Health & Wellbeing

Generous City of Wolverhampton Council staff raised £500 for the Alzheimer's Society by donning denim for the day.

Numerous council employees wore jeans to work on Denim for Dementia Day, Friday 19 May, and in doing so collected £500.14 which was presented to the West Midlands branch of the Alzheimer's Society last week.

The denim day marked the culmination of a series of events in the City to mark Dementia Awareness Week 2017, the highlight of which was a very successful United Against Dementia awareness raising event at the Bob Jones Community Hub.

It was attended by more than 100 people and highlighted the support available to the estimated 3,300 residents living with dementia in Wolverhampton, as well as the help on hand to their families, friends and carers.

City of Wolverhampton Council commissioner Sue Eagle, who helped organise the week-long programme, said: "The aim of Dementia Awareness Week was to raise awareness of this cruel condition, to make people aware of the help and support which is available to them locally, and to highlight some of the simple steps people can take to make life easier for people living with dementia.

“We had a fantastic response from providers, staff and the local community to the various events which we staged throughout the week, and I would like to thank everyone who was involved in one way or another.

“In particular, I would like to thank everyone who took part in the Denim for Dementia day, and in doing so helped raise £500 for the Black Country branch of the Alzheimer's Society."

Lee Allen from the Black Country branch of the Alzheimer’s Society said: “Dementia Awareness Week was a great opportunity for us all to unite together and showcase what services and support is available within Wolverhampton.”

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe many different types of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia and Dementia with Lewy bodies.

Cases of dementia increase with age It can affect anyone, and causes a decline in a person's cognitive abilities, affecting their memory, language, understanding, reasoning, problem solving and concentration. Each person's dementia is unique and so affects their lives in very different ways.

Natalie Stokes, a 33 year-old single mother of one from Studley in Warwickshire is desperate to raise awareness of the debilitating condition which took her eight years to get diagnosed.

Natalie put on ten stone in weight in a mere two years, transforming her from an active twenty-something with a passion for horses and the great outdoors, to  a 26-stone woman who struggled to get out of bed.

Although Natalie made multiple visits to her GP, the rarity of the condition meant that she struggled to receive an accurate diagnosis.

After years of being misdiagnosed, Natalie was referred to a specialist, based in Worcester, who gave her a diagnosis of Cushing’s disease.

Cushing’s disease is caused by a small benign tumour on the pituitary gland in the brain, which controls the amount and types of hormones released into the body.

Natalie explained: “For the first time I felt listened to. I felt relieved to be ill.”

Unfortunately, the disease not only affected Natalie physically but it also had a serious impact on her mental wellbeing.

“I felt a heaviness inside, I became severely anxious and would often have panic attacks. I became paranoid that people were judging me because of my size, and the way I looked.”

Throughout this initial period of illness, Natalie was training to become a counsellor but sadly the effects of the disease on her energy meant that she was unable to qualify, despite being top of her class.

“I am active on forums for people with Cushing’s disease and I feel that my counselling training has helped me to come to terms with it, and to offer advice to others who perhaps aren’t yet at the same stage.”

When discussing her son, Charlie, aged five Natalie said: “He is so loving, so helpful, he wants to help me, but I know it is important to let him be a child. Luckily we have my mum to support us, but she is also a full-time carer for my dad who has Parkinson’s Disease. Life can be challenging at times, but we are a close family who are always there for each other.”

In 2016, Natalie began her treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), having major surgery to reduce the size of her tumour. Surgeons accessed the tumour via a large cut made in the back of the nose.

One year on from the surgery Natalie said: “Since having the operation, I’ve lost nine stone. It’s made a big difference to my quality of life.”

Now, Natalie is backing the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity’s plea to support research into pituitary illness. The Charity funds research into the condition, conducted by University of Birmingham Researcher Niki Karavitaki. The Charity also funds regular support groups for patients with pituitary illnesses.

Niki said: “We are really grateful to QEHB Charity for supporting our research into patients with pituitary illness. The more research we are able to carry out means patients with pituitary illnesses can be diagnosed and treated much quicker.”

