway food is a popular choice for lots of us. It’s sometimes quicker, easier and can even be cheaper than cooking from scratch at home, but it’s far from the healthiest option.
With over 60%* of people living in Bradford district classed as being overweight or living with obesity, the Living Well Healthy Takeaways project runs in partnership with Keighley Healthy Living and Participate to support local takeaway businesses to:
- make it easier for customers to make healthier choices
- make small changes to current dishes to make them healthier without affecting the cost or taste of the dish
- understand how small changes in their businesses can have an impact on the health of people in Bradford district
(*Figures taken from KHL's consumer research report 2024).
Are you a takeaway/food outlet business owner who would like to find out more about working with us to offer healthy options? Sign up to find out more here.
Are you interested in gardening and growing your own food?
 Would you like to learn more about growing your own food and find your nearest community led growing project? You can with an interactive community led food growing map on the Grow Bradford website!
If you’re involved in delivering community led food growing in Bradford district and would like to add your project to the map, please do!
Grow Bradford are keen to help groups connect and promote all of the fabulous growing projects across the district. They also have a new resource which offers fantastic 'How To' guides with lots of project ideas that may be useful for your community project, including recipes and wildlife projects, click here to check it out!
Get vaccinated: Get winter strong!
 Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and they can cause serious illness.
If you are vaccinated and catch flu or COVID-19 this winter, you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, cutting your risk of being hospitalised.
It’s important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as your immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.
You can get the NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccines if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are a frontline health or social care worker
- live in a care home for older adults
October is…
Cholesterol Awareness Month
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Cholesterol: Why It matters and keeping it in check. |
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that’s present in your blood. You need some cholesterol to build healthy cells but if levels become too high it can threaten your heart by blocking blood vessels, increasing your risk of stroke and heart attack.
High levels of cholesterol can be caused by being overweight, eating foods that are unhealthy for your body, not having enough exercise, smoking and drinking alcohol. It can also be hereditary, meaning that it runs in the family.
You won’t know if your cholesterol level is too high unless you have a blood test - speak to your GP about this, especially if you are aged over 50.
There are simple lifestyle changes you can make today to reduce your risk of developing high cholesterol:
Stoptober
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Have you joined in this month to quit smoking for Stoptober? |
It’s never too late to quit - stopping smoking will improve your health (and finances!) Even if you have tried before, this time you CAN quit and we CAN help!
Stopping smoking isn’t easy, but if you are a smoker, quitting is the single best thing you can do to improve your health.
Over 100 people in Bradford district have already got in touch with our free Living Well Stop Smoking Service this month to support them to stop smoking and our advisors are ready to help you too! They will work with you to create a quit plan that works for you and can prescribe NRT (Nicotine replacement therapy) to help you beat cravings (prescription charges apply if you usually pay for your prescriptions).
You could also try vaping with a 12 week vaping kit! Kits are completely free for any adult smoker who wants to quit with our service.
Call: 01274 437700 or email: stopsmokingservice@bradford.gov.uk or click the button below to find out more.
Menopause Awareness Month
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33 million women in the UK will, at some stage in their life, experience menopause. |
Some women have a smooth, relatively symptom-free transition into their menopause whereas others may suffer from a range of symptoms that can massively impact their daily lives, including their work, home and social lives.
It’s important for women (and their friends and family members who support them), to recognise the symptoms and to be aware of support and advice that’s available. It’s also important for women to know that, when the time comes, they are NOT ALONE in their experience.
Other sources of support include:
The Menopause Charity
Menopause Support
Pausitivity who have an excellent Menopause Resource Pack you can download.
Top tips for staying healthy throughout menopause
Although your body is going through a lot of changes at this time, there are things that you can do regularly to keep your mind and body feeling healthy and well:
- Drink water, at least 2 litres per day
- Quit smoking and reduce caffeine and alcohol intake
- Eat less processed foods, carbohydrates and sugars
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
- Get adequate and quality sleep
- Reduce stress. Get outdoors for fresh air, practice mindfulness, meditation or yoga
Information on the above and local support is available on our website.
Breast Cancer and Breast Screening Awareness Month
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Most of us will know someone that’s been affected as it’s the most common type of cancer in women in the UK. |
Charities like Macmillan offer helpful videos about breast cancer and how to check your breasts/chest, types of breast cancer, symptoms, treatment and also breast cancer in men.
