Health & Wellbeing

PUPILS at Middlesbrough schools are being supported to promote their resilience to help them cope with challenging situations.

HeadStart aims to give all Middlesbrough’s children and young people the necessary support to achieve good emotional health by providing support at an early stage and prevent the onset of these conditions.

It is estimated that three pupils in every classroom will develop a diagnosable emotional or mental health condition.

Schools are therefore being supported to develop a robust and sustainable approach to improve the emotional health of young people aged between five and 16 through:

• Workforce development to upskill school staff to more ably support the emotional well-being of pupils

• Key workers based in each school to provide a range of solution-focused therapy

• Youth engagement through the HeadStarters pathway which supports young people to become emotional health champions

• A self-referral on-line tool available to every pupils to access direct support

• Primary to secondary transition support for all Year 6 and 7 pupils

• Peer friendship groups for more vulnerable pupils

A quality standard - developed in partnership with schools - has been introduced to support schools to audit and evidence their whole school approach to support emotional well-being.

Schools are awarded a quality rating ranging from bronze to gold, with Linthorpe Community School becoming the first in Middlesbrough to achieve the gold standard.

Achieving the gold standard demonstrates the school has embedded emotional resilience throughout school from policy to practice. Achievement of the gold standard follow rigorous inspection and audit.

Linthorpe Community School Headteacher Sarah Lymer said: “The challenges we face in Middlesbrough can have an adverse impact on pupils’ educational achievement, and for many poor emotional health can be a barrier to them achieving their full potential.

“That’s why we are fully committed to embedding the principles and outcomes of HeadStart into everything we do.

“It’s all about doing all we can to support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of pupils and staff at school, as well as engaging positively with parents and carers and the local community.”

The HeadStart programme is funded by Middlesbrough Council and South Tees CCG.

Councillor Jan Brunton Dobson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills, said: “We are committed to giving all our school pupils the best possible start in life, with a firm foundation that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

“A key element of that is ensuring that they have the emotional intelligence and resilience to deal with whatever life throws at them – and the confidence to seek help when they need it.

“HeadStart is a ground-breaking initiative that has the potential to change lives, and I congratulate Linthorpe Community Primary on becoming the first school in Middlesbrough to achieve its Gold Standard.”

South Tees Director of Public Health Edward Kunonga said: “Emotional resilience in young people is a pre-requisite to good health and wellbeing outcomes, educational attainment and length and quality of life.

“Around half of people with mental health problems experience their symptoms by the age of 14.

“HeadStart provides support for children and young people at an early stage to enable them to cope in difficult circumstances to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.”

This week’s (Tuesday 26^th June)  BBC2’s Horizon documentary Teenagers vs Cancer: A User's Guide,  featured 11 remarkable young people who beautifully illustrated why teenagers and young adults need different, specialist and expert support when they face cancer. Viewers were introduced to bespoke ward facilities, specialist nursing and social worker support tailored to the age group, and funded by charities including Teenage Cancer Trust.

As the only UK charity purely focussed on the treatment, care and support of 13-24 year olds with cancer, we are determined the needs of young people with cancer should not be ignored. Teenage Cancer Trust estimate that we currently only reach about half of the young people diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year with our services, specifically tailored to meet the needs of young people.

Horizon has helped ensure teenagers and young people are heard and for this we are enormously grateful to everyone involved in making the programme happen. However, it is important that those watching last night realise that the job’s far from done. We are calling on the NHS to work in partnership with us, to ensure that every young person diagnosed with cancer in the UK has a Teenage Cancer Trust specialist nurse to provide expert age appropriate care, wherever they choose to be treated.

Kate Collins, Chief Executive at Teenage Cancer Trust

MyBuilder.com, the UK’s leading site for homeowners to find quality tradesmen, has seen a recent surge in families looking to replace their lawns with artificial grass. A new survey carried out by the site has confirmed that more people than ever now dream of ripping out their real lawn in favour of a synthetic substitute.

More than 40% of respondents to the MyBuilder.com poll said that their dream garden would have a low maintenance fake lawn, even though they make up a tiny proportion of all gardens in the UK today. The artificial lawn trend seems to be on the rise, with a huge 87% of people saying they expected fake grass to become an increasingly common sight across British gardens in the future.