Natalie added: “I am by no means out of the woods yet, and still suffer the effects of this disease on a daily basis, but I hope that with the support from specialists at QEHB, the future will look more positive. I would ask anyone who has ever experienced difficulty in reaching a diagnosis to consider donating to QEHB Charity, to support research into this lesser-known but debilitating illness.”

Whether we’re thinking about spiders, heights or even the dark, most of us live with some form of anxiety, but it’s our worry over a visit to the dentist that one charity says could really be putting our health at risk and they are determined to help us overcome it.

New research by the Oral Health Foundation and Oral-B has revealed as many as two thirds of us Brits (67%) admit to being apprehensive when it comes to visiting our dentist for a check-up1.

The poll shows that a third of us fear pain and discomfort, which is the biggest single reason behind our nerves (33%). One in four are worried about the cost of our dental treatment (26%) while others are anxious about being told off by our dentist (8%).

As part of National Smile Month, a charity initiative to raise awareness about the importance of our oral health, campaigners are looking to reassure us that there is nothing to be nervous about on our next visit and have set out several ways that we can use to help us overcome any anxiety we may have.

Communication is key

“The first way to address any worry over pain is simply to speak to our dentist about your anxiety,” says Dr Uchenna Okoye.

“Dentists are well trained to deal with anxious patients and will take their time to make sure we are at ease before any treatment. Speak to friends and family to see who they trust and recommend and make sure us find a dentist who is most likely to put us at greater ease.”

Ease your way into treatment

“By making regular visits to the dentist we can become more familiar with the surroundings. This will make us more comfortable if we do eventually need treatment. Start gradually with a check-up and clean and polish, then work up to more extensive treatment once a trust and rapport has been made with the dentist.

“Agree a ‘stop now – I need a break’ sign with the dentist. It can be as simple as pointing our finger, and will help us feel more in control.”

Be an early bird

“Picking an appointment time early in the morning can do wonders for us. It means we have less time to dwell on any worries and take a friend or family member with us to an appointment.

“The dentist won’t mind if they accompany us throughout the check-up or treatment and they can reassure and support us along the way.”

Music makes us more mellow

“Try taking a personal stereo to listen to music during the visit. I’ve had plenty of patients who enjoy listening to their favourite soundtracks during appointments and it really does help put them at ease, taking their mind off any worries.”

Prevention is better than the cure

“Finally, and the best way to overcome any dental anxiety, is simply to look after our oral health.

“It’s important for us to understand that more than 90% of dental problems are entirely avoidable with a good oral health routine and prevention is much better than treatment. Simple behaviour such as using a powerbrush to clean our teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, this is a very simple and highly effective way to remove all the harmful bacteria from the mouth.

“It only takes a few minutes each day and will help protect you from most oral health problems.”

To coincide with National Walking Month this May, as well as the start of Inghams Lakes & Mountains' summer season, the specialist tour operator is encouraging guests to get 'back to nature' and book a walking holiday to Switzerland, where glaciers, forests, flower-filled meadows, soaring mountains, glistening lakes and raging waterfalls provide a paradise for nature-lovers. According to Inghams, May is the ideal time to book a late summer getaway to the Swiss mountains, as availability still offers excellent choice.

Get 'Back To Nature' Mountains instead of meetings, wildlife instead of Wi-Fi, cabins instead of computers: the Swiss countryside offers refreshing summer adventures for those in search of a genuine breath of fresh air, far from the hustle and bustle of life back at home. Across the country, an extensive network of walking trails suitable for all levels is well served by the lifts at mountain towns and villages.

Inghams is encouraging people to get active in the Alps and discover Switzerland's unrivalled, dramatic scenery from the top of peaks or the shores of crystal-clear lakes on a peaceful yet invigorating getaway. Inghams' wide range of resorts offer endless opportunities to explore nature's most magical creations on foot and, in many, Inghams guests can receive a FREE Resort Card, which entitles them to unlimited travel on the local trains and buses.

Healthy Eating Week is back, and it is bigger than ever. More than 7,900 nurseries and schools have already registered to take part, representing over 3.7 million children. Organised by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), the fifth annual Healthy Eating Week will take place from 12 – 16 June 2017.

