Health and wellbeing – Page 125 – The NEN

Over half of Scots think volunteering could improve their mental health, as charity sees boom in young volunteers

Over half of Scots (52 per cent) think volunteering could improve their mental health according to a new survey from the British Heart Foundation. It comes as the national charity has also seen a boom in younger volunteers since the pandemic ended.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF), which has around 16,000 volunteers across its shops and stores, and supporting roles from home, has also revealed that over half of its new retail volunteer recruits this year are Gen Z.

A new survey of 1,000 people in Scotland has highlighted that Scots believe volunteering could improve their mental health, boost confidence, and reduce loneliness.

The survey also found that over nine in 10 (94 per cent) of Gen Z respondents nationally would consider volunteering, compared with just under three quarters (74 per cent) of Baby Boomers (people aged 59-77+) respondents.

Flexibility stood out as a key factor for Scottish respondents when it comes to volunteering, with 48 per cent of Scots saying they would be more likely to volunteer if flexible hours were offered, and nearly a quarter (24 per cent) would consider volunteering from home

Further results showed that for 30 per cent of Scottish respondents (32 per cent), the biggest barrier to volunteering in a charity shop was not having time to commit to it regularly. With flexible roles offered, and even the option to volunteer from home, it’s now much easier for anyone to get involved and try out volunteering at the BHF.

Harry McCaughey, a 17-year-old BHF volunteer, initially signed up to gain some work experience and develop his confidence in meeting and socialising with other people. He volunteers at his local shop on the weekends while he studies and loves the social atmosphere and the mix of people and ages in the team. After his A Levels, Harry hopes to go to university and have a career in dermatology.

Harry said: “I started volunteering to meet new people, and it’s been great to get to know people that I wouldn’t otherwise have met and hear advice from those that are older than me.

“I’d encourage younger people to volunteer, it’s a great way to expand your social circle and build confidence and responsibility at work.”

David McColgan, Head of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in Scotland said: “Since the pandemic, it’s been great to see consistently high numbers of young people choose to try out volunteering. The flexibility we offers makes it ideal for those looking to gain work experience and build confidence before applying for jobs or heading to university.

“Our easy, flexible, and inclusive approach aims to make volunteering more accessible for all. We encourage everyone to bring their skills to the BHF, whether it’s for one day or one hundred. Whether you want to chat to customers on the shop floor, sort through donations in the stock room, style the mannequins in the window, stay active in the warehouse or research eBay items from home, we have the role for you.”

A recent volunteer photoshoot saw the charity use only real volunteers in their images, rather than models, marking a new direction the charity is taking to reflect the real diversity of their volunteers.

A person and person standing in a room with clothes on the wall

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To volunteer at the British Heart Foundation, visit bhf.org.uk/volunteer

People in Edinburgh urged to apply to Suicide Prevention Panel

SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) is inviting people from Edinburgh with lived experience of suicide to apply to take part in the Suicide Prevention Scotland Lived Experience Panel.

The panel exists so that people with experience of suicide can help shape Scotland’s mission to prevent suicide.

The Lived Experience Panel works alongside Suicide Prevention Scotland to influence and advise on its work to deliver the Scottish Government and COSLA’s suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together.

Suicide Prevention Scotland is the community of people and organisations working together to deliver the strategy.

The panel was initially formed in 2019 to support the delivery of the previous strategy.

It played a vital role in the development of guidance to support local authorities, learning & development resources, the launch of the United to Prevent Suicide campaign movement, pilot projects to support families bereaved by suicide, and shaping an approach to supporting people in suicidal crisis, Time Space Compassion.

This model has been so successful that it has been recognised by the World Health Organisation as a significant international example of participation of people with lived experience in suicide prevention work.

Those who have previously attempted suicide, experienced suicidal thoughts, or have lost a loved one to suicide are encouraged to apply to be on the panel.

The Scottish Government provides funding to SAMH to host the lived experience panel, providing support to the group’s members so that they can contribute fully and safely help influence suicide prevention strategy.

