Health and wellbeing – Page 316 – The NEN

As the clocks go forward … Spring into health!

Spring has sprung, the clocks go forward this weekend and Scotland’s national telehealth and telecare service NHS24 is urging people across the country to use the extra hour of daylight to look after their health …

NHS 24 is reminding people of the huge range of health advice and information available at their fingertips at www.nhsinform.co.uk – the online resource includes an extensive online health library, packed with information about common illnesses, treatments and health services. Users can search alphabetically by health subject, age and gender or by accessing a ‘body map.’

A section dedicated to common health questions includes topics ranging from food and diet and exercise to lifestyle and travel health. There are also specific zones on a variety of subjects including alcohol, mental health and musculoskeletal issues.

NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “Whilst everyone is being reminded to put their clocks forward this weekend, I would also encourage people to take advantage of this extra hour of daylight to visit www.nhsinform.co.uk

“The clock change marks the onset of spring, which is the ideal time to start thinking about your own health and lifestyle. The NHS Inform website offers an easy and accessible way to get started, whether it is seeking advice and tips on adopting a healthier lifestyle, ways to get more exercise or advice on quitting smoking. NHS Inform is well worth a visit for people looking to kick-start their health this spring.

“The clock change also means that we lose an hour’s sleep. For most of us, this won’t affect our sleep routine, but if you have trouble sleeping or have insomnia, it may cause some anxiety. For more information and helpful advice, visit the insomnia section at www.nhsinform.co.uk “

Visitors can also use the website to email a general information enquiry to NHS 24’s team of health information advisors or search for details of local pharmacies, GP surgeries and dental practices in Scotland.

City set to mark Autism Awareness Day

More than one in a hundred Edinburgh families are affected by autism, and a range of events are being held across the city next Wednesday (2 April) to mark World Autism Awareness Day.

The Awareness Day follows the launch last week of Autism Edinburgh, a campaign to raise awareness about the symptoms of autism and how best to support individuals and families.

Among the events planned to raise awareness and understanding of autism are:

‘Surroundings’ art exhibition

Exhibition of work by trainees at the Gallery on the Corner.
2-30 April 2014, 34 Northumberland Street, EH3 6LS
Contact: 0131 557 8969, www.thegalleryonthecorner.org.uk

Scott v Zombies discussion with Alan Grant author and Scott Davidson

With dvd and auction of art work by Robin Smith. Preview artworks at www.art.linkedinburgh.bigcartel.com

2 April 2014, 6-7 pm, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place. Book in advance by phoning 0131 229 3555 or info@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk

Open information event

With complimentary therapy for carers, cake sales and cake decorating, craft workshop, quiz run by PASDA and Lothian Autistic Society.
2 April 2014, 4-7 pm, Conference Centre, Norton Park, 47 Albion Road. Contact: 0131 475 2416 or info@pasda.org.uk

Sponsored walk raising money for Autism Initiatives Scotland

2 April 2014, 7-9 pm
Contact for information – 0131 551 7260 or hos@aiscotland.org.uk

Upward Mobility celebrates World Autism Awareness Day

film/art work/live music and nibbles – open event
3 April 2014, 2-4 pm, Floor B1, St Margarets House, 151 London Road.

‘Swing into Spring’: Season opening of Hermitage Golf Course

Open to all. Crazy golf, disk golf display, “build your own birdfeeder” and more.
6 April 2014, 10am-4 pm, 11 Braid Hills Drive EH10 6GZ
Contact: 0131 5517260 or hos@aiscotland.org.uk

Autism Life in Colour exhibition

10 March – 2 April, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place.Contact: 0131 529 5665 or stockbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
3 April-17 April, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road EH16 4DS
Contact: 0131 529 5597 or craigmillar.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
Find out more:

You can find out more about any or all of these events at a World Autism Awareness Day Information Point. They will be open from 10-3 pm on Wednesday 2 April at:

Edinburgh University – outside the main library, 30 George Square, EH8 9LJ

North Edinburgh council Office – 8 West Pilton Gardens, EH4 4DP

South Neighbourhood Centre – 40 Captains’ Road, EH17 8QF

Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, 30 Harvesters Way, Edinburgh EH14 3JF

Norton Park, 47 Albion Road EH7 5QY.

Coffee Cups

Watch out for coffee cups in cafes with messages about autism
Contact 0131 661 3834 or office@lothianautistic.org to find out more

A campaign to raise awareness about the symptoms of autism and how best to support individuals and families was launched in Edinburgh last week. Autism Edinburgh has been set up by the City of Edinburgh Council and partner organisations in a bid to support people in the capital who have the disorder.

The city council has also launched it’s autism plan, which highlights the importance of getting the right service at the right time for people with autism, and their carers. Anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of autism can take part in the specialised online training programme.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder which can affect people with or without a learning disability– sometimes known as Aspergers Syndrome. It affects both children and adults, and can have a profound effect on the way a person understands and interacts with the world around them.

Councillor Ricky Henderson, Health and Social Care Convener, (pictured above) said: “Autism affects people differently, some people are able to live successful and independent lives whilst others will need very specialist support.

“A wide range of services are already available in Edinburgh and the way in which we will keep delivering these in the future is described in the autism plan. The Autism Edinburgh campaign is a great example of working in partnership with other organisations, which will let us offer the very best in care and support.”

Autism Edinburgh is being delivered in partnership with Autism Initiatives, Upward Mobility, Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder Adults (PASDA), Lothian Autistic Society, Edinburgh University, NHS Lothian, Intowork, Edinburgh and the Lothian’s Aspergers Society and the Action Group.

Visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/autism for further information, or contact the Autism Advice Line on 01259 720 044.

Get set for Leith Health and Fitness Festival

Looking after our elderly:

In the winter of 2012 a new Charity campaign emerged in Leith called Give a Gift this Christmas. This was an opportunity for organisations and members of the public to donate gifts which were distributed to elderly people across Leith and North East Edinburgh. This was a tremendous success and has led to the development of a Health and Fitness Festival, which will not only raise funds to help the Charity, but will also provide the opportunity for sharing information about keeping fit and healthy whatever your age.

To raise the profile of the Festival there will be a number of key events happening across Leith and wider. Subsequently there will be a range of raffles and smaller events to ensure that the word is out and that people are excited about the festival.

Leith Health & Fitness Festival – Saturday 10 August, Victoria Park, Leith

Our inspiration is to help bring back community spirit! Working together will offer a way to pull all generations together, to mend the cracks and try to give support and care to our local elderly residents.

There will be a range of stalls and events designed specifically for the older community, this will include a marquee set aside for entertainment, amusement and a free raffle, bowling on the green and lots of complimentary events / treatments on the day.

For the wider community there will be:

Stall spaces for therapists and personal trainers (small fee)
Stall spaces for local businesses (Small fee)
Advice on optimum & sports nutrition
Career advice
Youth and Community information
5k fun run (application form below)
Hula Honeys
Fitness demos
Activities for all the family.

If you feel you could support this exciting venture by having a stall, promoting your services, donating prizes for our competitions or raffle, (we have two raffles, a main raffle for everyone and another one for our elderly people). Or volunteering on the day then we would love to hear from you.

Please email me if you are interested in being part of our first Festival.

Email: lookingafterourelderly@virginmedia.com

All proceeds will go the Looking After Our Elderly and our second Give a Gift This Christmas campaign.

Thank you!

Kirsty Smith

Charity Director

5k run app

festival stall email application form

Wednesdays and Thursdays are WE DANCE DAYS!

Wednesdays and Thursdays are We Dance Days at North Edinburgh Arts Centre!

Last May, North Edinburgh Arts – working with Imaginate and Dancebase – was awarded 18 months funding from Creative Scotland to host a dancer in residence. Funded through the pARTners scheme, the residency focuses on the health and wellbeing benefots that dance can bring to children, young people and their families living in Forth.

