 Welcome to the July edition of the Healthy Telford newsletter
Have you ever wanted to do the Couch to 5K programme? Or perhaps you want something a bit more chilled, like yoga in the park? In this month's edition you will find opportunities to try out either or both of these. You will also find information about some upcoming community events, courses and digital support drop-in sessions.
So take a breather, get yourself a snack and a drink (remember to stay hydrated during this sunny weather!) and catch up on what's going on to support your health and wellbeing in Telford and Wrekin this month.
And don't forget this month's quiz, which is all about brain health.
 Understanding alcohol harm
Alcohol can sometimes play a centre-stage role in our lives. It’s promoted when we watch our favourite sports, advertised as we travel to work and strategically placed in our favourite films and TV shows. It’s there when we celebrate and when we commiserate and can be used to dull anxieties and feelings of helplessness.
This year’s Alcohol Awareness Week is focused on raising awareness of the harm that alcohol can do. It not only hits us in our pockets but can leave us with low energy and poor sleep, can affect relationships, and, of course, when over-indulged in it can damage our heart, liver, brain, skin and cells. Each year thousands of people experience long-term health conditions as a result of drinking alcohol or die from alcohol-related causes.
Don't wait for Dry January…
You don't have to wait until January to decide to reduce your alcohol intake. The Try Dry app can help you if you want to cut down on your drinking, or go totally alcohol-free. It can help you track your units, understand your drinking pattern, and can be used to monitor your wellbeing with sleep, energy level and mood trackers.
And don't forget that free local help is available from the Healthy Lifestyles Service to help you make changes in your life that you want to make. Healthy Lifestyle Advisors can help you live a healthier life, do more of the things you want to do, and generally improve how you feel.
 Growing understanding
July is Disability Awareness Month and is a time to focus on and celebrate the disabled community. It is an opportunity to kickstart conversations around disability experiences and issues, and to foster positive attitudes and actions.
- Approximately 1 in 5 people in Britain are living with a disability
- Only 17% of disabled people were born with a disability, and we are all more likely to acquire a disability as we age
- Not all disabilities are obvious or visible
The barriers faced by those living with disability can be physical, such as a building with no access ramps or hearing loops, or a lack of braille signage. But they can also be attitudes, like someone talking to the person pushing the wheelchair rather than the wheelchair user, or believing that a person with visual impairment cannot work in a customer-facing role.
Communities are stronger for being diverse and inclusive. Increasing our understanding of the challenges faced by those living with disability means we are better able to help when help is needed. The charity Scope created their End the Awkward campaign to encourage everyone to become more confident in the subject of disability.
Visit the Scope website to read their no nonsense End the Awkward guide.
 Something for all the family
On Sunday 7 July, between 12noon and 4pm at Hollinswood Pavilion TF3 2DN, Hollinswood and Randlay Parish Council are holding this year's Fun Day.
With loads to see and do, this free event will have a variety of stalls, activities and inflatables along with other entertainment including face painting and circus skills and lots more. There will also be a variety of information stands relating to health and wellbeing, including the Healthy Lifestyles Service and the Community Blood Pressure Project, as well as information on housing and climate change.
Free parking is just a short walk away on the Randlay Valley Car Park, just off Queen Elizabeth Avenue.
For more information, please contact Hollinswood and Randlay Parish Council by emailing: enquiries@harpc.org.uk
 You are all invited...
To a community health fayre on Sunday 14 July, from 12noon to 4pm, in the square in front of the Rose Manor Care Home, Ketley Park Road, Ketley, Telford TF1 5FH.
This FREE event to raise the awareness of health within our communities will include health and wellbeing stalls, demonstrations of sport/fitness activities, cooking demonstrations, and an opportunity to have your blood pressure, weight and height checked.
Stallholders will include the Community Blood Pressure Project, the Healthy Lifestyles Service, Lingen Davies, Health Watch Telford & Wrekin, Forum 50+, West Mercia Police, Shropshire Fire & Rescue, and more.
