 IMPORTANT UPDATE
Welcome to the FAMILIES newsletter from The Healthy Lives Team!
Each Friday we will be sharing relevant information, activities and resources to support your ongoing health and wellbeing. This will go out to all contacts.
The Healthy Lives Team supports schools, pupils and families with everything to do with health and wellbeing. We want to help you to live fitter, healthier and happier lives.
We now have a Healthy Lives Team webpage where you can find out more about the team and access Healthy Schools resources and all our archived newsletters.
We are incredibly proud in Tower Hamlets to have supported schools to gain more Healthy Schools awards than any other borough in London. So please use this newsletter in whatever way suits you best to stay as fit and healthy as possible.
If you're in a school, please share this newsletter using your social media or website using the following share button, or you can click the hyperlink in the top right corner of this email:
Just to let you know, you're receiving this because you have either opted in to get emails from the council relating to children and education, or you are one of the Healthy Lives team's regular contacts, or you may also have been forwarded this email from your school.
If you know anyone who would like to sign up to this newsletter, please send them the following link. They will need to close the initial pop-up subscription box and complete the one on the main webpage. They will then need to choose Children and Education as their preferred topic:
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/signup
Take care,
The Healthy Lives team at London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Here's a selection of fun activities and helpful information for you and your family...
 Ask the Mayor online: Tuesday 24 November
Mayor John Biggs is hosting an online edition of his regular Ask the Mayor question and answer sessions.
Join online on Tuesday 24 November from 7pm - 8pm to ask your questions and get a live response from Mayor Biggs.
The event will focus on the tough financial challenges ahead for the council and we want to find out from you what services matter the most to you.
You'll need to register to attend, where you can also ask a question in advance if you wish.
 The Childhood Flu Vaccination programme
The childhood Flu vaccination programme covers all children from the age of 2 to their first year of secondary school (Year 7) however depending on the child’s age, the vaccination will be offered either via the school or the local GP service. Please see below for more details on where vaccinations are being offered by age. In addition there is also more information regarding the nasal spray vaccination and the porcine free injectable offer.
All children aged between 2 to 10 are being offered a free and vital flu vaccine this year to protect them against the flu:
- Parents of children aged 2 and 3 will be contacted by their GP practice to book an appointment.
- Parents of children in Reception to Year 7 attending school will receive a consent form from school, where the immunisation will also take place.
- 4-year-old children who were 3 on 31 August 2020 and have not yet started Reception Year should be vaccinated by their GP. Anyone who was 4 on 31 August 2020 should be vaccinated in a local community clinic.
- Parents of children in Reception to Year 7 who do not attend school will be offered an appointment by the school immunisation service at a community clinic.
The Flu vaccine is administered via nasal spray that is squirted up each nostril and contains a processed form of pork gelatine (porcine). If you do not consent for your child to have the flu nasal spray, it is very important you state the reason why (i.e. religious grounds) on the consent form or inform your local GP (for 2-3-year old’s) so that you can be offered a non-porcine alternative later in the season.
The non-porcine alternative is administered by injection and may be offered to those children whose parents refuse the nasal spray due to the porcine content. The injectable vaccine will be available from mid to late November if there is sufficient stock. Parents who have made their wishes known will be contacted by their GP or school immunisation service.
 Regent's Canal
Regent's Canal Heritage website has launched a Learning/School pack and a range of the resources available for schools and parents. Have fun finding out about the Regent’s Canal in Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets here.
 Tower Hamlets Mental Health Crisis Line
The Tower Hamlets all ages mental health crisis line is available 24 hours a day and callers will be given support and advice from mental health professionals. It has been designed as a ‘first port of call’ for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis and to remove the need for those people, including children and young people, to seek help via hospital A&E services.
Freephone 0800 073 0003
 Create your own story
The British Library has teamed up with Zanib Mian, author of the Planet Omar series to help children or young adults to create an illustrated story. The guide will support you in coming up with ideas, making a plan, illustrating and finalising your story. All you will need are pens, pencils, paper and your imagination!
 “We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list.”
Michelle Obama
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The Healthy Lives Team want to support you with all aspects of health and wellbeing. We will be sending you regular newsletters that will be relevant whether you are at school, work, or at home.
Please feel free to share this email.
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Useful links
Did you know that Tower Hamlets offers other email newsletters to keep you up to date on a variety of topics?
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