Seonaid Stallan, is a current member of the Lived Experience Panel. She lost her son Dylan to suicide; three weeks later her sister-in-law Vanessa took her own life.

She said: “After losing my son and sister-in-law to suicide, I knew there were things which needed to change to prevent this happening to others.

“Being a member of the Lived Experience Panel has given me the opportunity to share my personal lived experience, insight and knowledge of suicide.

My experience is valued, and I have been able to use my voice to help influence and shape a variety of actions and services in suicide prevention.

“I am pleased to say that Scotland now has a pilot service which supports families bereaved by suicide, families like mine. This will save lives.”

Dan Farthing, Head of Suicide Prevention at SAMH said: “This is a unique opportunity for people in Edinburgh to play a significant part in Scotland’s mission to prevent suicide.

“SAMH is proud to have worked collaboratively to establish and develop the Lived Experience Panel and to continue to host it for Suicide Prevention Scotland.

“Working with panel members we’ve created a safe space for open conversation, and constructive challenge. Those who join the panel will be able to genuinely shape what Scotland’s approach to suicide prevention looks like in the future.

“Support and safeguarding are always at the forefront of everything we do, and so those who are interested in contributing this way should know that their wellbeing is our top priority.”

Haylis Smith, National Delivery, Suicide Prevention Scotland said: “Over the last four years the Lived Experience Panel has become a vital part of the three-way approach to the development of suicide prevention policy and practice alongside public health professionals and our academic advisors.

“Members understandably want to do all they can to prevent suicide, but it is the quality of their contributions that have made such a difference.

“The idea of a lived experience panel was very new when this one was set up, and some people were probably quite nervous about taking this approach.

“However, we’ve seen so many meaningful contributions that have helped shape our approach, and in some cases bring about change that may not have happened.

“We’d warmly encourage anyone who has experience of suicide in Edinburgh, who feels they are ready to contribute to this work to put themselves forward.”

To find out more about the role and to apply, visit: https://www.samh.org.uk/about-mental-health/suicide/suicide-prevention-scotland-lived-experience-panel

Edinburgh Fringe comedians bring laughter to care home residents

Residents at two of the capital’s care homes felt the buzz of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival after a series of on-site comedy performances at Randolph Hill Nursing Homes over the weekend.

Stand-up comedians Carey Marx and Jojo Sutherland brought their shows to Randolph Hill nursing homes across Scotland, including its Ashley Court and Blenham House sites located in the capital, enabling residents to share in the Edinburgh Fringe experience.

The stand-up shows were part of a series of performances by the pair which were held at each of Randolph Hill’s sites located in Edinburgh, The Lothians, and Stirlingshire over the course of last week.

Carey performs regularly across the UK comedy circuit and has appeared in numerous television programmes including Comedy Cuts, BBC Breakfast and Loose Women. In 2009 he gained global recognition after winning Best International Show at the New Zealand Comedy Festival.

Jojo has worked in the UK entertainment industry for more than two decades as a writer, actor, broadcaster, and comedian. A regular at the Edinburgh Fringe, she was a 2022 finalist for the title of British Comedian of the Year.

Randolph Hill currently cares for more than 350 residents and employs over 600 members of staff at its seven sites across east and central Scotland.

Randolph Hill Managing Director Peter McCormick said: “We were delighted to bring this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival to our nursing homes including our two sites in the capital.

“With two highly regarded comedians bringing their acts to all of our seven sites, this series of performances brought a real festival buzz to our residents and enabled them to enjoy the Fringe experience in a familiar setting.

“We are grateful to Carey and Jojo for their great performances which were warmly received and thoroughly enjoyed by our residents, family members and our staff.”

Edinburgh Leisure launches new Basketball Coaching for younger players

Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, is excited to announce the launch of a comprehensive basketball coaching programme tailored specifically for younger children.

This initiative comes in response to valuable feedback received from a recent coaching customer survey involving parents and carers who expressed a keen interest in additional coaching options and diverse sports development opportunities for their children.