No need to book – just come along with your friends and family for this community event, sponsored by Telford Central Seventh-day Adventist Church
Visit the Telford Adventist Church website for more details.
 Multiply is a selection of free courses to help you improve your maths skills. It can help you in your everyday life, from managing your finances to helping your children with their homework. It can also help you get a new job or study for further qualifications.
Walking 4 Wellbeing course
This short Walking 4 Wellbeing course on Tuesday 16 July from 10am to 1pm takes place at Lawley Bank Court, Martingale Way, Lawley Bank TF4 2PP. It will provide the opportunity to explore some of the green spaces in the Lawley area during a gentle 1-2 miles guided walk with a friendly tutor. The course is part of the Multiply Skills for Life offer, so a free pedometer will be provided so you can count your steps along the way.
Visit the Learn Telford website for more information about local courses on a variety of topics.
Summer Salads course
This 3-week Summer Salad course starting on Tuesday 16 July from 10am to 12.30pm takes place at Holy Trinity Church, Waterloo Road, Hadley TF1 5NX. During the 3 sessions you will learn how measure ingredients and budget for a variety of mouth-watering salad recipes in a relaxed and friendly environment.
For both courses you will be asked to provide photo ID.
 Do you know anyone who needs a little digital support?
Perhaps you or someone you know is not sure how to access Council services online, how to use email or WhatsApp, or how to go about online shopping. Whether it's your phone, tablet or laptop, help is available at the following digital support drop-in sessions across Telford.
Every Tuesday:
- Holy Trinity Church, Wrockwardine Wood TF2 7AH, from 9.30am to 11.30am
- Donnington & Muxton Community Library TF2 8HG, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Every Wednesday:
- Southwater Library TF3 4JG, from 10am to 12noon
- Lawley Bank Court TF4 2PP, from 12.45pm to 2.45pm
Every Thursday:
- Wrekin Housing Group Hub TF3 1ET, from 9.30am to 11.30am
- Wellington Library TF1 1LX, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm
For more information call 01952 382915
Alternatively, visit the Telford Online page on the Telford & Wrekin Council website.
 Help us make local services better for carers of all ages
Telford & Wrekin Council is seeking people's feedback on the draft All Age Carers Strategy so we can address local issues and enhance health, social and voluntary services for carers over the next five years.
The consultation process will invite carers of all ages to share their experiences, insights, and recommendations so that local services can cater to their needs. By working with carers to develop the All Age Carers Strategy, the Council and its partners - Telford and Wrekin CVS, Telford & Wrekin All Age Carers Centre, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System – aim to foster a collaborative approach that reflects the diverse perspectives and priorities of the local carer community.
You can provide your input through a public consultation running until 19 July 2024.
To participate, please complete this survey. If you prefer a paper copy of the survey, you can request one by emailing Allagecarers@telford.gov.uk or telephone 01952 380536 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
 Talking is important
Spotting cancer early saves lives. That's where Cancer Champions come in. These volunteers empower and encourage people in their community to take up cancer screening, building the role into their everyday life, whether at home, with friends, or at work. No previous experience is necessary to become a Champion, just a willingness to spread the word.
The next Cancer Champion training day will take place on Tuesday 30 July, from 9:30 am to 12:30pm at Admaston House Community Centre, Wellington Rd, Telford TF5 0BN.
To check availability and to book your place, call 01743 492396 or email hello@cancerchampions.co.uk
Visit the Cancer Champions website for more information about their campaign.
 Want to take part in a free and easy way to get fitter and healthier?
Why not join a ‘Couch to 5K’ programme? Couch to 5K is a popular running plan for absolute beginners, designed to gradually build up strength and stamina to take people from their couch to running 5K in just a few weeks.