With a further 7% of homeowners opting for hard paving for their ideal garden, barely half of those polled showed off their green fingers and said they still wanted a classic grass lawn.

The results come as millions of British people are suffering the effects of hay fever. A combination of factors, including wintry weather such as “the Beast from the East” means that the tree pollen season was delayed and condensed, and has now combined with the traditional grass pollen season in what many weather watchers have dubbed a “pollen bomb”.

High pollen levels are set to last throughout June, and are at their peak across most of England and Wales. It is estimated that one in five people across the UK suffer from hay fever, with allergies to grass pollen being the most common.

Although artificial grass is becoming ever more popular, the majority of those surveyed said that it wasn’t necessarily a convincing replica of the real thing - 76% reckoned they could tell it apart from its natural counterpart, although it wouldn’t put them off using it.

Fake grass is even making an appearance this month as the world’s football stars face off in Russia. Half of the dozen stadiums being used in the tournament feature high tech hybrid pitches, which combine natural grass with a small proportion of synthetic turf.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Dom Cunningham, visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital to encourage children and families to ‘Move It’ for charity.

Dom was in the city centre to help Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity launch its latest summer fundraiser ‘Move It’, which encourages supporters, both young and old, to get up and active in order to raise vital funds for the sick kids treated at the hospital.

Whether a danceathon, football tournament or even sponsored walk, supporters can take on a range of activities to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital, which treats over 90,000 children each year.

Sport and exercise is something close to the local gymnast’s heart. He said: “I feel honoured to be here today helping to launch ‘Move It’ with Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. In a growing digital world, it’s even more important to remember the benefit of exercise and sport. Taking part in ‘Move It’ is a great way to stay fit and healthy as well as raise money for a great cause.

“I’ve met some incredible children at the hospital today. Every one of them has been through incredibly difficult journeys, yet they still get out there to play the sports they love which is so inspiring to see.”

But Dom wasn’t the only gold medallist at the hospital today, as the BCH Transplant Games team, who has won the UK wide games for the past 21 years, also came to support ‘Move It’.

One team member was 15-year-old Hollie Simpson from Coventry. She is celebrating her 10 year post-transplant anniversary this year.  Her dad, Malcolm, who gave Hollie his kidney 10 years ago, added: “We’re so incredibly proud of Hollie and everything she’s achieved. What was a scary time for us all, has now made Hollie into the happy and confident girl she is today.

“Hollie was really excited to meet Dom today and get advice from him. He told her to just enjoy every moment and experience, the medals will come but it’s important to make sure you have lots of fun.

“Last year, she competed in the World Transplant Games in Malaga and won two gold medals in the Long Jump and Ball Throwand this weekend we’re off to Sardinia to compete in the European Transplant Games. Meeting a commonwealth champion today will give her a great boost ahead of the games.”

The BCH Transplant Games team is made up of patients from the hospital that have had one or more organ transplants and this year the games are being held in Birmingham for the first time since 1999.

Miranda Williams, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We were delighted to welcome both Dom and the Transplant Games team to our hospital today and can’t thank them enough for their support for ‘Move It’.

“Supporters taking part in ‘Move It’ can fundraise for any ward or department in the hospital, including the Transplant Games fund where £100 could sponsor an athlete like Hollie for the day – this would include kit, fees and accommodation per day.

“Without our incredible supporters, we wouldn’t be able to go above and beyond for our patients and families to help give them the best possible experience, so we really are incredibly grateful.”

A campaigner for better patient care, a much-loved hospital porter and a former British prime minister made the top 70 in a poll of NHS standout stars.

As part of the NHS 70th Birthday celebrations, the campaign saw patients, staff and public nominating people who have made an exceptional contribution to patient care, services and local communities over the last 70 years.

The campaign, called “Health and Care’s Top 70 Stars” was launched by the NHS Confederation, along with NHS England and NHS Improvement.

Nominations were put to a public vote in May, resulting in the shortlist of 70 winners.

Nominations and voting was open to anyone who worked for the NHS and wider health and care sector over the past 70 years in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, whether still living or since passed. In total, there were 236 nominations received.

The top 70 winners were awarded at the NHS 7Tea party at Confed18, the NHS Confederation’s annual conference, in Manchester.

The first-place winner was Dr Bijay Sinha, who works as a consultant on a ward at Barts Health NHS Trust known for high discharge rates and low readmission rates.

