InfoNOW News 1 July 2022

InfoNOW News 1 July 2022

News

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  • save your favourite and frequently used pages, so you revisit and share them quickly. They’re colour coded to help you see at a glance if you’re looking at an information page, organisation or events.
  • create a personal calendar of events you’re interested in or what’s going on in your neighbourhood week by week.

As more activities open up, we will be adding them to InformationNOW. You can share your calendar easily by email or print it out and put it on the wall in your community venue

See more on About Us


NEAS Language Line

North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has acted on feedback it received about its translation service over the last year.  They have been undertaking a Positive Action Project to promote and raise awareness of their services to ethnically diverse communities in workshops. They demonstrated how to access 111, 999 and Patient Transport Services, and the help available to people.  They have also trained staff on how to use these services and run social media campaigns. .As a result, they have monitored a positive change in use and access.

  • Between May 2021 and March 2022, they recorded 8,439 Language Line calls  which  is an increase of 199% (4,248 for 2019 to 2020)
  • Arabic and Romanian maintained the top two positions, but there was an increase in other languages like Farsi and Kurdish which shows a new group of people or communities that have been encouraged to use the service
  • Call operators use of Language Line services in 111 and 999 is steadily improving.

Read more on InformationNOW about Getting to Hospital and Interpreting and Translation 


Great North 10K Run, 3 July

Why not go along and cheer the Great North run on Sunday? The Great North 10K run will start in front of the Baltic and take runners on a journey along the River Tyne, past Newcastle & Gateshead Quayside’s iconic landmarks, before returning to the Baltic to cross the finish line.

There will be some temporary road closures, mainly around the quayside in Newcastle on Sunday and diversion routes will be signed.


How the NHS framework is changing to an Integrated Care System

The way health and care services are planned and delivered has been changing to better meet our health and care needs. On 1 July 2022, the new ways of working will be formally established with the creation of 42 statutory integrated care systems.

Integrated care systems are local partnerships made up of all the public services that provide health and care in your local area – the NHS, GPs, local councils and the community, voluntary and social enterprise sector.

Each includes an integrated care board and an integrated care partnership. Together they plan how best to deliver these services to meet the needs of local people. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) will be closed down and their relevant legal functions will transfer to integrated care boards.

These new ways of working will help deliver important priorities including addressing the COVID backlogs, improving access to primary and urgent care and tackling health inequalities.

Read more on InformationNOW about Clinical commissioning groups and the new ICS

Read their Engagement Strategy


Opportunities for action

Men’s Health Week

Men’s Health Week (MHW) takes place in June.  This week the theme is The Action Starts with You.  MHW gives everyone (health professionals, service providers, sporting bodies, community groups, employers, policy makers, the media, churches and individuals) an opportunity to encourage men and boys to take better care of their health and to seek help or treatment at an early stage.

Locally and nationally there are  services and support groups that meet face to face or online for you:

Articles of interest include:

Mental Health
Anxiety and stress
Suicide
Cancer and screening
Support Groups


Spotlight on

Incontinence awareness

Each June there is a global initiative to raise awareness of bladder & bowel issues, chronic pelvic pain and other debilitating conditions which impact greatly on the lives of patients and carers.  It would appear that urinary incontinence  affects  up to 1 in 3 people and is more common than hay fever and yet it isn’t talked about enough.  The key messages of the week are:

  • bladder and bowel pain are not normal – speak to your GP
  • seeking help means freedom to enjoy life
  • stigma is associated with shame and shame means silence
  • raising awareness might lead to more public toilets to support those with an unstable bladder

Read more on InformationNOW about urinary tract infections and incontinence


Cervical screening awareness

Around 3,200 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year.  The Cervical Screening Campaign, highlight the benefits of cervical screening and reminds people that that it can help stop cancer before it starts.

Jo’s Trust is reminding us that we can prevent cervical cancer through a free health test that checks for a virus called high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cell changes.  Still known as a smear test, screening may well be available at your GP surgery.  Between the ages of 25 to 64 years you will receive a letter from your GP for a regular appointment up to every five years as standard.  Catching cancer early is essential to keep you safe and well, so if you are nervous or unsure, then contact Jo’s Trust helpline volunteers 0808 802 8000.  They are also there to support you following diagnosis, cancer treatment and recovery.

We would like help to spread the word to ethnic minority (Black and South Asian) and LGBTQ+ people with a cervix, as these groups can experience specific barriers to taking up screening, but would benefit

More about cancer, risks and screening.

.Locally, contact Shine for information and advice.


Healthy Eating Awareness

Earlier this month, the theme for 2022 was Eat well for you and the planet. Each day of the Week had a different theme, including the importance of fibre in your diet; fruit and vegetables; vary your protein – it doesn’t just have to be meat; stay hydrated – fill up from the tap and reduce food waste – smaller portions.