The programmes are run by qualified Run Leaders who will provide a safe and enjoyable running experience for anyone aged 18 years and older, including warm-ups and cool downs, for a fun running session suitable for a mixed ability group of runners.
The next FREE ‘Couch to 5K’ programme is a 9-week course at Bowring Park in Wellington on the following dates:
- Week 1 - Wednesday 14 August
- Week 2 - Monday 19 August
- Week 3 - Wednesday 28 August
- Week 4 - Monday 2 September
- Week 5 - Monday 9 September
- Week 6 - Monday 16 September
- Week 7 - Monday 23 September
- Week 8 - Monday 30 September
- Week 9 - Monday 7 October
All starting promptly at 6.30pm and finishing approximately 7.30pm.
With a ‘Graduation’ at Telford’s Park Run on the morning of Saturday 12 October.
If you’d like to join this FREE 9 week ‘Coach to 5k’ running group led by two members of Bowring Runners, please fill in the e-form via the link below or email bowringc25k@outlook.com for more details.
 Yoga has real benefits for mind, body and soul
Yoga is known to improve strength, balance and flexibility, help with back pain and arthritis symptoms, benefit heart health, help with relaxation and sleep, improve energy and mood, help with the management of stress, and more.
Exercise outdoors provides extra benefits
Being active outdoors in green spaces and the natural environment provides more benefits too – it boosts wellbeing, reduces stress, anxiety and depression and promotes happiness more than exercising elsewhere, such as the gym.
The power of exercise in the park
To bring together the benefits of exercise with the boost that being active outdoors in green spaces can bring, plans are being made to hold some ‘yoga in the park’ sessions in one of Telford and Wrekin’s green spaces.
With 23 nature reserves and over 300 green guarantee sites, Telford and Wrekin is ideal for hosting ‘green yoga’, which will also be a great way of spotlighting our green spaces and the difference they can make to people's wellbeing.
Interested in taking part?
If you fancy the idea of taking part in some weekend yoga sessions in a park or nature reserve near you why not get in touch to let us know?
And if you are a yoga instructor and might be interested in delivering these sessions we’d like to hear from you too.
Get in touch by emailing healthimprovement@telford.gov.uk
 Helping more people to live well
We all have questions about our health and wellbeing, our care needs (now or in the future) and how we can connect more. Telford & Wrekin Council have joined forces with Madeley Town Council, Telford Mind and a range of partners to create the first Community Health & Wellbeing Hub at the Anstice.
A weekly Hub called Let's Talk - Live Well takes place every Wednesday, between 10am and 1pm at Madeley Library in the Anstice. Regular support includes blood pressure checks, Healthy Lifestyles advice, Independent Living Centre help and Telford Mind Social Prescribing.
You’ll be greeted by a member of the community team who will have a conversation with you to understand what matters most to you and will then help you find the most relevant person(s) to talk to. Together you will explore what the best options are for you and what your next steps are.
The Live Well Hubs bring together a range of services, organisations, groups, under one roof and provide a one stop shop to help you to manage your health, wellbeing, social and care needs with support. If you would like to be able to do more, know more, enjoy more and feel better then the Live Well Hub is there for you to make small positive changes to a happier and healthier you.
For more information contact Madeley Town Council's Wellbeing Officer Charlotte Dade by emailing charlotte@madeleytowncouncil.gov.uk or calling 01952 567288.
 Do you know your numbers?
Having high blood pressure can lead to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. So knowing your blood pressure numbers can save your life. Around 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, and, if you're over 40, you should get your pressure checked at least every five years.
The Community Blood Pressure Project is out and about in Telford visiting local venues and events to take blood pressure readings and raise awareness of why it's important to 'know your numbers'.
Visit the Healthy Telford blog to find out where our blood pressure checkers will be next.
 Exercise classes to help you stay steady on your feet
Taking place across Telford, 'Moving On' is a new programme of gentle exercise classes tailored for people aged 50+ to support their health and wellbeing. These classes deliver a mixture of seated and standing exercises that aim to promote mobility, strength, and balance so that participants can enhance their fitness levels and stay steady on their feet.
