Information Round Up Thursday 14 March 2024
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up (IRU). Our Round up brings together news, updates, training and events from us at Healthwatch, local health and social care services, community groups and more.
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Meet, Greet, Grow Stockport - Community Power
This week, Shirley and Michelle from the Healthwatch team attended Sector 3's Meet, Greet Grow Stockport Event.
The mini conference explored avenues and looked at how can we, Stockport's voluntary & community sector, create change in the systems and services operating locally, to better serve the communities we support.
We were proud to support Jo McGrath and the Sector 3 team. Shirley presented alongside Holly Rae of Stockport Council and Andy Callaghan, NHS Greater Manchester, to discuss the importance of sharing your experiences of health and care services.
New Social Care Report Reflects What the Public is Telling us
Details from Healthwatch England
Healthwatch Response to Increase in Dental Charges
Details from Healthwatch England
On 7 March, the government announced that NHS dental fees will go up by four per cent from 1 April. This is despite the fact that last year patients were faced with the steep increase of 8.5 per cent.
Read Healthwatch England's response
Read more coverage in response to the dental recovery plan below
Dentistry: New Patient Premium Has Begun
Need help finding a dentist?
If you or someone you know needs support finding a NHS dentist, please visit NHS Find a dentist or contact the Healthwatch Stockport team on 0161 974 0753
If you are unregistered and in need of urgent dental care, contact the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Helpline on 0333 332 3800, opening times 8am – 10pm, 7 days a week.
Reminder: Have Your Say on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Details from Healthwatch Greater Manchester
Have you tried to access CAMHS, or are you the parent or carer of someone who has? Our surveys aim to gather young people's personal experiences, as well as the experiences of parents and Carers.
If you're a child aged 13 and over who started looking for support within the past 2 years, you can take part in the survey below:
Children and young people's survey
If you're a parent or who has supported a child or young person trying to access care, please use the link below:
The information collected will always be anonymised. Our findings will help decision-makers in statutory NHS and Care services, as well as in the education and voluntary sectors, to effectively prioritise services.
GMCA and Improveasy Energy Efficiency Scheme
Details from Lizzie Austin, Pure Innovations on behalf of Stockport Council
Stockport Council is working alongside Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), NHS Greater Manchester, and Improveasy to deliver energy efficiency improvements for Stockport Borough Council residents – this is a free to use service, with all upgrades free and yours to keep.
Applications are open now - all Stockport Borough Council residents can check their eligibility and apply by calling the funding helpline.
0161 883 7873
Since this scheme was launched, over 526 homes in Greater Manchester have received free energy efficiency installs, saving an average of £615 on their annual fuel bills.
Citizens Advice Council Tax Protocol
Details from Stockport Council
Stockport Council has signed up to the Citizens Advice Council Tax Protocol for helping people in the borough who are struggling to pay their Council Tax.
The Citizens Advice Council Tax Protocol is a good practice guide to collecting council tax and promotes close working between councils, debt advice organisations and enforcement agencies.
If residents are struggling or are unable to pay their council tax:
0161 217 6014
Have Your Say: Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Services
Details from Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership
NHS Greater Manchester are reviewing adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) services across Greater Manchester, and want to hear your feedback.
The survey asks about experiences, thoughts, and feelings on ADHD services and provides the opportunity to share how you think they could work in the future.
They want to hear from members of the public, services users and those who refer people to adult ADHD services across Greater Manchester, to understand what's important to you and your family or people you care for. The survey is open until Sunday 24 March.
NHS Greater Manchester website
NHS Breast Screening Coming to Shaw Heath
Details from NHS Stockport Medical Group
The mobile unit will be coming to Shaw Heath to carry our NHS breast screenings. Invitations for NHS breast screening will commence for eligible patients between 21 March and 19 April. Patients will receive an appointment (they don’t have to contact the service to book) with the date and time to attend.
Cheshire and Stockport Breast Screening service is part of the National Breast Screening Programme and provides screening for all women ages 50 to their 71st birthday.
The screening mobile unit will be at Shaw Heath Health Centre, Gilmore Street, SK3 8DN.
Reminder: Stockport Rocks Nominations are Open!
Details from Sector 3
With this in mind, nominations for Stockport Rocks! are open from 1-28 March. The Awards is a celebration of local volunteers and the art of giving back. If you have someone in mind, please nominate before 28 March.