“I feel delighted to be appreciated by patients, and my colleagues,” said Dr Sinha.

“My philosophy at my work is, let your work do the talking, not your mouth. I always credit the patients for my success. All along my career, they have helped me to be a good doctor.

“My multidisciplinary team is the best in the hospital.  I’m lucky to be part of it. If it’s an orchestra, I’m the conductor. I can’t be anything without them. Last but not, least, I’d like to thank my family. Without their support, I would not have achieved this.”

The second-place winner was Dr Sanjeev Nayak, a consultant interventional neuroradiologist at University Hospitals of North Midlands, who introduced and pioneered mechanical thrombectomy for stroke patients in the UK.

“I am delighted to be a winner,” said Dr Nayak.

“It’s a recognition for the service that we have been running for a decade now. It’s a great honour to be recognised for this award, for all the work done by our team. I want to thank my team, and I also want to thank my family for being patient with the time that I’ve spent away from them to make sure this service is successfully implemented.”

The third-place winner was the late Dr Kate Granger, an English geriatrician and campaigner for better patient care. She worked for the Mid-Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust, and founded the #hellomynameis campaign. Dr Granger died in 2016 from a rare form of incurable cancer.

Chris Pointon, Dr Granger’s husband, received the award on her behalf.

“Kate would be extremely proud of being included in these awards as part of the 70th celebration of the birthday of the NHS,” said Pointon.

“The NHS gave Kate her career but also looked after Kate through her journey with cancer.

“Kate loved the NHS, and everything it was about, from being free at the point of usage, to the whole ethos behind the establishment of the NHS. Despite being terminally ill, she still wanted to make a difference within the NHS.”

Other winners included a doctor with a three-decade career who works with patients with substance misuse problems and a hospital porter loved by staff and patients.

Coming in at number 10 was former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who presided over the greatest expansion of the NHS since its foundation.

Danny Mortimer, deputy chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

“As many in Britain believe, the NHS is one of the most remarkable institutions in our country. And our tireless staff – all 1.5 million of them – are what make it so remarkable.

“By recognising members of our NHS workforce, and those on the outside who helped shape the system, we wanted to both celebrate the past and shape the future of health and care.

“The extremely diverse and varied list of winners who have dedicated their careers for a better system of health and care deserve no less than our recognition and honour.”

Ruth May, the executive director of nursing at NHS Improvement, said:

“These awards give us a chance to thank all those who have made the NHS the nation’s most loved institution for the past 70 years.

“Not least the people who make up the 350 different roles in the NHS workforce. They have dedicated their lives to providing compassionate care and treatment to people up and down the country.

“The 70 standout stars deserve our personal gratitude.”

Premium bar and restaurant, The Alchemist are not ones to shy away from supporting great causes and will be doing their bit to raise awareness for men’s mental health this month.

This June The Alchemist are exclusively partnering with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) charity, in support of its movement against male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.

Famed for theatrical, immersive experiences, The Alchemist has created a limited edition drinks menu including four Woodford Reserve based cocktails which will be available throughout June.

In addition, the Alchemist has pledged to donate £1 to CALM for every Golden Apple sold from the limited edition menu in support of the great cause. The menu includes devilishly delightful concoctions such as the Summer Salad, a savoury but sweet drink as well as the Dark F consisting of Woodford Reserve, blackberry liqueur, apple cider, purple smoke.

There can be a stigma around the topic of mental health, especially in the male community and The Alchemist wants to help change that. Throughout the month The Alchemist will also be posting bios from their male team members, about their experiences and how they combat stress / anxiety. What's more, we have organised some epic events to celebrate & raise awareness.

So what are you waiting for? Get down to your nearest Alchemist to try the new limited edition menu and support a very worthy cause.

New online research from Diabetes UK, to mark the start of Diabetes Week 2018 (11 – 17 June), has revealed that one in three people in the Midlands (33 per cent) would seek advice online first over talking to a GP about a health concern.

The poll, carried out by YouGov on behalf of Diabetes UK, also showed that just one in five (21 per cent) of respondents said they would feel comfortable speaking to an employer about health concerns. While three quarters of people (73 per cent) said they would feel comfortable talking about a friend or loved one’s health condition, only 62 per cent said they’d feel comfortable talking to friends or loved ones about their own health.

