Tag: Health and wellbeing

Listen Up: Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel launch the UK’s First Sound Wellness Room

The wild sounds of the world have been captured using revolutionary recording techniques to create the Swell Room, the UK’s First Sound Wellness Room.

Award winning producer Brian D’Souza spent two years developing a new methodology which harnessed the therapeutic nature of sound – bringing together biophilia, music composition and sound therapy to create the Swell Room, the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel’s first dedicated sound treatment offering.

To create the novel sound wellness composition, Brian explored beautiful locations, including a trip to the Hebrides, Lake Geneva, Cape Verde ad Lofoten in the Article Circle, to record sounds of the sea, fields, and natural wildlife.

These nature sounds were then combined with traditional sound treatment instruments including gongs and singing bowls, as well as violins, the Gaelic harp, bagpipes and vocalists – all of which were brought together in a custom-built Swell studio in London. 

Guests will recline in an Italian armchair with sinuous lines, which features an anatomic mattress covered in stain-resistant hypoallergenic marine eco-leather. With the equipment’s vibroacoustic delivery, guests will not only be able to hear the sound, but also feel it. The unique and innovative product pairs relaxation, treatments, and sound which elevates the wellness and relaxation area at the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel Spa.

The tailored therapeutic sound techniques are designed to lower the heart rate, blood pressure and stress, while promoting positive biochemical responses that bring equilibrium to the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, harnessing the power of sound to affect the listener in a positive sense.

Guests and visitors of the hotel in Edinburgh’s city centre are invited to dedicate time to active listening which promotes restorative deep relaxation and cognitive clarity for a sense of escapism.

Brian D’Souza’s involvement with Kimpton stems from curating the soundtracks for the Hotel over the past 10 years through his business Open Ear, which also works with worldwide brands including Nike and Google and is now the recommended supplier for IHG in the UK.

Drawing on his academic background in Music Psychology with an MA in Psychology, an MSc in Sound Design and training in Sound Therapy, Brian launched a unique 24hr radio station dedicated to improving sleep, focus and relaxation called Ambient Flo during the first lockdown.

Brian D’Souza, founder of Open Ear Music, Ambient Flo and Swell said: “I’ve always been fascinated by how music has the ability to affect our emotional state.

“Whether it brings people together and takes them to a euphoric state at a festival or keeps the drinks flowing in a bar; or it works to reduce heart rate and create a sense of calm – it has a direct correlation with our mood. So, to create The Swell Room, in collaboration with Kimpton Charlotte Square is a real privilege.

“I’ve loved the process of creating this sound treatment, from recording around the world to bringing all the sounds together in my studio, it’s been a really rewarding experience and I’m excited for it to take guests on an immersive journey to a deeply relaxed state.”

Brian has now launched an innovative sound wellness business called Swell. Kimpton Charlotte Square’s Swell Room will be the business’s first dedicated sound treatment venture.

Finlay Anderson, Area Spa and Leisure Director said: “As we emerged out of lockdown, it was clear that our guests craved more of a multi-sensory wellness experience than ever before.

“Evidence shows that more and more people used music for relief and to help improve their mood during lockdowns, so it made perfect sense to collaborate with Brian on the Swell Room to ensure our guests can have a 360 degrees therapeutic experience when visiting Spa at Kimpton Charlotte Square.

“After working with Brian on La Chambre Verte at Kimpton Blythswood Square last year, we are excited to delve deeper into the benefits of sound therapy with our guests at Kimpton Charlotte Square this year.”

The sound wellness treatment at the Swell Room can be added onto the existing treatment menu to create a multi-sensory experience at Spa at Charlotte Square or can be booked as a stand-alone experience.

NHS Lothian consults on the future of local healthcare

Local health and care services are asking for the public’s views on the future of care in Lothian.

The Lothian Health & Care System (LHCS), which is made up of NHS Lothian and the four local health and social care partnerships, is urging people to help shape healthcare in their region.