This October, you could wear pink and raise money for life-saving breast cancer research click here to find out more.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme offers free screening, every three years, for women aged 50 to 71. You should be invited to a clinic or mobile breast screening unit where trained health professionals will check for any abnormalities. If you haven’t received your invitation, or if you are ever concerned about changes to your breast texture - a lump or different feeling in your breast/chest/armpit, please get in touch with your GP.
Breast screening drop in information day: 30 October
Julie from the Pennine Breast Screening Unit will be available to give information about breast-screening and breast-health for woman with learning disabilities and those who support them.
30 October at Waddiloves Health Centre 44 Queens Rd, Bradford BD8 7BT
Please note, this session is NOT for screening but giving information about breast health.
Black History Month
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Celebrate Black History Month in Bradford with exciting events across the district! |
The Bradford Black Heritage Arts & Culture planning group and supporting partners have created a city wide, and internationally linked, BHM 2024 events programme, celebrating the achievements and cultural heritage of the black community.
From talks to film screenings, exhibitions to live music and ceremonies, there’s something for all generations and backgrounds to enjoy!
Movember
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The Order of Mo is the world’s least secret society and Movember is the time to unite! |
Movember is all about raising awareness for men's mental health, suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer, it starts in November but to join in you need to know about it now!
Watch the video!
The Mo is calling. How will you answer?
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Grow a Mo: Show the world you stand for healthier men and a healthier world.
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Move for mental health: Run or walk 60km.
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Host A Mo-Ment: Host an event to raise awareness and funds for men’s health.
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Mo Your Own Way: Climb a mountain, break a personal best, quit social media for a month or take on a dare for men’s health, whatever works for you!
Focus On: Children, families and young people
New dance project from Dance United Yorkshire
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Young adults struggling with difficult life circumstances can join a new and exciting dance project! |
Dance United Yorkshire is a Bradford based charity dedicated to transforming lives through contemporary dance. They create and deliver projects that leave a lasting, positive impact on people living in difficult circumstances.
This new project is free for young adults in Bradford district aged 16-25 years and is aimed at those who may be disengaged from society, suffering domestic abuse, at risk of offending and/or suffering with poor mental health. The pinnacle of the project is a live performance, however, the main purpose is for people to gain new skills, build confidence and resilience, work as a team, and create friendships.
You must be able to attend the whole project which means committing to 28 days, 6 November to 13 December. (Mon – Fri: 10am – 3pm).
Coleman Training Development, North Wing 2nd Floor, 1 The Interchange, Bradford, BD1 5AX. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
To find out more and to register your interest please call 07985 314152 or click the button below to send an email.
Online children’s food survey
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If your child is aged 3 – 11 years you could take part! |
Bradford Hospitals wants parents and carers of children aged 3 to 11 years to take part in an online children’s food survey, to help gather information to improve the diets of children in Bradford district.
They are looking for different ages and ethnicities to make sure the information they gather represents the children in our district. To see if your family fits the criteria, please click the pink button below to complete a short online survey. If you’re selected to be a part of the project you will receive a £15 gift card for completing your child’s food diaries online. The closing date is 30 November 2024.
To find out more about the project please email: BradfordFoodSurvey@bthft.nhs.uk or call Lisa Dowling on 07890 418278.
In Our Place – a new, free online place for families’ and people’s emotional wellbeing
 ‘In Our Place’ is a new online library of free courses for everyone in Bradford district, including families with children of all ages, during pregnancy, for teenagers (courses to follow independently) and adults.
The courses can help you better understand yourself, and your children and other family members, providing useful tips and information, to help you deal with family life, relationships, and your own feelings.
The courses are free, and you can register for as many as you like. They're available online with a combination of audio, video, text and different language options. Follow them in your own time and at your own pace.
All you need is your post code and the access code: BDPARENTS
If you would like to talk to a professional or prefer in person advice and support, you can also get in touch with our district’s Family Hubs.
Gestational diabetes
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Did you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy? |
Up to 50% of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years of diagnosis. From talking to women, we know that many are unaware of this increased risk.
Help to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes with the NHS Healthier You Diabetes Prevention Programme. Click the button below for more information and to self-refer, if you are eligible.
Save the date: Baby Week Bradford 14-20 November!
 Baby Week Bradford is the annual celebration of babies and all those who care for them and it’s back this November with Playful Starts and Happy Hearts.
Events and activities will be available across the district, with tips and resources for families and early years settings, and the return of the Baby Week Wiggle!
