November News Round-up
 Take some time for yourself
As the nights draw in and the clocks go back, November is the perfect time to slow down a little. With that in mind, this month we're looking at the physical and mental health benefits of walking, supporting Road Safety Week and Men's Health Week, sharing some great slow cooker recipes and drawing attention to the latest training opportunities.
Take this moment to have five minutes to yourself, grab a warm drink and have a look at some of the things making Telford and Wrekin a happier healthier place to live and work. And don't forget to take this month's quiz, which asks 'how are you?'
 Exercise doesn't have to mean sport - what about walking?
Being more active is so very good for all of us, in so many different ways.
But that doesn’t mean we all have to go to the gym or take part in a competitive sport - there are lots of ways to get moving and in this article, we’re going to look at walking.
“I’m walking on sunshine and don’t it feel good”
Walking is excellent for the body, it’s also balm for the soul. There’s nothing quite like a wander in a beautiful green space on a sunny day to revive both body and mind and cheer the spirits. So, one fine day soon, just enjoy a wander around one of the small woodlands, parks, pools, local nature reserves, a five-, ten- or fifteen-minute stroll away from where you live. Whether it’s autumn leaves and colours, birdsong, springtime flowers, clouds scudding by making fantastic shapes, a view of the magnificent Wrekin, interesting buildings, a monument to a local hero or happening, we can guarantee something is always bound to catch your interest.
“You’ll never walk alone”
Unless you want to. If its friendly companionship you hanker for or have always wondered where that path goes but don’t fancy walking it on your own, there are many organised walking groups that will only be too delighted to meet you, greet you and show you around. All over the Borough every week there are free Ramblers Wellbeing walks on offer starting from a local landmark near you, such as a local shopping or community centre. They have walks of different lengths and pace from a leisurely short stroll to striding out for up to 90 minutes, all with trained friendly leaders and often the option of a social tea and coffee after. If you want to build up your fitness gradually or meet some new friends and neighbours, it’s an excellent way to get started and there’s no chance of getting lost while you discover where that footpath goes.
Lots of people are too busy juggling work and family to commit to someone else’s schedules but you can always enjoy exploring in your own time and pace. The Telford T50 50 Mile Trail is divided into short sections from about 1.5 miles upwards, links together all our green spaces, local nature reserves and important sites of scientific interest and world heritage sites into one easy to follow walk. It’s designed to be accessible on foot or by public transport from nearly every locality in Telford and was put together by the best experts, people who live in and really know their own local places. You can download free walking guides, directions and information about points of interest for every step of the way along and it is sign posted with easy to spot bright pink round waymarks. There are also a number of circular walks based on it that you can try as well.
"The best things in life are free"
Walking requires no special kit or expertise. Many cross-borough trails that link to local parks and nature reserves are wheelchair and push chair accessible too such as long stretches of the Silkin Way into the Town Park, so all the family can enjoy them together. Like anything else in life, the trick is to start, so if you are wondering where and when to take the first steps why not visit these Facebook pages and websites:
 Coming to a community near you this November
Betty the Vaccination Bus will be at the following venues in November offering the COVID Autumn Booster to anyone over the age of 50 years or anyone who is immunosuppressed.
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Tuesday 8 November 10am to 2.30pm at Dobbies in Donnington TF2 8JY
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Thursday 10 November 11am to 4pm outside MacDonalds at Telford Town Centre TF3 4BX
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Monday 21 November 10am to 3pm at Hub on the Hill, Sutton Hill TF7 4HG
Visit the Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin NHS website for further dates and venues where you can get your COVID vaccinations and/or Boosters.
 Learn to express yourself with paint or pen
Being creative can increase positive emotions and reduce depressive symptoms and anxiety. If you've ever wanted to stretch your creative muscles, but weren't sure how to do so, here are a couple of brilliant opportunities:
For your inner artist...
A 5-week Introduction to Art course running at Leegomery Community Centre and Dawley Social Club will allow you to explore drawing techniques and experiment with a range of media in a supportive environment.
Sessions at Dawley Social Club will be held on Wednesdays 9.45am to 11.45am, starting on 2 November and running for 5 weeks.
Sessions at Leegomery Community Centre will be held on Thursdays 9.45am to 11.45am, starting on 3 November and running for 5 weeks.
For your inner writer...
A 4-week Writing for Fun course is coming to The Place Theatre in Oakengates in which you can investigate different forms of writing and develop your creative writing skills.
Sessions will be held on Tuesdays 10am to 12noon, starting on 22 November and running for 4 weeks.
For more details about any of these courses, please call 01952 382888 or email support@learntelford.ac.uk
 Specialists hit the road to talk about men's health issues
"Don't be embarrassed" is the message from GPs, pharmacists and healthcare professionals across Telford and Wrekin.
