 London has seen an outbreak of measles and there have been four known cases in Hounslow (to date).
The first symptoms of measles include: high temperature, rash, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, cough and red, watery eyes. If you or your child has a rash and you suspect it's measles, contact your GP and stay away from work, nursery or school for at least four days from when the rash first appears.
The best way to prevent the spreading of measles is to take the MMR vaccine. Please consider getting your child vaccinated to keep all children safe.
It's also never too late to catch up with your MMR vaccination, so if you missed it as a child please contact your GP to arrange an appointment.
 You can still get free help to stop smoking through the Swap to Stop offer, designed to help smokers in our borough make the switch away from cigarettes. Hounslow smokers aged 18 and over can join the scheme via the Council's website.
Once registered, participants will receive a voucher by email, which can be redeemed on the Totally Wicked website. The fully automated six-week programme includes a free vape starter kit, two top-up vouchers, and a four-week survey check in.
For individuals who want more structured help, vapes and other stop-smoking aids can be accessed via Healthy Hounslow, including one-to-one support from a stop-smoking advisor.
 There is a range of free events for nature lovers at Boston Manor Park over the next few months. They're a great way to get outside, enjoy the health benefits of being in nature and help children to connect with wildlife.
Upcoming events include: A wilder woodlands walk, meeting harvest mice in their new home and helping the hedgehogs.
There are also adventure clubs for toddlers and more events for children all through the spring.
You can read more about the programme in Boston Manor Park's newsletter.
 Meet Harry, a graduate from DFN Project SEARCH’s Class of 2025 who is now working on reception at Hounslow Council.
Every year, DFN Project SEARCH offers lifechanging opportunities to young people with learning disabilities and/or autism to transition from education into paid employment.
The internship is for one academic year. Interns are supported by mentors and managers in the host business, a tutor from West Thames College and a job coach from Kaleidoscope.
Students, parents, and carers are invited to join the Council and key partners at Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Heathrow (UB3 5BP) at 5.30pm on Tuesday, 24 February to find out more. Please e-mail lyes.sadeg@west-thames.ac.uk to confirm your attendance.
 To mark Heart Month, Beezee Families has pulled together some simple yet powerful tips to support healthier hearts for the whole family.
From healthy eating to fun, family-friendly exercise ideas, it's just a taste of the support you can get for free this spring.
Beezee Families is a heathy lifestyle programme that nutritionists deliver across Hounslow. It helps families to build healthy habits around food, physical activity, and doing so in a way that's fun for children.
Applications for the new programme are now open, so why not secure a spot for May? Places fill up fast so make sure to book soon.
 If you’re worried about your child’s symptoms, A&E isn’t always the first place you need to go.Many common childhood illnesses can be safely managed at home or with support from a GP.
Before attending A&E you can:
- Check symptoms on Hounslow Healthier Together for trusted NHS advice
- Call NHS 111, they can assess your child and book a Hounslow GP appointment if needed
 Sexual Health Hounslow (SHH) is teaming up with the Council to raise awareness of the importance of regular HIV testing, and to tackle common misconceptions around HIV care and treatment. Testing remains the most effective way to reduce the spread of HIV and prevent harm.
Advances in HIV care over the years mean many people living with HIV experience no symptoms and, when diagnosed early and treated effectively, can live healthy lives with no risk of transmission. However, this is only possible if people are aware of their HIV status.
To order a free testing kit, just head to the Sexual Health London website. You can also speak to your GP or local sexual health clinic about getting tested for free.
 Hounslow's Health Outreach Team (HOT) will be out this week offering free blood pressure checks, BMI weight checks and balance checks.
The team can also give advice on concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, mental health and much more.
Some dates will see other services such as Citizens Advice Bureau join to offer further support. Click the button below for more details.
HOT will be in the following locations soon:
- Thursday, 19 February – Cranford Community School Family Hub – 2.30pm to 4pm
- Friday, 20 February – Treaty Centre Health Outreach Shop – 9am to 5pm
- Saturday, 21 February – Treaty Centre Health Outreach Shop – 9am to 5pm
- Tuesday, 24 February – Chiswick Library – 10.30am to 12.30pm
- Tuesday, 24 February – Chiswick Methodist Church – 1.15pm to 3.30pm
 Head to the BridgeLink Centre in Isleworth for a community health event from 11am-1pm on Thursday, 26 February.
It will be an engaging and informative morning, focused on local health and wellbeing. You can chat with friendly health and social care professionals, ask questions, get guidance and discover services that can help you. You can also get a free flu jab and blood pressure check.
Partners including the Health Outreach Team, Employment and Education Advisors, Adult Social Care, Carers Support and Healthy Hounslow will be on hand to offer support and advice.
You don't need to book a place, just turn up on the day.
 As the winter weather persists and and people feel the financial strain of heating their homes, the Council's warm spaces are open to help keep people warm.
Search the warm spaces webpages to find one near you, as well as experts who can help with health, debt advice, finding work and more. All warm spaces provide free, fun activities for you and your family.
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