IRU Thursday 30th November 2023
Welcome to this week's Information Round-up!
We hope you're all keep well and warm during this cold snap. We will be sharing some information and support over the coming weeks to help you.
In the meantime, here's the latest IRU, filled with news, information, events and more. We hope you enjoy this week's edition.
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Healthwatch Stockport Have Joined the Festivities
We are taking part in the St George's Christmas Tree Festival until Sunday 3 December. We're excited to have exhibited our Healthwatch tree, complete with information about us and are asking visitors to share thanks for health and care professionals, group or service who've helped or supported them, by simply hanging a tag on the tree.
As part of our Christmas celebrations we are launching our Elfwatch competition via our social media channels. Before we officially start we'd like your suggestions for the name of our Healthwatch Stockport elf. Send suggestions to us via our social channels or email us at info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Last Day to Apply: Co-Chair for the Stockport Mental Health and Wellbeing Partnership Role
The Stockport Mental Health and Wellbeing Partnership (MHWP) is seeking a Co-Chair to help drive the partnership. Are you passionate about improving mental health and well-being? Do you have lived experience of mental health issues?
As Co-Chair you’ll work alongside the Director of Adult Social Care to improve the mental well-being of the Stockport community and the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges, whilst ensuring their voices are at the heart of all decision-making. Stockport’s MHWP reports directly to the One Stockport Health & Care Board
How to apply? The role is a voluntary vacancy. Visit the dedicated page on the Healthwatch Stockport website for full details and to apply.
For questions and to apply, email info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk by 1 December.
Health Care During Colder Conditions
Details from Lizzie Austin, Pure Innovations on behalf of Sarah Turner, Health Protection Service Team
Minor impacts are expected across the health and social care sector, including increased use of healthcare services. Please see further information below, which details the actions needed for a YELLOW alert.
A change to colder conditions on Friday is expected. Widespread frost is forecast across western parts overnight into Saturday, and more likely overnight into Sunday.
Please access the Weather-Health Alert Dashboard for more information on the National Weather Overview, click here. There may be National Severe Weather Warnings at short notice that you need to be aware of, so you can take appropriate action. Met Office National Severe Weather Warning Service
All organisations, but especially those providing health and social care should be aware of the advice and guidance set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan, as to the actions necessary before and during a Cold-Health Alert Period. Specific advice is available in the links below.
Advice and information from the UKHSA:
User guide to use the impact based Weather Health Alerts
Cold weather and health: guidance and advice
UKHSA Action Cards
Voluntary and community sector
Health and social care providers
Further Advice and guidance
UKHSA Adverse Weather and Health Plan and supporting evidence
Cold weather and Health: supporting vulnerable people
Find the latest weather forecasts and warnings
Met Office National Severe Weather Warning Service
Stockport Warm Spaces : Interactive Map Available
Details from Sarah Burke from Stockport Council
Stockport's Warm Spaces will be open every day of the week throughout the Winter 2023/2024. Spaces are open to everyone to drop by without any pressure to buy anything. Many spaces are offering activities, free Wi-Fi and free food and drink. See the interactive map, which will be updated as Warm Spaces are available and please share this information.
Warm Spaces Fund – Apply Now
Details from Sarah Burke from Stockport Council
Stockport Council is providing grants of up to £1000 through the One Stockport Local Fund to open buildings as a warm space throughout the colder months. This will help to ensure that residents are kept warm and well. The Warm Spaces fund will close on 31 December. Find out more and apply.
Family Support Voucher Scheme
Details from Sarah Burke from Stockport Council
Stockport Council have relaunched the Family Support Voucher Scheme, as part of the Warm and Well initiative. These vouchers are designed to help families during the challenging winter period and offer crucial support as we brace for colder temperatures and rising living costs. Find out more..
Small Business Saturday
Details from Sarah Burke from Stockport Council
Saturday 2 December is Small Business Saturday, a yearly campaign which promotes small, local businesses and encourages people to shop with them. Please consider shopping local this Christmas. Shopping local also avoids driving long distances, so it’s beneficial to the environment too. Find out more.
