IRU Thursday 14th December 2023

Welcome to this week's Information Round-up! This is actually our final one for 2023. We will start our 'Round-up' again in January 2024. As you read this, we hope you're all well and are looking after yourselves during this extra busy time.  

Here's the IRU, filled with news, information, events and more. We hope you enjoy this week's edition. 

If you want to promote your work, event or  you'd like any information circulated, please fill in the form here. We will of course pick this up in January.  

Please share far and wide and encourage others to join our mailing list. To receive the link directly, sign up here.  

You can also find out more via our socials  at Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin so don't forget to give us a follow. 

Season Greetings from Healthwatch Stockport

We would like to say thank you to everyone that has been involved with Healthwatch Stockport this year. Without you we would not be able to deliver on the work that we do. 

We hope that you have a restful festive break and a happy New Year we look forward to seeing you all in 2024!

Healthwatch Stockport Opening Hours  

The office will be closed to the public from Midday on Thursday 21 December until Monday 8 January, however staff will be back in the office for training on Tuesday 3 January.

We will monitor our emails and phone messages intermittently during this time in case urgent support is required. Our email address is info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk 

Issue 4 of our 'INFORM' newsletter is now available!  

We've excitedly released Issue 4 of our Inform Newsletter. This issue covers our last Network Forum Event, our work around hospital discharge, allergies in young children and much more. We too share how we're further involving our community along with some festive additions and annual highlights. 

Enjoy a read at your leisure and please share the link with colleagues, family and friends! 

Our newsletter is available to view online. If you would like a physical copy please contact the office.  

Read Issue 4 of Inform

Elfwatch competition 

If you haven't spotted already, we're having some fun with our Elfwatch competition on Instagram and Facebook. Hatter the Elf is visiting various Stockport locations. All correct guesses will be entered into a draw to win a £25 gift card.  

Healthwatch Stockport's Final Library Tour for 2023 

Claire from the team will be at Edgeley Library on Monday 18 December 10.30-12.30 as part of our Healthwatch Library Tours. This is the last stop before Christmas. Claire will on hand with information and advice, and will be raising awareness of Healthwatch Stockport. Please stop by and encourage others to visit. 

NHS Health Checks: Share your feedback 

Do you know about NHS Health checks for people aged between 40 and 74? We would like to know your experience of having a health check in Stockport so click here to answer a couple of questions and help to shape future development of the service. Click to complete the questions here

The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of your overall health. It can tell whether you are at higher risk of going on to develop health conditions such as: 

• stroke

• kidney disease 

• heart disease 

• type 2 diabetes 

• dementia 

NHS Health Checks in Stockport are provided by your GP who will invite by letter or text to attend for an appointment every 5 years if you’re between 40 and 74 years of age and do not already have a pre-existing condition. 

If you’re not sure if you’re eligible for an NHS Health Check and would like one, or if you're eligible and have not had one in the last 5 years, you can contact your GP surgery for an appointment. 

Staying Warm and Well 

Message from Stockport Council

Warm Spaces: helping to combat loneliness, isolation, wellbeing and keep everyone feeling warm and well over the Winter months. Please visit the interactive warm spaces webpage to help you explore the different warm spaces across Stockport. Many of the spaces will be offering activities, free Wi-Fi, food and drink You can also get information, support, advice, and guidance at many of them to help with the cost-of-living crisis.  

Funding for New Warm Spaces: Funding is still open for applications to open new warm spaces until 31 December 2023, or until all funds have been allocated.  Visit the available funds webpage, or email stockportlocal@stockport.gov.uk for details  

Cost of Living Hub:  Visit and share details of the cost-of-living hub for information, support, and advice around the rising cost of living. If you or someone you know are struggling, feeling overwhelmed, or just need a helping hand navigating all of the support available, speak to the Resident Advice and Support Team on 0161 474 2140.  

 The keeping well in the winter webpage provides advice, help with heating and energy bills as well as guidance on checking on those who may be most at risk during cold weather. The Met Office’s Weather-Health Alerting System can help residents stay on top of the cold spells and know when to prepare for adverse weather conditions. Register here. 

Patient experiences of the Stockport Pain Management Service

Message from Stockport Foundation Trust

Stockport Foundation Trust would like to hear patient experiences of the Stockport Pain Management Service and any ideas to make the service better. You can get involved as a current or previous patient, a carer or family member in any of the following ways:  

• Volunteer as a steering group member 

• Take part in focus groups 

• Design workshops and meetings 

• Send your views by email 

• Tell your story by video interview 

• Complete the experience and satisfaction survey  

Get in touch to inform them how you can support. Please provide your current involvement with the service, contact details and your availability. 

 0161 419 4411 or 0161 419 5015 

spms@stockport.nhs.uk  

Support for Stockport - experiencing destitution

Details from Lizzie Austin, Pure Innovations on behalf of Disability Stockport 

Disability Stockport are happy to share that they are now supporting people in Greater Manchester experiencing destitution with no recourse to public funds or regular income, who've nowhere else to go.  

This may include people who have had their asylum claim refused and have no leave to remain, or people who are currently undocumented and have no recourse to mainstream benefits.  

 If you are someone who needs support with funding or know anyone who does, please contact isbah.hussain@disabilitystockport.org.uk.  

Healthy Weight GM Survey

Message from Sector3

We are currently helping facilitate a survey investigating childhood obesity in Greater Manchester. We would greatly appreciate your help to distribute this to your network so we can get as many responses as possible. As a first point of call we would like to arrange a consultation chat with you so we can fully discuss the purpose of the survey.

In Greater Manchester, 39% of children are overweight by the time they are in year 6. This is clearly an issue that needs tackling, and we are hoping to start the ball rolling with your help by gaining as much traction as possible across a diverse range of people. This survey is going to inform a wide range of partners within the Greater Manchester integrated care partnership, including, NHS greater Manchester, local authorities, the voluntary sector and charities and health professionals and beyond. The information will be used to help identify ideas, initiatives and interventions that resonate with residents and children, and ensure a lasting and positive change towards happier, healthy lives.