Health Happens e-newsletter
Welcome to the FIRST issue of
Health Happens e-news from NHS Worcestershire
produced by Malvern Hills District Council. Health
Happens is a e-newsletter sharing information, news
and events on health, wellbeing and physical activity initiatives
that are taking place across Malvern Hills District.
If you would like to include any information,
news, stories and events or even photos in the second issue of
Health Happens please email me at melaniewhistance@malvernhills.gov.uk
or contact 01684 862 283. I would also be really interested to
receive your feedback on the newsletter.
For a copy of the first edition of Health
Happens please follow this link Health Happens
Latest news.........
Welcome to 'Health, Wellbeing & Physical
Activity News'... bringing you information on all the latest news,
events and activities from across the Malvern Hills
District.
See below for information about.....
The Nintendo Wii Project, Activity Referral Scheme, Malvern by
Moonlight, Act on Energy, the 30 minute Challenge and much much
more.
"Ready Steady Go" is an exercise programme
available for older people who are having difficulties in
maintaining their balance. It consists of a 33 week (minimum)
exercise course, also referred to as Postural Stability (PSI), that
aims to improve strength and balance to help people feel more
confident when they are out and about and reduce the risk of
falling (for more information please see the attached
leaflet).
There are currently two classes running in Malvern:
Prospect View Medical Centre, Wednesday's, 10.30-11.30am and
2.00-3.00pm. For more information please call Sue on 01684 565
462
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Brambles Farm
Brambles is a working farm with
rare breed animals. We run activity workshops with Animal
Assisted Therapy and horticultural activities, for people of all
ages, in groups or as individuals, with unique needs, such
as:
. Learning Difficulties
. Acquired Brain Injuries
. Autism
. Mental health issues or recovering from trauma
. Emotional and behavioural problems
. Disaffected & excluded youth
. Those needing help through transition to independence"
For further information please visit the website http://www.livingfarm.co.uk/
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Nintendo Wii Project
Malvern Hills District Council in Partnership with Herefordshire
& Worcestershire Sports Partnership has managed to secure a
grant from the Department of Health to encourage adult
participation in physical activity and sport. Part of the money has
been spent on purchasing a pool of Nintendo Wii's to encourage
older adults to be active in a fun and enjoyable way. The project
is being managed by George Waugh (Chief Executive, Age Concern
Malvern & District) and is currently being delivered through
Day Centres/Clubs across the District, but we would like to give
Residential/Nursing Homes the opportunity to get involved. If you
are interested in learning more about the project and would like to
hire a Nintendo Wii then please contact George on 01684 560 666 or
see the attached
leaflet (please note we do have a limited number of consoles
and a minimal hire charge may apply).
___________________________________________________________________
Activity Referral Scheme
The Activity Referral Scheme refers patients, following a
consultation with a Health Care Professional, onto a 10 week
activity programme delivered at Malvern Splash. Following an
in-depth assessment and introduction by one of the qualified
fitness professionals working at the Centre you are set an exercise
programme tailored to suit your needs as a stepping stone to
exercising independently. You can join the scheme as an individual
or as a group with similar chronic conditions. For more information
please see the attached
leaflet and contact please contact Ian Bonsall (Fitness
Manager- Malvern Splash) on 01684 893 423.
___________________________________________________________________
Act on Energy
Act on Energy, our local energy advice centre are running a
number of open surgeries at Malvern Customer Contact Centre
(Malvern Library). This will be an opportunity to find out how you
can become more energy efficient, reduce your fuel bills and find
out if you are eligible for a government grant. For more
information please call Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881.
___________________________________________________________________
Driving whilst taking medications
NHS Worcestershire and Malvern Hills Community Safety
Partnership have worked in partnership to design and distribute a
leaflet on Road Safety -
Driving whilst taking medications. The leaflet aims to raise
awareness of driving whilst taking medication and to encourage
people to talk to a health care professional on how their
medication may affect their ability to drive safely. If you would
like more information or perhaps hard copies to display in your
facility or to distribute to service users then please contact
Melanie Whistance (Malvern Hills Health Improvement Co-ordinator)
via email melanie.whistance@malvernhills.gov.uk
or telephone 01683 862 283.
___________________________________________________________________
The ALL (Activities, Lunch & Leisure) Welcome
Drop-in-Club Launches
The ALL (Activities, Lunch & Leisure) Welcome Drop-in Club
is finally here!. The club is aimed at 55's and above to reduce
health inequalities by supporting older people to adopt a healthier
lifestyle and maintain their independence. It is also an
opportunity to socialise and meet new people in a fun environment.
The beauty of the club is that it is flexible to fit around your
daily routine, therefore you can come all day, or just to the
morning, lunch or afternoon.
There is a club running at Williams Court, Malvern on Mondays,
Storer Court, Malvern on Thursdays and Thomas Morris,
Upton on Tuesdays. If you would like more information or know
of anyone who you think would like to join then please call Melanie
Price (ALL Welcome Co-ordinator) on 01684 576 233.
___________________________________________________________________
Malvern Sole Mates Health Walk Group
The Malvern Sole Mates health walk group
meets twice weekly at the Pickersleigh Centre. Its logo explains
its purpose: 'Talking, Walking, Being Together'.
Health walks are regular short walks over easy terrain that last
about one hour and are led by trained volunteer health walk
leaders. (More information about the national Walking the way to
Health initiative may be found at http://www.whi.org.uk/)
Malvern Sole Mates currently have around 30 members who attend
either regularly or periodically according to their fitness and
ability. Members are from all walks of life and parts of Malvern,
many have underlying health conditions which are benefited by the
walking and social contact. To join just turn up on one of their
walks - please see programme
or contact Alison Hall on 01684
562159.
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Malvern Hills Warm & Well Grant
To help tackle the issue of fuel poverty locally the Malvern Hills
Affordable Warmth Task Group have managed to secure a £10k grant
named as the Malvern Hills Warm & Well Grant from the County
Council to financially support individual cases of fuel poverty.
This can be done by working closely with local energy providers to
install energy reducing measures i.e. thermostats, timers, night
storage heaters and loft and cavity wall installation. The grant
can also help with the practical side by working closely with Age
Concern to utilise the handyperson and visiting services, so if an
individual needs help in moving belongings from the loft before it
can be insulated the practical and emotional support will be
available.
The grant will be managed by a subgroup of the Task Group and the
money will be awarded through a referral process. Any professional
working for social care, health, housing or a voluntary/charitable
organisation can complete a referral form on behalf of the
individual and recommend the application is considered for funding.
The form will then be checked against a set of criteria and the
appropriate financial support will be awarded.
Please click here to view the
Warm & Well Grant Criteria and Referral Forms. The grant is
now open to referral so can I please ask that you promote this
grant as widely as possible. The grant criteria is pretty self
explanatory but if you have any questions then please do not
hesitate to contact me, all referrals must be sent through to
George Waugh at Malvern & District Age UK on 01684 560 666.
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Minor Injuries Unit in Malvern
A Minor
Injuries Unit (MIU) opened at Malvern Community Hospital on Monday,
February 2nd, 2009. It is open from 9am - 9pm seven days a
week.
Click here to download a leaflet on the new
MIU.
Keep yourself updated with the developments of the new Malvern
Community Hospital. For information click here.