The pandemic has forced a major re-think across all services and systems, including healthcare. The NHS as a whole is facing sustained pressures and the LHCS wants people to have their say around the future of services over the next five years.

Together, the LHCS works to plan, commission, and deliver health and care services locally to a population of nearly one million which is projected to grow by 8% in the next decade.

Colin Briggs, Director of Strategic Planning, NHS Lothian, said: “We’re all aware that health and social care services are under significant and sustained pressure at the moment. That is why the LHCS is setting out its strategic direction for the next five years.

“Our Lothian Strategic Development Framework (LSDF) describes what we’re trying to achieve, now and in the future, the challenges we face and the direction we want to take over the next five years. It also lays out what we think the people of the Lothians can expect from us over that time, some of which will be hard for all of us”

“However, we can’t do this in isolation. Health and care belong to us all and we really want people to tell us their thoughts and ideas, their priorities, and their expectations, and also for us to be able to work together to find the best way forward.”

Through a combination of consultations, question and answer sessions and online feedback, NHS Lothian and partners are asking for the public’s feedback on the LSDF.

More than 400,000 postcards have been landing on doormats of households across Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian and Midlothian giving details of how people can get involved and share their views. This builds on a successful initial engagement period during April, May, and June.

Mr Briggs added: “We’ve tried to be as accessible as possible in how we enable people from across our communities to give us their views.

“We want our patients, their families, our staff and the population we serve to be as involved as possible, both now and going forward.

“We are also being candid with our communities by saying that our performance and outcomes are not what we would want them to be. We need a new direction of travel in a post-pandemic world.

“The priorities currently outlined in the LSDF include moving care closer to home, supporting self-care, learning lessons from the pandemic, working closer with partners, improving our facilities, better utilising technology and reducing waiting lists.

“If you think we’re going in the right direction, or if you think we’re not, we’d really like to hear from you. Please get involved and tell us what you think the future of health and care should look like.”

Go here to give your feedback now.

£10 million boost to tackle cancer waiting times in Scotland

Cancer patients are set for faster access to treatment as an additional £10 million has been allocated to help improve waiting times.

The new money, to be shared among the health boards, will boost the number of operations available, creating extra clinics, and upskilling new staff to speed up the delivery of endoscopy, radiology and chemotherapy treatment to get patients the care they need as quickly as possible.

This builds on the Scottish Government’s £114.5 million National Cancer Plan, to support patients and deliver equal access to care across the country that means anyone can access the best standard of care despite their location or background.

This extra cash is on top of the £10 million that was allocated to Health Boards last year (2020-21) to support the running of cancer services in the face of the pandemic. This delivered new healthcare staff, additional weekend clinics and operations for the areas that need it most and helped create a brand new Urological Diagnostic Hub in NHS Highland that is already showing signs of improved waiting times.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf announced the fund while visiting NHS Forth Valley’s Breast Cancer One-Stop Clinic, which has been funded by this scheme.

This modernised service, provided  diagnostics for more than 5,000 additional breast patients from out-with NHS Forth Valley during the pandemic and continues to see and treat 80-100 new patient referrals each week from the local area. 

Mr Yousaf said: “Despite the challenges of the pandemic, NHS Scotland has consistently met the 31-day standard for starting cancer treatment with an average wait of four days once a decision to treat has been made – that’s testament to the relentless efforts of our fantastic healthcare staff across the country. However we must to more to improve our 62-day performance.

“Covid has not gone away and pressures remain, which is why we are providing health boards with a £10 million cash boost to drive down waiting times so that cancer patients can receive the best care as early as possible.”

2022-06-28-cwt-summary-finalDownload

Commenting on the Scottish Government’s announcement of £10 million funding to tackle cancer waiting times, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Any additional funding for cancer treatment is welcome, but the Scottish Government’s announcement of an additional £10 million to address cancer waiting lists is scarcely adequate to deal with the scale of the crisis in cancer waiting times in Scotland.