In addition to the schools and nurseries registered for the event, this is the first year that universities and colleges have been invited to get involved. Over 110 universities and colleges and over 140 workplaces will be participating from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – involving 484,186 adults in the activities.

Roy Ballam, Managing Director and Head of Education at the BNF, said: “Each year Healthy Eating Week continues to grow. With the importance of a good diet and regular physical activity increasingly prominent, adults and children alike are keen to increase their knowledge on how to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

“Over 4 million people are set to participate in Healthy Eating Week 2017, and with seven weeks left to go we expect even more schools, colleges, universities and businesses to get involved. Registration is free for all, and participants will benefit from a variety of resources – all designed to boost the nation's understanding of healthy eating.”

The theme for Healthy Eating Week this year is 'applied learning'. The idea is to encourage school children to take ownership of their own health by becoming their school's 'Ambassadors' for the week – flying the healthy eating flag and motivating their peers. Schools can download Ambassador Packs, to encourage applications for the Ambassador roles. To support the week of activities, all participants will also receive a board game, posters, and activity ideas, and a series of daily challenges. This year's challenges include: Have breakfast, 5 A DAY, drink plenty, get active and try something new. There will also be health webinars and online cooking activities.

Findings from a new research study, one of the largest surveys of its kind, conducted among 4,000 UK children (aged five – 16) will be released on Monday 13 June to coincide with the week.  The research will provide an insight into children's knowledge about healthy eating and the origins of food, as well as their eating habits and physical activity levels at different ages.

Commonwealth Health Ministers will gather for their annual meeting in Geneva on 21 May 2017, on the eve of the 70th World Health Assembly.

The theme for the meeting is: ‘Sustainable Financing of Universal Health Coverage as an Essential Component for Global Security including the Reduction of All Forms of Violence’.

At last year’s meeting, Ministers recognised the importance of health security as a bridge to peace and stability, as well as the role the health sector can play in strengthening global security, including preparedness and responses to public health threats and disasters.

The 2017 meeting will build on these discussions by exploring the role of health as part of a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to promoting global security, with a particular focus on preventing violence and building safe and resilient societies.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “Financing universal health coverage is a priority for all countries in the Commonwealth – and there is well-attested evidence that it enhances resilience and security as part of a package of approaches.  Robust health systems are also direct contributors to equitable growth and sustainable development. This year’s meeting of Commonwealth health ministers will seek consensus on a collective plan of action for the Commonwealth to ensure that accessible, affordable health systems are a reality for all our citizens.

Four years ago, the United Nations unanimously endorsed universal health coverage as a cornerstone of sustainable development and global security, underpinning its role in promoting collective security and prosperity. Universal health coverage also reinforces attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals under Target 3.8 to: “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.”

Dr George Pamboridis, Cyprus’ Minister of Health will chair the one-day meeting, which will emphasise dialogue between ministers of the 52-nation Commonwealth. Three roundtable sessions will cover financing of universal health coverage; the role of health in global security; and, preventing violence.  The meeting will conclude with a statement of action.

Dr Pamboridis said: “Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting is a unique platform for deliberating and sharing experiences and mutual learning, as a way to accelerate the pace to meet the relevant Target of ‘Sustainable Development Goals’, to secure the highest standard of health to our population as a fundamental human right. To achieve Universal Health Coverage is the centre of gravity for all national efforts, despite our diverse set of health needs. The global geographic spread of our countries implies the necessity of acting jointly on cross border risks to public health security, since domestic action alone has not been proven sufficient in ensuring health locally.".

With a strong security impetus for identifying effective governance mechanisms for the sustainable funding of universal health coverage, the meeting will consider approaches to financing health that have been adopted in the Commonwealth, and whether commitments to certain levels of expenditure might be appropriate.

A simple test that anyone can do, together with a medicine skin patch costing as little as 39p, could save hundreds of lives.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is working with a number of other ambulance trusts, the British Heart Foundation and the University of Nottingham to test the plaster-like patch which contains the drug glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) on patients suffering from a Stroke.

