Healthwatch Round Up Thursday 27 June 2024
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up (IRU).
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Making it Real Conference: Bookings Now Open!
Together with Stockport Council, we’ll be hosting our ‘Making it Real’ Conference on Wednesday 31 July, and bookings are open! Book today to reserve your place.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear the results of our research into people's experiences of adult social care in Stockport. We'll be shining the spotlight on the Making it Real Board and how our local community is working in partnership with the council to shape the future of social care.
Following on from our Healthwatch Network Event in February, we’ll also share our work priorities for 2024-2025 (what we’ll be focusing on) in response to what you told us. You said, we’re doing!
Our event is open to all; the public and health and social care professionals and volunteers alike.
Book directly with the Healthwatch Stockport team to reserve your spot:
31 July 12pm – 3:30pm
Stockport Masonic Guildhall, 169 Wellington Rd South, SK1 3UA
info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk (subject header: Making it Real Conference)
Please let us know your dietary and /or special access requirements when you book.
What is the Making it Real Board?
Stockport's Making it Real Board unites people with lived experience of using adult social services in Stockport. The Board works together to help improve their lives and experiences. They listen to individuals, family members and carers to make sure we understand what’s important to them, also ensuring their voice is at the centre of everything we do.
The Making it Real Board is looking for new members!
To get involved, email richard.currie@stockport.gov.uk.
Please use the attached poster to print and/or share with your networks.
Targeted Lung Check Programme Comes to Stockport
Message from Teams Around The Place
The Targeted Lung Health Check programme begins for people based in Reddish, Brinnington Woodley and Bredbury from early July.
The Lung Health Checks are available to people who are current or former smokers aged 55-74 and based at one of the following GP practices. (practices are all in the Tame Valley Primary Care Network):
- Woodley Village Surgery
- Heaton Norris Medical Centre
- Park View Group Practice
- Alvanley Family Practice
- Brinnington Surgery
- Bredbury Medical Centre
- Vernon Park Surgery
What is a Targeted Lung Health Check?
The lung health check takes part in two stages. The first is an appointment with a specially trained nurse to assess your risk level. If you're found to be at high risk of having lung cancer you'll be eligible for a low dose CT scan to capture an image of your lungs and identify any issues needing investigation/ treatment.
How will people be invited to the programme?
People will be invited based on the GP practice where they're registered. Everybody in the age range will be invited but only current or former smokers will be eligible for an appointment.
The GP will search on their database to find ‘ Ever Smokers’ (someone who has smoked a 100 cigarettes or more in their lifetime). If a person has not informed their GP of their smoking status, they will not receive an invite. People are encouraged to let their GP know.
This programme is for invited patients – if you're experiencing any of the following, speak to your GP to get checked out: persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, tiredness, weight loss, aches and pains breathing and coughing, appetite loss.
Reminder: Spring COVID-19 Vaccinations Open
Details from UKHSA
The NHS national booking system is open for bookings until 30 June. With COVID-19 still circulating, it’s important those at highest risk who are eligible get their vaccine to help top up their immunity:
- Adults aged 75 years and over.
- Residents in a care home for older adults.
- Individuals aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system.
NHS website (nhs.uk/get-vaccine)
119 for free (translation services available).
Parents or carers can book a vaccination for children under 16 on their behalf. Eligible people aged 16 and over can also use the NHS App to book an appointment.
Defibrillator Finder
Details checked with North West Ambulance Service
To ensure everyone knows how to find the nearest defibrillator, we've asked our North west Ambulance Service for their guidance. They've suggested www.defibfinder.uk/ as you can enter the post code /location to find the nearest one to you.
Donate Your School Uniforms
Message from Inge Challinor, Stockport Council
Has your child got a school uniform they no longer need? If so, the Merseyway Pre-Loved School Uniform Shop will be accepting donations before the Pop-up store opens from 10 - 17 August in Merseyway.
Ahead of the opening, they are asking for donations of clean, branded and unbranded uniform items that are still wearable. Items include, sweatshirts, skirts, trousers, shoes, school bags.
Local families will then be able to buy these for a small donation. All proceeds go to Chelwood Food Bank and ARC (Arts for Recovery in the Community).
To get involved, please off items in the donation bin outside Specsavers, Merseyway from the 22 July - 5 August.
0161 480 2839 for any queries
Women & Girls Network Announced Part of Violence Reduction Alliance
Details from Stockport Women And Girls Network (SWAG)
The Stockport Women And Girls Network are proud to announce their vital role, working alongside some P.I.E, Stockport County Community Trust, Rising Stars NW and TLC as part of the Violence Reduction Alliance. The SWAG network will unite facilitators to deliver 12 targeted, thematic workshops for women and girls in the Adswood and Bridgehall communities.
SWAG will connect and engage women and girls in activities that interest them, and support them to build connections with others to help tackle the prevalence of bullying, peer on peer violence and intolerance.