“The latest figures show that only 76.9 per cent of cancer patients are being seen within 62 days, a new record low and well short of the 95 per cent target. The Scottish Government cannot blame this entirely on the pandemic as it has not met this standard since 2012.

“Only recently, I sadly lost a constituent who contacted me about appalling delays in their cancer diagnosis and treatment. That constituent asked that I do everything in my power to ensure that nobody else goes through the same ordeal. I will continue to raise this issue until Scotland sees an improvement in outcomes, not just more hollow promises.

“Earlier this year I raised with the First Minister the fact that almost two fifths of cancers in Scotland are only being diagnosed at A&E, which is a sad indictment of the state of primary care under the SNP. But ever more are now waiting far too long for diagnostic tests and treatment for cancer.

“In spite of the heroic efforts of NHS staff, the cumulative failures in the running of the health service over the last decade are leaving patients frustrated and let down. In cases of cancer, this can mean the difference between life and death.

“I implore the Scottish Government to get a grip of this crisis. Those waiting for cancer treatment cannot afford further delay.”

There are two waiting time standards for cancer in Scotland. The 62-day standard is the time taken from receipt of urgent suspicion of cancer (USC) referral to start of first treatment for newly diagnosed primary cancers .

Patients can be urgently referred by a primary care clinician or general dental physician;  referred through a national cancer screening programme; direct referral to hospital where the signs and symptoms are consistent with the cancer diagnosed in line with the Scottish Referral Guidelines for example self-referral to A&E.

The 31-day standard is from the decision to treat to start of first treatment for newly diagnosed primary cancers, regardless of route of referral.

Latest published Cancer Waiting Times

The National Cancer Plan details how cancer services will be redesigned to benefit patients and increase resilience to future rises in COVID-19 prevalence.

Royal Bank of Scotland seeks donations for Ukraine support at national welcome centre

  • Royal Bank of Scotland partners with The City of Edinburgh Council, Volunteer Edinburgh and other city partners to create a donation distribution hub supporting Ukrainian people arriving at Edinburgh HQ 
  • Thousands of people displaced by the war in Ukraine have arrived in Scotland and been supported at Gogarburn site so far. With visa holders yet to arrive[i], many more are expected to be supported. 
  • Donations urgently needed to continue providing essential items such as toothbrushes and waterproof clothing 

    Royal Bank of Scotland has set up a dedicated donation distribution hub for Ukrainian refugees arriving in the capital. 

The hub runs alongside the Welcome Centre for Scotland, which was created through a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council and local partners, and hosted within Royal Bank’s Gogarburn headquarters.

Using funding issued by the Scottish Government to local authorities to support welcome efforts, the Welcome Centre opened its doors earlier this year to support those resettling in the country and has been the first port of call for thousands of displaced Ukrainian citizens. 

Staff from the City of Edinburgh Council are on hand to process entrance paperwork upon arrival, facilitate introductions with host families or find temporary accommodation for the many people who arrive without a place to stay.  

To allow families and individuals to settle into their new home quickly and begin to adjust to life in Scotland, paperwork is completed within the centre on the same day – meaning people can make necessary medical or legal appointments as soon as possible. Relevant literature is provided as part of a Scottish Government-produced welcome pack. 

Everyone arriving at the Welcome Centre is also offered an essentials pack made up of donations to help them settle in for the first few days. The packs contain day to day necessities such as toiletries, clothing, UK electrical adapters and toys for young children. 

With the number of displaced people to the centre increasing daily and supplies of essentials packs depleted, the donations hub is today issuing an urgent call, asking businesses and members of the public who are looking for a way to support the Ukrainian crisis to donate towards the cost of these essential items. 

The cost of each complete pack is around £30 and any donation will make a valuable difference, especially to those arriving with no belongings.  

Donations can be made to the GoFundMe[ii] set up by Volunteer Edinburgh, who meet the Ukrainian people arriving at the airport and bring them to the Welcome Centre, and also help to purchase the welcome pack items in bulk.  