The researchers believe that the patch can improve outcomes for people who have had a stroke if the medicine is administered quickly. Early results in hospital suggest the skin patch could double survival chances.

The trial which is currently being run in the Black Country but could be extended to Staffordshire and Herefordshire sees the patch applied by ambulance staff when they assess the patient thus saving vital minutes.

Stroke causes around 3,500 deaths across the West Midlands every year according to latest statistics.

A stroke is usually caused by an artery clot or burst blood vessel in the brain and causes permanent disability in around a quarter of patients

GTN helps lower blood pressure and opens up blood vessels, which can help reduce the damage caused in the immediate minutes and hours following a stroke.

Researchers say that the ability to start treating patients within an hour could revolutionise stroke care and lead to the technique being adopted worldwide.  An initial trial of the GTN patch in hospital showed that it halved the stroke death rate from 38% to 16%.

Research Paramedic, Josh Miler, says: “For this treatment to work best, we need to get to patients quickly and that means people being aware of the FAST Test – Face, Arms, Speech, Time to call 999 – which is a very simple method of assessing whether someone is having a stroke. Time is critical in a stroke so we would strongly advise everyone to learn the test so that they can identify if someone is having a stroke.”

Consultant Paramedic, Matt Ward, says: “You cannot underestimate just how important it is that patients suffering from a stroke are identified as quickly as possible.”

WMAS Lead Research Paramedic, Andy Rosser, says: “By improving blood flow in the brain in stroke patients we can dramatically improve their survival chances and recovery. We think that this patch will make a difference to patients, but we need to be sure so taking part in the trial is key.”

Consultant Paramedic, Matt Ward, added: “As well as needing the public to be aware that speed is of the essence, we have been making sure our staff spend as little time on scene when they are dealing with stroke patients.”

The trial is expected to continue throughout 2017 with results coming through in 2018. The trial has been live within the Black Country area of the West Midlands since the 1st March 2017.  WMAS is currently working with Walsall Manor, Sandwell and New Cross Hospitals.

This week Tesco will launch the next stage in its ongoing efforts to make healthier choices a little easier for customers, colleagues and communities across the UK.

The 'Little Helps to Healthier Living' campaign, running throughout May, will provide:

· Helpful 'little swaps', many of which have lower sugar, fat or salt than the regular alternatives · Lower prices on hundreds of fresh products in store and online, including fruit and vegetables such as apples, avocados, bananas and, tomatoes · The introduction of fresh fruit at the checkout so customers can easily add a piece to their shopping · In store health checks in partnership with Diabetes UK and British Heart Foundation · TV advertising (Food Love Stories brought to you by Tesco) and other paid for media to encourage people to make swaps and use healthier ingredients · Increased communication of Free Fruit for Kids in Tesco's larger stores

The campaign is part of Tesco's continued commitment to making it easier for customers and colleagues to live more healthily. It has already removed over 8,000 tonnes of sugar, fat and salt across a range of 2,000 products including breakfast cereals, yoghurts, and ready meals through the ongoing reformulation of its own label products.

Tesco was the first major supermarket to comply with the UK government's sugar levy across all its own label soft drinks. Last summer, Tesco introduced its Free Fruit for Kids initiative, and in 2014, Tesco committed to removing sweets and chocolates off its checkouts, in all its stores.

Tesco will be working with its three health charity partners, the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK throughout the campaign. In May, Tesco colleagues are aiming to move a million miles to support these charities, in the Tesco Million Mile Challenge. Tesco will match each mile with £1, up to a total donation of £1 million.

Tesco will also be offering customers free diabetes risk assessments and blood pressure check-ups in 375 Tesco pharmacies, and will be supporting 330 Race for Life events across the UK in partnership with Cancer Research UK.

Matt Davies CEO for UK and ROI said,

“Our 'Little Helps to Healthier Living' campaign marks the first time we've brought together such a comprehensive programme of offers and initiatives for both customers and colleagues.

“With millions of customers across the UK shopping with us every week and more than 300,000 colleagues working in our stores, centres and offices, we have a unique opportunity to help people make healthier choices.

“We know there is still more to do, but hope these little helps make a difference, and we will learn from this month to see what really serves our customers better.”