Support Our Local Businesses
Details from Sarah Burke from Stockport Council
The One Stockport campaign to keep our Brilliant Businesses Bouncing is also encouraging people to support local businesses and spend money locally. Every pound spent in Stockport not only helps the business itself, it benefits their employees and local suppliers. The campaign is fronted by Will Mellor who has been very generous with his time in supporting the campaign. Watch the video here.
Shop Smart Not Shark
Details from Sarah Burke from Stockport Council
Please take part in the National Stop Loan Sharks Christmas Campaign 2023. With the closure of many legal lenders over the past couple of years there is a real fear of more people turning to borrowing from loan sharks. Share the campaign’s social posts @StopLoanSharksEngland (Facebook) or @SLSEngland (Twitter/X)
Working to Support Our Stockport Community
Details sent by Margo Borish, from Working Well IPS, Growth Company
The Working Well service aims at supporting people with disabilities, mental health conditions and/or long-term health conditions who want to work to find and maintain sustainable employment. We also support people who are currently in-work, but facing barriers, to develop plans for better support in the workplace, or people who are off-sick/on-leave and want to get back into a healthy work routine.
Please see the attachments (for employers, referral organisations, people in work, and people out of work) that can be shared far and wide.
Customers can self-refer, or they can be referred via a professional such as their mental health practitioner, social worker, GP, etc via the referral form or can be emailed directly to: IPSPCreferral@gcemployment.uk
Pure Innovations Community Events
Details from Lizzie Austin, Pure Innovations
Please find details of the weekly social groups, facilitated by the Community Hub Team.
Easy Meals on a Budget: Next 6 week course starts 9 January
Mooch & Mingle Walking Group: Finishes 21 December and starts again on 6 January
SEN Youth Group: Finishes 14 December and starts again on 4 January
Start the Week Group: Finishes 18 December and starts again on 8 January
Menopause in Mind: Finishes 22 December and starts again 5 January
Email communityhub@pureinnovations.co.uk if you have any questions.
NEW Beating the Winter Blues Workshops
Details from Ellie Unwin, Pure Innovations
NHS Stockport Talking Therapies have launched new Beating the Winter Blues workshops to be held in December. The Workshop is free and focuses on Computerised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CcBT) SilverCloud
The workshop helps you learn new skills and techniques, enabling you to tackle the many challenges associated with experiencing these symptoms. You'll learn ways to manage anxiety and low mood including : Activity & Pacing and how to reduce social isolation and Managing unhelpful thoughts, Worry Management & how to improve your confidence.
Attend on one of the following dates:
11 December - 10AM - 12PM
18 December - 10AM - 12PM
SKY UP Digital Hub, 2 Castle Street, Edgeley, Stockport, SK3 9AB.
How to book onto these Workshops?
Book a place by calling Stockport Age UK on 0161 480 1211 or join us on the day.
Opportunity to Join the Spectator Safe Programme
Details sent by Christopher Hughes, Stockport Homes Group
Co-op Live and The Growth Company are working in collaboration to help unemployed Greater Manchester residents aged 19+ upskill and secure employment. - AEB fully funded 5-day Spectator Safety Level 2 qualification. See the attached flyer and call the course team:
Complete a sign-up form at this link.
Stockport Interpreting Unit Training
The Interpreting Unit provides pre-booked face-to-face and video interpreters in spoken languages and British Sign Language, on-demand telephone interpreters and document translations.
As an accredited training provider, they rigorously assess interpreters' knowledge and require them to undertake safeguarding, preventing modern slavery/human trafficking, and annual data protection training.
In collaboration with the Stockport Continuing Education Service, The Stockport Interpreting Unit offer the Ascentis accredited Level 3 Certificate in Community Interpreting Unit to community groups. This allows learners with or without experience in interpreting the opportunity to increase their personal and professional skills and access employment at the end.
Visit their website to learn more
Call 0161 477 9000 for personalised assistance
Information and Signposting
For up to date health and social care information, signposting and guidance contact us:
0161 974 0753 10am - 2pm
info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
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.