The British Nutrition Foundation is a great source of information about nutrition and diet. If you want protein in your diet, you can get a good amount from pulses. They are also rich in fibre, vitamins and other key nutrients, easy to cook and very versatile. They are a healthy nutritious ingredient  that contribute towards a healthier way of living.

Increasing your fibre is great for your gut health and there is research that links your happiness and wellbeing to gut health.  A healthy gut ensures that the food you eat is broken down efficiently so that your body can absorb and use the nutrients derived from your meal.

Top tip: as you add more beans and pulses to your meals, also increase the amount of water you drink, to help your gut handle the increase in fibre. Exercise also helps improve your gut function.

Read the BNF annual report.and find some recipes too.

Read more on InformationNOW about an article on: 10 tips for good health; healthy eating and drinking
#HealthyEatingWeek


Research

Clinical Research – barriers and enablers for ethnic minority groups

Volunteers are being sought to take part in interviews which will last up to 60 minutes and will be conducted online or in person. The focus of the interview is on what stops (barriers) or helps (enables) members of the public to get involved in clinical research. They are looking to talk to people who have not been involved in clinical research before and who are members of ethnically minoritised communities in the North East of England.  The results will inform the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, on how to involve individuals from minority ethnic groups in its research in the future.


Third sector trends for voluntary and community groups

Take Part in the Third Sector Trends in North East England 2022 study by Durham University. This long-term study on voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises, cooperatives, societies and clubs will help find out what has changed since 2019. Whether your organisation or group is big or small, flourishing, struggling or going on as normal, it would be good for them to hear from you.


Resources

Free event for asylum seekers and refugees interested in University

Are you interested in going to University in Newcastle?.  Go along to an event in the Common Room (next to Central Station) from 4 pm to 6 pm on 8th July.  Topics covered include:

  • as an aslyum seeker or refugee can I go to University?
  • What if I don’t have GCSEs or A levels?
  • How will I pay for tuition without student finance?

Run by Success 4 All based at Throckley Community Hall

Read more on InformationNOW about English Clasess/ESOL


Connie Lewcock Resource Centre

Connie Lewcock Resource Centre provides a specialised short-term rehabilitation service in Lemington.  It is for people who have been discharged from hospital and need support to recover further. It is a 24 hour support  service where you can stay for up to 6 weeks.  Their specialised team support you to:

  • become more independent
  • improve your mobility
  • make choices
  • look after yourself

There are:

  • three large communal lounge areas to socialise and relax
  • a physiotherapy gym
  • therapy kitchen
  • outdoor mobility area
  • gardens with seating

They currently have two vacancies, closing date 7 July 2022.


Events & Activities

Museum Socials
A free drop-in coffee morning at the museum. Meet new people, socialise and improve your wellbeing.
Every first Tuesday of the month across their museums and art galleries.

John Grundy’s history of Northumberland
book launch and talk on 2nd July

St George’s Open Rehearsal
7 July 7 pm to 8pm

Northumberland Orchestral Society summer concert
9 July, 3.30 to 5pm

Knit & Natter
multiple libraries

Afternoon Tea Dance
Denton Burn Methodist Church
Wednesdays, 1 pm to 3 pm, run by Search Newcastle

Words & Worlds Writing Project
July to October

Pride Film Screening
20 July, 6 pm to 9 pm


Organisations updated and new

Benwell and Walbottle Cricket Club

Benwell and Walbottle Cricket Club is is based in the grounds of Walbottle Academy.  They run 4 different adult teams, ranging from serious Saturday League cricket to a midweek social side and Junior leagues as well. Everyone welcome regardless of ability.

Read more on InformationNOW about fitness activities


Updated articles

Incontinence

Incontinence can affect all age groups. Incontinence may happen for a number of different reasons. Help is available.

More than 3.2 million people over 65 in the UK suffer from urinary incontinence, and 6.5 million people of all ages are affected by some form of bowel problem. Many don’t talk about these problems or seek any help, either out of embarrassment or because they think nothing can be done. However, there are actions you can take to help you deal with some of the common problems.


Social Prescribing

Social Prescribing is where you are prescribed activity or exercise to improve your physical health and mental wellbeing. It may be used in place of medication or alongside other forms of treatment. It’s also known as a community referral. GPs, nurses, social workers or healthcare professionals refer you to a Social Prescribing Service. You are given an appointment with a  Link Worker also known as a connector, navigator or an enabler and they will talk to you about your needs.  This may cover anything from loneliness to mobility or other health issues.

Last updated: July 1, 2022