 Welcome to the May edition of the Healthy Telford newsletter
May promises to be an exciting month as the King's coronation approaches along with sunnier weather and three Bank Holidays.
In this month's newsletter you will find information about Mental Health Awareness Week 2023, which focuses this year on anxiety. We've got information for you about what we're doing during the week, and some tips of our own to share on managing anxiety. There's also a new member of the Healthy Lifestyles team for you to meet, and some upcoming volunteering and training opportunities to share.
So, take some time out, get yourself a drink and read on. And don't forget this month's quiz.
 We're proud to be supporting Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 15 to 21 May 2023 and the focus this year is on anxiety. Feelings of anxiety are normal in us all, but sometimes they can get out of control and become a mental health problem.
Join us in increasing people’s awareness and understanding of anxiety and providing information about the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem. You can show your support by sharing on social media @HealthyTF (Twitter) or @HealthyTelfordWrekin (Facebook) and using the hashtag #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.
Walking out
During the week with your help we will be highlighting the different activities that benefit our wellbeing. Men Walking and Talking are supporting the week with a walk from Southwater, Telford Town Centre, starting at 7pm on Friday 19 May.
Our Stop Smoking Advisors are also on hand to help. The Cost of Living Crisis has definitely made us feel more anxious. Stopping smoking could help you save £4,841.20 per year, which is the cost of one person smoking 20 a day for a year. As well as helping us improve our physical health, quitting can improve our mental health too. Tobacco increases mental illness symptoms such as anxiety and stress. If you’d like to get help to stop smoking get in touch with the team using this link www.telford.gov.uk/hlform or by phoning 01952 382582.
Making every contact count
Finally we are looking for people who as part of their jobs have conversations whilst doing what they do, i.e. hairdressers, barbers, tattoo artists. The saying “It’s Good to Talk” has been used to break down the stigma of mental health for many years and it's true! The average person has 27 conversations every day, lasting on average 10 minutes each!
We’re looking for people to take part in a two hour online Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training session. MECC is a simple and helpful way of using our everyday conversations to prompt other people think about how changing their behaviours and habits could help their mental and/or physical health.
If you work in Telford, have opportunities to have a conversation and are interested in supporting other people’s mental health and wellbeing please email health.improvement@telford.gov.uk with your contact details and where you work to register your interest. We are hoping that if we get enough interest we will run our first training session during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Together we can help to create a world with good mental health for all.
Visit the Mental Health Foundation website to find out more and get involved.
 Come and celebrate His Majesty's Jubilee with us at Telford & Wrekin libraries!
We have two activities taking place this week in the lead up to the coronation:
For families, we have a craft activity in which you will be making Royal seed orbs that can then be planted in your very own handmade plant pots.
These sessions are suitable for anyone aged 4+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please let us know if you or your child require any additional support.
Wednesday 3 May 3.30pm to 5pm at Newport Library
Thursday 4 May 3.30pm to 5pm at Wellington Library
And for adults we will be holding a reminiscence session in which we will be sharing Royal memories, making Coronation decorations and enjoying cake fit for a king!
You are welcome to bring along any Royal memorabilia or photos you have.
Suitable for all adults.
Thursday 4 May 12noon to 2pm at Southwater Library
Both of these activities are free to attend, but you must book a place.
Visit the Tickets Telford website to book your place on either of these activities.
 Health Education England (Midlands) is running two online Health Literacy workshops over the next couple of months.
On Tuesday 9 May between 9am and 12noon a Health Literate Organisation workshop will be delivered by Dr Mike Oliver via Zoom.
It is assumed that attendees already know what health literacy is.
This workshop covers the following topics:
- What do we mean by a Health Literate Organisation (HLO)?
- Why is being a HLO important?
- What does success look like for you?
- How do we get there?
- What is in the HLO checklist?
- What does good or bad look like?
- Where do I go for advice or examples?
The course also looks at your organisation's journey and next steps towards becoming a HLO and advises on where to get follow up support.
Visit the Eventbrite website to book a place for this workshop.
And on Tuesday 20 June between 9am and 11am Dr Mike Oliver is delivering a Health Literacy Awareness Training session via Zoom, by the end of which, you should be able to:
- Understand what health literacy is
- Appreciate what it might mean to have low levels of health literacy
- Know why it is important
- Know what others have done, and think about what you could do
- Learn about key tools, such as “Teachback” and writing for understanding
- Know how to sign up for the Health Literate Organisation journey
Visit the Eventbrite website to book a place on this training session.
 Learn to Ride session are back!
Learn to Ride sessions are back on Saturday 13 May and Sunday 14 May.
These sessions are designed specifically for children aged 4+ who can not currently ride but would like to learn how to independently ride a bike with pedals. Joining our group sessions, your child will gain skills and confidence in an outdoor, traffic-free area. Each session lasts for 1 hour and costs £10 per space with a limit of eight children.