Click for categories and to nominate
Shortlisted nominees will be invited to the Awards at Edgeley Park on Thursday 23 May, where they’ll enjoy a two-course meal, entertainment and the chance to win an Award. All shortlisted nominees will receive two free cinema tickets, courtesy of The Light Cinema, as well as a welcome drink courtesy of Music Magpie.
For any questions, contact laura.bowers@sector3sk.org
Lullaby Trust 'Safer Sleep' Campaign
Details from Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership
Taking place from the 11 – 17 March, Safer Sleep Week is The Lullaby Trust’s annual national awareness campaign targeting anyone looking after a young baby. Their Annual Safer Sleep campaign aims to raise awareness amongst parents and Carers of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the simple advice that reduces the risk of it occurring
The Lullaby Trust also offer confidential bereavement support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child.
Visit the Lullaby Trust website
Support to Quit Smoking
Details from Starting Point and Healthwatch
No Smoking Day, which was on Wednesday 13 March, is an important reminder to quit smoking and raises awareness of the support available to do so. Even though the national campaign day has passed, it's not too late to find the information and help you need.
Getting expert support from your local stop smoking services means you’re three times as likely to quit for good. For free local support to help you quit:
www.healthystockport.co.uk/topic/smoking
START on 0161 474 3141
The NHS website has lots of online resources to help too, including links to a Facebook group and useful apps. Find out more HERE
Good Things Foundation’s Learn My Way training platform also has a free course for learners all about Health Living Advice HERE
Stockport Home Library Service
Details from Stockport Libraries
If you or someone you know have health issues or caring commitments which make it difficult to visit the library, Stockport Libraries offer home service.
Stockport’s Home Library Service can deliver your choice of books, talking books on CD and DVDs direct to your door completely free of charge. You just need to contact:
0161 474 5600
The Forcer Protocol committed to Safeguarding Veterans
Details from Adele Owen, NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care and Lizzie Austin, Pure Innovations
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have managed to locate 42 missing veterans now under the Forcer Protocol. Greater Manchester Police become the first force to adopt the Forcer Protocol | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)
Following the launch of the UK Police 'Missing persons' strategy and to coincide with Remembrance Day 2023, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) launched a ground-breaking veterans' initiative, The Forcer Protocol.
The Forcer Protocol is a tool used by the police to ensure key information is available to them when searching for service veterans who are lost or have gone missing when returning home from service.
They are encouraging professional Carers, family members and friends to complete a form which records vital information in relation to the veteran they know at Forcer Protocol – Safe and Found Online
The aim is to reduce the risk of harm to those who have served in the military - service veterans, reservists and currently serving members of the armed forces - who go missing, by enabling swift access to key information that can help the police find the person more quickly.
Please raise awareness and encourage those to register the details.
Mark.Mangnall@gmp.police.uk for further information
Cancer & Inequalities Fund for VCSE Organisations
Details from Hannah Taylor-Cox, Stockport Council
Would you like to help play a part in increasing early cancer diagnosis rates in underserved communities in Greater Manchester?
The Cancer & Inequalities fund is offering grants of up to £5,000 for Greater Manchester-based VCSE organisations to deliver projects that will raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of cancer and identify and understand the barriers people face when receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Early diagnosis is often the key to successfully treating cancer. It can make treatment more simple and less invasive and results in 55,000 additional lives saved each year.
The closing date is Monday 24 March
Get Involved: Mental Health and Medications
Details from Bruce McEwan, C.A.L.D (Carers of Adults with Learning Disabilities) from Faculty of Health and Education, Manchester Metropolitan
A researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University is currently working on a project about the role of mental health medications in the lives of people with learning disabilities in the North of England. The aim is to support people with learning disabilities to be more involved in decision making about their mental health medication.
As part of the research the research team are keen to speak to family members and paid carers about their experiences. Those who take part will receive a £25 voucher.
See the attached flyer, the website and/or call Francesca on 07792919978 for more details.
Blues Brothers Tribute Fundraiser for Stockport Mind
Details from Louise Gresty, Stockport Mind
Join Stockport Mind on Friday 12 April at Cheadle Hulme Conservative Club for a musical fundraising extravaganza in aid of the mental health charity!