Get Involved in NIHR's Lung Cancer Study
Details from Ash Minchin, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Are you interested in improving health and care research? The National Institute for Health and Care Research is pleased to share an opportunity to get involved in a study into lung cancer.
NIHR want to hear your experiences of living with, or supporting others with, this condition to ensure that this and future research is as accessible as possible, by designing it for patients, with patients.
How it works:
There two document reviews, one focused on non-small lung cancer, the other on small cell lung cancer. For each of these opportunities, they are looking for 4-6 adults:
- Aged 18 or over, living in the UK
- Lived experience of non-small cell, or small cell, lung cancer as a patient or carer
- Are comfortable with reviewing the documentation and sending back comments online and willing to discuss your experiences and management of this condition
Prescribing clinicians are not permitted to participate for regulatory reasons. If you are a prescribing clinician and are unsure about your eligibility, get in touch.
What do I have to do?
You'll be asked to carry out an online document review and feed back on the design of a research study and how the information is presented to patients. The aim is to ensure that the documents are informative, accessible, engaging, and language appropriate for potential participants and carers.
How long will it take?
It should take approx. 2 hours.
Incentive for your time:
The NIHR, on behalf of the life sciences company, will reimburse you £50 for your participation.
To register:
Complete the application form
For questions or to express your interest, email Isabella Darbyshire: pecd@leeds.ac.uk by 3 July
Get Involved: Study for Young People of South Asian Heritage
Details from Ash Minchin, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Researchers from Birmingham University are running a study for young people from a South Asian heritage with mental health difficulties.
How it works:
The study will look to develop psychological interventions that can strengthen a sense of belonging and improve mental health for young people from a South Asian heritage.
They are looking for people;
- Aged 16 to 25 and from a South Asian heritage
- English speaking and living in the UK
- Must be living with family and have sought help for mental health difficulties (e.g. via a GP or psychological therapy service).
What do I have to do?
You will have a 1 hour 1-2-1 interview/discussion with a researcher about how you experience a sense of belonging and what factors impact your sense of belonging.
Incentive for your time:
The study team will give participants a £15 Amazon voucher for their time
For questions or to express your interest, email Monawara Ali, mxa1369@student.bham.ac.uk .
Somebody's Dad CIC:
Details from Neil Gaw, Somebody's Dad CIC
Somebody's Dad provide counselling to men across Stockport who are living without their children. This may be if they have suffered the loss of a child or are unable to see their children through the breakdown of a relationship.
To support these Dads, they offer six funded 1-2-1 walking therapy sessions with a qualified Counsellor (Member of BACP). This enables Dads to talk through their issues in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space.
To find out how to register and for further details, click below:
Stockport’s First Community-led Multicultural Cafe
Details from Stockport Women And Girls Network (SWAG)
The Arabian Twilight Café is Stockport's first community-led multicultural café. Running on Fridays from 4pm - 8pm at Heaton Norris Community Centre, the café offers homemade Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African food.
The dishes are made by hand by chef Rand, and feature ingredients picked from the garden at the community centre. Dishes include chicken curry, dhal, rice, kebabs, desserts, Arabic teas and more.
This cuisine can be eaten at the centre or taken away. Payment is taken by cash or BACS transfer. The centre will close early if all food sells, so people are advised to come early to avoid disappointment.
Merseyway Quiet Hour
Merseyway Shopping Centre has introduced a new 'quiet hour' scheme for the early morning.
As part of the scheme, music and fun rides at the centre will be switched off for one hour.
From Monday to Saturday, the hour will be from 9am -10am. On Sunday, it will be from 10.30-11.30am.
This is a permanent move, taking place every day of the week. It started this month.
Stockport Family Hubs Events
Details from Fiona Berry, Stockport Family Hubs and Ellie Unwin, Pure Innovations
Family Hubs Briefing Event
Join the Stockport Family Hubs team for the Cheadle and Bramhall Family Hubs briefing event. Meet the team and find out about support available for families you support in the Cheadle and Bramhall area
Monday 8 July
The Upper Room Cafe, 11 Wilmslow Road Cheadle SK8 1DW
This event is for anyone who works with children, young people and families in the Cheadle and Bramhall areas (e.g. the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector, education colleagues, children’s and adults social care, police, fire service and childcare colleagues). You are welcome to learn how Family Hubs can benefit your own families also.
Save the Date: Family Hubs Marketplace Event
The team will also be holding a marketplace event which will be far more focused towards parents/families.
Thursday 8 August, 10am – 12pm
Life Leisure Cheadle:
The launch will be about promoting the Family Hubs and other services available and link families into the support they need. There will also be some fun activities planned. More details will follow.
