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In this issue, the following topics are covered:
- MMR vaccination to combat measles
- Flu and Covid-19 vaccination
- Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
- Support to quit smoking
- 31 Days To Strong and Steady challenge
- Opportunities to exercise for free outside
- Talking therapies
- NHS app
- Expansion of childcare support
- Helping your child’s development
- Free course for carers of babies and young children
- Places of welcome
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Measles cases are on the rise, with more than 200 confirmed cases across the West Midlands. Residents are urged to be up-to-date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.
Following an MMR vaccination clinic last week in Fens Pool, five more pop-up vaccination clinics are taking place on Saturdays in the Black Country.
Children aged five and over and any adults who are yet to receive both doses of the MMR vaccine are invited to book to attend.
Measles is highly infectious and can lead to complications including meningitis, pneumonia and blindness. But two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 99 per cent protection against the disease.
Anyone who hasn’t had both doses of the MMR vaccination can also contact their GP surgery for free vaccination.
Further information about measles and the MMR vaccination can be found on the NHS website.
You can also visit Dudley Council’s Let’s Get webpages:
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Pop-up vaccination and conversation clinics for flu and / or the Covid-19 autumn booster are still taking place around the Dudley borough.
Covid vaccinations are available until 31 January. Flu vaccinations continue until 31 March.
The clinics are taking place in Crown Square in Stourbridge, Dudley Market Place and Moor Centre in Brierley Hill.
Check the Let’s Get website to find dates and times.
General health checks and answers to vaccination queries are also on offer at the clinics. The vaccinators will talk to you in confidence and if you feel ready, give you the vaccine you are due.
There’s no need to book, just turn up. To see who is eligible to have the free flu vaccination, see the NHS website. To find out who can have the free Covid-19 vaccination see the NHS website.
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Did you know that together we can end cervical cancer?
This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, and Dudley Public Health is raising awareness on how to make cervical cancer a thing of the past.
The HPV vaccination and cervical screening (smear tests) can help prevent cervical cancer. We want to encourage uptake and share the facts to help you reduce your risk of cervical cancer.
You can play your part too by encouraging your friends and family to go for screening.
Smear tests
Around one in four women and people with a cervix don’t attend cervical screening (smear tests).
Smear tests are offered to all women and anyone with a cervix aged 25 years and over. It is a quick and simple health check for the cervix and helps detect very early changes that may lead to cancer, meaning it can be easily treated before it even develops.
It takes around 5 minutes and people can have a smear test any time, except during their period.
Whether you get a letter asking you to book your smear test, or if you have ignored one before, you can book your appointment at your doctor’s surgery. It’s free and confidential.
For more details on cervical screening go to the Dudley Public Health Let’s Get website.
For more information and advice on cervical cancer, go to cervical cancer charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
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January isn’t over yet. The NHS is calling on people to give up smoking this month.
According to the NHS, when you quit smoking, good things start to happen — you can begin to see almost immediate improvements to your health.
Many people try to quit smoking with willpower alone, but it's much easier to go smoke-free with the right help. There are lots of support options available – try a combination that works for you.
For more information and advice, go to the NHS quit smoking page.
For free local specialist help to quit smoking call 01384 732402.
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How have you got on with your 31 Days To Strong and Steady challenge to build up your strength and balance in January?
If you haven’t started yet, don’t worry, you can begin any day of any week or month. Take a look at the routine on the Dudley Public Health website.
The challenge, set by Dudley Public Health and partners, aims to reduce the chances of people of any age having a fall. It features five simple movements, aimed at strengthening arms, legs and core muscle strength, while reducing joint pain.
It is part of Dudley Public Health’s Let’s Get Moving campaign. It urges everyone to move for at least 30 minutes throughout each day and provides support and resources to help people who don’t move much to work towards it.
Before starting any of the routines, residents are asked to complete a short online survey and then fill it in again six weeks later, to note their progress.
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If you would like to get outside and move more in 2024, do you know about some of the fantastic, free, outdoor exercise options in Dudley borough?
Park Active – Outdoor, group fitness sessions in five parks every week. Led by trained volunteers and for all ages and fitness abilities. Everyone is able to work at their own level and enjoy the benefits of exercising outdoors. Visit Park Active on the Let’s Get website for locations and times.
Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Dudley – Volunteer or partner organisation-led short and friendly walks providing a great way to be active, socialise and have fun. Visit the Wellbeing Walks website for a list of walks.
Time2Breathe Walks – Take time out in nature for a relaxing 1-hour wellness walk. Every last Friday of the month 1 - 2pm. Further details on the Dudley Nature Reserves Facebook page.
Healthy Hubs – Four parks in Dudley provide a varied weekly programme of exercise sessions, from Tuesday through to Saturday. Sessions are led by the Park Activator staff team at Mary Stevens Park (Stourbridge), Huntingtree Park (Halesowen), Netherton Park and Silver Jubilee Park (Coseley). View the Let’s Get website for timetables of each park.
Parkrun – Volunteer-organised weekly, timed 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you. Dudley Parkrun is at the Dell Stadium, Pensnett on Saturdays at 9am. Register and find out more on the Dudley parkrun website.
Junior Parkrun – Volunteer-organised weekly, timed 2k event for juniors aged 4 – 14 years old. Held on Sundays, 9am at Stevens Park, Wollescote. Register and find out more on the junior parkrun website.
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15 hours’ funded childcare is now available for eligible working parents of two-year olds. If your child turns two before 31 March you can apply for a place now to start in April 2024.
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The more we chat, play and read with our kids, the more we help build their brains.
Anytime, anywhere, whether at home or out and about, it all adds up. There’s no need to buy lots of toys or have big days out. Wherever you are, simply chatting back and forth, answering your child’s questions and sharing special moments together all help their brain to grow and develop secure and strong connections. Just what they need to get off to the right start at school.
The NHS Start for Life website is packed with simple ideas from other parents on how to build these little moments into each day.
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Parents, grandparents, and people who work or volunteer caring for or educating babies or young children are all invited to attend free training.
The Open University invites people to take part in the Supporting Physical Development In Early Childhood course. The content covers how to ensure young children do enough physical activity and how it improves child mental and physical health.
The course has been developed by academics in early years settings, The Open University and with the Association of Directors of Public Health in the West Midlands.
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Did you know that Places of Welcome exist across Dudley borough?
Places of Welcome are run by local community groups who want everyone in their neighbourhood to have a place to go for a friendly face, a free hot drink and a conversation if and when they need it.
Each Place of Welcome is unique but all provide a place for people to connect with one another, find belonging and offer gifts and skills that interest them.
Places of Welcome take place in a variety of different venues including churches, community centres, libraries, mosques, temples and other community group buildings.
If you are visiting a Place of Welcome for the first time, check with the venue that they will be open as usual.
Find out more about Places of Welcome or join the Dudley Network by going to the Places of Welcome Webpage .
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