The theme for Diabetes Week 2018 is Talk About Diabetes, and Diabetes UK is taking the opportunity to help people with diabetes have honest, open conversations about their condition with healthcare professionals, friends and family.

In light of these findings, Diabetes UK has produced a list of top tips to encourage people with diabetes to have conversations they may have been avoiding having with their healthcare professional team.

Diabetes UK’s top tips for people with diabetes talking to healthcare professionals:

·         Diabetes is complicated and different for everyone. There’s no such thing as a silly question. So don’t be afraid to ask about whatever’s on your mind.

·         It’ll really help if you go to your appointment with some questions in mind. You could write them down or send them to your healthcare team beforehand.

·         This time is for you, so let your healthcare team know what you’d like to talk about from the start.

·         Sometimes you’ll have more to talk about and you might need more time. If you can, book a double appointment so you don’t have to rush.

·         There might be things you feel uncomfortable talking about. But your healthcare team is there to help, so be honest and make the most of their medical expertise.

Peter Shorrick is Regional Head, Midlands and East, at Diabetes UK. He said:

“Talking about diabetes can be hard. But for someone living with the condition, or caring for someone who does, it can mean getting the right treatment, ensuring your rights are protected at work, or making sure your child gets the best care at school. That’s why being able to talk about diabetes, and having people to talk to about the condition, is so important.

“This diabetes week we want to help people live better with diabetes, by giving them tools and tips to start tricky conversations, and get the support they really need.

“Finding information online about diabetes can be tricky, too, and risky if you don’t know where to start. We’d recommend using the Diabetes UK website, or our helpline, if you want to be signposted to expert advice about living with or managing any aspect of diabetes.”

An earlier survey of more than 8,000 people living with or affected by diabetes carried out by Diabetes UK showed that greater support for emotional and psychological health; better access to healthcare professionals who understand diabetes; and more support and understanding at work and school were priorities for those affected by the condition.

To support this, the charity has also developed tips to help healthcare professionals sensitively approach conversations with their patients living with diabetes, as well as to help the public start a conversation with someone they know who has the condition.

Diabetes UK’s Tips for Healthcare Professionals include:

·         Some things are hard to talk about and that’s fine. Just be frank and use clear, simple language. It’ll help both you and your patient feel more relaxed and comfortable.

·         Sometimes there’s a lot to talk about in an appointment, and you might need more time. You could suggest booking a double appointment next time and highlight other ways to get in touch, such as email. Don’t forget about our helpline that’s there to offer support as well.

·         Your patient is more than just a number. By understanding their day-to-day lives you can help them manage their diabetes better. A simple question about their favourite hobby or weekend plans can often build rapport and make a huge difference.

In order to get people talking this Diabetes Week, Diabetes UK is also asking people to share their own tips about having difficult conversations. Get involved and share your tips on the website www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetesweek or on social media using the hashtag #talkaboutdiabetes.

*The survey was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Diabetes UK on 31st May - 1st June 2018. Total sample size was 2072 adults. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

University of Wolverhampton students were tasked with creating posters designed to save lives in a collaborative project recently.

Sixteen students studying for a degree in Graphic Design at the Wolverhampton School of Art were given a design brief to create a winning poster to promote organ donation that has special appeal to young people for local community group, Promoting Organ Donation (POD UK).

The collaboration between the University, City of Wolverhampton Council, POD UK, NHS Blood and Transplant and partners at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust saw the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing team up to organise the poster project.

POD UK is a community group that meets quarterly at the University to discuss issues in organ donation, planning campaigns, events and publicity.

Students were mentored by Professor Magi Sque, Chair in Clinical Practice & Innovation in the University’s Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, who talked to them about her organ donation research and offered advice about their work from a client perspective.

Marc Austin, Course Leader in Graphic Design at the University, said: “We are extremely proud of our students and the course engagement throughout this collaborative initiative. Being able to provide hands-on experience with a real-life creative brief is vital for students when they are learning and this project offered a wealth of expertise from all kinds of areas which has been channelled into some really creative work.”

Professor Magi Sque said:  “Members of the panel who reviewed the poster designs were extremely impressed by the quality of work with some remarking that they were excellent concepts and beautiful designs.  It’s been a real pleasure to see this project come to life and to see how engaged the students are in the subject matter.”