The Learn to Rides start with the removal of pedals and lowering the seat to effectively turn the bike into a balance bike. This gives the children reassurance that if they lose their balance they can still touch the floor.
Where possible we suggest that children bring their own bikes and helmets. If this is not appropriate, we have bikes and helmets that the children can borrow at no extra cost. Due to the sessions being held outside children should be dressed appropriately and bring a drink of water.
All children learn at different rates and there is no guarantee that participation will result in children riding. As a rough guide we recommend children attend three Learn to Ride sessions.
Visit the Tickets Telford website to book a Learn to Ride session.
Are you working in a frontline, customer-facing role?
Do you know how to help customers affected by dementia?
There are around 2,000 residents over the age of 65 living with dementia in Telford and Wrekin. If you would like to have a better understanding of the difficulties they face and how you can communicate with them and support them, please come along to an informal information session and become a Dementia Friend.
There will be two sessions as part of Dementia Action Week (15 to 21 May) delivered by Steve Poole, the Council's Dementia Champion.
Steve says: "The awareness session is a must for frontline colleagues. They will come away with a greater knowledge of what dementia is and how to recognise someone affected by it and what they can do to meet their needs."
When and where
The awareness sessions will run on Tuesday, May 16, from 10am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 3pm, at the Independent Living Centre, Hazeldine House, Central Square, Telford, TF3 4JL. You only need to attend one.
Book your place
Spaces are limited, please book by emailing cpt@telford.gov.uk or for more information, call Steve on 01952 380341.
If you are interested in helping grow the number of Dementia Friends in the council by becoming a Dementia Ambassador, please get in touch at cpt@telford.gov.uk.
Visit the Alzheimer's Society website for more information about Dementia Week.
 May Measurement Month and World Hypertension Day are on the way
World Hypertension Day is held on 17 May each year and aims to make people aware of their Blood Pressure (BP) reading.
In Telford & Wrekin we have volunteer Health Champions that offer general health advice to neighbours, friends, family and community groups. These Health Champions are not medically trained, but do receive free training such as Making Every Contact Count (MECC) to help them support residents. We are looking for people, from diverse backgrounds to help us promote this and other health and wellbeing initiatives.
Can you lend a hand?
During May we are specifically looking for volunteers that are interested in taking blood pressure readings at arranged events. These events will be made up of two or three volunteers, talking to passers-by about blood pressure and offering to take their reading. Most people are unaware they have high blood pressure, as presents no symptoms. However, it is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the UK.
We will be delivering a local Blood Pressure project that will start in June. People interested in volunteering their time can support as little or as often as you want, e.g. once a month, once a week, or just whenever you have time. Health Champions who conduct these blood pressure checks will be lifesavers for many in the borough.
In addition, volunteering as a Health Champion helps bring people together and makes communities stronger and more resilient. Being a Health Champion is something people can work into their everyday life, giving however much or little time they want. What we ask is that you talk to friends and family about the risks associated with a poor lifestyle. You do not need to be an expert, as all training will be provided.
We know that volunteers who do this experience a boost to their wellbeing and gain a sense of purpose – they also make new friends and gain skills.
Visit the Telford and Wrekin website to register to be Health Champion.
 Meet the newest member of the Stop Smoking Team
Debbie has recently joined the Healthy Lifestyles Team as a Stop Smoking Advisor. Debbie brings a wealth of experience to the team having worked for Telford MIND as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Worker progressing to a Listening Co-ordinator in 2020. Debbie’s role included supporting service users on the phone, face to face, in the Calm Café’s and in groups that ran at Court Street Medical Practice before COVID and then online throughout the pandemic.
Debbie has volunteered for PODS (Parents Opening Doors) as one of the original befrienders, parent representative and as a group facilitator. She has also run her own Vulnerable Lives group and delivered Mental Health Awareness sessions.
To request an appointment for with the Stop Smoking Service you can contact the team using the button below.
Alternatively, you can call them on: 01952 382582
 Be active in Telford & Wrekin's green spaces
Our modern, fast-paced lives often leave us stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed.
One of the best ways to combat these negative feelings is through exercise, especially in natural settings.
With spring on the way and the weather improving, now is a great time to enjoy the benefits of exercising outdoors in Telford and Wrekin's green spaces and making it part of your routine.
Visit the Healthy Telford blog to read more about why we think that green spaces are go.
 Are you living with type 2 diabetes, or do you care for someone who does?
Healthy Living for people with type 2 diabetes is a free online NHS service that supports people to live well with type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of complications such as vision loss, kidney failure, amputation, heart disease and strokes.
