Heading into Spring - April Newsletter

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Telford and Wrekin Council - Protect Care and Invest to create a better borough
Healthy Template

Look what's on offer heading into Spring

Happy, Healthy & Active Holidays

Happy, Healthy, Active Holidays

Find ideas to keep children healthy and active this Easter

Families looking for lockdown friendly ideas to keep their children healthy and active during the Easter holidays can find them on our new website with FREE activities including recipe ideas with cook-a-long videos, games to keep children physically active, information on healthy eating, learn how to ride a bike, getting active outdoors, mindfulness activities, plus craft and story time sessions.

There is so much more on offer.  Find out more by visiting The Happy Healthy & Active Holidays programme website. 

Visit website

We welcome your feedback on the programme and activities you take part in.  All families that agree and complete their feedback will be entered into a free prize draw to win one of five Family Leisure passes.     

Please use the hashtag #HappyHealthyActive to share your family’s experiences of the programme on your social media channels.

Let's Get Creative

Hands creating clay tea cups

Being creative has a positive impact on our mental health and helps to improve our wellbeing, this is why we have developed a creative offer to support those wanting to improve their wellbeing through creativity.

If you would be interested in any of the activities below please contact our creative lead (John Cocker) to register your interest by email. 

Email: john.cocker@telford.gov.uk or call him on 07800 671712.

Arts and Crafts: Activity will be emailed out on a fortnightly basis. For those with no email we can post activity information. 30 places available .

Pottery: Proposed start date Thursday 22nd April. Sessions via zoom, 16 places availble. Clay to be collected from a venue (yet to be confirmed) before the start date.

Sing-Along-A-Sal: Start date Tuesday 13th April 11.30 -12.30 delivered via zoom. 9-15 places available.

For people unfamiliar with zoom the Workers Education Association are hosting FREE 'Zoom  for beginners' sessions. Contact John Cocker to book a place.

Email: John.cocker@telford.gov.uk or call or him on 07800 671712 to book a place.

Active Families Easter Challenge

Handball

The Active Families Easter Challenge is supporting children and families to be active, reaching their 60 minutes of recommended physical activity a day by using technology such as smartphones, tablets and T.Vs. 

This digital resource is suitable for all age groups. Download your FREE Active Families Grid here 

Share your challenge with us on Facebook or Twitter using hashtags #ActiveFamiliesSTW & #LetsGetTelfordActive

Planning for and having a healthier pregnancy

Food & Pregnancy 2
MVP LOGO

We Need Your Help

We are working with the local maternity system to help create a locally produced cook book. The aim of this book is to help families to plan for and to have a healthier diet for when they are pregnant and beyond.

We now need your help to make this happen. We are asking local people to send in their favourite recipes that they find the whole family enjoy. These need to be easy, cheap and fun to create.

We are also looking for hints and tips to include in the book. Things that you did when you were pregnant or things you found out after that you wish you had known before. These don’t have to be diet related hints and tips just anything that made life a little easier.

We want ideas for all meals including some simple ideas for snacks to grab on the go. All the ideas we receive will be put towards our focus group who will help decide which will be included. If you can include photos of you making the recipes or with the finished meal this would also be great.

If you have anything you would like to share or would like to be involved in the focus group deciding what to include in the book then please email betterbirths.stw@nhs.net

Sleep Tight Workshop

Sleeping baby

Would you like to know more about why sleep is important for our health and emotional well- being?

Does your child struggle with their sleep?

Would you like to access support to help to improve sleep and bedtime routine?

Would you like to meet other parents/carers to share and discuss experiences?

The Sleep Tight workshop is delivered virtually. All you need is an email address and an electronic device. We’ll talk you through the rest.

Starts Friday 23rd April 2021 for 5 weeks from 10:00am to 11:00am

To book a place or for more information contact the Parenting Team via Email at Parenting.team@shropshire.gov.uk or call 01743 250950

Libraries are getting ready to welcome you back take 2

Girl choosing books from a shelve

Libraries are getting ready to reopen on the 12th April and to welcome you to our Southwater One, Newport and Wellington Libraries initially.

It’s free to join the library and reading a book can be really beneficial for your wellbeing. Whether you’re indulging in some escapism, or reading one of our Reading Well titles chosen by medical professionals to help you with your health needs, there’s something for everyone.

Don’t forget our 24hour library of eBooks, eAudio and eMagazines are all free to borrow with your library card. For more information about this and our current opening hours please visit our website.

Visit Website

Cycling & Walking Strategy

Still time to have your say

The Telford & Wrekin Cycling and Walking Strategy launched in 2017 established a commitment to active travel through the delivery of priorities and funding for improved cycling and walking routes and infrastructure.  Since 2017 there has been significant changes affecting active travel both locally and nationally. This includes increasing levels of cycling and walking, greater health consciousness and the impact of COVID 19 renewing interest in active travel.

In order to revise and update the Cycling and Walking Strategy to keep pace with the social and economic changes, Telford and Wrekin Council are seeking the views of our residents, visitors, businesses, health providers, community leaders and the voluntary sector. By reaching out to individuals and groups we hope to reach a diverse range of voices including those not always heard in public consultations.

Telford & Wrekin will refocus our Cycling and Walking Strategy to harnesses this momentum and bring together our aspirations for health, equality and climate change within a vibrant local economy.  A strategy that maximises our resources must be informed by the views of those who will benefit from future changes, and those who will work with us to deliver the best possible results for our Borough.

We want your input into all aspects of walking and cycling in the Borough: Are there enough routes? Are they the right type in the right places? Where are the good examples and where is improvement needed?  What are your concerns around active travel for yourself or your loved ones? What holds you back from walking or cycling more?  

Take part in the consultation 

Your Healthy Lifestyle Tool Box

We have lots of links and tools for you to explore that will help you achieve your lifestyle goals so why not explore what is in the tool box this month:

  • Walking For Health returns - Walking is a free physical activity that can benefit your physical, social and mental well-being just by stepping outside your house and appreciating the outdoors. There are country parks in Telford and many other locations with beauty and historical areas that make the walks more enjoyable. To find out which walks are taking place head over to Walking For Health for more information.
  • Healthy Lifestyle Service - Our free personal service is here to support anyone wanting to lose weight, reduce blood pressure or cholesterol levels, get more active, eat a healthy diet, stop smoking or improve their emotional health and wellbeing. Here is some feedback from a service users about their support:

    "I was assigned to a lovely guy named Sid...a little apprehensive at first as he sounded young and I'm nearing 70...I was unsure at first about chatting to him about weight.and health problems but after first call I was put at ease.so easy to chat too. No pressure from him...always encouraging. Helped me to make food changes. Recommended exercise baring in mind my health and mobility. But with his knowledge I have gone from small walks with the dog to 6 mile walks 3 days a week...which I must say are somewhat painful but I built up to this and feeling so much better mentally and physically. Watching my weight go down slowly is pushing me on to get to my goal...he learnt me to eat sensibly and why I should eat certain foods...never judgmental. Thank you Sid for having faith in me. Pity we couldn't meet in person so I could thank you for your help"

  Please contact us to discuss how we can help you achieve your lifestyle     goals.

  • Let's Get Telford Healthy Digital Offer - Individuals across Telford are achieving their goals from getting healthy for pregnancy, making lifestyle changes for their families or even getting ready for summer. If you are looking to improve your health sign up to receive your 12 week FREE email program
  • The NEW Healthy Lifestyle Chat group - created on Facebook which is enabling local people making lifestyle changes to support each other. If you are looking for support to reach your goals join the Healthy Lifestyle Chat Group.