In March we trained 13 of our health supporters as Bowel cancer Lay Educators, so they can educate their community and distribute information about bowel cancer prevalence and the associated risks. (more…)
We run Health walks across Birmingham for members of the community at all fitness levels. Health walks can help you live a healthy lifestyle and improve your wellbeing. Dont believe us? This video shows walkers at our Avoca walk enjoying the benefits.
Why not find your local walk? click to find walks in your area.
Still not convinced? Heres some facts from the national ramblers organisation to help sway you.
We’ve made sure walking is as easy as possible and set up all these walks in you area. Click to find a walk.
So what are you waiting for? Strap on your trainers and walk with us today!
*Facts and Figures provided by the Ramblers association
In 2008, New Economics Foundation (nef) was commissioned by the UK Government’s Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Well-being to review the inter-disciplinary work of over 400 scientists from across the world. The aim was to identify a set of evidence-based actions to improve well-being, which individuals would be encouraged to build into their daily lives. Five tips to improve every-day life wellbeing were identified. These tips have been acknowledged by National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU) and major mental health agencies across the country. Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead reviews the tips.
1. Connect… With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
2. Be active… Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. You could join one of our free, local health walks. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
3. Take notice… Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.
4. Keep learning… Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.
5. Give … Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, as linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.
For more information visit http://www.neweconomics.org/projects/five-ways-well-being.
*Patrick Kwesiega has worked in Mental Health for the past 6 years. He is a qualified clinical counsellor, accredited facilitator and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psycotherapy. He also plays the African drummer.
A recent report by the House of Commons has stated that cancer care in England is lagging behind other countries.
MP’s stated a potential 10,000 lives could be saved from early diagnosis and raising the standard of care to match that in the best countries.
At Health Exchange, beating cancer and catching it early is really important to us. As well as our partnership with Macmillan, that includes our cancer pods located in various locations throughout the city offering support and information to sufferers, their friends and families, we have also started a new piece of work with Heart of Birmingham to promote Bowel Cancer Screening.
Bowel Cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK with 38,000 new cases diagnosed every year. It can be present in the body for a long time before any symptoms appear. Approximately 80% of bowel cancer cases develop in people aged 60 or over. That’s why men and women aged 60—69 are being invited to a bowel cancer screening to detect early onset.
Over the next few months, we will be taking to the streets of Birmingham to promote Bowel Cancer Screening amongst the Birmingham population; at community events, open days and on our mobile units. Click here to see our calendar of events.
The screening is really easy to use and can be done in the comfort of your own home. The results can then be sent back to you within two weeks.
So, if you’re over 60, live with, or know someone in that age range, make sure the screening is done. It’s really simple and could save your life.
If you would like more information about the screenings, general cancer related support, guidance, information or just need someone to talk to, please call our Cancer Champions on Freephone 0800 158 35 35.
Denise Walker wins a Wii Fit console, by doing what her name suggests – Walking.
After receiving a pedometer on Erdington high street at our Health and Wellbeing centre, Denise got herself walking and text the number of steps she had achieved. ‘I don’t win anything and to win this is the icing on the cake’.
Not only has she won a games console, she has also earned herself a healthier lifestyle. Since entering she has continued to get use out of her pedometer, adding extra steps wherever she can.
‘I get off the bus (a stop early)… so I can walk a bit more.’
She’s even inspired her family.
‘I use it in the day and my partner uses it at night. He does loads – more than me. We have a little competition but I’d never be able to do as many’.
Before finding us, Denise admits she needed help. ‘I’m so unfit and I don’t know why. I brought a DVD, did the warm up and I was dead.’ ‘I don’t smoke, so why am I so unfit.’
But she got help from our range of offers, including the TXT4U service. It provides personalised and confidential health information direct to your mobile on topics such as keeping fit and exercise.
‘They’re brilliant. Really really interesting.’
Best of all, Health Exchange services are completely free.
With all these new Health Exchange activities and her Wii Fit, Denise is concentrating on looking and feeling great.
‘I cant believe it…(I can) go on holiday now, get fit and look fantastic.’
Click to find out more about our TXT4U service and our Erdington Health and Wellbeing centre
Dame Elizabeth Hoodless, a volunteering advocate and voice of the sector for 40 years, today expressed her fears that David Cameron’s plans for a Big Society are not succeeding.
Despite her initial excitement at the Government plans, she does not feel they have been able to encourage more people to help their communities and worries spending cuts will damage volunteering opportunities.
Like Dame Elizabeth we believe that the Big Society already exists, but it’s patchy. Health Exchange is committed to doing its bit to build a society in which people are aware of and take care of their communities. Our goal is to create a health conscious society; with individuals tailoring health solutions to suit their own needs with help from their peers.
Either way, we are going to do our bit to support the changes. We have a number of volunteer opportunities, and value voluntarily acquired skills in potential employees.
Our Health Walks scheme is looking for local individuals to train up to walk leaders. Regardless of your previous experience, we can provide you training and support until you feel confident enough to lead and manage your own walking group.
“Becoming a Health Exchange Volunteer Walk Leader will allow you to learn and use skills such as motivating walkers and socialising with new people, helping yourself and others to improve health and wellbeing through group physical activity, organisational and motivational skills and the responsibility of looking after a group of walkers” Says our physical activity lead, Catherine Fletcher, “Our staff are always available to help and support you with leading walks and will work with you and your group to help your walk reach its potential.”
The experience could even help you get a job!
“I wholly attribute getting this job to my volunteering history,” claims Aaron Twitchen, our Universal Services Co-ordinator, “I remember talking a lot in my interview about what I had learnt from volunteering and how I thought those skills would apply to this job. I could see it was winning them over.”
If you are interested in volunteering with Health Exchange, or want to know more about our Walks programme, please call Catherine Fletcher on 0121 663 0007
We run Chronic Disease Education Courses that help people with Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease or Chronic Kidney Disease manage their condition more effectively and have a better quality of life. (more…)
On Saturday 15th January we are hosting an open day event on the Erdington high street to promote our Health Information Shop, between 9am and 5pm.
Everyone is welcome to come along to take part in our walks, have a free health check*, take part in our Wii fit challenge and possibly even win one for yourself. We are challenging everyone to take a step towards better health in 2011. As such, we will be handing out pedometers to help you monitor your steps and motivate you to walk more. You can even enter our competition to win a Wii fit games console.
Alongside information on health and wellbeing, Health Information Shops provide access to health supporters, guiding you through our information kiosks and services, plus a regular timetable of contacts with our partner organisations, health advisors and intervention services. This open day will give you a taster of some of the services on offer.
To find out more contact Health Exchange on 0800 158 35 35, or visit our Health bus on the Erdington High Street, saturday 15th January, 9am-5pm.
Terms and Conditions: This is a lottery. Competition closes 12pm 21/01/11. A winner will be randomly drawn the following week. The winner will be contacted by text on or after this date. By participating in this competition you agree to participate in any promotions following the result. Only one entry per phone. By entering this promotion you will automatically be signed up to our automated text service, providing health information and solutions in your area. You can opt out of this service, at any time, by replying ‘STOP’ to 07537402470.
*Our health checks are NOT conducted by professionals. We will provide you with guidance and information to improve your health. Our staff are trained in methods of testing and health promotion but are not doctors. If you have serious health concerns please consult your doctor.
birmingham cancer david cameron exercise fitness get fit health health exchange health trainer lifestyle macmillan mental health motivation poor health self help support+ tips walks wellbeing Wii Fit
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