Here's the latest E-New from the Bournemouth LINk!
Your September 2011 Bournemouth LINk update
Free Money – Apply Now
We’re accepting applications up until 30th September for this year’s Bournemouth LINk Community Chest. If you support a Bournemouth group that needs a small pot of money to get an idea off the ground, please get in touch. We have £5000 to give away to local groups, 10 grants of £500 each. Applying for a grant is easy, full details are available by e-mailing – christopher.wakefield@makesachange.org.uk or by calling Chris on 0300 111 0102.
Young people urged to speak up about health issues
YOUNG PEOPLE IN BOURNEMOUTH are being urged to take part in a survey that aims to discover how people under the age of 25 feel about the health and social care services they receive.
The survey will ask young people about their experiences of health services such as; social care, hospitals, doctors, sexual health, dentistry, mental health and maternity.
Bournemouth LINK launched the survey following a pilot project with SUSSED, a youth and advice centre based in West Howe. The pilot project involved 100 young people who were asked what their thoughts were on health and social care. As a result of the consultation the survey was developed by young people involved in the pilot project.
Chris Wakefield, Bournemouth LINks Development Officer said: “A very strong message came back from the young people who took part in the pilot, by having their say and being consulted, it has made them feel included as well as feeling important because they were being asked and being listened too. This survey is our Young People’s opportunity to be heard and make a change.”
The survey enables young people to share their views on the Health Service (NHS) & Social Care (services provided by Bournemouth Council to people either in their own homes; care homes and day centres) in Bournemouth.
The survey can be completed by following this link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/bmthlinkyoungpeople Or by contacting the LINk via phone: 03001110102; e-mail: christopher.wakefield@makesachange.org.uk or by writing to Bournemouth LINK at: Freepost Licence No BH1902, LINks, 896 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth BH7 6BR
Everyone who takes part in the survey and gives us their permission will be entered into a prize draw where they could win one of three prizes of £50 worth of vouchers. The LINk listens to what local people have to say and tells councils and the NHS what it discovers, so that together we can make a change. Please can you encourage all Young People to take part in this survey. It would be appreciated if you could distribute this by e-mail; Facebook and also if you could put it on your web sites – if you have one! The survey will now finish on the 30th October 2011.
Men’s Health
Blue September UK 2011 - Blue September is a nationwide awareness and fundraising initiative about all the cancers that affect men – not just prostate and testicular cancer, but also bowel, lung, liver and other cancers.
The campaign aims to raise funds for more work by the Men’s Health Forum charity to raise men's awareness of cancer and help them to reduce the risk of developing and dying from cancer by making better lifestyle choices and seeking help sooner rather than later
For more information please visit: http://www.blueseptember.org.uk/index.php
How Healthy are you?
Check your current health at Male Health's instant online check up by answering 15 questions - Instant Check Up
Women’s Health
This October alone, nearly 4,000 people will hear the shocking news that they have breast cancer and in Bournemouth there are around 1,485 people living with the disease. Breast Cancer Care wants to be there to support each and every one of them, so we’re encouraging local people to raise money with a Pink Friday this
October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
A Pink Friday is a perfect excuse to get together with your workmates, family or friends and ‘unleash your inner pink’! It can be anything you want, as long as:
It’s pink… Why not get everyone at work to donate £2 and dress in something pink? Or hold a pink bake-off and sell or raffle the treats.
It’s fun… You could host a pink party and charge £3 entry – anything goes from a karaoke night to a clothes swap.
…and it raises money for Breast Cancer Care. Breast Cancer Care is just a phone call or mouse click away for anyone affected by breast cancer and we run a range of free services for local people with close ties to The Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Every penny you raise will help to make sure that our free helpline, information-packed website and special face-to-face support services are free to use for anyone who needs them.
To get your free fundraising kit packed full of everything you need to get started on your event or to find our more about the campaign please email or call me on lisa.anderson@breastcancercare.org.uk 0207 960 3590.
Become a Local Ambassador for Breast Cancer Care in Bournemouth
Could you spare a few hours a month to set up a group of friends, family members or colleagues? We’re looking for Local Ambassadors to help spread the word about who we are and how we can help people affected by breast cancer. As a Local Ambassador, you’ll set up a group with friends, organise events that raise money for our work, and help raise the profile of Breast Cancer Care in and around Bournemouth.
No experience is needed; all we ask for is enthusiasm and a passion for supporting people affected by breast cancer. And we’ll give you loads of support along the way.
