Welcome to the November Living Well newsletter!
Find out about GoodGym, a fantastic new initiative that is launching soon in Bradford district, how to spot harmful illegal vapes and how to access free health checks. There are community funding options, lots of awareness days to take note of and links to free groups and services in your local area at the end of this jam packed edition
Our focus this month is on: Grief, loss and bereavement.
GoodGym is coming to Bradford!
 GoodGym is no ordinary gym, it’s a nationwide community making a difference to local neighbourhoods through fast, fun and flexible volunteering sessions.
Could you join a like-minded team of local change-makers who get fit by doing good?
Join a team of people who run, walk and cycle to complete practical tasks for community groups and charities that need a hand. You could help to improve local wellbeing, support foodbanks, youth centres, primary schools, parks and libraries with physical tasks. If you would like to support your community and get more active at the same time this could be for you!
They are looking to recruit people in Bradford district to organise activities (training will be provided) and also want people to sign up to join in with the activities.
Activities could include:
- Planting trees in local parks
- Cleaning up a community centre
- Sorting cans for a foodbank
- Shifting compost for a school growing project
Meet like-minded local people and use your exercise to make a positive impact in your neighbourhood!
How to spot illegal vapes
 Some of the vapes available in our communities do not comply with safety regulations and we don’t know what the long-term health impacts are of using them.
There is a real risk that unregulated (illegal) vapes contain either a dangerous level of nicotine or chemicals that people don’t know they’re inhaling.
To help spot the signs of illegal vapes, please look out for the following:
-
The tank size: anything over 2ml
-
Strength: More than 20mg/ml or 2% nicotine concentration
-
Information: The packaging should list the nicotine strength, puff count, ingredients, batch number and manufacturers details.
-
Health warning: All compliant vapes display a health warning written in bold capital letters
All legal vapes are marked with the kite mark and have the CE sign – this shows that they meet the legal requirements. (It's also illegal to sell vapes to any person under the age of 18). To report the sale of illegal vapes please call Trading Standards 0808 223 1133
For support to stop smoking please click the pink button below. The Living Well stop smoking team can prescribe medications to help you quit and can also offer you a completely free compliant 12 week vaping kit.
Free Active Bystander Training
We are all bystanders, we may witness events unfolding around us and sometimes recognise events as being problematic. When this happens, you can decide to do or say something and become an active bystander (either in the moment or at a later stage) or to simply let it go and remain a passive bystander.
West Yorkshire Police are offering free training sessions for anyone interested in learning how to become an effective active bystander. The courses are 2.5 hours long and will teach you practical skills so that you can intervene and support others if you notice that they are in need
 |
|
Active Bystander Training also supports the JogOn campaign |
The Jog On campaign is designed to stop the harassment of female runners and joggers. If you are involved in, or deliver, physical activities or sports sessions in the Bradford district, then this training in highly recommended.
Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies
 |
|
Feeling down or stressed? As the seasons change, it's quite common for us to feel this way. |
Winter can bring many challenges, but they don’t have to be faced alone. Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies is a free and confidential NHS service for anyone 16 years and over who is registered with a GP in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven.
They offer a wide range of support for many mental health concerns including depression, low mood, anxiety, panic, stress, sleep problems, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
They can help you find the most appropriate pathway for support. All appointments can be held face-to-face, over the telephone or by video call.
LGBT Foundation - Pride in Practice Patient Experience Survey
 |
|
Could you take part in the Pride in Practice survey to help improve services? |
Pride in Practice works to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ people accessing primary care services. Whether you’re visiting a GP, dentist, pharmacist, or optometrist, you deserve a service where you feel safe, accepted, seen, and supported by the healthcare professionals who provide your care.
Taking part in the Pride in Practice survey will help them to better understand your experiences. It’s open to anyone living in the United Kingdom and will remain open on an ongoing basis.
The survey will take most people about 15-30 minutes to complete. Some of the questions in the survey may lead people to recall difficult or emotional experiences. LGBT Foundation can offer advice or support on their helpline: 0345 330 3030 or by sending an email
Please click the button below to take the survey.
