IRU- Thursday 1st December 2022
Welcome to this week's Information Round-up!
Remember if you want to receive the link weekly then you can sign up here and you will receive an email every week with the link as soon as it is public.
If you ever want to promote your work, event or you would like any information circulated please fill in the form here to have your information promoted.
Please feel free to share far and wide!
You can follow us on social media at Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and YouTube.
Festive Feedback Forum
We are looking forward to seeing Healthwatch members and local organisations at our Festive Feedback Forum next Wednesday. Thank you to those who have booked on to the event, it should be a great afternoon of information and conversation!
Healthwatch Stockport's Newsletter and 'What to know this winter' information booklet
We have recently published our Newsletter as well as an information booklet including advice and how to access health and care services in Stockport this winter. Have a read!
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Pharmacy opening hours update
Click here for Pharmacy opening times for Christmas & New Year Bank Holidays.
Stockport Council blog
Collaborating to tackle digital poverty in social housing | Digital Stockport
The Meno Hub
A new group set up for peri/post-menopausal women. This is a chance for women to connect and talk about their menopause. It will take place monthly at Heaton Norris Pavilion from 7-9pm. The future dates are Tuesday 13th December, Tuesday 17th Jan and Tuesday 21st Feb. For more information contact Claire on stockportswagn@gmail.com.
Rethink Mental Illness Winter appeal
Click here for more information about the urgent call to help Rethink Mental Illness provide the specialist support that is needed this winter and beyond.
Art Pen Pals for House Bound people
Message from Hannah Flint (Arts for Recovery):
'Art Pen Pals' pairs up people who are unable to join our face to face or online groups for any reason with a volunteer buddy, with whom they can exchange creative works by post ( e.g. poetry/collage/watercolour/embroidery/sketching...)
No previous art experience is necessary, but an interest in developing wellbeing through creativity is essential. All postage costs and art materials will be covered by Arc and no home addresses will be shared between participants- all post will come via Arc and be handled by staff or key volunteers.
Participants will receive post from their buddy once a month, with ideas and suggestions of how to add to or respond to the creative work sent; they then have 2 weeks to create something and send it back. Our volunteers will have plenty of ideas and tips to share, but the focus is on enjoyment, boosting confidence, giving purpose and structure to the day and unlocking creativity, rather than necessarily learning artistic skills.
People can be referred by a support agency, family member or friend, or can self-refer but places are limited, so it is a first-come-first-served basis. Once accepted onto the project, participants will have chance to choose the type of mediums or themes they would like to work on, as well as complete a mini trial project before being paired up with their buddy. After 4 months we will have a review call to see if the pair would like to carry on, finish, or apply for a new pairing.
Please do get in contact on the address below if you have any questions, or fill out the form below.
Cost of Living Crisis GM Grants Programme
Message from Neil Gibson (Strategic Partnership and Network Officer at Bury VCFA):
'Provided by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, this funding will support the existing activities of medium-sized VCSE organisations in Greater Manchester. In these difficult times, we want to help sustain organisations that support vulnerable communities of people that are struggling to cope with the worst of the cost of living crisis.
We aim to pay out approved funding by February 2023. It must be fully spent and reported on as soon as possible but no later than October 2023 – make sure you plan for this as there will be no extensions.The grant application deadline is midday, 12 noon on Friday 13 January 2023.'
Updates from Stockport Council
Message from Sarah Burke (Stockport Council):
Here are the updates from Stockport Council:
Stockport Food Provisions
Update from Lizzie Austin (Pure Innovations):
See the attached document for an updated list of food providers in Stockport this winter.
Healthwatch's Festive Feedback Forum
Wednesday 7th December 12:30- 15:00
The Masonic Guildhall, Stockport
There is less than a week to go until our Festive Feedback Forum. This event is now fully booked and we are looking forward to see you all there!
Christmas Coffee Morning with Advocacy Stockport
Wednesday 14th December, 2022 - 10:30 to 12:00
Healthwatch Stockport, Land O' Cakes, 48 Middle Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3DL
Join us for a morning of hot refreshments and some festive treats with Advocacy Stockport. Come along and meet us!
