Welcome to our January newsletter!
This month our newsletter is packed with free training, free health checks and a new service for Dads and male carers. There’s useful information about having conversations with young people to help them stay safe online and top tips on staying toasty in the colder weather. Maybe you would like to set yourself a goal and sign up for a 10k race? Grab a cuppa and read on for all of this and more!
That's 365 new chances to be amazing! What will you do? Click the blue text above or scroll down for ideas and free services to help you achieve your goals.
Goodbye 2024… Hello 2025!
As we begin the new year lots of us are filled with enthusiasm to achieve goals and reach milestones that we have made for our New Year’s Resolutions.
 Our Living Well team has been out and about in local shopping centres helping over 200 people to make a resolution to improve their health and wellbeing. They’ve been offering support with healthy eating, physical activity, quitting smoking and lots more.
If you didn’t get a chance to meet them but would like to know more, explore our website to help you get started. You can also find out more in our Focus on section below.
Bradford 2025: This is our time
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The wait is over and the time is now – Bradford 2025 is the new UK City of Culture! |
It's time to start thinking about which events you might like to go to! Visit: What's On Bradford 2025
If you’re aged 16-25 you can sign up for a Youth Pass which entitles you to cheap tickets, priority booking, exclusive events and more.
#GetCheckedOut – for cancer
 As we welcome in the new year, please take time to think about your health and wellbeing.
Click the pink button below to find six films in different languages that increase awareness about cancer and encourage our local people to #GetCheckedOut.
If cancer is caught early there's a better chance of living a longer and healthier life.
FREE Adult Mental Health Aware training course
 If you live or work in Bradford district and would like to know more about mental health, this free course form the Living Well Academy is for you!
Places are limited so if you're interested please book your place asap. Courses are online and led by live instructors, at the end you will receive a certificate.
What will the course cover?
- Understanding what mental health is and how to challenge stigma
- Some common mental health issues
- Looking after your own mental health and maintaining wellbeing
- Confidence to support someone in distress who may be experiencing a mental health issue
Next online course date: 26 February 10am – 2pm.
To book:
Send us an email with your full name, telephone number and email address with course code MHFAhalf017
Taking care of children’s teeth
 Top Tips!
- Help children to brush twice a day to keep decay away. From the moment their first tooth appears, it’s time to start helping your child brush twice a day.
- Protect their smile with regular visits to the dentist. Under 18s are entitled to FREE NHS dental treatment in England.
- Don’t rinse with water after brushing as it washes away fluoride. As they get older teach them to spit instead.
- Don’t offer food after brushing teeth at night.
- Protect their smile, offer water to drink (or milk for younger babies).
- Introducing babies to free-flow cups from 6 months can help avoid tooth decay.
During pregnancy, you’re more vulnerable to gum disease. Your dental check-ups and treatments are FREE up to a year after your baby’s birth.
Parents urged to ‘Start the Conversation’
 West Yorkshire Police and partners are encouraging parents, carers and guardians to have simple conversations with their children, which could help to keep them safe when they go online.
The online world can be a great place for young people, when enjoyed safely, but some criminals can use online games and social media to contact and exploit them.
There are lots of ways in which you can keep your child safe online, from having parental controls and security settings, to creating clear boundaries and having open and honest conversations.
Talking to your child about what they do online, is as important as asking them where they are going when they go out with their friends.
Encouraging your child to have these conversations could help them to talk to you about something they have seen online that could make them feel uncomfortable or if someone is talking to them that they don’t know.
Goodgym need more people for their TaskForce
Three amazing TaskForce members are now trained up but two more are needed to help get GoodGym up and running. Are you up for joining the crew?
TaskForce members will make good deeds happen. No special skills are required - just a desire to make a difference.
- You can choose which local organisations to support eg: schools, parks, foodbanks etc.
- Help to build an amazing community of GoodGymers
- Be part of a growing national movement using fun, inclusive fitness to improve people’s lives
Read about how Linda joined the TaskForce to improve a local green space and school where she lives.
Please click here to view all the upcoming training dates, (click through the months to see further ahead, training dates are marked with a blue circle).
Please click here to sign up and check out the pre-call online reading for more info on being part of theTaskForce.
Fancy setting yourself a goal to run a 10k race this year?