The basketball coaching is being offered at Meadowbank and Ainslie Park and sessions are now live for booking through the Edinburgh Leisure app and the Edinburgh Leisure website. Monthly coaching costs £24.30 for 45-minute classes and £26.60 for a 60-minute class.

The basketball coaching is being offered at Meadowbank and Ainslie Park, and both venues will follow the same times and schedules.

The sessions are now live for booking through the Edinburgh Leisure app and the Edinburgh Leisure website. Classes are held weekly and the monthly coaching costs £24.30 for 45-minute classes and £26.60 for a 60-minute class.

1:00 – 1:45pm Little Ballers

2:00 – 2:45pm Junior Ballers

3:45 – 4:45pm Mighty Ballers

4:45 – 5:45pm Game Time Ballers

Edinburgh Leisure recognises the importance of offering a variety of coahing options to cater to the specific needs of different age groups. Therefore, the basketball coaching programme encompasses four distinct pathways:

Little Ballers – 18 months to 3 years

An interactive and play-orientated introduction to basketball for the youngest learners. Children will have the opportunity to explore basketball equipment in a child-friendly and realistic setting. Parental participation is encouraged to foster early education and enhance cognitive and social skills development.

Junior Ballers – 3 years to 5 years

A step-by-step introduction to the world of basketball, where children will learn the basics of the sport, gradually progressing towards structured techniques. The classes will foster a sense of teamwork and cooperation, with parental involvement as needed.

Mighty Ballers – 5 years to 7 years

Mighty ballers are confident with boundless energy, and this is catered for in the lesson plans, with the classes designed to be fast-paced and engaging. Children will delve deeper into basketball fundamentals, while enjoying a fun and dynamic environment that emphasises teamwork and incorporates small-sided games.

Game Time Ballers – 7 years to 9 years

A holistic learning approach that seamlessly integrates play, practice, and understanding. These sessions not only teach essential basketball skills but also instil an understanding of when and how to apply these skills effectively in a real game scenario.

Gary Hocknull, Sports Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Recognising the well-established network across Edinburgh engaging teenage basketball players, we’ve responded to the call from parents and guardians for more diverse opportunities in sports development.

“Basketball emerged as a natural choice for younger children. Our new pathways cater for children from 18 months to 8 years, split into four age groups.”

Cancer drug delivery evaluation shows “better quality of life”

Beatson drug delivery study shows patient benefits

A new service evaluation on the use of intrathecal drug delivery (ITDD) by the Interventional Cancer Pain team at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre has shown patients having a better quality of life by being able to spend more time being cared for in the community.

As well as this, the pump devices mean patients are on a lower dose of opioid painkillers, which reduces cognitive impairment.

Dr Alison Mitchell led the work which has been published in the journal Palliative Medicine.

The ITDD service offered by the Beatson WoSCC is the only one in Scotland and it is hoped the findings of this study will support the use of ITDD further afield.

Dr Mitchell, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, said: “We have been using ITDD since 2007 and this research confirms the benefits that it has for patients who have significant pain due to a variety of cancers.

“It’s an appropriate method of pain relief for a small percentage of patients and makes a real difference to their quality of life.”

The devices use an implanted catheter in the lumbar area of the spine which allows delivery of anaesthetic and painkilling medication from a pump which sits just below the ribcage.

After the device is implanted, patients return every two weeks to have the medication reservoir refilled.

Dr Mitchell explained: “As the medication is delivered directly to the spinal cord, the local anaesthetic administered by the device acts like a dental anaesthetic by numbing pain nerves directly and we try to ensure it does not impair motor function in the way a dental anaesthetic would affect your face muscles.

“The morphine delivered by the pumps relieves the pain associated with cancers and means patients can reduce their oral morphine use and patients with pumps are on a much lower overall morphine dosage.

“This means they are better able to spend quality time with their families as they don’t experience the cognitive impairment that morphine usage can cause.”

Patients requiring pain relief in the lower half of the body are assessed by a multidisciplinary team made up of palliative medicine, physiotherapy and psychiatric specialists and a decision can be made on how appropriate this method of pain relief would be for them.