*TOMORROW* Disability Stockport Networking Event 2022
Friday 2nd December 2022, 10.00am - 2.30pm
Disability Stockport, 23 High St, Stockport SK1 1EG
Stockport Women and Girls Network Christmas Event
Wednesday 14th December 2022, 11:00- 15:00
Heaton Norris Community Centre
This event is an opportunity to network with other local organisations as well as to eat, dance and be merry!
National Kidney Federation webinar series
For more information on the series and how to book your place, see below.
Skills for Life Plus Laughter workout
Message from Chris Hughes (Stockport Homes):
'We’re excited to announce a SFL+ Course; SFL+ Laughter Workout. More and more studies are showing that laughter really is one of the best medicines – it helps us deal with stress, anxiety and improves social interaction. We are delivering this early next year as part of our New Year, New You programme. Anyone wanting more information or to book a place should contact us: Tel: 0161 474 2862. Email: customer.training@stockporthomes.org. Priority will be given to Stockport Homes’ customers.'
GMCVO AGM 2022
Tuesday 6th December from 2:00pm until 3:00pm
BOOST Taster Activity sessions
Message from Steve Flynn (BOOST):
BOOST are running some taster activity sessions over the coming weeks for families who have experienced domestic abuse. We have a dance session this Sunday (11am at Zestus Fitness) with Ailsa (Daily Dance). The next dance session is on Sunday 11th December. A boxing session will be on Sunday 18th December.
Contact Steve on steve@the-thread.uk for more information.
Forward events
See the attached document for all the events Forward have planned for December.
Greater Manchester Youth Health Inspectors: Bee Counted
Message from Hannah McMullan (Youth Focus North West):
'We are about to recruit for a health inspectors project called Bee Counted, where young people will lead on inspections of vital health services across Greater Manchester and help to ensure that they’re young person friendly.'
Contact Hannah at h.mcmullan@youthfocusnw.org.uk for more information and to be part of the team. Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 14th December 2022.
Honorary Women Voices Lead at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Message from Sophie Hurst (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists):
'The RCOG is now recruiting a new honorary Women Voices Lead (WVL). This appointment is for a three-year term beginning in January/ February 2023. This is not a staff role, but an independent, honorary post with a commitment of around 12-15 hours per week. A fee of £10,000 per year is attached to the role.
The WVL is uniquely placed within the RCOG and crucial to the organisation’s aim of improving women’s health. The role retains independence and acts as a conduit between the College – and the O&G specialty it represents – and the public, as O&G service users.
The WVL chairs the RCOG Women’s Network, the College’s patient/lay committee, and leads the larger virtual engagement group, the Women’s Voices Involvement Panel. Bringing insight into the College’s work, the role ensures women’s voices inform and influence the development and implementation of key objectives within the College’s UK activities.
Having a balanced and objective viewpoint is crucial to the role, as is being able to consider a wide range of perspectives, evidence and healthcare challenges.
Deadline for application: 15th December'
GP Access Survey
If you have visited or contacted a Stockport GP practice over the past 12 months, we want to hear about your experience.
So far over 500 people have commented on their experience at their GP. Join the growing list of survey respondents and help us better understand what is working well and what not so much.
Care Quality Commission
News from the Care Quality Commission: November 2022
Sector3
Mental Health Fund, Cost of Living Fund, Foodbank Fund + more!
GMCVO
GM BAME Network eBulletin, November 2022
Stockport Council
Collaborating to tackle digital poverty in social housing | Digital Stockport
Employers for Carers
Manchester Evening News
GM VCSE
GM VCSE Leadership Group eBulletin: November 2022
NHS
NHS website syndication service | Winter 2022 newsletter
For up to date health and social care information, signposting and guidance call Healthwatch Stockport on
0161 974 0753 10am - 2pm or email info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Visit our Information and Signposting directory
Do you have a health or social care experience you want to share – how did your last appointment with your GP or dentist go? Are you happy or frustrated with the service you received – let us know so we can work with local services to influence better commissioners and better outcomes for you and your family.