 The Epilepsy Action Bradford 10k is open to runners of all levels, from running club members to those who are much newer to running, who may be looking to take part in a new challenge.
Register for your place here
Since 2008, the Epilepsy Action Bradford 10k has been a key sporting event in Bradford’s events calendar. It's a crucial fundraising event for Epilepsy Action and its 16,000 past participants have previously raised well over £600,000!
Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition that can affect anyone at any age from any walk of life. There are 630,000 people living with epilepsy in the UK, around one in every 100 people. Find out more about the symptoms, how to get a diagnosis, treatments and more by clicking the pink button below.
New service for dads and male carers
 Home-Start Bradford District is now supporting dads and male carers with Dad Matters Bradford.
Mohammed Khan and Louise Gill have joined the team as coordinators to support dads, expectant dads and male carers to have the best possible relationship with their children. They will be a friendly ear to listen to anxieties and stresses, dads may be facing and can help them access other services and information.
If you’re a dad looking for some support you can refer yourself here
Support and advice during colder weather
 The recent cold weather has caused (and will likely continue to cause) some disruption to transport, school, waste collection and other services. Here are some links to ways that you can stay safe and keep warm at times like these.
The cold weather info on Bradford Council's web page offers practical tips for staying safe.
Here is a list of Warm Spaces in Bradford district
Watch a film about keeping warm and well: Staying safe in cold weather BSL video.
Please click the pink button below for UKHSA’s top tips for keeping warm.
Clean Air Night: 22 January
 People often associate the glow of a fire or wood burner with cosiness, but recent evidence shows that air pollution from wood burning is bad for your health. Wood burning smoke contains fine particle air pollution (PM2.5), which enters your bloodstream when inhaled and can cause heart and lung disease, diabetes, and dementia.
Watch a short film about it here.
Clean Air Night is an opportunity to learn the facts about wood burning and ensure everyone can make informed decisions about how to heat their homes.
National HIV Testing Week: 10-16 February
 National HIV Testing Week promotes regular testing in England, particularly among groups most affected by HIV, with free tests available to order online.
People living in Bradford district can arrange HIV testing and access other advice and support regarding HIV with Locala a free and confidential sexual health advice service. Call 030 3330 9500 or visit the Locala website.
More support and information is also available from the Terrence Higgins Trust.
During National HIV Testing Week the Department of Health and Social Care funds HIV and syphilis tests for people 16+ throughout England.
To order a free self-sampling kit for HIV and syphilis please click the button below.
Focus on:
Make 2025 YOUR year!
Be more active
 If you would like to increase your physical activity levels try our 20 Minute Movement! We've made it easier to become more active without buying fancy trainers or joining a gym. There's a handy A to Z with lots of ideas for things to do in Bradford district
 Find out if you are eligible to join BEEP our free physical activity referral service that helps people who are inactive, to become more active, with a free 52 week support programme. It’s also a great way for people living with long term health conditions to increase their physical activity levels and improve their health.
Eat well
 If you would like to improve your diet or make some changes to the foods you eat everyday, try some of our delicious recipes or find out about food swaps you can easily make that are healthy and tasty too!
Quit smoking
 If you would like help to quit smoking, our free service can definitely help. Even if you've tried to quit before, you CAN quit and we CAN help!
We offer 1:1 support and will work with you to create a quit plan that works especially for you. Our expert advisors can prescribe NRT to combat cravings and also offer free 12 week vape kits to those that would like to swap to stop.
More than 110 local people have already signed up with our free service this year! Join them and make 2025 the year you quit for good!
Reduce or quit alcohol
 If you’re taking on the Dry January® challenge this year, you’re already doubling the chances of finishing your month without having a drink compared to going it alone. But if you want to boost your chances even further, you definitely won’t want to miss out on the great free tools and resources available at your fingertips to help you get the most out of your month.
If you would like to drink less but don’t know where to start, try DrinkCoach. It’s an online alcohol service offering a free confidential quiz that takes just two minutes. You can see how risky your drinking is and get personalised advice online, book free coaching sessions and also find out where you can get support if you need it in Bradford district.
If Dry January hasn't worked for you, take part in a DrinkCoach challenge!
Look after your Mental Wellbeing
 If you are struggling with your mental health the Healthy Minds website is your first step to mental health support in Bradford District and Craven. Use the ‘Support Finder’ to help find the right services for yourself or someone else and get mental health tips and advice.
