Measles

Over the last few months, we have seen an increase in the number of people found to have measles infections in the UK. Measles is a highly infectious germ which is spread very easily to other people.

Measles symptoms include high fever; sore, red, watery eyes; coughing; aching and feeling unwell; a blotchy red-brown rash, (which usually appears after the initial symptoms). If you are concerned you or your child has measles, ring your GP for advice - don’t attend the surgery. You could also contact 111. 

Measles can cause serious long-lasting health problems and be fatal in both children and adults.  The good news is we have access to a free vaccine called MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), which is very good at stopping us from becoming infected with measles. Having the vaccine also stops us from passing the infection on to other people.

Those people who did not have a 'measles-containing vaccine' as a child will remain at risk of measles infection as adults. The vaccine is usually offered to children, but adults can also have it. Two doses of the vaccine are needed to fully protect you from infection. If you are unsure if you or your child are fully protected with two doses either, contact your GP or look in your child’s Personal Child Health Record (PCHR), known as the 'red book'. 

Be TICK aware!

What are ticks? 

Ticks are small, brown, or black-coloured arachnids that feed on the blood of animals and sometimes humans. They live in the undergrowth, like grass or bracken and can attach to a host that brushes past them.   

Lyme Disease

Some ticks carry a bacteria that can cause Lyme Disease. There are an estimated 3000-4000 cases of Lyme Disease every year in England and Wales. Lyme Disease is usually easy to treat if caught early, the main sign is a rash shaped like a bullseye and some people may experience flu-like symptoms. 

Avoiding tick bites

As we move into the warmer season, ticks are becoming more active and more likely to bite. The best way to prevent Lyme Disease is to take steps to avoid being bitten by ticks;

• Wear long trousers tucked into socks when out walking. 👖
• Stick to clear paths where possible. 👣
• Light-coloured clothing can make ticks easier to spot. 🔎
• Use an insect repellent. 🐛
• Check clothing and pets for ticks after walking. 🐕

For more information on Lyme Disease, how to remove a tick and what to do if you think you have been bitten by a tick, please visit the official NHS webpage below.

Free Encouraging Vaccination Uptake Training – RSPH Level 2

Derbyshire County Council (DCC) has arranged for FREE ‘Encouraging Vaccination Uptake’ training to be delivered during 2024, accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) at Level 2.

This training program aims to equip individuals and workplaces with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively promote vaccination uptake within their communities. Whether you're a healthcare professional, community leader, volunteer, or simply someone passionate about public health, by participating in this training, you'll be playing an essential role in promoting vaccination uptake and protecting the health and well-being of our communities.

Anyone interested in joining this course can select from either a full-day classroom-based course or an online course delivered over 2 x 3-hour sessions.

The next training session will be hosted online on Tuesday 16^th & Wednesday 17^th April 2024, 09:30 am – 12.30 noon (both days).

To register for the training, check alternative dates or learn more, visit the official webpage below or email the Health Protection team at: ASCH.Health.Protection@derbyshire.gov.uk.

Ambassador of Hope Training

The 'Ambassador of Hope' is a widely recognised, award-winning training programme developed and hosted by Chasing the Stigma - a UK-based mental health charity.

The training is designed to eradicate the stigma and encourage conversations regarding mental health. In addition to providing key insights (together with a toolkit) to boost confidence in discussing the topic. The event will also allow participants to recognise the full range of support available to workplaces via Chasing the Stigma's 'Hub of Hope' 🔗.

The event will cover the key following topics:

• What is mental health 🧠
• Having a conversation about mental health 🗣
• Finding the experts 🔎
• What to do in an emergency ⚠

The next training event will be hosted online via Zoom on Tuesday 4^th June 2024, from 12:30 noon - 1:30 pm.

Training is FREE with places being funded by Joined Up Care Derbyshire (JUCD) and is open to any workplace across Derbyshire County & Derby City.

For further information, the official event flyer can be viewed here 🔗.

If you have any enquiries regarding the event, please contact Ellie via email at: ellie@chasingthestigma.co.uk.

Finally, to register for the event, please complete the online booking form by visiting the link below.

Cycling 🚴‍♀️

Cycle-to-work schemes are tax efficient for employees and workplaces and get you feeling energised for work. If you’ve got a scheme in place, revisit Comms and encourage staff to sign up. If not, check the guidance 🔗.

There are numerous providers, including Cyclescheme 🔗 and Green Commute Initiative 🔗.

You can even plot cycle routes on Derbyshire’s Cycle Route Planner 🔗 and take part in various FREE national campaigns. Try:

• Love to Ride 🔗 - join a like-minded community.
• Bike Week 🔗, 10^th - 16^th June.
• Cycle to Work Day 🔗, 1^st August.
• British Cycling’s ‘Let’s Ride’ events 🔗, (including women’s ‘Breeze’ 🔗 rides).