The student work was unveiled at a special event held in the Mayor of Wolverhampton’s Parlour where former Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands and Patron of POD, Paul Sabapathy awarded certificates and prizes to the students in the presence of the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page and Dr Satya Sharma MBE, Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands.

The winner was Andre Howe who was awarded £200 for the winning design with runners up, Sam Chambers and Lennie Finch who were awarded £100 each.  The winning design may be used as part of a national awareness campaign.

Sam Chambers, Graphic Design student from Halesowen who clinched one of the awards, said: "This was a really interesting project to work on as it wasn't just about making things look nice, it was designing something that could make a real difference.  I'd like a career in advertising and this kind of real life project is great for my CV and will really help when I start to look for a job after graduation later this year."

Students that took part in the design competition were Ethan Bayton, Gary Cartlidge, Sam Chambers, Chris Cooper, Georgia Cox, Carlene Davis, Jaseera Douglas, Lennie Finch, Josh Hinkins, Andre Howe, Mohammed ‘Taf’ Hussain, Fabian Lacek, Billy-Dean Lawrence, Almas Mukadam, Sophie O’Dwyer and Danielle Poole.

With an estimated 3 million middle-aged adults physically inactive across the country,  and 43% of 40-60 years olds in the West Midlands not managing at least 10 continuous minutes each month, Public Health England (PHE) and the    Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) are encouraging adults to incorporate brisk walking into their days as a way to improve their general health and wellbeing.

As part of the push to get adults doing more moderate intensity physical activity each day, health experts are encouraging people to increase the intensity of their walking, rather than just focus on the distance or number of steps.

Moderate intensity physical activity means getting the heart rate up and breathing faster. Just 10 minutes of brisk walking a day is an easy way for adults to introduce more moderate intensity physical activity into their day and reduce their risk of early death by up to 15%.

To help adults do this, PHE’s ‘Active 10’ app has been created and it is the only app of its kind that combines intensity and time, rather than just distance.

Taking a 10 minute brisk walk each day can help build up towards the UK Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO) recommendation of at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. This has been linked to health benefits including a lowered risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

A new survey by PHE looking at adults perceptions of physical activity in the West Midlands found that:

• Many adults struggle to fit in exercise, in the West Midlands, 35% say not enough time is the main reason, followed by 32% not feeling motivated, and 23% being too tired
• Over half (56%) of adults in the region think more than 240 minutes of exercise per week is required to see general health benefits – nearly double the recommended guidance of at least 150 minutes – and 19% in the West Midlands think that more than 420 minutes per week is required (an hour per day)
• Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) adults in the region say they walk more than 10 minutes per day, however this drops to just over half (51%) who say they walk briskly for this amount of time.

Dr Lola Abudu, Director for Health and Wellbeing at PHE West Midlands, said: “We all lead busy lives, but summer is the perfect time of year to spend more time outside and be more active. The good news is that just 10 minutes of brisk walking every day can really benefit your health in many ways; improving your mood and reducing the risks of serious long-term health conditions like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Brisk walking is simply walking at a pace that gets your heart pumping faster and makes you feel slightly out of breath, and research shows it’s the combination of the intensity of activity and how long you are active that leads to health benefits.

“The Active 10 app is the first free app to show you when you are walking fast enough and long enough to get health benefits. It shows how much brisk walking you are doing, where you can increase your pace and how you can fit more Active 10s into your day. The app also sets goals and provides hints and tips to keep you going, so you can walk your way to a healthier you.”

Julia Wagstaff, manager at Edgbaston Community Centre, Birmingham, runs activities for local community members of all ages and abilities, she said: “It’s quite shocking to learn that 3 million middle-aged adults, age 40-60, in this country are not getting any exercise whatsoever. Sadly, as they get older their health problems will increase, unless they do something about this now.

“At Edgbaston Community Centre, we recognise the importance of keeping communities healthy. We run weekly health and wellbeing clubs and our members think the Active 10 app is a fantastic way to get busy people – who say they don’t have time to exercise and those not accustomed to exercise – to get fit and healthy. People can walk briskly and increase their heart rate anywhere, in the park with friends, during the school run, or in the garden. The app is a great way to keep people motivated, and they can even compare notes with friends, family members and their partners.”