A recent survey of more than 1,000 people in the UK aged 40+, commissioned by leading walking holiday specialist, Headwater has revealed that 7 out of 10 people believe walking to be more important today than it was 10 years ago.

The research, commissioned in celebration of National Walking Month, reveals that three quarters (76%) of people prefer to explore destinations on foot whilst on holiday, than any other mode of transport. With the NHS' recent statistics stating that 1 in 4 adults in England get less than 30 minutes of exercise a week, Headwater's new findings could suggest that more adults will begin to incorporate walking into their daily routines.

When asked which aspect of walking they most enjoy, 84% of respondants said the fresh air, followed by 69% who like the fact that walking keeps them fit.

The detention of England international, Aaron Lennon, was just the latest in a line of prominent sport stars to come under self health scrutiny.

The Everton winger was held under the Mental Health Act by police over concerns for his welfare, with news of the former Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur winger's admission leading to an outpouring of support during his plight.

The 30-year-old follows the likes of ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore and, tragically, the late former Wales manager and Leeds United and Everton star Gary Speed, plus former Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town and England international Dalian Atkinson. All highly successful, high-profile individuals – all who have succumbed-at various levels-to a dangerous, often un-talked about, disease that must be put high in priority when it comes to the nation’s health.

Sue Baker, Director of anti-stigma campaign ‘Time to Change,’ said: "We want to encourage anyone experiencing similar levels of despair to try and speak to someone, whether friend, family or their doctor."

Another former player, Clark Carlisle, ex-chair of the Professional Footballers' Association, dealt directly with his issues concerning suicide and football.

He said: “People are very delicately stepping around it – there’s no shame invested in it for me.

I tried to commit suicide because I was incredibly unwell," he said. “I now stand with a very different perspective of what it means to be alive. There’s a great expectation that once you come out of a psychiatric hospital you’re cured. You’re not – you just have more tools, a greater awareness and a greater understanding of how to manage your illness and that’s exactly where I’m at.”

Other sport stars, including; former world heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno - a sufferer of bi-polar disorder - and ex-England cricketers Marcus Trescothick and Jonathan Trott have also suffered, in the public eye, with issues surrounding their mental health.

Former England opener, Trott, left the England team during their 2013-14 Ashes tour with a stress-related illness that he has been coping with for several years. Trescothick headed home from the 2006/07 Ashes tour before a Test had been played.

Manchester United icon Ryan Giggs, who revealed he needed psychiatric help, said; "I often had a feeling of worthlessness. As a footballer you wonder if your team-mates are looking at you and asking the questions you are asking of yourself.

Aaron (Lennon)'s story has the made mental health of footballers an issue again and I think that for his sake and everyone else in sport it is important to be open about how we feel as professionals, and how we cope with stress."

Prime Minister Theresa May has spoken about how conversations can improve people's mental health and help to change lives.

"These problems affect millions of people," she said. "An estimated 1 in 4 of us has a common mental disorder at any one time. I said that the inadequate treatment of these problems was a burning injustice – and that we needed to deal with them not just in our hospitals, but in our classrooms, at work and in our communities."

From the highest profiled success that is a sports personality, to the man, woman, or child on the street – mental health is a stigma that the government – whatever the colour – must place high on their priorities to make Britain as healthy, as it aims to be wealthy, for all its citizens.

Diabetes is one of the UK’s biggest health crises, and it’s on the rise. Some 4.5 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, and 11.9 million in the UK are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.  Its impact and complications can be devastating, causing blindness, amputations, even early death.

Despite these huge numbers, fewer than two in five people think that they or their close family are likely to get diabetes. They aren't concerned about diabetes, and they don't understand or know what it is.

Leading charity Diabetes UK is aiming to change this, to make people sit up and take notice during Diabetes Week, which is taking place from Sunday 11 June to Saturday 17 June.  The charity’s theme for Diabetes Week 2017, ‘Know Diabetes, Fight Diabetes’, reflects this call for change, asking others to join the campaign to make it happen.

Make no mistake, diabetes is a serious condition, but there are things you can do to help manage it and avoid developing serious complications.

