19 November 2024
 The deadline to tell the Council how you access and use pharmacy services via a short survey is fast approaching, so please make sure to do so by Sunday, 24 November.
Your views will help inform the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) which will look at health needs in Hounslow, the level and accessibility of pharmacy services, and how these will be maintained and developed in the future.
The questionnaire should take no longer than five minutes to complete and the information that you provide is confidential. Please be honest with your answers so the Council can accurately assess areas where pharmacies are already fulfilling your needs well, and areas that need improvement.
 Hounslow has become the first Council in west London to restrict advertising of unhealthy foods for all ages. A new policy restricts advertising of foods and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar, aiming to reduce residents’ exposure to adverts for these unhealthy products, especially for children and young adults.
It's also first Council in the UK to introduce restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy commercial baby foods, as defined by the NPPM tool, to help give children in the borough the healthiest start in life.
 There are plenty of ways to get free vaccinations against Covid-19 and flu in Hounslow this winter. Doing so helps keep you, your loved ones and everyone in Hounslow safe from serious illness.
One way is by meeting Hounslow's Health Outreach Team, which is out and about until Christmas administering free vaccines in the community. See where they'll be on the Council's website.
You can also book your vaccines via your GP, on the NHS booking site, or through participating local pharmacies.
 Thank you to everyone who took part in the Five Ways to Wellbeing photography competition. The standard was very high and Councillor Lily Bath had the very tough job picking just four winners.
Congratulations to our four winners (click on the names to see their winning entries): Nadine Percival; George Pursall; Amrik S Ahdan; and Eric Batten. They each won a £50 Amazon voucher.
Head to the Five Ways to Wellbeing website to refresh your memory of the five simple steps of ‘Connect’, ‘Be Active’, ‘Keep Learning’, ‘Take Notice’ and ‘Give’ for a better wellbeing.
Make sure to browse all the opportunities offered by local services to help you achieve these steps, including but not limited to several volunteering opportunities, mental health support services, fitness classes and educational courses.
 This week is London Smoke Free Pregnancy Week. Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health and that of your baby, there is no safe level of smoking during pregnancy. You can reduce the risk of you and your baby developing serious health risks by quitting completely.
Check out videos from leading clinicians, and download the guide for pregnant women who want to give up smoking. You can also sign up for free daily text messaging support to help you quit.
 Autism Hounslow will run the UK’s first Warm Space initiative for neurodiverse residents at Hounslow Youth Centre from Monday, 2 December until Monday, 13 January.
In line with Councils across the UK, the Council has now launched its ‘Warm Space’ initiative for winter. Autism Hounslow has designed a unique project for neurodiverse residents in the borough, which is the first council or NHS-run space of its kind in the country.
The seven-week project on Mondays from 12pm-5pm. The space will include:
- A quiet Room: a dedicated safe space
- Sensory Tools: textured blankets, glimmers such as fresh flowers
- Engaging Activities: autism specific colouring books and festive films
- Refreshments: hot drinks, biscuits and fresh fruit
Get in touch with Autism Hounslow by email or by calling 07401 715229 to find out more.
 BetterPoints is a free app that allows you to earn rewards for being active and improving your health and wellbeing. Praveen, who is the the current BetterPoints Move More Hero, has used the app since he was diagnosed with pre-diabetes.
Before his diagnosis he wasn’t used to exercising much during the week, but since signing up for BetterPoints he says that his “exercise habits have consistently improved over the last two years.
“My H1Bacc sugar levels in my blood have been normal since last year, so I am no longer pre-diabetic. My blood pressure has also returned to normal. Above all, I enjoy my physical exercise. I exercise at least 4-5 days a week. This has become a habit now, and I hope to keep it up.”
Sign up for BetterPoints today to follow Praveen's inspirational example, get fit, and get rewards.
 The Council is celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities with an event on Tuesday, 3 December at Holy Trinity Church, 11am-3:30pm.
The event will spotlight the intersection of disability rights and climate action, recognising that we can achieve more – for the borough, and for our planet – by listening to the unique knowledge and strengths of people with disabilities.
It will bring together a mixture of interesting perspectives from TfL, UCL, the University of Exeter, and more. Whether it’s a marketplace with disability-confident employers and local disability groups, a fire-side chat with subject matter experts, or a panel on transport – there will be something for everyone.
 Are you interested in volunteering to help tackle social isolation and loneliness in Hounslow? BEfriend is looking to recruit volunteers for its befriending services. The main service supports people experiencing loneliness and isolation and the second service, Linked Minds, provides support specifically for people who are isolated due to mental health challenges.
Volunteers will typically visit a befriendee once a week for an hour or two to have a chat and strike up a friendship. Full training and ongoing support will be provided to all volunteers throughout their befriending journey.
 Elderly or frail residents are invited to the Stay Steady and Active Slippers for Christmas event, where they can swap an old, worn-out slippers for a brand new, free pair.
The event is on Tuesday, 3 December, 10am-1pm at Heston Pools & Fitness, New Heston Road, Heston, Hounslow, TW5 0LW.
Visitors can also enjoy free taster activity sessions, speak to a physio, get a blood pressure test, learn new ways to increase activity levels, test balance abilities, and reduce the risks of falls.
Join the Council to mark Carers Rights Day 2024 and learn about the support available over the winter period. The Adult Social Care team, in partnership with the Community Hub, will be in the Atrium of West Middlesex Hospital on Thursday, 21 November, 10am-3pm.
Come along for valuable information, advice and guidance on managing your bills and your health, caring related topics, or an informal chat with a social worker.
An updated edition of Information for Carers is also now available. With 12 pages of contact information for support services and organisations, it is a useful booklet to keep on hand. Most services are free and do not require a professional referral. The sheet is updated regularly.
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 Between now and Christmas, Hounslow's Health Outreach Team (HOT) will be out with Jade Pharmacy delivering free flu and Covid-19 vaccinations to the heart of your community, along with the usual health checks and information.
HOT will be at the following locations across Hounslow soon:
- Wednesday, 20 November – Hounslow High Street / HOT Shop, Treaty Centre – 10am - 4pm
- Saturday, 23 November – Brabazon Shopping Parade – 10am - 4pm
- Thursday, 28 November – Tesco Isleworth Mogden Lane, TW7 7JY - 10am - 4pm
- Friday, 29 November – Darussalam Masjid Mosque – 10am - 4pm
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