Professor Sir Muir Gray, Clinical Adviser for the Active 10 app and One You campaign, said: “The additional health benefits that can be achieved by walking at a brisk pace for periods of 10 minutes or more – as opposed to totting up a certain number of steps throughout the day – are undeniable.

“I’d advise anyone of any age and activity level to start to fit in at least one 10 minute brisk walk a day as a simple way to get more active, especially those who may be taking medication for a long term health condition – you will receive even more benefits from walking briskly for 10 minutes or more a day.”

Dr Zoe Williams, GP and RCGP Clinical Champion for Physical Activity and Lifestyle, said: “GPs want their patients to be healthy and enjoy life, and there are simple ways in which we can all improve our health. I often encourage my patients to take up more daily physical activity, which can start with just a 10 minute brisk walk – it would be great to see more people doing this across the country. Moving more is an important step forward to improving the health of the nation and looking after our NHS, which is often overburdened by lifestyle related illness.”

Already more than 30,600 people in the West Midlands have downloaded the   ‘Active 10’ app and in a single month, approximately 90,025 ‘Active 10s’ (10-minute brisk walks) were completed by Active 10 users.

‘Active 10’ is supported by the RCGP and was developed by PHE in collaboration with The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine. Join the 600,000 people across the country who have downloaded ‘Active 10’ and make the first step towards a healthier you. Search ‘Active 10’ to download the app for free.

Twenty apprentices are being recruited to deliver sports, health and wellbeing programmes in Wolverhampton schools.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has worked with ConnectEd Partnership and Active Black Country to establish the Community Sport and Health apprenticeships – and people are being invited to apply for the posts now.

The successful candidates will complete a Level 3 apprenticeship while delivering fun, inclusive and challenging health and wellbeing programmes focusing on healthy eating, physical activity and sport within local primary, secondary and special schools.

As well as working with pupils and staff within participating schools, the apprentices will also work in the local community, encouraging families to live healthy and active lives.

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "We are working hard to improve the health and wellbeing of our children and young people, and this innovative programme will help pupils achieve healthier lifestyles and get their recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity."

Councillor Lynne Moran, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, added: "This is an excellent opportunity for young people who are passionate about sport, physical activity and healthy lifestyles to take that first step on the career ladder through an apprenticeship which will not only give them valuable skills and a nationally-recognised qualification, but also a weekly wage."

Applicants must have a passion for physical activity and healthy lifestyles and able to encourage and motivate others to do well. They also require GCSEs at grades C or 4 and above in English and Maths.

Successful candidates will earn £150 per week, gain a Level 3 qualification and receive paid holiday and pension. A dedicated mentor will also support them in their role.

The full misery of surviving summer in Britain with hay fever has been revealed – leaving exhausted sufferers stuck indoors with the doors and windows shut.

The condition means a third (33%) of hay fever sufferers in the West Midlands are forced inside during summer, with 44% avoiding outdoor sports and nearly half (48%) saying it ruins summer for them completely.

With an estimated 18m hay fever sufferers in the UK, over six in ten (62%) of those surveyed in the West Midlands endure sleepless nights.

Double World Champion hurdler Colin Jackson, who had to drop a promising cricket career because of hay fever said: “Hay fever is awful.

“You don’t want to be outdoors - at the best time of year to be outdoors - sleep is a pain because you can’t open the windows at night and your eyes are so itchy you want to dig them out, wash them and put them back in.”

The survey, carried out by Atomik Research for ASDA Pharmacy, revealed that, for hay fever sufferers in the West Midlands:

·         Eighty-six per cent say they never research pollen levels when going away

·         Seven in ten (70%) said others do not understand their condition – against a national average of 54%

·         A third (33%) of hay fever sufferers are forced to spend the whole summer with the windows and doors shut to keep pollen out

Over half (54%) of hay fever sufferers say they have more than three nights of disturbed sleep each week.

More than a third (35%) find runny noses, itchy eyes and a persistent cough mean they struggle to concentrate at work with 17% forced to take time off work because of hay fever.

Over a quarter (27%) say their condition makes it difficult to enjoy the summer sun with their children.

Colin Jackson CBE, who took gold in the 110m hurdles at the 1993 and ’94 World Championships, said: “I used to play cricket for my county as a teenager. When the cricket season began I was excited – but my eyes weren’t.