An Amazon Wishlist[iii] has been set up to facilitate donations, where anyone wanting to support these efforts can buy individual items such as toothpaste, sanitary products, rain coats and hand sanitiser. These items are delivered directly to the hub and packed by volunteer staff.  

Businesses who would like to help can donate directly through the GoFundMe, via the Amazon wishlist or can send donations directly to the Royal Bank’s Gogarburn offices marked for the attention of Skillbank.  

Sheena Hales BEM, who leads the Skillbank at Royal Bank of Scotland said: “At the beginning of the pandemic, we recognised an opportunity to make use of our facilities and converted the conference centre at Gogarburn into a foodbank distribution hub, coordinating deliveries and offering storage space to charities including Social Bite and Cyrenians.  

“This charitable legacy has continued ever since, and we’re honoured to have set up the Skillbank to offer our skills and resources to help communities and people in their time of need. 

“While Edinburgh has welcomed many Ukrainian people to Scotland through the doors of the Welcome Centre, the reality is that we know there are many more coming who have fled the horrors of war, leaving their lives and loved ones to seek safety here in Scotland.

“While handing out items like a toothbrush or colouring book might seem like a small act, everything we can do to help people feel as welcome as possible is hugely important.  

“Currently we have used all of our existing essentials pack stock so any donation – big or small – is massively appreciated.” 

Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine Neil Gray said: “The safety and welfare of displaced people from Ukraine, who are primarily women and children who may have experienced much stress and trauma, is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government.

“I want to thank people and businesses across Scotland for the huge groundswell of solidarity and support they have shown for the people of Ukraine. 

“On arrival, displaced people are given a ‘Warm Scots Welcome’ at the Welcome Hubs, where the Scottish Government is working in partnership with local government and the third sector to assess their needs and provide accommodation and meals along with emotional support and medical attention if required.

“The work undertaken by RBS and the other volunteer organisations in addition to this is extremely important, providing people with items to help them settle into Scotland.”  

City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Cammy Day said: “As I’ve said many times already, Edinburgh’s people and businesses have been absolutely outstanding throughout this crisis, offering their unwavering support to Ukrainian people fleeing their homeland in these most desperate of times. From volunteers meeting people on their arrival in Edinburgh, to getting help with accommodation and receiving ongoing support at our advice centre and within the local Ukrainian community, we’re here for them every step of the way. 

“I want to thank Royal Bank and their teams for their incredible support – for volunteering Gogarburn House to host our Welcome Hub, where it has run successfully since April, for repurposing their conference facilities to distribute food packages, for their co-ordination of thousands of guest backpacks, filled with nappies, toys, toiletries and other essential items, and for this latest fundraising drive to help gather much-needed donations.”  

Situated in Gogarburn, the Welcome Centre is ideally located to welcome those arriving into nearby Edinburgh airport.  

To support volunteers working within the centre, colleagues within Royal Bank have given up their time to become Executive Coaches – helping them to navigate the demands of their role and offering expert mentoring advice.  

Royal Bank has also worked with suppliers to extend its colleague-wide counselling service to offer staff and volunteers working with vulnerable individuals a confidential outlet and mental wellbeing support.   

Heat-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency in England

The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) heat-health alert service is designed to help healthcare professionals manage through periods of extreme temperature. The service acts as an early warning system for periods of high temperatures that may affect the public’s health.

The alert will be in place from midday Tuesday 9 August to 6pm on Saturday 13 August for all regions of England.

Temperatures are not forecast to reach the record-breaking levels of the most recent heatwave but are expected to rise throughout the week, potentially reaching mid-30 degrees Celsius on Friday and Saturday in the South East, London, the South West, and the East and West Midlands.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “Temperatures will feel very warm again this week, particularly in southern and central parts of the country.