For more information please contact Lisa Anderson, Area Fundraiser for Bournemouth on 0207 960 3590 or email lisa.anderson@breastcancercare.org.uk
LINk Questions?
1) Do you suffer from Epilepsy? The LINk would like to know how you feel the NHS is supporting you throughout this condition. When you were diagnosed: what information were you given; how long did it take you to see a specialised nurse or neurologist consultant; are you happy with your treatment? What could the NHS do to help you manage your condition better? Please send your views to: christopher.wakefield@makesachange.org.uk or write to me @ Bournemouth LINk – Freepost BH1902, 896 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH7 6BR and you’ll be entered into our free prize draw for £20.00.
2) The LINk would welcome your views on the cleanliness of The Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Have you stayed or visited someone in the RBH and felt that the level of cleanliness could have been better? Please send in your comments and be in with a chance of receiving £20 in our prize draw. christopher.wakefield@makesachange.org.uk or write to me @ Bournemouth LINk – Freepost BH1902, 896 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH7 6BR
Bournemouth
Older Peoples Meeting
Open meeting on 16th September 2011 at the Pavilion Ballroom. 10.00am – 1.00pm. Please see the attached leaflet for details.
Local NHS runs Palliative Care Events
Do you want to have a say about the future of Specialist Palliative Care Services? If so, you are invited to attend a discussion group workshop where your feedback will help the NHS to improve health and provide better care and better value services. Two events are being held locally:Tuesday 6 September 2.30pm – 4.30pm (Merley House, Wimborne) and Monday 12th September 2.30pm – 4.30pm (Christchurch Hospital, Board Room). For more details ring:01202 541569.
Stone Carving Course for disabled adults
Holton Lee is introducing stone carving courses for disabled adults this Autumn. The courses will require learners to have sufficient upper body strength and mobility and each applicant will be provided with individual tuition appropriate to their ability. Please help ‘spread the word’ to any interested individuals or organisations and if you are interested in the courses contact Geoff Jones at Holton Lee for an application form and more details: Tel: 01202 625562 or go to www.holtonlee.co.uk
Mental Health Carers Course
Richmond Fellowship & the Community Mental Health Team are running evening carers’ courses at Poole Day Centre in September & October. These events are aimed at people supporting a friend or family member with mental health difficulties, but everyone is welcome and the courses may be of interest to students, staff and volunteers who encounter mental health issues in those they support. For more information see the attached flyer.
NHS Reforms
The government has launched a new phase in their listening exercise, designed to inform the development of NHS reforms. TheFuture Forum wants to gather views on education and training, information and the NHS’s role in the public’s health. To ensure that your views help shape the Future Forum’s advice to the Government, contact them by 18 October 2011: http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/say/
Consultation on funding for HealthWatch
This consultation is asking for your views on options for distributing the new funding for Local HealthWatch, NHS Complaints Advocacy and PCT Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS). Closing date is 24th October: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_128429
The Low Review – Call for Evidence
Lord Low has been asked by Leonard Cheshire Disability and Mencap to chair an independent review into the mobility needs of people living in residential care. The governments Welfare Reform Bill contains powers to remove the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, soon to become Personal Independence Payment, from people living in state-funded residential care. The mobility component enables thousands of disabled people to go to the shops, visit family or socialise with friends. Without it disability support groups are worried people will become trapped in their own homes. To have your say please email your views to info@lowreview.org.uk or fill in the call for evidence online. The deadline is 10 October 2011, results will be published at the end of October and key recommendations will be made to the Government.
Do you know what COPD is?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that over time makes it hard to breathe. It kills more people in the UK each year than either bowel, breast or prostate cancer. Our local NHS is running events in Bournemouth & Poole over the next couple of months to raise awareness of COPD. Please see the attached poster for dates and details.
Winter Summit
The local NHS would like to invite you to take part in a Dorset-wide Winter Summit on Thursday 8 September at the Life Centre in Winton from 9.30am. The summit is designed for anyone in Dorset who works with or supports elderly and vulnerable people and is interested in seeing how we can all work together to help them stay healthy and safe in their homes. Please forward this information on to people who you think will be interested in attending this event, for more details go to: http://www.bp.nhs.uk/yourhealth/winter-summit.htm
Bournemouth
Society for the Visually Impaired Centenary Dinner
15th October – please see poster for details.
Thanks for your help, LINks can’t work without you!
We’re always looking for volunteers to get involved in LINk projects and your comments direct the LINks work – so tell us what you think about local health and social care services.
Contact Chris Wakefield, Bournemouth LINk Development Officer: