Aqua Relax launches at Portobello Swim Centre
For those looking for a more relaxing way to work out in the water rather than the busy atmosphere of a pool, Edinburgh Leisure is offering a new type of swim session, ‘Aqua Relax’. Continue reading Chillin’ down in Porty!
Almost 1 in 5 men ‘lethally ignorant’ they even have a prostate, new survey finds
Prostrate Cancer UK has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the lethal disease.
The charity’s latest research reveals a shocking lack of awareness among men about their own bodies and their risk of prostate cancer, leading to thousands of needless deaths each year – but a new nationwide TV advertising campaign aims to tackle the ignorance head on.
Despite one man every hour dying from prostate cancer, it seems most men still have no idea what the gland does or even that they have one.
PCUK’s new survey of almost 2,000 men found a massive 92% of them had no idea that the prostate helps make the fluid sperm swims in and contains muscles for ejaculation, with more than half not knowing where it was in their body and 17% unaware of it altogether.
Worryingly 88% of men from higher risk groups – those over 50, black or with a family history of the disease – were unaware of their increased danger. An alarming 11% of them believed they were actually at lower risk of developing prostate cancer, and 86% of black men didn’t know they were twice as likely as any other racial group in the UK.
The shocking results coincide with our new nationwide TV advertising campaign, urging men to stop ignoring prostate cancer and join the fight to beat the disease. With enough money and the right action from clinicians and researchers, PCUK believes we can halve the 14,500 men projected to die from prostate cancer in 2026, creating the better diagnosis and treatments that will make it a disease the next generation needn’t fear.
“Ignoring your prostate can be lethal,” says Prostate Cancer UK chief executive, Angela Culhane. “You can’t see it, you can’t feel it, and shockingly many men only realise they have a prostate when it starts to go wrong.
“If men really knew what the prostate can do to them, they wouldn’t ignore it. As a country, we need to wake up and stop men dying needlessly. Ignoring prostate cancer won’t beat it – only fighting it will. Now is the time to join the fight to beat this disease.”
A mother-of-two has achieved a major milestone after becoming the 500th graduate of a pioneering drug and alcohol detox recovery programme. Emma Hogg has battled her addiction to alcohol to successfully complete the Lothian and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP).
Continue reading Emma chooses life to become LEAP’s 500th graduate
New exercise programme starts next week – free tasters
Edinburgh Leisure is offering free taster sessions for a new exercise programme, ‘Mums on the Run’, designed specifically for new mums (and dads) with buggies. Continue reading Mums on the Run – and dads welcome too!
“It’s an honour for me to be able to support this organisation and indeed this community, both of whom I admire.” – Irvine Welsh
The Junction – Young People, Health & Well-being is a Leith based charity offering support to young people living in North East Edinburgh. Irvine Welsh was born in Leith and grew up in North East Edinburgh which gives him an understanding of the challenges these young people may face. Continue reading Healthy Respect: Junction patron Irvine Welsh drops in
Get connected with your community this Tuesday
GameChanger are holding a free Community Event on Tuesday 12 April at Easter Road Stadium, taking place between 11am to 3pm.
The awareness day will help to showcase to the community what there is in the local area to help with their health and well-being, and is another event which demonstrates the positive impact GameChanger is having in the local area.
Attendees will be able to find out information across a wide spectrum of health issues including fitness, addiction support and mental health, as well as the related sub-topics that can help with your well-being, including information on healthy cooking, community gardening, yoga and dance.
Not only will it cover health and well-being, but it aims to highlight how to help with your employability and will offer advice on improving your digital skillset too. Information will be available for learning opportunities for students with varying disabilities and needs, as well as assistance for carers and advice on relationships and sex for young people. You can even find out what is happening at the upcoming Leith Festival.
For those with a keen football interest, you will also be able to discover a free online learning opportunity with the University of Edinburgh to study Football: More than a Game as well as opportunities for credit bearing face to face learning.
The event will take place within the Eighteen75 and Edinburgh Suites within the West Stand at Easter Road Stadium.
Contracts signed – Muirhouse building to get underway
Whilst we all know that exercise is good for us, life is hectic – so for those unable to commit to a monthly or annual gym membership, Edinburgh Leisure’s Discount Card might be the solution. For a one-off annual payment of £29.90 (less than 60p a week) is all you need to pay to save all year long!
The Discount Card gives unlimited access to all Edinburgh Leisure’s venues across the city, with savings of up to 25% across a huge range of activities including gym visits, swimming, fitness classes, golf, racquet sports and much more (*exceptions apply – see below).
It also lets you book classes or courts eight days in advance, ensuring you don’t miss out on your favourite session. And for those purchasing a card before 30 April, a free swim or gym visit is given as an incentive to get you started.
With over 30+ venues offering 1 climbing centre, 15 gyms, 700+ fitness classes per week, 23 tennis courts, 6 golf courses, 10 swimming pools, Edinburgh Leisure is ‘the biggest club in town’.
The Discount Card is available to buy online at Edinburgh Leisure’s website or from any one of Edinburgh Leisure’s venues.
*There is no discount on the following activities: soft play, Clip ‘n Climb, all climbing activities with the exception of casual climb and bouldering; sauna, steam room, shower and Turkish Bath; hall hire for football, basketball, volleyball etc; outdoor football; bowling and putting.
World Autism Awareness Week
Saturday 2 – Friday 8 April
NAS TMI Poster A3 Scotland PRINT
As many as two-thirds of people with autism feel socially isolated, according to a new report. Research by charity The National Autistic Society Scotland has found poor public understanding of the condition is making some feel socially isolated and trapped in their own homes. Continue reading Too much information? Autism Awareness Week
Ahead of it’s tenth anniversary tomorrow, Public Health Minister Maureen Watt reflects on the impact of the smoking ban.
“We know in Scotland we have some really deep rooted public health challenges to deal with. But we also have a proud record of taking brave and innovative steps to make our country a healthier place.
“There is no doubt the ban on smoking in public places ranks highly amongst the steps that, as a country, we have taken together.
“As we approach the tenth anniversary of the smoking ban, it is clear that this was, without doubt, the right thing to do. The positive impact on our health and our future health is without question.
“Things have had to change. But few would argue they haven’t changed for the better.
“Scotland was the first country in the UK to ban smoking in public places. Since then, evidence shows that the smoking ban has contributed to a 39 per cent reduction in second-hand smoke exposure in adults and 11-year old children, a 17 per cent reduction in hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome and improvements in the respiratory health of bar workers.
“Nearly nine out of ten Scottish adults – and almost two thirds of smokers – support the smoking ban.
“It has increased awareness of the risks associated with second-hand smoke and there is some evidence of changing social norms around exposing others to second-hand smoke. There was also a 15 per cent reduction in the number of children with asthma being admitted to hospital in the three years after the ban came into force. And just last month, a study suggested that the ban may have helped reduce the number of teenagers taking up smoking by a fifth.
“But we know there is much more to do, and we remain firmly committed to creating a tobacco-free generation by 2034.
“We’ve taken further action to reduce the harm caused by tobacco: banning the display of tobacco products in shops, banning cigarette vending machines, creating a new tobacco retail register, supporting plain packaging and making it illegal to smoke in cars where children are present. Most recently we passed legislation to restrict the sale and availability of e-cigarettes to under-18s and make it an offence to smoke near buildings on hospital grounds.
“Since the ban came into place, Scotland has continued to pursue a bold and innovative approach towards public health. We remain committed to minimum unit pricing, which we know is the most effective pricing measure to tackle Scotland’s harmful relationship with alcohol.
“And we are taking advice on how Scotland could fortify flour with folic acid, which we believe can help to save many families from the heartbreak of being told their baby has Spina Bifida.
“Together, and with the public’s support, all of these steps take us closer to our goal of a healthier Scotland.”
The smoking ban was introduced in Scotland on 26 March 2006