Together with the local NHS and partner organisations, Telford & Wrekin Council is holding two pop-up events for Men's Mental Health Week.
Our specialists are looking forward to chatting with passers-by and giving advice on men's health issues. There will be information on prostate cancer symptoms, high blood pressure and mental health concerns. You can pop along and get your autumn covid booster as well.
Join us on Thursday 10 November in Sherwood Square, Telford Shopping Centre TF3 4BX between 8.30am and 8pm or on Saturday 12 November at AFC Telford, Wellington TF1 2TU, between 12noon and 3pm. On both dates there will be members of Telford & Wrekin Council's Healthy Lifestyle Team and Health Champions giving lifestyle advice, health checks and blood pressure checks, along with other health professionals and representatives from local health organisations.
Men can be less likely to seek help when it's needed. Often because of embarrassment. So, for Men's health week, we are urging men across the borough to book an appointment with a GP if something doesn't feel right. Maybe you're going to the toilet too often, have found a lump or are feeling down. Whatever it is, help is available, so call your GP.
 Lowering the cost with small changes
We are all looking for ways to make our food bills lower, whether that's via shopping or how and what we cook.
This time of year is great for using seasonal fruit and veg which is grown in the UK, meaning it should be cheaper to buy with no import fees.
So what’s in season September to November?
 You may want to explore purchasing these items from a local market as prices could be cheaper than that of a local shop or supermarket and at markets you can choose the amount you buy; for example, I only use potatoes in soups, so I buy 2 small ones at a time to ensure I don't have to throw any into my food waste bin.
We have some great local markets in Telford:
It's all about the cooking
Slow cookers are a great way to cook a nutritious meal which will save you both time and money and are fantastic for cooking soups, stews, chilli and much more. You can add the ingredients to your slow cooker in the morning and then by dinner your family main meal is ready to serve.
There are lots of recipes out there on the internet and in your local library to plan meals full of seasonal vegetable, and also using fruit to make a healthy pudding. You can use tinned or frozen fruit and veg and even batch cook to then place extra portions in the fridge or freeze for another quick and healthy meal on the go!
A favourite slow cooker soup of mine is Spicy Butternut Soup made from butternut squash, potato, onion, vegetable stock, chilli flakes, garlic, salt and pepper. This soup is full of healthy goodness and lasts me for 6 meals.
Here are some links to other slow cooker recipes to try yourself:
 Join Paul Shuttleworth from BBC Radio Shropshire and Pudsey Bear on Saturday 12 November at 10am for a short walk through Dothill Local Nature Reserve, Severn Drive, Wellington TF1 3JB.
Visit the Wellington Walkers are Welcome website for further details.
 Safe roads for all
The 14-20 November marks Road Safety Week and this year the theme is safe roads for all.
So why is Road Safety Week so important?
- Every 22 minutes someone is killed or injured on a UK road
- Every day 6 children are killed or seriously injured on roads in the UK
Road Safety weeks gives us the opportunity to remember those killed on the roads and to draw attention to the importance of safe roads, safe vehicles and safer speeds.
We’re encouraging schools across Telford & Wrekin to take part. Whether that be by holding Road Safety assemblies, running events, projects or competitions in school or by including communication in parent mail. It’s important that we all play a part by talking to children about the importance of making safe and healthy journeys as well as how to stay safe on our roads.
To help make these journeys as safe as possible, the Road Safety team visit schools and nurseries to teach children pedestrian training, Bikeability and to run road safety workshops. Active travel such as walking and cycling is great for our health and for the environment and is something we encourage all year round. If you would like to find out more about what the team offer or wish to have engagement from the team during Road Safety Week or beyond, please contact us on roadsafety@telford.gov.uk
Visit the Brake charity website to get involved and to download education resources.
 Meet Barbara
Barbara’s interest in health started when she was volunteering for the Community Parents Team when she was a full-time parent. This inspired her to return to work as a Health Trainer in the NHS before moving into the role of Healthy Lifestyles Advisor with Telford & Wrekin Council. She particularly enjoys working with clients with additional needs and those who struggle with their mental health where she can tailor her support and advice to the needs of her clients.
Barbara offers telephone or video call support to her clients which works well for people not able to attend clinic venues in person.
One of Barbara’s recent clients told us the following:
"I really enjoyed taking part in the service and in particular the way you managed it. Your interpersonal skills rate a ten! The explanation and encouragement you gave together with the feedback kept me on track throughout and enthused me to adopt lifestyle changes that remain with me and will remain with me."
If you would like to live a healthier life too, we are here to help you:
- eat better
- drink less
- exercise more
- reduce your weight
- improve your wellbeing
- lower your blood pressure and cholesterol
- reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- quit smoking
To arrange an appointment with Barbara or one of our other Advisors call 01952 382582 or contact us using our online form.