Clinically proven, the service provides information about diabetes, offers support with mental wellbeing, and helps with adopting and maintaining healthy behaviours such as improving your diet and increasing physical activity.
You can get information and advice at home, work or on the move, putting you in control of your health and wellbeing.
Who is the programme for?
Anyone over the age of 18, living in England with type 2 diabetes, no matter when you were diagnosed. If you care for someone living with type 2 diabetes, you can sign up too.
How does it work?
- Create an account online and start your learning.
- In the programme, find information and guidance to support you to live well with type 2 diabetes.
- Learn at your own pace and at a time that suits you.
- Access quizzes and make use of the 'Tools' section to set goals and track your progress.
Visit the Healthy Living website to sign up or for more information.
 Do you live in Ketley Bank, Oakengates or St Georges?
Do you belong to a community group in one of these areas?
Or perhaps your child attends a school in Ketley Bank, Oakengates or St Georges?
If so we want to hear from you!
Join our KOG project to enjoy cycling for leisure, exercise and travel.
To take part contact the KOG Community Cycling Advisor by emailing KOG@shropshirecyclehub.uk
Visit the KOG website for more information.
 A series of multi-language videos have been created to raise awareness about the importance of cancer screening to improve uptake in the area.
In Mandarin, Punjabi, Ukrainian, Bulgarian and Polish the videos focus on breast, bowel and cervical cancer, as well highlighting signs and symptoms of cancer.
Michelle Moore, Telford Cancer Champion Coordinator at Lingen Davies Cancer Fund is working with local communities to grow a network of volunteer Cancer Champions, who chat with family, friends and colleagues to raising awareness about signs and symptoms of cancer and encourage people to take up cancer screening invitations. Telford and Shropshire Cancer Champions have worked to produce these new video resources, which can be downloaded by organisations to use in their facilities or social media, to help spread the word
Michelle says “The videos form a powerful toolkit for any community-based organisation or health body to use encouraging more people to take up cancer screening invitations.
Spotting possible signs of cancer saves lives. Free NHS cancer screenings save lives, because it spots early signs before symptoms arise or even prevents cancer developing.
People can’t take up cancer screening invitations if they simply cannot understand them. These multi-language videos have been produced by people in their mother tongue, we know the messages are right, they are accessible, and free to anyone who wishes to share them. We urge as many organisations as possible to use them.”
Visit the Cancer Champions website to view or download these videos.
 Understanding anxiety
Most people will experience anxiety from time to time, particularly when dealing with stressful situations or events. It is a natural reaction to the feeling of being under threat, a part of our automatic ‘fight or flight’ response that hasn’t caught up with our modern day lives. While we are no longer faced with predators on a daily basis, we are still ‘threatened’ by money worries, social anxieties and life events that can leave us feeling like we have no control.
Anxiety may be a normal part of life, but it can easily get out of control and is also one of the most common mental health problems in the UK, affecting over 8 million people.
How can I manage anxious feelings?
But that doesn’t mean we have to suffer. Here are five tips to help manage those feelings of worry, tension and/or fear:
1. Talk it out
When in the grip of anxiety, you can feel like you are alone with your worries or fears. Talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling – just saying your thoughts out loud can help you to process your feelings.
2. Write it down
Don’t ignore your worries, but don’t try to keep them all stored in your head either. Instead, make a habit of writing them down – getting them down on paper can help relieve the pressure of all those circling thoughts.
3. Breathe
When we are trapped in a spiral of worry or panic we start to breathe quicker and more shallowly. Focus on slowing your breathing down by trying the 4-7-8 technique. Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4, hold that breath for a count of 7, then slowly breathe out for a count of 8. This technique can help to calm you, and it’s a good one to try when you’re going to sleep at night too.
4. Take care of your body
Eating regularly, getting enough rest and taking some form of exercise all play an important part in helping with anxiety. Eating regularly ensures that your blood sugar remains stable and helps prevent dips in mood and exercise, whether it’s a walk, some stretching, or a gym session, gives you something to focus on and a sense of achievement.
5. Be in the moment
Anxiety is a ‘future-oriented’ state of mind characterised by feelings of fear or worry about things that haven’t happened yet. If you are feeling overwhelmed by such thoughts, it can help to focus instead on the moment. What can you see around you? What can you smell or hear? What can you feel under your feet or hands? Try to ‘zoom in’ on the moment you are in right now.
Visit the Mental Health Foundation to find out more about coping with feelings of anxiety
.Visit the Mind website for further information and advice about anxiety and panic attacks.
 How does it affect you?
As we've seen in the article above, we are all subject to anxiety and stress and this can show up in different ways, depending on our personalities and sensitivities.
This month's quiz looks at how times of stress affect you personally and what you can do to be kinder to yourself when anxiety strikes.
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