“We want everyone to enjoy the warm weather safely when it arrives but remember that heat can have a fast impact on health. It’s important to ensure that people who are more vulnerable – elderly people who live alone and people with underlying health conditions – are prepared for coping during the hot weather.

“The most important advice is to ensure they stay hydrated, keep cool and take steps to prevent their homes from overheating.”

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Tony Wardle, said: “Heatwave criteria look likely to be met for large areas of the UK later this week, with the hottest areas expected in central and southern England and Wales on Friday and Saturday. Temperatures could peak at 35⁰C, or even an isolated 36⁰C on Saturday.

Elsewhere will see temperatures widely into the high 20s and low 30s Celsius later this week as temperatures build day-on-day through the week due to an area of high pressure extending over much of the UK.

Coupled with the high daytime temperatures will be continued warm nights, with the mercury expected to drop to only around low 20s Celsius for some areas in the south.

Read more on the forecast from the Met Office.

The top ways for staying safe during hot weather:

  • look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated – older people who may also live alone, and those with underlying conditions are particularly at risk
  • stay cool indoors by closing curtains on rooms that face the sun – and remember that it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
  • drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
  • try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest
  • walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the heat
  • avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day
  • make sure you take water with you if you are travelling
  • check that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly
  • check medicines can be stored according to the instructions on the packaging
  • never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
  • take care and make sure to follow local safety advice if you are going into the water to cool down

High temperatures also present a risk of wildfires, especially after long dry periods. People with pre-existing heart and lung conditions such as asthma are most susceptible as breathing wildfire smoke may worsen their symptoms. Children and older people may also be susceptible to health impacts.

If wildfire smoke affects your area, avoid or reduce your exposure to smoke by staying indoors with the doors and windows closed.

Where possible avoid smoky areas. If you should travel through a smoky area, ensure that the vehicle windows are closed and the air conditioning is switched to recycle or recirculate if possible.

Listen out for local news reports and information from the emergency services who will provide advice on the precautions you should take.

Further information:

Read the UKHSA blog on staying safe in extreme heat.

UKHSA’s Beat the heat checklist identifies suitable actions people can take to protect themselves during periods of hot weather.

For more information on the common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, visit NHS.UK.

UKHSA has also published advice for the public on how to stay healthy during periods of drought.

Healthy Heart Tip: World Breastfeeding Week

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: World Breastfeeding Week

Research has shown that women who have breastfed at some time in their lives are less likely to develop heart disease or stroke, compared to women who haven’t breastfed at all. World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year across the world from 1st-7th August and aims to raise awareness about breastfeeding and its many advantages.

Here we explore some of them:

Any length of time is amazing!

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until six months, but any length of time a baby is breastfed is a health benefit for Mum and baby. There is a lot of evidence to show how beneficial it is to breastfeed your baby, especially in the early weeks.

Health benefits

Breast milk contains everything baby needs for the first six months of their life, in all the right proportions. Breast milk is easily digestible, absorbed and loaded with antibodies. Breastfeeding is recommended by the World Health Organisation for up to two years, and beyond, because the benefits are so vast!

Getting the hang of it

Feeding your baby can feel quite overwhelming at first – whether you are breastfeeding, bottle feeding with infant formula or a combination of both. We know it can take time to get the hang of breastfeeding. If you have any feeding worries or concerns, the best thing to do is speak to your midwife or health visitor for support.

The benefits of breastfeeding are so numerous, and it’s the best start you can give your baby, if you want to and you’re able. Plus, we can’t discount the big benefits for Mum, for health reasons and convenience.

However, no matter what choice you make – you got this!

Other useful resources:

https://www.laleche.org.uk/

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips.

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/.

Summer health advice from NHS 24: bites and stings

NHS 24 are offering advice on how to treat bites and stings as part of their summer health campaign ‘Hello Summer.‘

Dr Laura Ryan, a GP and NHS 24’s Medical Director said: ‘We’ve had great weather this summer which means we’ve been able to enjoy the outdoors without having to remember an umbrella! But that does mean we’re more at risk of a being bitten or stung by an insect so it’s handy to know how to treat them.

