Fewer teenagers falling pregnant in Nottingham

Latest figures show that rates of teenage pregnancy in Nottingham have more than halved in the past decade.

Back in 2006, the conception rate for under-18s stood at 73.5 per thousand, but today that number has dropped to 30.9.

The fall has been attributed to a number of factors including partnership working, better education and a drive to target areas of the city which have traditionally seen higher rates of teenage pregnancy.

The percentage improvement between 2006 and 2016 is 57.9%, with the average for all local authorities currently at 47.9%. Nottingham City is in the top 20% of most improved authorities for the period.

Read more about the figures here…

Packing it in this summer

It’s been a fantastic few months for Nottingham with help on hand for those wanting to give up tobacco.

Nottingham City Council’s Smokefree Summer has built on the success of last year’s Beach and Winter Wonderland being tobacco-free zones, by adding even more key events this time around.

As well as the hugely popular Deliveroo Beach, others going smokefree in 2016 have been the Lord Mayor’s Parade, Armed Forces Weekend and the family areas at both Splendour and the BMI Park Hospital Nottingham Riverside Festival.

It is part of a wider drive to improve people’s health and reduce smoking prevalence levels in Nottingham, which are much higher than the national average. People looking to quit have been signposted to stop-smoking services like New Leaf, who can be contacted on 0800 561 2121 or text ‘NEW’ to 80800.

More on how to quit cigarettes here…

It's go, go, go for Pokémon!

Families descended on Woodthorpe Grange Park this month to take part in a special Pokémon Go event.

The aim of the City Council-organised day was to encourage people along to a safe, secure environment where they could get out in the fresh air and chase some Pokémon.

The global phenomenon sees players use their smartphones and tablet devices, and augmented reality software, to find the cartoon characters in a real-life setting.

‘Lures’ were placed on the pokéstop at Woodthorpe café and players at got to race around the park, getting plenty of exercise in the sunshine, as they tried to capture new Pokémon characters.

Read tips on playing Pokémon Go here…

Get out in the sunshine!

As we move to the end of the school summer holidays, there are still plenty of opportunities to get active in Nottingham.

Why not get out and about in the city’s award-winning parks and green spaces, which are perfect for a family picnic and walk in the sunshine.

Don’t forget that the sun is still very strong at this time of year and it’s important to wear sun cream if you’re likely to be out in it for a while. To avoid sunburn spoiling your day, remember to:

• Apply high-factor cream, particularly to children or if you have fair skin
• Try to seek some shade in the middle of the day between 11am and 3pm
• Consider wearing a hat to shade the face, neck and ears
• Drink plenty of water

 Get more tips on sun protection here…

Who do you know that puts other first?

There’s still plenty of time to nominate someone who helps improve the health and wellbeing of others in Nottingham.

The Michael Varnam Awards 2016 will particularly champion those who work tirelessly in the city’s more disadvantaged communities.

They take their name from former Sneinton GP Dr Michael Varnam who dedicated 35 years to helping people in Nottingham, particularly residents and families in deprived areas. He died in 2006, aged 61.

The awards are organised jointly by Nottingham City Council, Nottingham City Health and Wellbeing Board, NHS Nottingham City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), One Nottingham and the Youth Parliament.

Nominations can be made right up until Friday 16 September.

Find out how you can nominate someone here…