November Edition Newsletter

Welcome to the November edition of the Shropshire Health & Wellbeing E-News. This E-News is for everyone interested in health and wellbeing.

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VCSA Showcase Event

Tuesday 25th November sees fifty of Shropshire’s voluntary organisations come together to showcase their services and the support that they give to local people and communities. The event will take place in the Council Chamber at Shirehall in Shrewsbury between 10am and 2pm.

Community, charitable, voluntary and other organisations taking part on the day include: Victim Support, Shropshire Disability Network, Energize, Age UK and many, many more. There will be a free Dementia Friends information service running on the day.

For more information on the event, please contact Pauline James at Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly on 01743 252275 or email VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk

You can find out more information about the showcase event and the work of the VCSA at: http://vcsvoice.org/events/vcsa-showcase/

Children’s Trust Plan 2014

Shropshire Children’s Trust has published their ‘Children, Young People and Families Plan 2014’.

The strategy outlines the Children’s Trust’s plan for improving outcomes for children and young people. The focus is upon ensuring early intervention and delivering preventive and targeted services to meet need.

Highlights from the report:

Outcome Areas

1. Ensuring all children and young people are safe and well looked after in a supportive environment
2. Narrowing the achievement gap in education and in work
3. Ensuring the emotional wellbeing of children and young people by focussing on prevention and early intervention
4. Keeping more children healthy and reducing health inequalities

Key Areas of Focus for the Children’s Trust

The Children’s Trust is keen to focus on specific areas where it can make a real difference as a partnership group. The following are key areas to focus development:

• Family including hidden harm
• Transition planning and arrangements
• Emotional/ mental health and wellbeing
• Building Communities  

To read the full plan, please visit: http://www.shropshiretogether.org.uk/childrens-trust/

National HIV Testing Week (22nd – 30th November)

The Terrence Higgins Trust and HIV Prevention England are supporting National HIV Testing Week from the 22nd – 30th November 2014 and encourage people to get tested for the virus.

In Shropshire in 2013 there were 103 people accessing HIV related care, and of those people diagnosed with HIV, over 52% were diagnosed late in the disease at a stage when they should have already been on treatment. Reducing undiagnosed HIV is now the single most important step we can take to halt the spread of infection in this country. Earlier diagnosis allows for empowering people to take action that benefits both their own health and the public health because early treatment of infected people substantially reduces their risk of transmitting HIV to others, and the long term consequence of ill health.

As part of the campaign Terrence Higgins Trust in Shropshire is particularly urging gay and bisexual men and African people living and working in Shropshire to take a free HIV test at one of the drop-in sessions taking place in the area.

The free HIV testing service will be available at the following locations:

• Saturday 22nd November, men only from 10am- 12am at Aqueduct, Majestic Way Surgery Telford TF4 3RB
• Saturday 22nd November, men only from 2pm -4pm at Roy Fletcher Centre, Shrewsbury, SY1 1JE
• Tuesday 25th November, from 4pm-7pm at Raft, Meeting Point House, Telford TF3 4HS
• Wednesday 26th November, from 4pm -7pm at Roy Fletcher Centre, Shrewsbury, SY1 1JE
  

For more information on the range of services that Terrence Higgins Trust offers in Shropshire, please call Lotte Hakeman on 01952 221410 or email info.shropshire@tht.org.uk.

Dementia Friends

Sign up to become a Dementia Friend today!

Just by attending an information session and finding out a little bit more about dementia, you can help people with dementia to carry on going about their daily lives and feel included in their local community.

"Dementia Friends learn a little bit about what it's like to live with dementia and turns that understanding into action. This could be helping someone find the right bus or being patient in a till queue if someone with dementia is taking longer to pay. Every action counts."

When you sign up to become a dementia friend you will see a free copy of 'The Little Book of Friendship' and a Dementia Friends badge.

Go to: https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/Home for more information.

You can book in to attend a Dementia Friends session at the VCSA Showcase Event on Tuesday 25th November 2014 at Shirehall, Shrewsbury. Click here: http://alzheimers.dementiafriends.org.uk/WEBSessionDetails?id=a052000000Iks7TAAR to book your place!

Dementia Stakeholder Workshops

The West Midlands Dementia Innovation Programme is holding a series of workshops for stakeholders involved in the development of the dementia pathway across the region.