The charity is bringing the ‘Know diabetes, fight diabetes’ theme to life by encouraging people with the condition to get in touch and share their knowledge and experience, to help and inspire others. What have you learned about diabetes which has made a difference for you?  Help Diabetes UK fight for better care, more research and less stigma.

Throughout the week, there will be a range of events and initiatives organised by Diabetes UK which will raise awareness of this condition.

Enjoying what you eat is one of life’s pleasures. But sometimes we all need a little bit of help with healthy eating.  That’s why, just ahead of Diabetes Week, from 22 May, Diabetes UK will be launching a new Food you love advertising campaign.  The campaign, which will run for eight weeks including Diabetes Week, will feature real people living with diabetes cooking the food we all love but healthier. You can sign up for your free recipe videos and more at www.diabetes.org.uk/feelgood-food.

For vegans the choice to refrain from eating foods such as meat, dairy and eggs can mean that finding an abundant alternative source of vitamins and nutrients can be a challenge.  So how can vegans ensure they are getting everything they need from their diet and staying healthy?

Simon Bandy is the General Manager at nutritional supplements company, Veganicity. He says: “If your body lacks certain nutrients this can lead to fatigue, low mood levels and general poor health so it is important that vegans consider this as part of their diet.”

Here, Simon has identified some of the most important nutrients that can be difficult to obtain in a vegan diet, and how supplementation can help a vegan to maintain general health and well being.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, which is high in foods such as liver, fish and eggs, is one of the most difficult nutrients to obtain from a vegan diet. The vitamin is part of many bodily processes, including maintaining nerve health, helping make red blood cells and aiding digestion so a deficiency in Vitamin B12 can affect bodily functions. A lack of red blood cells means that less oxygen is being delivered to the muscles, causing potential fatigue and lack of energy. Additionally, nerve damage can lead to a depressed or confused mental state, and even memory loss.

With a deficiency in Vitamin B12 having potential repurcussions, vegans are advised to supplement such an essential nutrient to obtain optimum daily intake.

Iron

Iron is rich in foods such as meat, poultry and fish, and is well known for its involvement in haemoglobin production. Haemoglobin is the molecule in red blood cells that is responsible for carrying the oxgyen from the lungs to body tissues, so a lack in iron can prevent sufficent oxygen being delivered to the muscles to maintain energy levels causing fatigue, tiredness and a shortness of breath.

As iron is found in high quantities in animal derived foods, vegans and vegetarians can find it difficult to obtain in their diets so are generally at more risk of being deficient. However, eating nuts, seeds, brown rice and dried fruit – all of which are good sources of iron – will help to ward off any iron deficiencies.  

Omega-3

There are three types of Omega-3 - the long chain fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are primarily found in fish and shellfish, and the short chain fatty acid ALA, which is naturally found in plants. For vegans and vegetarians, this source of omega-3 ALA is limited in its benefits compared to that of omega-3 EPA and DHA, with large quantities needing to be consumed to match the benefits of a diet that includes fish.

Omega-3 provides essential fattty acids that have several benefits to the body.  These include maintaining normal vision and brain function along with a healthy heart health and blood pressure. The fatty acids help to reduce inflammation throughout the body, including lowering blood fat levels which reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes, as well as lowering blood pressure.

The UK's wine industry looks set to continue its impressive growth as it reveals that a record-breaking one million vines will be planted in the UK this year. In recognition of the increasing importance and popularity of UK wine, the industry has launched a brand new competition designed to celebrate the incredible achievements of England and Wales' wine producers, and to crown the UK's very best wine.

The inaugural UK Wine Awards will be led by a glittering line up of wine experts including Susie Barrie MW (leading wine writer and one of the wine experts on BBC Saturday Kitchen), wine luminary Oz Clarke and leading sommelier and wine writer Hamish Anderson.

They will be joining forces with the UK wine industry itself, as well as boutique hotel brand and wine lovers Hotel du Vin, the quintessentially English magazine Country Life and Waitrose, which carries the largest range of English and Welsh wines on the high street.

Wines from producers large and small from around the country will be pitched against each other and judged blind over two days. The results will be announced on Wednesday 31st May as part of English Wine Week celebrations.