Support for people living with severe mental illnesses (SMI)
 |
|
If you or someone you know has a SMI, you are entitled to a free physical health check. |
Did you know 7,425 people are living with a severe mental illness (SMI) in Bradford district? These illnesses include conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.
The Healthy Minds website offers information about physical health checks and a video explaining the importance of these checks.
Living with SMI means taking care of your physical health is just as important. Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership have collaborated with Living Well to offer some healthy living tips for people living with SMI.
Healthy Living Tips:
-
Build your support system
Stay connected with friends, family, or support groups. Positive connections can reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
-
Fuel your body right
Eat balanced meals, stay hydrated, and snack on nutritious foods. Small, healthy changes make a big difference.
-
Move at your own pace
Make gentle activities, like walking or stretches, part of your weekly exercise. Every little bit helps to improve energy and mood.
-
Start small with self-care
Brush your teeth, take your medication, and stay hydrated. These small actions build a foundation for better physical and mental health.
You can read this blog to find more information about healthy living tips and support.
Do you or someone you know have a learning disability?
 Would you like to be part of a panel who makes decisions about funding, and who gets funding, for physical activity in Bradford?
You can find out more about this here
Please click the button below to send an email to register your interest or to ask for more information.
November is…
National Islamophobia Month
 |
|
Everyday, British Muslims face discrimination because of their faith. |
Islamophobia is a continuous problem with 38% of all religiously motivated hate crimes in the UK being targeted at Muslims.
Join Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) to help raise awareness of Islamophobia and work towards a society where people can practice their faith without fear. In 2024 the theme is “Seeds of Change”, emphasizing how small actions can lead to big changes.
There are lots of small actions that you could take to help:
- Have a friendly conversation with someone, to learn more about Islam and what it really means to those who practice the Islamic faith
- Improve your awareness of how Islamaphobia affects your friends, colleagues and neighbours or to help others to understand how Islamophobia affects you
- Participate in local training, to learn more about the Islamic faith
- Attend one of the many Mosque/Majid open days that take place locally throughout the year, so that you can learn more about the Islamic faith and the people who practice it
- Book a tour of the Bradford (Al-Jamia) Grand Mosque
National School Meals Week: 11-17 November
 This is a great opportunity to make healthy eating fun and enjoyable for children at school.
Schools and other educational organisations can find free themed resources by clicking here.
Parents and carers can join in by creating healthy (and tasty!) lunch boxes. There's more information about healthy lunch boxes and other easy food swaps on our website, to find out more just click the pink button below.
Baby Week Bradford:14-20 November
 This year's Baby Week Bradford is all about PLAY, with Playful Starts and Happy Hearts.
If you are a family with children 0-3 years, or work in early years, or are interested in early childhood development, click the pink button below to take a look at the full programme of over 30 events happening across the district.
Family events include:
- Happy Hearts Play Day at Sedbergh Sports and Leisure Centre, 19 November 2024
- Music for Babies – Cliffe Castle Museum, 20 November 2024
- There are also story and rhyme times, woodland walks and nature play
Check out the Wiggle Room Play Bus that will be parking up at a different location each day, including family hubs and City Park.
World Diabetes Day: 14 November
 |
|
Diabetes UK want to tackle stigma and the harmful effect it can have on people living with diabetes. |
Diabetes UK research has shown that 89% of people living with diabetes have come across myths and misconceptions about their condition, regardless of their type of diabetes.
Just as shockingly, 80% of people have experienced negative attitudes because of their diabetes, which in some cases has led to the breakup of relationships, people keeping their “health secret” from close family members, and even people feeling that their diabetes diagnosis is their own fault.
Help raise awareness and start changing this mindset. Diabetes UK will be sharing powerful stories on their social media channels, from people living with diabetes to show the true impact of stigma. Get involved and help them to make a difference by sharing your stories and comment on social media using #WorldDiabetesDay
World COPD Day: 20 November
In the UK, 1.2 million people are affected by COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder), a chronic lung disorder that affects breathing. It largely includes two conditions, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, damaging the air sacs and bronchial tubes in your lungs, leading to a blockage in the airflow which results in difficulty breathing, frequent coughing, shortness of breath, and other respiratory issues. However, treatment and lifestyle changes can slow its progression.