The hugely popular Soul Men – Blues Brothers Tribute Act AKA ‘Jake and Elwood’ will be performing their greatest hits and providing and all singing all dancing musical bonanza.
Tickets cost £10 and include a FREE wellbeing gift bag and one free raffle ticket entry where you could win a number of prizes.
In addition, they will be running an auction to win a signed Manchester United football!
Reminder: MS Society Online Event for Potential Referrers
Details from Paul Smithson, Multiple Sclerosis Society
Did you know that the MS Society volunteer groups* offer a free telephone counselling service of up to six sessions to people affected by MS (people with MS, relatives and Carers)?
People can self-refer in or be referred in by third parties such as Community Link Workers/Social Prescribers, voluntary/community, NHS or Social Care organisations.
The MS Society are holding a free online event for potential referrers to learn about the service, how to refer and what other local and national MS society services are available.
March 27, 11am – 12.30pm
*(Rochdale, Oldham, Bury and North west Manchester, Trafford, Wigan and South West Manchester, and Stockport and South East Manchester)
Free Wellbeing Sessions with RHS Bridgewater
Details from Amal Morsi, Dementia United
RHS Bridgewater is offering up to 6 free sessions per year for any wellbeing community group across Greater Manchester. Sessions are designed to help improve mental, physical and social health through gardening.
Sessions focus on all-year round gardening activities from planting, tending to plants and maintaining growing areas in our Wellbeing garden and the Spinney (woodland workshop garden). Activities may also include relaxation in nature including mindful walking and forest bathing and nature-based arts & crafts
Sessions are on a Tuesdays or Thursdays from 10am - 12pm or 1.30pm - 3 30pm (all subject to availability).
Each group may book up to 6 sessions per year (sessions booked between Nov-Feb are not included in this and can be booked as additional sessions) with a recommended maximum group size of 12-15 per session.
bridgewaterwellbeing@rhs.org.uk for more information and to register
Stockport Carers Network Event
Details from Julia Hewer, Signpost for Carers
Signpost for Carers are hosting their Stockport Carers Network Event on Tuesday 19 March from 10.30am - 1pm. The theme this time is planning for the future.
With this in mind, Matthew Martin from the Coop will be joining to talk about wills, estates, trusts, LPA etc and there will be an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. Jennie from Signpost Stockport for Carers will also share practical offers such as Signpost's 'This is Me', emergency plans and the Connecting Carers Card and how these can help you.
Refreshments will be available from 10:30am, with the network meeting beginning at 11am.
10.30am - 1pm on 19 March
The Heatons Centre
Please RSVP by:
bookings@signpostforcarers.org.uk
0161 442 0442
Training Courses Coming Up
Details from Christopher Hughes, Stockport Homes
For more information about any of the courses or to book a place, contact:
0161 474 2862
customer.training@stockporthomes.org
Skills for Life Plus (sk-y-light.org)
Priority given to Stockport Homes’ customers.
Menopause Awareness in the Workplace with Stockport Mind
Details from Louise Gresty, Stockport Mind
Did you know that the FREE Menopause Awareness Training Stockport & District Mind provides to small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) across Greater Manchester is not just for women?
The sessions aim to empower any manager, employee or volunteer in raising the conversation about menopause in order to support colleagues or a loved one.
Lets remove the stigma around menopause in the workplace!
- Menopause Awareness for Managers: Monday 18 March 10am – 12noon
- Menopause Awareness for Employees: Tuesday 9 April 9.30am – 11am
New Dates Added for Stockport Mind’s Connect 5 Training
Details from Louise Gresty, Stockport Mind
New dates have been added for our hugely popular Connect 5 training sessions.
Ideal for anyone who works or volunteers in a public facing role within Stockport, Connect 5 is a series of mental health training modules designed to help people have better mental wellbeing conversations in the workplace.
Let’s remove the stigma from mental health, join the conversation today!
Further Training
There are also a variety of other training and development opportunities happening across the Stockport borough. Thanks to Christopher Hughes for sharing these.
Staring Point Computer Classes
Details from Lizzie Austin, Pure Innovations
Starting Point have a new computer class starting at Bramhall Library this week and every Thursday during term times.
If you know anyone who is local and would benefit from support to get online, please see contact information on the flyer attached.
information and Signposting
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.