Five Ways to Wellbeing
Get information on simple things you can do in your everyday life to boost your wellbeing and help you to look after your mental health this winter.
Community Events, Groups, Courses & Information
Help shape the new 10 year plan for the NHS
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Numbers are limited for these sessions, please book places asap. |
Hear about your local population’s health needs, understand the challenges facing the NHS and discuss your ideas and experiences at the sessions below.
Wednesday 22 January: 10am – 12.30pm
Inspired Neighbourhoods, Thornbury Centre, 79 Leeds Old Road, Bradford, BD3 8JX
Call Saadiqah: 07900 209631 or email: referrals@incic.co.uk to book
Thursday 23rd January: 10am – 12.30pm
Highfield Community Centre, Drewry Road, Keighley, BD21 2QG
Call Fazeela or Shaida: 01535 608900 to book
Monday 27th January: 12.30pm – 3pm
Greatwood & Horseclose Community Centre, Skipton, BD23 2SR
Call Joanna Mitchell: 07393 586347 or email jmitchell@ssia.org.uk to book
Tuesday 28th January: 1pm – 3.30pm
The Sutton Centre, 51 Kyffin Place, BD4 8NB
Call: 01274 668881 or email info@thesuttoncentre.co.uk to book
Wednesday 29th January: 1pm – 3.30pm
Equality Together, Manningham Mills Community Centre, Lilycroft Road, Bradford, BD9 5BD
Call Mark Nicholson: 01274 594173 or email MarkN@equalitytogether.org.uk to book
Thursday 30th January 2025: 10.30am – 1pm
Kirkgate Community Centre, 39a Kirkgate, Shipley, BD18 3EH
Call: 01274 580186 or email sophie@kirkgatecentre.org.uk to book
Free Wheelchair Skills Course
 Wheel your way around a safe and controlled course to improve wheelchair skills, manoeuvres, and journey planning. A great way to help wheelchair users build confidence, have fun and brush up on active travel wheelchair skills.
Watch a film about the course.
People must be aged 18+ and have a physical disability which requires the use of a wheelchair (manual or motorised). You need to attend all of the sessions in this 6 week course, from Tuesday 4 March to Tuesday 8 April 2025.
There are limited spaces please email to register: info@experiencecommunity.co.uk
Keighley Hearts Support Group
 In partnership with NHS Airedale Foundation Trust and the Sangat Centre, a new support group has started for people living with heart conditions. The group offers opportunities for people to connect with others and share their experiences in a safe, welcoming environment.
The group will meet on the second Thursday of each month.
10am - 11.30am, Sangat Community Centre, Keighley, BD21 3HU.
No need to book, just turn up – carers also welcome. For more information, send an email to: admin@khl.org.uk or call 01535 677177.
Women’s Drop in Sessions
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A free and confidential space for women |
Free drop in sessions for women in Bradford district offering physical health checks, sexual health testing and contraception, alcohol and drug support, BBV testing, wound care and benefits support. There will also be book swaps, yoga, make-up, hair and nail services and arts and crafts sessions.
There’s no need for an appointment and you don’t have to be registered with New Vision Bradford, Locala or Bevan who are delivering the sessions.
2pm - 4pm every Tuesday
Pelican House, 10 Currer Street, Bradford, BD1 5BA.
Meet the Living Well Team
The Living Well team will be at the following events, so pop along to have a chat and to learn more about our services - healthy eating, physical activity, weight management, stopping smoking, children and family health and wellbeing. Our staff can talk to you about a range of Living Well offers to improve your health and wellbeing, and help you find info about other local services that you might find useful.
Tuesday 21 January 10am – 2pm
Community Works, Undercliffe Lane, BD3 0DW. Tel. 01274 200589.
Friday 24 January 9.30am – 12.30pm
West Bowling Centre Clipstone Street, BD5 8EA. Tel. 01274 733770
(This event is primarily aimed at East European and South Asian women).
Wednesday 29 January 10am – 2pm
Bolton Woods Community Centre, Livingstone Road, BD2 1BD. Tel. 01274 010173.
Wednesday 12 February 12noon – 4pm
Great Horton Community Hub, Beldon Road, BD7 3PE. Tel. 01274 431583
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