Click here to download an information leaflet and get access to MyCare24 Support.
World AIDS Day: 1 December
 |
|
Shining a light on real experiences of people living with HIV and AIDS today. |
World AIDS Day is also about celebrating the strength, resilience and diversity of the communities most affected. Since 1988, communities have stood together on World AIDS Day to show strength and solidarity against HIV stigma and to remember lives lost.
If you live in Bradford and Kirklees and have any questions, or need support, about sexual health please contact Locala’s SH:24 Service who offer a free and discreet STI (sexually transmitted infections) testing service for people over the age of 16. Visit the SH24 website to see if you're eligible to order a free home testing kit.
Alternatively, you can collect a free STI testing kit if you live in the Bradford area from Howard House, Bradford. ** Please note: the numbers of test kits available daily are limited **
Focus on: Grief, loss and bereavement
National Grief Awareness Week: 2-8 December
 |
|
At some time in our lives we will all be affected by grief and loss. |
We can’t know how we will react to the death of someone close, until it happens, and we all respond to grief in our own unique ways.
However it is important that we learn to talk about it in a more honest, straightforward way, helping to make the pain a little more bearable for those experiencing grief, especially at the early stages, and offering hope to the bereaved.
The Good Grief Trust offers information and resources for people experiencing grief, whether this is new or longstanding.
Shine A Light Awards 2024
As part of their Shine A Light Awards 2024, the trust are asking people to nominate People, Places and Projects that are going above and beyond to make a difference to those grieving in your community.
Please click the button below to send them your nominations.
Qwell
 Qwell offers free digital mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK with professional support, community support and personal development tools.
Their resources explain the grief process that can help you to explore different ways to manage the impact of loss.
To mark grief awareness week in December they will be highlighting their “grief collection” with a collection of articles, personal stories, podcasts, and activities.
You’re not alone. Sign up for Qwell and find the support you need, where and when you need it. There are no fees, no waiting list, and no judgement.
Child Bereavement UK
 Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.
They can support children and young people (up to the age of 25 years) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies, or is dying.
They offer free, confidential bereavement support for individuals, couples, children, young people, and families, by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever they live in the UK. They can also offer face-to-face support from a number of locations.
Living Well Community Health Development Team
Our friendly community development & engagement team work across the whole Bradford district. You may see them out in the parks, at community centres, health centres, libraries or at the many events which take place in our communities. (Look out for our pink and blue gazebo!)
 |
|
If you see us, come and say hello! Find out about our many Living Well offers! |
To find out more about what the team do please click the pink button below for contact details of your local team worker.
Update from Mark Burnside. Living Well Community Engagement and Development Worker for: Shipley/Windhill/Wrose/Thorpe Edge/Ravenscliffe/Idle.
Crag Heees Men’s Group
The “Crag Heees” men’s group meets every Thursday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm at the Crag Methodist Church Hall in Shipley.
Recently the group attended a bowling activity, in partnership with the local police, showing that competitiveness still thrives amongst groups of people - mainly the police representatives!
As this activity was enjoyed so much, more outdoor activities are planned in partnership with other men’s groups.
If you are interested in joining the men's group or any of the other Crag Road activities which include a gardening group and a crafting group please click the pink button below to find out more.
Community groups, events and services
BDCT Well Together Service
Providing a range of interesting, sociable activities led by dedicated volunteers.
Connect to support directory
Information for adults with care and support needs. With a focus on empowering people to live happy, healthy lives, where they are in control.
Keighley Healthy Living
A charity based in the centre of Keighley supporting the local community with groups and services. Improve your health and wellbeing, create new friendships and learn new skills. All activities are free, but donations are welcome.
Physical Activity groups in your local community
Bradford district has lots of community-based exercise opportunities that can help you to keep healthy, click the link above to find activities, links and apps.
Stay up to date: Follow us on social media
 Twitter (X) Facebook Instagram
|