The ‘Moving On’ classes are particularly suitable for those with long-term health conditions. Led by qualified and friendly Fit4All Instructors, this programme has been made accessible with Telford & Wrekin Council's support, and are priced at £3 per session or £10 for four pre-booked sessions.
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In Touch Telford for the Visually Impaired
Are you visually impaired or have a friend, family member or neighbour who lives with sight loss?
Come along to Southwater Library every first and third Wednesday between 11am and 1pm for free demos and training sessions on smartphones and tablets, for both Apple and Android devices. No prior experience of technology needed. You can bring your own phone or tablet or try out a demo device.
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Bounce and Rhyme sessions
Telford & Wrekin Libraries run weekly Bounce and Rhyme sessions for families with children under the age of 5-years-old. These involve singing nursery and counting rhymes. There's no need to book - just drop in and join in the fun!
Every Tuesday:
- Southwater Library, 10.30am and 11am
- Wellington Library, 2pm and 2.30pm
Every Thursday:
- Wellington Library, 10.30am and 11am
Every Friday:
- Newport Community Library, 10.30am and 11am
Got a question? Email libraryenquiries@telford.gov.uk
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 Sport England have now released the data about activity levels of the people in Telford and Wrekin
Last month we featured Sport England’s latest Active Lives Adults Report, based on their survey taken in 2022/2023 which measures the number of people aged 16+ taking part in sport and physical activity.
There was some good news from the report, which showed a long-term increase in activity levels in adults across England, but also highlighted inequalities in physical activity between different communities.
In Telford and Wrekin:
- Just over 56% of people are taking part in the recommended level of activity per week, which compares to just over 63% people in England, according to the latest Active Lives Survey.
- Around 30% of adults are not taking part in the recommended level of activity per week, which is worse than England (at just under 26%).
- More men are active than women, although sadly there has been a recent fall in the number of men who are active and a slight rise in the number of men who are classed as inactive.
- The number of women who are active has remained the same, but there has been a sharp fall in the number who are inactive, which is good news.
- We’re still seeing a big difference between levels of activity between the most and least deprived of our communities too, which shows us that we need to take more action to tackle inequalities in physical activity between different communities.
Happier and less lonely
There was even more good news for Telford and Wrekin from the survey results about how people are feeling. The survey found that local people are feeling happier, more worthwhile and more fulfilled, with more life satisfaction and greater resilience. In the borough people are feeling less lonely and anxious, more social trust and community integration and feel that they are achieving their goals. Most of the results for people in Telford and Wrekin are better than the results for England overall.
Feeling the benefit
The survey results also tell us that local people are experiencing some real benefits from being physically active, with an increase in people getting enjoyment from physical activity, more people placing greater importance on exercise as a part of their lives, and more people feeling capable of doing activity and sport, and are finding more opportunities to do so too.
Interestingly, local people’s motivations for taking part in sport, exercise and activity showed the majority agreeing that it was for fitness, relaxation, fun and for the challenge. More people in Telford and Wrekin said they also felt safe doing sport in local venues, felt included and welcome, and saw more people the same as them taking part.
Lastly, results from the survey showed that numbers of adults volunteering in Telford and Wrekin were increasing, despite people feeling pressure from busy lives and the cost of living crisis.
Visit the NHS website for guidance of how much physical activity you should be taking part in each week.
For help with increasing how much exercise you do, losing weight or eating more healthily, you can contact the Healthy Lifestyles Team using the button below.
 Take a brain health check
It's easy to take our brains for granted, but we can take action to improve our brain health just as we can any other part of our body, to help reduce the risk of dementia and ensure we stay sharp as we get older.
This Brain Health Check-in consists of three short sections, and will give you some simple tips on how to improve your brain health.
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