North Edinburgh Arts dancer in residence Skye Reynolds is now running dance workshops with children to explore and experiment with many dance forms and styles. On Wednesdays five to eight year olds from 10 – 11.15am and on Thursdays it’s eight to twelve-year olds from 4 – 5.30pm – so let’s dance!

New campaign to help prevent suicides

If you can read between the lines, you can save lives.

That’s the simple message from a new campaign in Edinburgh to mark the start of Suicide Prevention Week (10-16 September). Last year 60 people in the capital took their own lives, leaving a lasting impact on families, friends and communities.

Choose Life – the national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide in Scotland – is tackling the issue of suicide through the ‘Read between the lines’ campaign. The message is that if you’re worried about someone, such as a friend, family member or work colleague, asking them about their feelings may help to save their life.

The campaign acknowledges that signs of suicide can be ambiguous, but encourages people to take all signs of distress seriously, even if the person seems to be living a normal life. Asking a person about what’s troubling them can make a positive difference.

Councillor Ricky Henderson, Health and Social Care Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This campaign is about asking people to be alert to any potential warning signs of suicide. You tend to know when someone close to you isn’t quite themselves. So if you notice any changes in their behaviour that worry you – even if the signs come and go – ask them about it.

“Talking can help a person gain clarity about what it is that’s troubling them, and often gives a sense of perspective. Starting a conversation is half the battle. You don’t need to have an answer to their problems – just be there for them, try to listen carefully without judging, and show that you care.

“People often worry about asking someone if they are thinking about suicide but Choose Life advises that raising the subject won’t do this. Instead, it can be a big relief for them to be able to say, ‘yes, I am’ and acknowledge they need help.”

The campaign is aimed at those who are likely to be in greatest contact with people most at risk of suicide – men aged 30-59. Statistics show that around three quarters of suicides have been men in every year since 1990.

Thought-provoking posters will be displayed in a range of community venues as well as in public toilets, and on buses and trains. Choose Life is also making widely available information cards with simple ‘how to help’ steps, and leaflets giving advice on starting conversations about suicide and listening effectively.

Since the launch of Choose Life in 2002, Scotland’s suicide rate has decreased by 17%. Choose Life in Edinburgh has made a key contribution by providing financial support to the Samaritans, funding a service to support people who self-harm and funding research about the particular risks of suicide faced by people with substance misuse issues.

Monday 10 September is also World Suicide Prevention Day.

For help and advice people can call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.

Step out in September

Pilton Community Health Project’s Healthy Lifestyles coordinator Lisa Arnott has news of two opportunities to step out next month:

WALKING at WORK WEEK

Monday 17 September to Friday 21 September

On 17 September Pilton Community Health Project will be launching its new physical activity event ‘Walking at Work Week’. Walking is free and is the simplest way to becoming fit. ‘‘Walkin at Work Week’ is a great way to encouraging us to think about the way we get too work, school or shops. Can I walk there and leave the car or bus?

Do we take a car to a meeting or shops when I can walk? This week we are hoping as may local business, schools and local organisations will join us in ‘Walkin at Work Week’ wear a pedometer for that week and show just how far we all walk.

All the steps made during ‘Walking at Work Week’ will contribute to the Muirhouse Million Steps which takes place on Friday 28 September from 10am.

MUIRHOUSE MILLION STEPS 2012

Friday 28 September 2012

10am -12.30 from North Edinburgh Arts, Pennywell Court Muirhouse

After the success of previous years the Muirhouse Million Steps 2012 is currently being planned. This year’s event will take place on Friday 28 September, 10am to 12.30am. The fun family walking event has proven to be popular in previous years and a way of encouraging local people to take those steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

This year Muirhouse Million Steps will have three walks, a long, short and toddlers walk. For every registered walker they will receive an amazing goody bag and vouchers for swimming at Craigroyston Community High School and a free Zumba class at PCHP .

To register for the walk, or for more information about Walking at Work Week, contact Lisa Arnott at Pilton Community Health Project, telephone 551 1671.