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In this issue, the following topics are covered:
- Park Yoga
- Help to set up community events
- Superhero fun run
- Farm visits
- Enjoy summer festivals
- Cost of living webpage
- Bowel cancer screening
- Blood pressure
- COVID-19 vaccine
- MMR vaccine
- Whooping cough
- Maternal mental health
- Baby bonding
- New play area at Himley Hall
- Happier Minds website for young people
- Family hubs
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Great news for people who like to move more outside. New free community yoga sessions are starting at four locations across the Black Country, including Brierley Hill.
Park Yoga, supported by Dudley Public Health and Active Black Country, is launching free instructor-led yoga on Sunday mornings, 9.30 – 10.30am, from 5 May to 15 September.
The classes will take place at
- Brierley Hill - Brettell Open Space, Brettell Lane DY5 3LT
- Sandwell - West Smethwick Park
- Walsall - Walsall Arboretum
- Wolverhampton - East Park
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The warmer months are popular times of year for community activities. Perhaps you would like to set up an event for your neighbourhood, but don’t know how to get going?
Dudley Council has a team of community development workers who can listen, share ideas and connect you to support resources, venues, groups, and much more.
Two upcoming opportunities that could work for your neighbourhood are:
The Big Lunch 1 – 2 June
An annual get-together for neighbours and communities for a few hours of friendship, food and fun.
The Great Get Together 21 – 23 June
An annual celebration of everything that unites our communities, inspired by the belief that we have more in common than that which divides us.
Find out who to contact for your area and get the conversation started.
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Everyone is invited to raise funds for The Dudley Group NHS Charity children’s appeal, by taking part in the Superhero Family Fun Run and fun day on Sunday 9 June at Himley Hall and Park.
The Trust charity, which supports patients, families and staff across Russells Hall Hospital, Corbett and Guest Outpatient centres and other community sites, is asking the public to dress as their favourite superheroes and join healthcare staff for the event.
Funds raised on the day will be in aid of the charity’s Children’s Appeal which supports the Trust’s young patients during their hospital stays.
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Now that spring has sprung, more of us will be entertaining the kids by getting out and about. Visiting a farm is a great way to have fun and learn about animals. But parents and carers are reminded that farm animals can be the source of bugs that can be passed from animals to humans and cause illness. Some can be particularly serious for children or pregnant women.
Tips on staying safe during farm visits are available from the UK Health Security Agency.
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Stay safe this summer. Look out for your friends by knowing the signs of meningitis. Speak to your GP about getting the MenACWY vaccine (up to age 25) to protect you against life-threatening illnesses like meningitis and sepsis.
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Did you know that there is a cost of living web page on the Dudley Council website, with advice and links to support you with rising household costs?
Wide-ranging topics are covered, from national cost of living payments and advice for people struggling to pay bills, to transport support, care costs, child support and information for anyone who needs help with their mental health and wellbeing.
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If you live in Dudley borough, are registered with a GP and turn 54 from April, or if you’re 56 to 74, you should have received your bowel cancer screening kit through the post. That’s because the NHS automatically sends a kit every two years to people in that age group.
Nine out of every 5,000 people who use their test kit turn out to have cancer. But if it’s spotted early, the chances of recovering from bowel cancer are higher. The test can be done in the comfort of your home and only needs a tiny sample of poo to test for signs of cancer. `
So, keep an eye out for your bowel cancer testing kit in the post, or dig out the one that you put away in that drawer and forgot about. And then put it by the loo. Don’t put it off.
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The British Heart Foundation estimates that more than a quarter of adults in the UK have high blood pressure (hypertension). If high blood pressure is not treated, it can raise the risk of suffering a heart attack, stroke, or vascular dementia.
This World Hypertension Day, 17 May, Dudley Public Health will call on residents to get their blood pressure checked.
It is easy to do and could save your life. You can have it tested at a number of places, including:
You can also check your blood pressure yourself with a home blood pressure monitor.
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If you’re in one of the following groups, you can take up the spring COVID-19 vaccine offer:
- Adults aged 75 and over
- People aged 6 months to 74 years with a weakened immune system
- Residents in care homes
Those eligible for a spring vaccine will be contacted by the NHS by letter, text message or via the NHS App. Appointments can be booked via the National Booking System.
If you know you are eligible, you do not have to wait to be invited, you can book on National Booking System once it is open. Walk-in appointments are also available at selected locations and you can find your nearest site by visiting the NHS online walk-in finder.
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Due to an increase in measles cases across the West Midlands, pop-up MMR vaccine clinics have been set up in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall & Wolverhampton for all eligible children who are due or have missed a dose.
Adults up to the age of 25 are also invited to come forward.
The next Dudley borough clinic is on Saturday 15 June at Oakfield Community Centre in Brierley Hill. Find a clinic near you and book to attend.
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Cases of whooping cough are continuing to rise. If you are pregnant, it's important to get the whooping cough vaccine to protect your newborn baby, as they are at greatest risk. Find out more.
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Are you pregnant or have recently given birth and are suffering from:
- Postnatal depression
- Depression during pregnancy
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- An eating disorder
- Other mental health difficulties?
If so, know that you are not alone.
One in five women experience a perinatal mental health problem. Don’t suffer in silence. Talk to your GP, midwife or health visitor, who will be able to help you.
For advice and links to mental health support information, go to the Dudley public health Healthy Dudley website.
Discover information on local family hubs and other resources for children and families in the Dudley borough.
Follow the Five Ways to Wellbeing – things you can do that can make a positive difference to your everyday life.
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Building a strong bond with your baby makes them feel loved and secure, laying the foundations for their future mental health and happiness. Visit Start for Life for more tips and advice.
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It’s rapidly approaching dreaded exam season. If that’s a worry in your home, take a look at Dudley’s Happier Minds mental wellbeing website for guidance and support on how to cope with exam stress and moving up to secondary school. There is a section for young people aged 11 and over and a section for parents and carers.
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Families can pop into the local family hub in Brierley Hill for a cuppa and a chat on Wednesday 8 May from 1.30-2.30pm.
The relaxed session is a great chance for parents and carers to find out more about the hub, what they do or to ask for advice. Everyone is welcome, no need to book just drop in or call the hub on 01384 813322 to find out more.
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Families can have fun and find out more about the benefits of home learning in the early years by coming along to FREE activity sessions in local family hubs.
The storytelling and nursery rhyme sessions are for parents/carers and under 5s.
STaRT (sing, talk and read together) sessions run from 13 to 17 May and will be at a different hub each day.
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