5 August 2025
 It’s World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August) and this year’s theme is Closing the Gap: Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet. The aim is to highlight the need to provide broader, more inclusive support for breastfeeding.
Hounslow’s Baby Feeding Friendly (BFF) network does just that. If you are a mother in Hounslow, you can find a location near you where you can feed your child in a safe, supportive environment.
You can also read how the Council plans to grow its breastfeeding offer further in the recently published Baby Feeding Plan.
 The Hounslow Health Visiting advice line is going on a road trip, and you can meet the team at the Hounslow Family Fun Day on Thursday, 7 August.
Whether you’re a new parent or caring for a child aged 0-5, the friendly team can offer advice, information, and support on a range of topics. These include infant feeding, sleep, toileting, mental health, healthy growth and more.
If you can't make it on the day, the team is just a call or email away. You can call the advice line on 0208 973 3490, every Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. You can also email the Health Visiting team for advice.
 There are over 19,000 unpaid carers in Hounslow and they’re spending more time caring than ever before. Even if you don’t consider yourself a carer, if you look after a family member, a friend or a neighbour full-time, or even for a few hours now and again, you are one. This means you can get support from the Council for your commitment.
The new Hounslow Carers Service provides information, advice, and practical support in convenient locations across the borough. Find out full details of where the team will be over the next month by clicking the button below.
 Our Future Health is looking for volunteers to take part in the UK's largest health research programme. Participants will be rewarded with a £10 shopping voucher.
Volunteers will be required to give a small blood sample, have some measurements taken at a local clinic, and complete a health and lifestyle questionnaire.
There will be walk-in appointments where people can sign up to the programme at Bell Square Footway, Hounslow High Street from 6 to 10 August. The times are as follows:
- Wednesday, 6 August - 11am-6pm
- Thursday, 7 August - 11am-6pm
- Friday, 8 August - 11am-6pm
- Saturday, 9 August - 11am-5pm
- Sunday, 10 August - 11am-3.45pm
You can also register on the Our Future Health website to take part.
 Hounslow Public Heath team's survey on children's oral health has been extended for a week to give more people a chance to give their views. It will now close at 5pm on Sunday, 10 August.
The team wants to hear from families with children aged 0-18 to understand their current views and knowledge of the subject. The responses will give them an understanding of what would help parents to look after their children’s teeth.
The team is particularly keen to hear from families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and those from the South Asian or Traveller community.
 Do you work in the building trade and find things are getting too much? Talking can help. The Council's new campaign, Bummed Out, shows you’re not alone and there are people you can turn to.
Check out a list of free and confidential support including men’s mental health groups, drug and alcohol support, gambling charities, and more.
Whatever is causing you pain, there’s someone you can speak to and get you back on track.
Family hubs fun day this week
 Hounslow Family Hubs are hosting the second Summer Fun Day at Old Isleworthians from 12pm to 4pm on Thursday, 7 August.
The free event offers a fun-filled afternoon of healthy, family-friendly activities. These include a baby sensory area, multi-sports, and rock wall climbing. Guests can also connect with council services that support families' health and wellbeing.
No booking is required, you can just turn up and enjoy the day. The event is organised by Hounslow’s Family Hubs, which offer year-round support for families with children aged 0-19, and up to 25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
 Do you know your fact from fiction when it comes to your sexual health? A new campaign from Sexual Health Hounslow (SHH) and the Council is busting the most common myths around sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception and unwanted pregnancy.
An animated video talks you through some of the misinformation out there, meaning you can feel confident when looking after your sexual health. The best way to keep yourself and any sexual partners safe is by regular STI testing, even if you don't have symptoms.
You can order a home testing kit from the Sexual Health London website. It's free, confidential and easy.
 From this month, the dates children receive some of their first vaccinations is changing. You can download a handy guide of the new schedule here.
If you have any questions, please speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP.
 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.
If you have any questions or comments about HOT's work, please email the Council's Public Health team.
HOT will be at the following locations over the next week:
- Thursday, 7 August – Family Hub Fun Day Old Isleworthians, Memorial Ground, Wood Lane, Isleworth, TW7 5ED – 12pm to 4pm
- Friday, 8 August – Community Hub, Brentford Library – 10am to 2pm
- Friday, 8 August – Danehurst Shelter Home - Health and Wellbeing Walk – 10am to 11am
- Wednesday, 13 August – Heston Health Centre, Near Vicarage Farm Road – 1pm to 4pm
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