11 February 2025
 This week is National HIV Testing Week (10-16 February). As symptoms may not appear for many years, testing is the only way to find out if you have HIV. Testing is free and can be requested through your GP, a sexual health clinic or by ordering a test online.
The earlier HIV is diagnosed, the sooner you can start treatment and avoid becoming seriously ill. Anyone diagnosed in the UK can access free treatment and support.
As part of National HIV Testing Week, the Public Health Action Support Team (PHAST), on behalf of Do it London, is also conducting a survey to better understand the HIV prevention needs, knowledge, and attitudes of Black Londoners. HIV prevention services are vital for all communities and it's essential that services are tailored to the unique needs of different groups.
 A new Stay Steady Otago programme providing tailored chair-based classes for the over 60s is now live at Hanworth Leisure Centre, every Thursday from 12pm - 1pm. Classes are £5 per session and pay-as-you-go. No membership is required to attend.
Each class is designed to improve strength, balance, and coordination. The Otago Exercise Programme is a globally recognised, evidence-based initiative originally developed in New Zealand. This programme is newly available in Hounslow to help residents master a series of 17 strength and balance exercises.
To book your space, please email Jardel.Williamson@lamptongroup.co.uk.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your first class to allow time to register and pay. Free tea and coffee is offered at the end of each session.
 Hounslow Family Hubs, in partnership with Solihull Approach, inourplace, and the NHS, are offering free online courses to support emotional health and wellbeing for families with children aged 0-19 years, or up to 25 years for children with SEND.
Designed by clinical psychologists, these courses help you better understand your child at every stage. The courses can be translated into 108 languages using the Google Translate widget, with some of the courses including voiceovers in languages such as Modern Standard Arabic and Urdu.
Use the code LBHPARENTS to register for courses through the inourplace website.
 This spring, NHS North West London wants to hear residents' views on planned care. This refers to non-emergency healthcare, such as hospital outpatient appointments or planned surgery.
To help improve waiting times, fair access and patient experience, they need to consider the changing needs of people in north west London, the increasing number of people who are seeking care, and how to tackle the unfair differences in waiting times and care experiences.
You can share your views through this short survey. Residents are also invited to join the virtual Residents’ Forum on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, 6pm - 7.30pm. Key items to be discussed include planned care and NHS waiting times. Please register here.
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Mind Axis is launching the Teashop+ programme in Hounslow this month. This free wellbeing and mindfulness programme is aimed at young ethnic minority women aged 18-30 with mild to moderate mental health concerns.
The programme consists of weekly in-person group support sessions and free access to Be Mindful, a self-guided mindfulness-based cognitive therapy digital course.
Teashop+ launches on Sunday, 16 February and will run for five weeks, with in-person sessions being held at Hounslow Arts Centre, TW3 1ES, 12.45pm - 3pm.
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 Last week, Shewise launched the Women and Girls' Wellbeing Hub at Feltham Library. The Hub will now run every Friday, 10am - 12pm, and is a safe and welcoming space for women to learn about their physical, mental and emotional health.
Throughout the year, a range of different health topics related to women will be explored, such as understanding periods, menstrual health disorders, ovarian cancer, and more. Guest speakers from the NHS and local health services will also be available to support your wellbeing journey.
View the topic timetable for February and March.
The NHS Dental Team will be visiting the Family Hub in Brentford (North Road, Brentford, TW8 0BJ) on Tuesday, 18 February, 9:30am - 2pm to deliver the free “Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles” programme.
Parents can ask questions related to children's oral health, followed by the qualified oral health promotion team applying fluoride varnish (Duraphat) on to children’s teeth.
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 Did you know you can earn rewards in the BetterPoints app if you sign up to quit smoking through Healthy Hounslow? When Veena discovered the app, she challenged herself to be more active and quit smoking.
She said: "I attended Healthy Hounslow Stop Smoking Support sessions and have earned BetterPoints at each stage of quitting. I have stopped smoking for 51 days now, and this has encouraged me to become healthier overall."
Veena is already benefitting physically, mentally and socially from using the BetterPoints app. She is able to be more active with her kids and spend more time with them.
Read Veena's inspirational story and join the BetterPoints app today for a healthier, more active lifestyle.
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Autism Hounslow is hosting a number of events in February, including:
- Training on Mondays for Hounslow Lions
- Monday Group, 10am - 12pm at the Hounslow Youth Centre
- Book Club on Wednesday, 26 February, 6.30pm - 7.30pm, online
- Online groups, including Thursday Group, Women's Group, and LGBTQIA+ Group
Email Autism Hounslow to find out more.
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The Wellbeing & Recovery College is a training and resource centre that offers free educational courses
and workshops focusing on physical, mental and
emotional wellbeing and recovery.
It also provides useful resources and helpful tips for you to try at home to support and maintain good health and wellbeing.
The spring 2025 course prospectus has now been published and offers courses ranging from one-off workshops to 10-session programmes.
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Learn Hounslow is offering healthy cooking classes starting in March.
The cooking for a healthy heart course will introduce the principles of a heart-friendly diet. The course begins on Monday, 3 March and will run for five weeks.
Each week will focus on different aspects of nutrition and practical cooking skills to help reduce the risk of heart disease. You will learn how to prepare delicious, heart-friendly meals and understand the importance of diet in maintaining cardiovascular health.
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 Hounslow's Health Outreach Team (HOT) will be out offering free blood pressure checks, BMI weight checks, balance checks for residents aged 60 plus, and advice on health concerns, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stop smoking services, mental health services plus much more.
The HOT team will be at the following locations over the next week:
- Wednesday, 12 February – Hounslow Gets Digital Event, Hounslow House, TW3 3EB – 10am to 3pm
- Saturday, 15 February – Treaty Centre shop – 9am to 5pm
- Tuesday, 18 February – Oral Health Event, Family Hub, North Road, TW8 0BJ – 9am to 2pm
- Wednesday, 19 February – Age UK, Feltham – 1pm to 3pm
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