Earn, Save and Connect Community Event
Details from Stockport Council
On 3 July, Stockport Council will be holding a community day focused on earning, saving, and connecting. You'll be able to enjoy the various stalls offering employment and voluntary opportunities, energy advice, and interactive workshops on money matters, CV writing, and digital skills.
You too can, learn about careers in education, get advice from Stockport Homes, Working Wardrobes, and Smartworks.
3 July, 11am - 2pm
Daw Bank, Stockport
See the attached poster for further details
Further Events & Community Activities across the Borough
Thanks to Chris Hughes (Stockport Homes), Lizzie Austin and Ellie Unwin (Pure Innovations), Charlee Fitzgerald (Stockport Council), Ellen Brookes (NHS Pennine Foundations Trust) and more, who continue to send 'what's happening' across Stockport.
Life Leisure & Age UK Stockport Confidence Walks
Details from Ellie Unwin, Pure Innovations
Age UK Stockport together with Life Leisure, are running Confidence walks for all abilities. The walks are a great opportunity to get your steps in and meet new people in a safe space with health professionals on hand for support.
Mondays - Free outdoor confidence walk at Vernon park, 1pm - 2pm. Meet outside Pure Café,
Tuesdays – Free walk at Life Leisure Avondale, 1pm – 2pm
Wednesdays – Free walk at Life Leisure Brinnington Park, 10.30am – 11.30am
Thursdays – Bramhall Village Club, 1.30pm – 2.30pm, £1.50
Fridays – Woodley Civic Hall, 11.30am – 2.30pm, £1.50
For more information:
Lisa.Arrandale@lifeleisure.net
Stockport Trauma Conference - 4 July
The Safeguarding Children's and Adults partnerships are holding the Stockport Trauma conference:
4 July, 9.30am - 3.30pm
Stockport Town Hall, 2 Edward Street
Attendees will hear from a mix of speakers, both academic and those with a lived experience. The aim is to provide an understanding of trauma and how it impacts us all. Various services will be available to share their services and Stockport MIND will be offering a quiet room for anyone who needs to reflect.
Orange Umbrella Coffee Mornings
Coffee Mornings have been set up for anyone who might want a relaxing place to sit, get support if they're experiencing domestic abuse, and/or speak to members of the Citizen's Advice team.
Every Thursday, from 10am - 11am
Bridgehall Library
Cancer Awareness Training
Details from Answer Cancer
Cervical Cancer Awareness
Cervical cancer can be prevented. Cervical Screening saves lives. This training seeks to show women how they can protect themselves and share messages through their networks that may help family, friends and co-workers do the same. This session will be interactive, fun, and full of facts, key messages and information to take away and share with others.
Wednesday 25 September 10am-11.30am Click Link
Difficult Conversations- Talking about Cancer: The Why and How to do it
To beat cancer, we need to talk about it. For many people it’s still a challenging topic to bring up in conversation and it’s common to avoid what we may see as difficult conversations because we don’t know how to approach them. This session is to help you feel more confident talking about cancer and other health conditions, so you can have more conversations that help save lives.
Wednesday 14 August 1pm-3pm Click Link
Tuesday 3 September 1pm-3pm Click Link
You can see further cancer awareness sessions in their newsletter, attached further down this Round Up.
Further Training Courses Coming Up
Details from Chris Hughes, Stockport Homes & Daniel Godwin, Prince's Trust
There are a variety of training course available from Jobsilla and The Prince's Trust. Please read on for details:
Jobskilla Opportunities
Digital Technologies Level 2 Online Course Bundle
Level 3 online courses in Dementia Care, Understanding Mental Health and Understanding Autism –
Prince's Trust Training
The Prince's Trust's Explore group starts on 23 July and they are now taking referrals.
The course is for young people aged 16-25 who are currently NEET. This a great opportunity for any young people who would like to build confidence and learn new skills in a supportive environment.
Course details:
- Young people will take part in a range of activities including outdoor learning, practical skills, employability, arts, and independent living skills.
- Opportunity to gain a Prince's Trust Qualification in Employability
- Work on key skills such as teamwork, confidence, and communication.
- Learn in a fun and supportive environment with activities tailored towards the young person’s needs.
- After completing the course, attendees will have three months of progression support to help towards make their next steps.
- Travel expenses reimbursed and refreshments provided.
Programme details:
Access Week: Tuesday 23 July – Friday 26 July (All must attend an induction at the Manchester centre, Ancoats, prior to programme start date)
Following course: 3 week- course starting on 31 July (Wed, Thurs, Fri)
The Prince's Trust, Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6JG
Email : Francesca.hatfield@princes-trust.org.uk| for any questions
Answer Cancer
Answer Cancer June Update! (answercancergm.org.uk)
Stockport Race Equality Partnership
S-REP Events and News - June 2024 (wix.com)
Prince's Trust
Upcoming courses from The Prince's Trust (princes-trust-digital.co.uk)
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.