The Dementia Innovation Programme is funded by Health Education West Midlands and is hosted by North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust. The aim of the programme is to ensure that the workforce supporting people experiencing dementia has the right knowledge, skills and behaviours in order to deliver the best possible service. The first part of the programme is to identify the skills and knowledge needed to deliver best practice and then to identify any gaps in skills and current education provision in order to commission programmes to meet those gaps.

Four half-day workshops will be held across the West Midlands region and individuals and organisations who have an interest in the delivery of dementia care are welcome to attend. The Dementia Innovation Programme hope to involve participants from across the dementia community, including: health and social care, service users and carers, those working in the acute sector and in specialist mental health and dementia services, GP’s, commissioners, community staff, education as well as organisations outside of healthcare providing services, support and advocacy in the field of dementia.

Workshop 1: Pathway Review and Competency Mapping

Friday 21st November 2014 – 9.30am–1pm – Tillington Hall, Stafford, ST16 1JJ

Wednesday 26th November 2014 – 1pm-4.30pm – Holiday Inn, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 9AB

Thursday 4th December 2014 – 1pm-4.30pm – Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham, B12 9QH

Workshop 2: Feedback and Review of Completed Work

Thursday 18th December 2014 – 1pm-4.30pm – The Studio, Canon Street, Birmingham, B2 5EP

(There is no expectation that everyone attending the first workshop should attend the second workshop)

Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided at all sessions

To book a place on one of the workshops, please contact Brenda Sherratt (OD & Training Administrator, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust) on 0300 123 1535 (ext. 2656) or Brenda.Sherratt@northstaffs.nhs.uk

For further information, please contact Carol Bain (Interim Dementia Innovation Programme Manager) on 01782 652762 or Carol.Bain@northstaffs.nhs.uk

National Alcohol Awareness Campaign

Shropshire’s Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) are encouraging people to check their drinking habits as part of this year’s National Alcohol Awareness Campaign launched on 17th November 2014.

DAAT, who are part of Shropshire Council’s public health team, are asking people to visit the Healthy Shropshire website and use some of the tools on the site. Using the website, you can understand more about the impact of your drinking, find out whether you’re overdoing it, and what action you need to take to help improve your health for the long term.

Visit http://www.healthyshropshire.co.uk/ to find out more.

The annual National Alcohol Awareness Campaign runs until Sunday 23 November 2014. This year’s theme, “Facing our alcohol problem: Taking back our health and high streets”, is focusing on raising awareness on the dangers that drinking alcohol has on health, and the impacts that drinking can have on the community.

Read the full article here: http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/2014/11/people-urged-to-check-their-drinking-habits-as-part-of-national-campaign/

Aquarius provide a free confidential service to those who have a problem with alcohol in Shropshire. Aquarius will be attending the VCSA Showcase event at Shirehall on Tuesday 25th November from 10am-2pm where you can find out more information about the service.

Updates from Healthwatch Shropshire

Healthwatch Shropshire Research Grants

For the second year running, Healthwatch Shropshire is making available research grants for voluntary and community groups and organisations. Grants of between £1,000 and £4,000 are available. The closing date for applications is 19th December 2014.

To find out more about the grants and how to apply, please contact Healthwatch Shropshire on 01743 237884 or visit: http://www.healthwatchshropshire.co.uk/news/funding-available-voluntary-and-community-sector-research

Annual Event Report

Healthwatch have recently unveiled a report on their annual event, held during September 2014. You can find the full report here: http://www.healthwatchshropshire.co.uk/sites/default/files/report_of_annual_event_sept_2014_final.pdf

"The feedback from the event has very positive with lots of attendees feeling they came away with a better understanding of the health economy in Shropshire. We’d like to thank all that attended for their contributions to the afternoons discussion, and extend special thanks to the speakers, facilitator Jim Hawkins and our volunteers."

The report includes a summary of presentations from Cllr Karen Calder (Shropshire Council) on Shropshire Health and Wellbeing Board, Dr Bill Gowans (Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group) on NHS Future Fit, Kerrie Allward (Shropshire Council/Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group) on the Better Care Fund, and Stephen Chandler (Shropshire Council) on The Care Act.
There is also detail of the question and answer session answering questions about the future of care and where the public can go for advice and information.

Expanding Integrated Community Services in Shropshire

Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and Shropshire Council are set to expand their Integrated Community Services (ICS) after a successful first year in operation. 