Dr Mitchell added: “The team takes a holistic approach to how we help people manage pain in a palliative setting.

“Patients put forward for this face a life that is limited by cancer but this allows them to have an added quality of life with less time spend in a clinical setting.”

Healthy Heart Tip: Healthy Bank Holiday

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

Healthy Heart Tip: Healthy Bank Holiday

Breakfast

Always start the day with a good breakfast as this sets the tone for the day and encourages you to choose healthy options at other mealtimes.

Consuming a breakfast rich in protein will help keep you fuller for longer and a portion of wholegrain carbohydrate will give you the energy you need to power your morning.

Why not try scrambled egg and avocado on wholegrain toast or fresh fruit with low-fat yoghurt and low-sugar granola?

Choose healthier drinks

Consuming too much alcohol can have a negative impact on your heart, but the good news is there are so many healthier and delicious, alcohol-free drinks available nowadays.

A simple soda water with fresh lemon is delightful, or you could try a gut-loving kombucha or simply choose alcohol free versions of the alcoholic beverages you usually consume. These drinks generally contain fewer calories than normal soft drinks and alcoholic tipples and won’t leave you with a fuzzy head the following day.

Drop the guilt

Bank holidays are usually a time when families and friends meet up to enjoy some quality time together. Often this includes an abundance of less healthy food and drink options to tempt us.

Avoid over-indulging, by giving yourself permission to enjoy a moderate amount of food and drinks that are higher in sugar, salt, fat or alcohol, and enjoy it without feeling guilty.

If you are planning a BBQ this weekend, you might want to check out our Healthy Tip on BBQs.

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for weekly healthy tips at:

www.heartresearch.org.uk/health-tips.

NHS 24 Mental Health Hub: Here For You

Need someone to talk to? We’re here for you.

The 111 Mental Health Hub is a free, confidential support for anyone in Scotland. Whether you’re struggling with mental health worries or need help with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, our caring team is ready to listen, no matter your age.

You’re never alone

Edinburgh’s YourGP marks 20th anniversary with Dundas Street move

Edinburgh’s YourGP marks 20^th anniversary with expansion into Dundas Street
and reveals huge shift in locals’ attitudes to health and wellbeing

Established in 2003, YourGP is one of Scotland’s leading independent medical practices, promising “affordable, friendly & local GP services”.

Throughout their 20 years of providing expert healthcare to Edinburgh residents from their Dean Village practice, they have seen a hugely positive shift in patients’ attitudes to health and wellbeing.

And so, as more locals seek to take a proactive approach to improving their health, the timing is perfect for YourGP to mark their 20^th anniversary by opening a second practice right in the heart of the Scottish capital.

Situated on Dundas Street, the new practice features four treatment rooms and will offer a full range of services including GP appointments, comprehensive health screening, cosmetic treatments, and sexual health services. Patients can benefit from short notice appointments and extended consultations to ensure all medical concerns are discussed in depth, as well as a fast turnaround of results.

Locals are being given the opportunity to join the launch day celebrations, be amongst the first to see the new practice and meet some of the team at the new practice open day.

Taking place on Friday 1 September, 12pm – 4pm, visitors can pick up an exclusive goodie bag while stocks last, enjoy 20% off GP and cosmetic services and enter a prize draw to be in with a chance of winning a Health MOT worth £495.

Commenting ahead of the open day, YourGP Clinical Lead, Dr Cathrow, said; “During my time in healthcare over the past 20 years I have seen a hugely positive shift in patients’ attitudes. Especially since the pandemic, people are more attuned to general wellbeing and are looking for a more holistic approach to their healthcare. Focus has moved more to prevention as opposed to simply looking for cures.

“We are seeing a much more engaged population who are taking control of their health and wellbeing in a more proactive manner.

“In response to this and to mark our 20^th anniversary, we are delighted to expand our offering and launch YourGP at Dundas Street which will give Edinburgh residents better access to friendly, affordable local GP services.”

“In so doing, YourGP can continue to support people to take charge of their wellbeing and enjoy life-long good health.”