‘Insect bites and stings are common and usually only cause minor irritation such as minor pain, itching or swelling. These normally resolve themselves, and your local pharmacist will be happy to provide advice on antihistamines or creams which can help with the symptoms.

‘Rarely, some stings can trigger a serious allergic reaction. If you feel it is an emergency, then dial 999.’

In the UK, insects that bite include midges, mosquitoes, fleas, bedbugs and, although not strictly insects, spiders, mites, and ticks, which are arachnids. Insects that sting include bees, wasps, and hornets.

Dr Laura Ryan continued: ‘As Lyme disease is on the rise in Scotland, we also wish to draw particular attention to tick bites. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. It is usually mild but can be serious if not treated.

‘It is important to be vigilant for ticks when you have been out walking in areas such as woods or fields. If you find you have a tick bite remove it safely by using a tick removal tool, such as a tick twister or tick card. If these aren’t available, you can use a pair of fine-toothed tweezers. Afterwards, wash your skin with soap and apply antiseptic cream around the bite.

‘There is no need to consult your GP if you have been bitten and have no symptoms. However, if a rash or any flu-like symptoms appear it is important to take pictures of the site and contact your GP for an appointment straight away.

‘I really encourage the public to visit NHS inform for advice on what to if you are bitten or stung by an insect. I hope by providing this info a lot more people will have a happy and healthy summer.”

NHS inform’s guide on bites and stings can be found here :

www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/injuries/skin-injuries/insect-bites-and-stings

For more hints and tips on how to stay healthy this summer :

www.nhsinform.scot/summer

General advice and information on how to stay healthy can be found at: 

www.nhsinform.scot

New Chill social club at Fet Lor

Starts this THURSDAY 4th AUGUST

New club!

We have a new club starting up this week with Edinburgh Chill Youth Club.

If you are aged between 16-25 and have difficulty with speech, language and communication then this club is for you!

If you would like to sign up or find out more info contact Judith on 07507 535587.

Knitting has incredible benefits on brain health

Whether players want to improve their brain health and memory after sustaining a head injury or purely want to test their cognitive skills, memory activities are a great way to stimulate mental fitness and improve brain health.

Experts at SolitaireBliss have revealed a top 5 list of brain training and memory improvement activities that offer players a wide range of cognitive benefits.

  1. Jigsaw puzzles

The benefit of puzzles is that they are available for all ages; whether you’re five or fifty-five, there are plenty of puzzles and jigsaw games on the market that will test your brain cells and improve mental speed.

Both physical and online puzzles are mentally stimulating and can also help increase concentration and attention levels whilst working to enhance positive moods.

Puzzles are also an incredible way to eliminate stress and reduce anxiety, so they are a perfect option for those suffering from these problems.

  1. Card games

Card games might seem like an obvious option but are often forgotten about. Card games are the perfect way to work on improving problem-solving and strategy building.

Alongside delaying and preventing memory decline like puzzles, card games are also great for people who may struggle with social anxiety. They keep you socially active as many games require more than one player and help improve basic maths skills.

  1. Knitting

Contrary to popular belief, knitting is not only for the elderly! Knitting is a great way to keep all brain parts active and engaged. The calming act of knitting helps reduce anxiety, has fantastic benefits like eliminating emotional stress, and is a great way to distract from pain.

Not only does knitting allow a great sense of achievement when the project is finished, but it’s also a great way to increase dopamine and serotonin, which promote the body’s happy hormones.

  1. Chess  

Chess is the perfect way to challenge the mind and keep critical thinking at the forefront of the brain. The ancient game helps to develop pattern recognition, analytical thinking, exercise logic and improve memory.

For centuries chess has been an impressive game to master, which is why the beloved game has seen many world champions over the years. Albert Einstein was known to be an expert at the game, just like his best friend Emanuel Lasker, who held the world title for 27 years, the longest reign of any world champion.