“Being in a field from May onwards when you suffer from hay fever is bound to be a problem – but I was opening the bowling and batting at number five – and there was not enough time to get my itchy, streaming eyes under control.

“So, I decided to focus on athletics, which is generally a bit later in the season and doesn’t make me suffer as much.

“I suffer hay fever caused by both grass and tree pollen – so it’s a double whammy. I’m never sure whether my eyes or nose suffer worse – your eyes are itchy but your running nose gets so sore.

“I am constantly having to shut the windows in summer when it’s windy so the pollen doesn’t blow inside and I end up listening to the pollen forecasts more than the weather.

“It’s like having a cold – but a continuous cold that lasts for five months.”

ASDA Pharmacist Maq Din added: “There is currently no cure for hay fever and you can’t prevent it but you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.

“Staying cooped up inside is not a realistic way of living your life and avoiding hay fever symptoms but there are a few steps you can take to keep yourself protected if you’re venturing outdoors.

“These can include eye drops and nasal sprays, something as simple as wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes and showering or changing your clothes after you’ve been outside to wash off the pollen.”

Members of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) will be hosting events throughout the UK promoting herbal medicine and its benefits. The events offered vary from guided herb walks and herbal workshops, to presentations and talks. Some members also offer free or discounted services and products throughout this week.

Many plants generally considered to be weeds actually have health benefits. By attending an organised herb walk a member of NIMH will share this knowledge, pointing out which plants have these benefits, how to identify them, teach people about how herbalists use them and for what health conditions, plus give suggestions on how to safely use some of these plants at home. Herbal workshops demonstrate methods on how to make remedies at home for family and friends, and often attendees can take home preparations that they have made. These events are fun as well as educational, as people are often amazed at what they can do for themselves in order to help maintain good health.

Herbal Medicine Week 2018 is from the 16th to the 24th June, and for more information check out their website at https://www.herbalmedicineweek.co.uk/

National estate agents Leaders is set for a week-long fundraiser in order to support its charity partner Teenage Cancer Trust.

The property specialist’s 125 branches across the UK, as well as its head office in Worthing, will take part in special activities and events from 11th June to raise money for the good cause.

Among the fundraising efforts due to take place are cake sales, raffles, sponsored walks, competitions, games and long-distance runs.

Allison Thompson, managing director (lettings) at Leaders, says: “We are all looking forward to our fundraising week for Teenage Cancer Trust, during which we hope to raise the majority of our £50,000 target for the year.

“Just as they have in previous years, I know our colleagues from across the country will come together to tackle a range of fantastic challenges and raise plenty of money in a variety of innovative and imaginative ways.

“Teenage Cancer Trust supports thousands of people aged between 13 and 24 who are diagnosed with cancer. We have seen its invaluable work first hand and are committed to showing as much support as possible.”

Sian Cooper, Teenage Cancer Trust’s regional fundraiser, says: “We can’t wait to see how Leaders is going to be raising money for young people with cancer over the course of their fundraising week. Everyone at Leaders has been so dedicated to helping us reach every young person with cancer and we can’t thank them enough.”

Leaders named Teenage Cancer Trust as its new charity partner in January 2018 and is aiming to raise £50,000 on its behalf this year. The charity runs 28 specialist units in the UK designed to care for young people living with cancer, as well as their loved ones.

Staffordshire residents Ian Davies and Katie Berger have been awarded the ‘inspiring the biomedical workforce of the future’ award at this year’s Advancing Healthcare Awards (AHA).

Ian is a lecturer in biomedical science at Staffordshire University. Katie is a biomedical scientist at the University Hospitals of North Midlands. Both are members of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

Ian and Katie received the IBMS-sponsored AHAward for ‘inspiring the biomedical workforce of the future’. They were awarded for their project, ‘Sustainable workforce planning through healthcare science degree apprenticeships’.

This curriculum established a part-time training route that would enable support staff to train as biomedical scientists, linked to the new degree apprenticeship standards.

Ian explained, “Utilising the Trust apprenticeship levy to fund the degree means that this now provided a financially sustainable way for Trusts to develop their own staff and offer an alternative route into degree education which enhances social mobility and widens participation in health education – it is targeted at staff who may have lacked the formal qualification or the opportunity to access university education in the traditional ‘post school’ format.