 Have wheels, will travel!
Come and find out about the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund's amazing new Health Engagement Van and the LiveLife Cancer Awareness Service at Telford Plaza, Lawn Central, Overdale TF3 4NT on 16 November 10am to 2pm.
A session will also be held at The Hamar Centre at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital SY3 8XQ on 23 November 10am to 2pm.
For further information, please contact claire.purcell@lingendavies.co.uk
 Raising awareness of violence against women
White Ribbon Day 2022 will be taking place on the morning of Friday 25 November followed by 16 Days of Action to raise awareness of male abuse against women and encourage men to stand up against this.
Being a White Ribbon Town means we support people to step up and make a positive stand towards ending domestic abuse. Our group of supporters raise awareness of domestic abuse, attend training, influence Council policy, and run campaigns to help get messages about domestic abuse out across Telford.
The morning event on Friday 25 November from 10.30am at Meeting Point House, Southwater Square, Telford, TF3 4HS will include the Loudmouth Theatre in Education production of “Calling It Out”, a marketplace to engage and network with others, and a chance to pledge personally and for your organisation.
Book a place by visiting the Telford & Wrekin EventBrite page.
 Training opportunities provided by The Haven Training
Telford & Wrekin Council and The Haven Training are working together to provide two training opportunities to individuals, organisations, community groups and volunteers working in the local area.
Domestic Abuse Awareness Training
This training covers: an overview of the Domestic Abuse Act, types of domestic abuse, how to recognise signs of abuse and how to support victims and survivors, understanding the barriers victims may face when disclosing abuse and accessing support, and further training options.
Domestic Abuse Community Champion & Workplace Ambassador Training
This training covers: the three R's - how to Recognise, Respond and Refer, what a Community Champion/Workplace Ambassador is and what you should and shouldn't do, possible indicators that someone is being subjected to domestic abuse, how to respond to disclosures of domestic abuse, confidentiality, information sharing and recording, and safety planning in the workplace and beyond.
To find out more information, receive training dates and/or a booking form, please contact training@havenrefuge.org.uk
 Breath Work and Meditation with Sahara
Through meditation and breathing awareness we can find a deep state of release from our muscular, mental and emotional tensions, allowing the whole system to relax. This can also help to relieve pain and depression, to break habits and built confidence.
Sessions are held on Wednesdays 11.15am to 12.15pm at Dawley Town Hall, New Street, Dawley TF4 3JR and cost £3.
Bring your own yoga mat, and a pillow and blanket are recommended, but not essential. Breath work and meditation can be done sitting.
Open to anyone over the age of 18yrs.
For further information please contact Sahara on 07475 500227 or email sarah@bridgnorthyoga.co.uk
 Girls' Football for 9-11 years
On Mondays between 4pm and 5pm, Girls' Football sessions are being held at Millbrook School, Grainger Drive, Leegomery TF1 6US. Sessions cost just £1 and there is no need to book, just come along and try it out.
And for the adults...
On Wednesdays between 6pm and 7pm, Women only Netball sessions are being held at Oakengates Leisure Centre, New Road, Wrockwardine Wood TF2 7AB. Sessions cost £3, so why not come and have a go?
People aged between 70 and 79 are encouraged to contact their GPs to ask for the Shingles vaccine
What are the symptoms of shingles?
The main symptom of shingles is pain, followed by a rash that develops into itchy blisters, similar in appearance to chickenpox. New blisters may appear for up to a week, but a few days after appearing they become yellowish in colour, flatten and dry out.
Scabs then form where the blisters were, which may leave some slight scarring.
The pain may be a constant, dull or burning sensation and its intensity can vary from mild to severe. You may have sharp stabbing pains from time to time, and the affected area of skin will usually be tender.
In some cases, shingles may cause some early symptoms that develop a few days before the painful rash first appears. These early symptoms can include:
- a headache
- burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area
- a feeling of being generally unwell
- a high temperature (fever)
An episode of shingles typically lasts around two to four weeks, however in some cases the pain may last for many weeks once the rash has disappeared. Shingles usually affects a specific area on one side of the body and doesn't cross over the midline of the body (an imaginary line running from between your eyes down past the belly button).
Any part of your body can be affected, including your face and eyes, but the chest and abdomen (tummy) are the most common areas.
Visit NHS Inform for further information about Shingles.
 Get a free personalized health score when you complete this 10-minute quiz from the NHS.
Sometimes you know you want to change, without being sure how to. The How Are You? quiz is for over 18s only and is designed to point you in the right direction. Please be aware that it is not a medical assessment and if you are worried about your health you should speak to a health professional.
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