With Spring’s flowers in full bloom and May heralding the beginning of National Walking Month, there has never been a better time to head outdoors for a walk.

Walking is a great way of enjoying the warmer weather as well as an easy and convenient way of getting fit and staying healthy.  It can also help people manage Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes or help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Being more physically active doesn’t have to involve going to the gym, long-distance runs or intensive aerobics classes. Getting more active can begin by making small changes to your lifestyle.

Walking is something you can fit around your daily life and it doesn’t have to cost a penny. Just 30 minutes of walking, five times a week, can make a real difference to your health.

To find out more about the impact, or to get some hints and tips on staying active, you can visit the diabetes.org.uk website. There you will find a whole host of information -from exercise tips to healthy and delicious recipes- and if you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can also find information on the 1 million steps challenge. It runs between July and September and is a great way of getting into walking, remaining active, and raising vital funds to help tackle diabetes across the UK.

So what are you waiting for? It’s National Walking Month, the sun is shining, so let’s get out there and explore!

More than 50 unemployed City of Wolverhampton residents are celebrating landing jobs as stock controllers after attending recruitment events at Jobchange.

JobChange, based in Red Lion Street, Wolverhampton, provides high quality job search resources, guidance, advice and training opportunities for job seekers in the West Midlands.

City of Wolverhampton Council has teamed up with them and, working in partnership with global retail organisation RGIS, ‘Job Shop’ recruitment evenings held in November and December provided an opportunity to meet employers.

The initiative has seen 59 candidates successfully gain employment as stock controllers. 

A further event was held in January with Draven’s Healthcare, who were looking to recruit nurses, support workers, cleaners and carers.

The representative from Draven’s Healthcare was very impressed with the venue, the staff and the 35 candidates who attended.

City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, said: “The City of Wolverhampton is working collaboratively to move more local people into the job opportunities available within the city.

“These recruitment events are examples of how we are preparing local people with the skills they need to meet the needs of employers.

“They are part of a series of events planned with Jobchange to support residents in gaining employment.”

Jobchange Chief Executive, Pat Kemp, added: “Jobchange is looking forward to working with the city council on new initiatives across the city - helping Wolverhampton people into work.”

Diabetes UK found that 26.03 per cent of people with diabetes in the West Midlands said they weren’t prescribed a sufficient amount of test strips.

This supports more recent findings by the leading charity, that people living with diabetes are being refused an essential piece of kit to monitor blood glucose by the NHS.

A new report, ‘Testing Times’, found 1 in 4 people had either experienced restrictions or were refused test strips on the NHS compared to 1 in 5 people four years ago.

The UK wide survey for Diabetes UK also found more than half (52 per cent) of people experiencing problems getting test strips had Type 1 diabetes. This is of particular concern as NICE recommends all adults with Type 1 diabetes should routinely self-monitor blood glucose levels, testing at least four times a day.

People with diabetes use test strips in blood glucose monitors that help them to be more in control of the condition. If not managed well, diabetes can lead to devastating complications such as amputations, blindness, heart disease and stroke.

The charity is also concerned people with Type 2 say they were advised they did not need to test their blood sugar. Yet they should if their diabetes is treated with insulin and/or medication that can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).

Diabetes UK is calling for strong action and guidance at a national level across the UK to make sure that everyone with diabetes gets the kit they need to self-manage effectively. People with diabetes should not have to fight for this when they are already managing a condition that requires constant attention.

NICE need to review their guidance on self-monitoring for people with Type 2 diabetes and the NHS must make sure local policies reflect NICE guidance on self-monitoring for people with Type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes UK Midlands regional head Peter Shorrick said: “No one with diabetes should have their test strips restricted. It is a false economy and causes people to face stressful decisions about when to test or not. As well as being vital for people with Type 1 diabetes, anyone with Type 2 diabetes can benefit from testing so should be supported to do so if it is helping them to better manage their condition. We urge people to challenge restrictions and refusals.

“Local policies should allow sufficient choice and flexibility for individual circumstances to be taken into account when prescribing test strips and meters for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.”