For us, the value is also the wider connection that this demonstrates between the university and NHS Trusts; by identifying employer need and then working with Trust colleagues to design a programme that is fit for purpose is exactly what our Connected University philosophy is all about.”

Katie said, “I am extremely honoured to have received this award on behalf of the University Hospitals of North Midlands in conjunction with Ian Davies from Staffordshire University. We have worked closely together to establish an innovative healthcare science degree to enable the best medical laboratory assistants and associate practitioners to study within their workplace to become biomedical scientists through an apprenticeship scheme.

To be acknowledged with this award for inspiring the biomedical workforce of the future, sponsored by the IBMS, is fantastic. I am absolutely over the moon, working with Staffordshire University was fantastic and now to be recognised formally is a wonderful feeling.

Personally, I am genuinely humbled. It was a fantastic day anyway and hearing the stories of other scientists and what amazing things are achieved by us every day was awe inspiring. We now have a new way to study for the next generation of scientists.”

IBMS President Alison Geddis said, “I am delighted Ian and Katie have won this award. I am thrilled they were recognised for such an important innovation, which will allow for many more promising biomedical science staff to enter the profession.”

Waitrose has unveiled new research into attitudes towards health and wellbeing revealing that many of us equate healthiness with an overall sense of wellbeing and happiness rather than simply dieting or exercise.

The research comes as the supermarket launches a number of new health initiatives to help customers. This includes a supermarket first - the announcement of 100 Healthy Eating Specialists who will direct customers who ask towards healthier choices on the shop floor (more details below).

Motivations to become healthier: 'tombola Birthdays' and 'unhealthy selfies'

In research among 2000 people, half admitted that they didn't feel on top of their health; with a third saying they didn't have enough time to focus on their health.

It also reveals that the most common motivator for getting healthy is seeing an unflattering photo of oneself or no longer fitting into an item of clothing. And a so-called 'tombola Birthday', one ending in a zero or five, is a big driver to getting healthy, as is a special event such as a wedding.

Social media plays a part in our attitude towards health with almost 1 in 10 of those surveyed saying that seeing friends online being healthy motivated them to get started. For 18-24 year olds, social media's influence was higher, with almost a fifth of those surveyed saying it would kick start a new approach to health.

Parental Pressures The research also looked at the challenges facing parents which can be the point in life where their health gradually, and often imperceptibly, drifts.

For many parents there's the drive to get healthy for their children's sake, but more than half find the pressures of juggling family life an obstacle to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Half of parents (49%) admitted their health had drifted since having children but they plan to focus on it when the kids are older. Yet 40% of parents say their children can actually help them to get healthier, for example by learning about health in school and pestering the family to make positive changes.

Aim small Many have found the key to feeling healthy is cutting themselves a bit of slack by aiming small; enjoying good food and wine in moderation; spending time outdoors; or time with those they love.

Nearly two thirds (63%) of those currently feeling in good control of their health say they feel more positive when taking a long term approach to creating healthy habits.

Health and nutrition is a rapidly growing market in the UK. To help customers make healthier choices, Waitrose is announcing a number of new initiatives to help shoppers make small but achievable changes.

Waitrose Health Initiatives:

• Waitrose has announced the launch of Healthy Eating Specialists. In a retail first, these shop floor specialists will direct customers towards healthier choices. 11 will be in place by May and 100 by the end of the year.
• Waitrose is moving to the next stage of its trial for personal nutrition consultations, and for the first time, testing outside of London, at its Basingstoke shop.
• From this month, the supermarket will launch its new magazine 'Waitrose Health'. Edited by Peta Bee, the magazine will appeal to healthy eaters who want new ideas, but also to people who aspire to a healthier lifestyle.
• Waitrose has now put its new 'Good Health' mark on more than 1600 lines  to make it easier for customers to make healthier choices. A third of those surveyed said highlighting healthy options would help them maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• The supermarket is launching its new 'Beautifully Simple' campaign this week using a series of recipes to inspire customers to cook everyday meals with a small number of fresh ingredients.
• Waitrose will also be increasing health information available to customers. This  includes tips and inspiration in its publications and online; plus advice and classes from experts, including Shona Vertue and Professor Greg Whyte.
• Further new health initiatives will be launched by Waitrose over the next few months.