If you haven’t ridden a bike for some time, adult cycle training providers include the National Trust (Calke Abbey) 🔗, Wheely Fun Wheels (Chesterfield) 🔗, and Bikeability (for Adults) 🔗.

Walking 🚶‍♂️

If walking is more your thing, try walking to work, invite colleagues to a lunchtime walk, or even try a ‘walking meeting.’ Decisions might be made more quickly, and you might get to know your colleagues a little better!

Events and activities include:

• The Chesterfield Area Walking Festival 🔗 11^th - 19^th May 2024.
• Introduction to Netwalking 🔗 (part of the Chesterfield Area Walking Festival) - 14^th May 2024.
• Walking Works 🔗 is the Living Streets programme to encourage walking at workplaces.
• Travel Smart Week 🔗 - every May & October.
• Leave your car at home on National Clean Air Day 🔗 - 20^th June.

For more information, email Derbyshire County Council’s Sustainable Travel Team at: sustainable.travel@derbyshire.gov.uk.

Learning and training opportunities in Sexual Health

Sexual Health Professionals Briefing

Would you like to be able to support people with their sexual wellbeing? Or just to be more confident in talking about sensitive topics in the workplace?

The Derbyshire Sexual Health Promotion team can provide professional briefings for your staff teams. These will provide an overview of services, how to access them, who can access them, what to do if you need help and support and how to order free resources for you and your team.

Please email dchst.yoursexualhealthmatters@nhs.net to find out more.

C-Scheme training

C-Scheme is a coordinated, multiagency, quality-driven FREE Condom Distribution network aimed to increase access to free condoms for those aged 13-24 in the community.

Benefits include:

• Opportunity to engage with local young people.
• Promote positive healthy relationships.
• Access to free condoms and lubrication.

We offer FREE training to a range of professionals. Visit our website 🔗 to find out more.

Sexual Health Network Events

These events offer a chance for professionals working with those affected by sexual health to come together, learn and share knowledge, ideas and good practice. The next events will be on the topic of 'young people' on the following dates:

• 8^th May 2024 – Derbyshire
• 9^th May 2024 - Derby City

Visit our website 🔗 for more information and to register 🔗.

Stress Awareness Month 

Every April, the Stress Management Society hosts 'Stress Awareness Month' to raise awareness of the impact stress can have on employees within the workplace and the importance of self-care.

Recent statistics published by the Stress Management Society 🔗 have uncovered approx. 52% of employees are experiencing burnout (Indeed UK) and only 13% of employees feel confident talking about their mental health in the workplace (Mental Health Midlands).

To minimise the impact of stress, this year's theme is #littlebylittle. This aims to highlight the influence taking small steps can have to boost your wellbeing which can make a major improvement to your mental health long-term.

Actions range from getting familiar with nature by having lunch outside with colleagues, to taking up mindfulness to help regulate your emotions. By taking small steps such as these at a steady pace, you can improve your mental wellbeing immensely.

The Stress Management Society is also hosting a FREE live online workshop on Thursday 11^th April 2024, 12 noon - 1 pm. This event will support individuals in creating achievable goals to tackle stress. You can register your place by completing the online form here 🔗.

Lastly, this year's FREE digital resources designed to boost productivity (including infographics, posters and a 'de-stress' guide) can be accessed by visiting the link below.

Mental Health Awareness Week 

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place between 13^th - 19^th May 2024.

To honour the occasion, the Mental Health Foundation (a UK-based charity) have launched their campaign titled 'Movement: Moving more for our mental health'. 

Although remaining active is a crucial element of our mental health, many individuals find it difficult to perform the recommended amount of exercise each day. This can be due to work schedules, supporting family and other personal reasons. This campaign aims to combat the matter by supporting individuals with incorporating exercise into their regular routines.

Recommended ways to fuse exercise within your day-to-day schedule include performing home workouts (such as chair exercises) whilst watching your favourite TV show, going on local walks and even swapping the lift for the stairs to get more steps in at work.

To support the campaign, the Mental Health Foundation Team are currently developing informational resources for workplaces to take advantage of to support the cause. These will be available to access on the official website 🔗 within the following weeks. Watch this space.

Stay Connected With HWD 📱

Want to stay in touch? Follow us on our official social media pages below:

• Twitter 🔗
• Facebook 🔗

You can also contact us via email at: healthy.workplaces@derbyshire.gov.uk for general enquiries and/or to submit an article for the next edition of our newsletter (July - September 2024). A member of our team will get back to you shortly.

Finally, for further information on how Healthy Workplaces Derbyshire can support you and your workplace, be sure to visit our official website 🔗 and register your interest 🔗.