13 February 2024
Free flu vaccines still available
 Did you know that free flu vaccines are still available until 31 March?
You are eligible for the free flu vaccine if you are in one of the following categories:
- aged 65 or over (including if you will turn 65 by 31 March 2024)
- have certain long-term health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
You can get the vaccine by making an appointment with your GP or through participating pharmacies in Hounslow. Frontline health and social care workers can also get a flu vaccine through their employer.
Online support group meetings for carers
 Are you an unpaid carer in Hounslow for someone with a long-term health condition and/or learning disability? If so, Harlington Care's support group could be perfect for you.
It's a chance to meet other carers, share stories and knowledge, and generally join a friendly space to catch up and support each other. They all run on an open invite basis, so just save the Zoom details and turn up on the day.
The learning disabilities carers' support group meets every third Monday of the month, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. You can join on Zoom with these details.
The next meeting is on Monday, 19 February at 10.30am.
The long-term conditions carers' support group meets every first Friday of the month, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. You can join on Zoom with these details.
The next meeting is on Friday, 1 March at 1.30pm.
Free cooking and nutrition workshops
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Join a unique culinary and wellness experience designed exclusively for women.
At Hounslow Women's Beginner-Friendly Nutrition Workshop you can learn about nutrition and gain practical skills to create budget-friendly, quick, and tasty meals.
It's a great way to meet people, learn some new skills and pick up nutritional knowledge that will help you to make better decisions at meal times.
The next workshop is at Hogarth Youth & Community Centre, HW4 2JR on Saturday, 24 February from 2pm to 4pm.
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How to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy efficient
 In Hounslow, 32% of households are currently classed as energy inefficient. This can lead to poor ventilation and draughts, as well as increasing the chances of damp and mould.
The Council has launched a new campaign to help residents make their homes warmer and healthier. The mission is a simple one: to help make energy use a topic that residents can discuss freely when considering health, environmental impacts, and cost of living challenges.
The new initiative called Enlighten Hounslow will help simplify energy, and provide residents with easy-to-access advice on how to improve energy efficiency in the home, using techniques such as retrofit.
Well-retrofitted homes have better ventilation and air filtration, which can reduce allergy triggers, improve respiratory health, and create a more comfortable living environment.
Meet the new BetterPoints Hero, sign up and spread the word for rewards
 Zafar is the newest BetterPoints Move More Hero for his great work losing weight and improving his wellbeing through the BettterPoints app.
Zafar says that since signing up with BetterPoints his "activity habits have become more consistent" and the app "has made it easier to establish a routine".
He added: "As a result of being more active I can see I am losing weight gradually, which is helping my overall wellbeing and helping to control my diabetes."
If you want to join Zafar and many others who are seeing their health improve with BetterPoints, or you've already signed up and want to encourage others to join you, there's never been a better time.
The new BetterTogether offer means you could get a financial reward for spreading the love to others or sharing your story. There are rewards with a total value of £500 up for grabs.
Help reduce health inequalities
 Are you a local community or voluntary group in Hounslow? If so, Hounslow's Borough Based Partnership (BBP) would like to hear from you.
As part of their ongoing efforts to tackle the avoidable differences in health access and outcomes across Hounslow, BBP are reaching out to invite you to collaborate with them.
The project will involve carrying out meaningful engagement with residents to better understand their healthcare needs and experiences. This work will be used to co-design interventions that better serve communities in Hounslow.
It is fully funded, and training will be provided to all participatory groups. By joining forces with local community groups, BBP colleagues believe they can make significant strides in improving the health and experience for everyone in Hounslow.
Email the Public Health team for an application pack and supporting documents.
Exercise classes and a warm welcome
 Our warm welcome space in Hanworth, where you can keep warm while accessing help and support, is now offering gentle exercise classes every Tuesday until the end of March.
These classes are a great way to keep mobile and exercise any stiff joints during cold weather, making falls less likely.
They are held every Tuesday from now until 26 March and take place between 1pm and 2pm at Hanworth Library, TW13 5EG. There's no need to sign up in advance, just turn up at the library on the day and let someone know you'd like to take part.
There are warm welcome hubs across Hounslow, in locations ranging from community hubs to churches and libraries, where you can access classes, free wi-fi, have a hot drink or food, or simply read a book and relax.
Free event to celebrate LGBT+ healthcare professionals
 The Council and local LGBT+ community groups will be hosting a special event to celebrate LGBT+ History Month on Monday, 19 February at Hounslow House.
In line with the theme for LGBT History Month 2024, Under the Scope will be an opportunity to celebrate the work and lives of LGBT+ healthcare professionals who have made significant contributions to the field of medicine.
Local groups The Naz Project (a sexual health charity) and Metro Charity (advocacy/counselling) are among the speakers. There will also be an exploration into other topics, including the history of the LGBT+ community in the borough through an archive exhibition.
Stretch your legs this February
It can be hard to get outside, put in some steps and fill your lungs with fresh air during the winter months.
Thankfully, there's a series of great outdoors events throughout February where you can do all of those things, plus learn more about the nature on our doorstep.
Let’s Go Outside and Learn introduces people to the natural environment, highlights the benefits that spending time outdoors offers for our health and wellbeing, and brings people together to make new friends.
All the events are free but booking ahead is encouraged to avoid disappointment.
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