The Central region ICS team was created as a prototype last winter to make it easier for people who were well enough to be supported in their own home or elsewhere in the community to leave hospital.  The team brings together disciplines such as Nurses, Therapists, Social Workers, Reablement staff and Voluntary Sector colleagues, who work with people to leave hospital; addressing their specific support, reablement or rehabilitation needs.

From November, the service will now support hospital discharge across Shropshire (excluding Telford & Wrekin) and will include admission avoidance in Shrewsbury and Atcham.

For more information, please see the update in the VCSA newsletter: http://vcsvoice.org/2014/10/expanding-integrated-community-services-in-shropshire/

NHS 111 Service ‘Testing’ Volunteers Required

Volunteers are being sought to review the NHS 111 Service in the West Midlands.

Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit (CSU) are seeking to capture patient and public views and opinions on the 111 helpline in order to shape future delivery of the service.

Volunteers are invited to join a locally organised event where they will be asked for their thoughts, ideas and feedback on efficiency and effectiveness of the service. Volunteers can be experienced 111 users, or completely new to the service.

If you are interested in taking part, please email engagement.westmidlands111@nhs.net or call 0121 612 3941 to register your interest.

MYP’s Mental Health Project – Time to Talk

Shropshire Members of Youth Parliament (MYP) are beginning an exciting new project to help tackle mental health issues amongst young people.

Laura Sheldon, MYP, is leading on the project Time to Talk, and is being supported by Kay Smallbone from Shropshire Council’s Public Health team. Time to Talk is a free drop in session that will cover a variety of issues that affect young people. The first focus will be upon stress (with a focus upon exam stress). The sessions are open to any young person in school Year 10 and above. Laura Sheldon will be supported by a qualified member of staff.

The free drop in sessions will begin in November, with session planned through until May 2015. The venue will be Shrewsbury Coffee House and the sessions will take place 5pm-6.30pm.

• Tuesday 9th December 2014
• Tuesday 13th January 2015
• Tuesday 10th February 2015
• Tuesday 10th March 2015
• Tuesday 14th April 2015
• Tuesday 12th May 2015

For more information, please contact Lorraine Warrender at Lorraine.Warrender@shropshire.gov.uk

Report highlights the links between pupil health and wellbeing and attainment

A newly-published report from Public Health England (PHE) has found a close link between education and health.

The report, ‘The link between pupil health and wellbeing and attainment’ suggests that promoting the health and wellbeing of pupils and students within schools and colleges has the potential to improve their educational outcomes and their health and wellbeing outcomes.

Key findings include:

1. Pupils with better health and wellbeing are likely to achieve better academically.

2. Effective social and emotional competencies are associated with greater health and wellbeing, and better achievement.

3. The culture, ethos and environment of a school influences the health and wellbeing of pupils and their readiness to learn.

4. A positive association exists between academic attainment and physical activity levels of pupils.

You can find full detail of the report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-link-between-pupil-health-and-wellbeing-and-attainment

Pedal in the Park

Travel Shropshire have organised ‘Pedal in the Park’ beginners’ bike rides in Shrewsbury.

The organised bike rides are very gently paced and sociable cycle rides along traffic free cycle paths – perfect for those who are new to cycling or haven’t ridden for a while.

The rides take place every Wednesday during November and December (until 17th December) starting at 10am from the Obelisk by Greyfriars Bridge in Shrewsbury.

Perfect for those who would like to do a little more exercise to improve their health but who don’t feel confident or experienced enough to cycle on their own. A great opportunity to meet new people in a relaxed environment.

You can even try out an electric bike on this ride! Please see website for details: http://www.travelshropshire.co.uk/cycle/regular-cycle-events/pedal-in-the-park

There is no need to book, but if you would like to borrow a bicycle, please let the team know in advance by calling 01743 254968 or emailing transport@shropshire.gov.uk

Please see the website for more information: http://www.travelshropshire.co.uk/cycle/regular-cycle-events/pedal-in-the-park

Health and Wellbeing Board - Next Meeting:

The next public Health and Wellbeing Board meeting will be held on Friday 21st November, 9.30am at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

The agenda and relevant papers will become available on the Health and Wellbeing webpage prior to the meeting. Please see the attached link below to access previous meetings agendas:

Health and Wellbeing Board