Baby Week will highlight why play is so important for babies’ and young children’s development and health and explore why living more playfully is good for all of us!
Is your child up to date with their vaccinations?
 Childhood infections like measles and whooping cough are rising, with outbreaks across the country.
Infections like these can have a huge impact on your child’s life. They can miss out on school due to being unwell, be hospitalised, and even experience life-long complications and disability.
If your child isn’t vaccinated, they’re not protected.
It’s important for parents to take up the offer of the NHS free childhood immunisation programme when offered. However, if you, or your child, have missed a vaccine, it’s never too late to check if you can catch up. Check your child’s Red Book to see if they have missed any vaccines or check with your GP.
Meet the Living Well Team
YOUR SPACE Drop-In Service for Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Every Wednesday 10am - 12noon
Wellbeing Centre at Bevan House, 14 Piccadilly, Bradford, BD1 3LS.
A range of different agencies all in one place to help people get the right advice on finances, housing, physical and mental health, ESOL and community connections.
Living Well Advisors will be there on 23 and 30 October and 20 November to offer support about healthy eating, weight management, physical activity, stopping smoking and more.
Affinity Care Community Partnership Health & Wellbeing Event
13 November 11am – 2.30pm
Clayton Methodist Church, 19 Clayton Lane, Clayton BD14 6PA
Health checks for people aged 30 years and over. Living Well advisors will be there to talk about healthy eating, weight management, physical activity, stopping smoking and more. Light lunch/refreshments will be served.
For information about ongoing groups that meet, upcoming events and a range of other health services please click the pink button below.
Living Well Community Health Development
 Students from Ghosiyah Academy in Keighley took part in an exciting and educational canal trip, organised by Living Well and the Canal & River Trust.
Students enjoyed activities including a visit to East Riddlesden Hall, canoeing and water safety, feeding animals and learning about wildlife conservation, and took a 5,000 step walking challenge to learn about the benefits of walking for their physical and mental health.
We would like to say a big thank you to the Canal & River Trust for making this memorable experience possible!
If you would like to know more about exploring the canals and rivers in Bradford district visit the Canal & River Trust website.
Have a fun day out with friends and family exploring together or join a walking group to meet new people and make new friends.
Walking counts towards the 20 minutes of physical activity adults should aim to do each day. Find lots of ideas with our 20 Minute Movement and our new A to Z of Activities.
New Vision & Partners 20 mile sponsored walk
 Staff from New Vision Bradford, Forward Leeds, Calderdale Recovery Steps and North Yorkshire Horizons recently took part in a 20-mile sponsored walk from Halifax to Leeds and raised an incredible £625 which has been used to support people in recovery, help people with everyday essentials and items to empower their recovery.
Community Events, Groups, Courses & Information
Well Together Service
 Well Together offer a range of free health-led activities for adults 18 and over. Activities include crafting, creative writing, family history, knit and natter (or sew), and lots more. There’s also post cancer, fibromyalgia and bereavement support available, or you can just join one of the chill, chat and relax groups!
There’s also walking groups for all abilities that are led by trained volunteer walk leaders.
There’s is no limit to how many you can join! Some groups meet in person, and some are online.
Refer yourself to the service by calling 01274 259190 or visit the website and complete a self-referral form. (GPs and other health professionals can also refer you).
When Well Together receive your referral a member of their will contact you to find out what your interests are and match you to activities you will enjoy.
Dementia Information Days
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Free information days for people who have been diagnosed with dementia. |
These events are for people who have been diagnosed and their families or carers, or for anyone who wants to find out more about the support and services available in Bradford district. Refreshments will be provided.
30 October: 12 – 2.00pm
Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley, BD18 3QH
27 November: 12 – 2.00pm
Manningham Library, Carlisle Rd, Manningham, Bradford BD8 8BB
Adult Social Care - Safe and sound workshops
This service supports people to stay safe and independent in their own home and provides peace of mind for you and those who care about you. It offers a 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, providing independence and freedom at home, whilst safe in the knowledge that if there is an accident or if you have a fall, help is available.
Bradford Council’s Adult Social Care Department is holding in-person and online workshops in October and November to hear your views about safe and sound services.
Scarecrow trail around Peel Park
31 October: 12 – 3.00pm
Enjoy a fun day out in the park, getting some exercise and fresh air, with friends and family during half-term – don’t forget to look out for Living Well’s scarecrow!
Hot food and drinks available to buy from the Peel Park Youth & Community Hub (cash only).
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