  1. Online apps/websites

In this day and age where we are glued to technology and our phones, it is common for our minds to stay inactive and unengaged with all our hours of mindless scrolling, which is why brain training apps are perfect for everyday use by their ease of accessibility.

Many apps and websites are available for Android and Apple users, so finding one that suits you will be easy. Some of the most popular ones for brain training are SolitaireBliss, Lumosity, Elevate, CogniFit and NeuroNation.

A spokesperson for SolitaireBliss commented: “Not only are all these braining training activities beneficial by engaging cognitive skills, but they can help to prevent the early onset and reduce progression rates of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other memory-affecting diseases.

The benefits of taking part in any of these activities will keep your brain happy, healthy and engaged and give you the opportunity to learn a new skill and increase your social skills simultaneously!”

The Daily Mile launches global vision for the next 10 years

● The Daily Mile has set out its ambition to reach 10 million children by 2032 at an event today at Scotland House in Birmingham during the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

● The event was to celebrate the 10th Birthday of the children’s health initiative, which started from a single school in Stirling in 2012 and now reaches over 3 million children around the world. 

● Double Commonwealth Champion Colin Jackson CBE, Scottish Government Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport Maree Todd, Founder of The Daily Mile Elaine Wyllie MBE, and professors from Edinburgh & Stirling Universities spoke on the panel.

 ● The Daily Mile, supported by INEOS, is a transformative initiative where children run, jog, wheel or walk for fifteen minutes every day, improving the health, happiness and wellbeing of millions of children

The Daily Mile has laid out its ambition for the next 10 years at an event with the Scottish Government at Scotland House, University College Birmingham during the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

While celebrating the tremendous growth The Daily Mile has experienced since its inception 10 years ago, the event set out the goal to improve the wellbeing of 10 million children around the world by 2032. 

Daily Mile Ambassador, Double Commonwealth Champion, World Champion and Olympian, Colin Jackson CBE chaired the event at Scotland House, University College Birmingham.

VIPs in attendance were Scottish Government Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport Maree Todd MSP, Founder of The Daily Mile Elaine Wyllie MBE, CBiol MRSB Associate Professor Epigenetics, Genetics and Physical Activity, Deputy Associate Dean for Research University of Stirling Dr Colin N Moran, and Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology The University of Edinburgh Dr Josie Booth. 

Guests heard directly from the Scottish Government about Scotland’s ongoing commitment to growing The Daily Mile initiative. There was discussion about the positive impact The Daily Mile has on wellbeing and the most recent research and first-hand accounts from local teachers and pupils as well as the ambition to have more children take part across the UK and around the world. 

Starting from just a single school in Stirling, there are now 3 million children in more than 14,000 schools taking part thanks to teachers and partners in 87 countries around the world. 

More than 2,351,000 children in 9,700+ schools in the UK are signed up to The Daily Mile as more and more schools are joining every day. 

The Daily Mile improves academic performance, physical and mental health, and ironically, even kids who have never exercised before love taking part, become fitter and more engaged with sport and P.E.

Elaine Wyllie MBE, Founder of The Daily Mile, says: “It is amazing to come together today with a successful group of former athletes, leaders and health professionals to lay out our ambition to see every child enjoy the benefits of The Daily Mile.

“Multiple scientific studies have shown that The Daily Mile improves fitness, allows teachers to develop trusted relationships with students, children achieve more at school and report feeling calmer and happier with better focus and mental wellbeing. We want to get 10 million children around the world doing The Daily Mile by 2032 and together we will make this happen.” 

Colin Jackson CBE, Double Commonwealth Champion, World Champion and Olympian, says: “I am delighted to be here in Birmingham supporting The Daily Mile and celebrating its 10 years.

“The Daily Mile has made a significant impact on children’s wellbeing around the world. I am very proud to be associated with the programme and I am sure it will continue to inspire young people to maintain a healthy lifestyle in and out of school.”