the calderdale voice dec - jan 2013-14 issue 2

8/13/2019 The Calderdale Voice Dec - Jan 2013-14 Issue 2

1/20

Keeping warm over the winter months can help prevent

colds, flu or more serious health conditions such as heart

attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

www.nhs.uk/keepwarmkeepwell


2/20


3/20

Well, it is easy to tell we are in Winter!

The temperature has definitely dropped

and out come the hats, scarves and

gloves! The Healthwatch Calderdale

team wants you all to keep warm this

winter and has information about theSafe and Warm project on page 12.

As the celebrations are about to begin,

make sure you have a look at the tips to

keep safe during the festivities on page

16. A big thank you to Halifax Street

Angels for all the advice!

Hope you all have a wonderful time

filled with mince pies, presents and

tinsel! Not forgetting, have a happy

new year!

Emma Worsley,The Calderdale Voice Editor

Every 36 hours the lining of a humansstomach is replaced.


4/20

Ten inches of snow melts down to one

inch of water.

Healthwatch is the new Consumer Champion, or Watchdog, for health and social care.

The aim of local Healthwatch will be to give citizens and communities a stronger voice

to influence and challenge how health and social care services are provided locally.

Healthwatch Calderdale is an independent body that will raise your views and

opinions on Health & Social Care in Calderdale and to help make your voices heard.

What we aim to:

Enable local voices to influence the delivery and design of local health and

social care services

Use local volunteers to gather views and information from local people and

communities

Involve and engage local people, putting you at the heart of Health and

Social Care service decision making

Enable local people to make informed choices about their own and familys

health and social care needs

Influence the way services are designed and delivered

Have a strong relationship with Health and Social Care

providers as a critical friend using community views to

influence and improve planning and delivery of servicesProvide information, advice and support about local health

and social care services

Refer people to make a complaint via the Advocacy Service


5/20

Healthwatch Calderdale is a Health and

Social Care watchdog. We want to hear

from local residents about their

experiences, concerns, praises of

Calderdale Health and Social Care

services.

The feedback we receive from local

residents allows us to understand where

the issues are from the people that use

the services. Your views will help us

identify areas that need to be looked

into.

Please get in touch by calling 01422

431099 or you can email us on

[email protected]

The Healthwatch Calderdale ProgrammeBoard is made up of 11 individuals from all

over Calderdale. The Board operate along

the same lines as a management committee/

Board of Trustees of a not-for-profit

organisation. It has a specific budget to

spend and monitor and will also be required

to develop and monitor a work plan for

Healthwatch Calderdale.

The Healthwatch Calderdale Programme

Board meet once a month and their

meetings are open to the public.

The next meeting is:

Monday 13th January

Venue TBC (Central Halifax)

Teas and Coffees from 5.30pm for a6pm start

If you would like to attend the Programme

Board meeting, please email to be kept up to

date of the venue:

[email protected]

Fingernails grow almost four timesas fast as toenails
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


6/20

Healthwatch Calderdale is recruitingvolunteers to undertake Enter and View

visits. Enter and View Representatives can

visit certain health and social care service

settings to see how they are run, and to

gather feedback and highlight best

practice.

Enter & View is about promoting and

supporting the involvement of people in the

commissioning and provision of local health

and social care services and how they are

scrutinized. Enter and View Visitors will

have specialised skills to bring to this role.

Healthwatch Calderdale will be running

Enter & View training on Tuesday 21st

January 2014 9.30am - 4pm.

For more information or to register your

interest in becoming an E&V volunteer,

please email

[email protected]

Healthwatch Calderdale is a membership

organisation. We make sure that all our

members are kept up to date with

everything related to Health and Social

Care at both a local and national level.

Becoming a member is free of charge and

is open to anyone who lives in Calderdale

and/or receives substantial health and

social care services from any provider

within Calderdale. It is also open to

voluntary and community groups who

supports users of health and social care

services.

To become a member, please email

[email protected]

Every day, your heart will beat around100,000 times.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


7/20

The Healthwatch Calderdale website offers a number of different services:

Send us your feedback using the Talk to Us page

Sign up to be a member of Healthwatch Calderdale

Find out about our volunteering opportunities

Search for local Health & Social Care services

Keep up to date with news from Healthwatch

Find out where your nearest Healthwatch drop in session is

Watch videos from Healthwatch England

See our Healthwatch Calderdale Twitter feed

Read the Healthwatch Calderdale Pledge

Find out about Healthwatch Calderdale local meetings

www.healthwatchcalderdale.co.uk

Twitter @hwcalderdale

Facebook Healthwatch Calderdale

The brain operates on about the sameamount of power needed to light a 10-watt

light bulb!
http://www.healthwatchcalderdale.co.uk/http://www.healthwatchcalderdale.co.uk/https://twitter.com/hwcalderdalehttps://twitter.com/hwcalderdalehttps://www.facebook.com/HealthwatchCalderdalehttps://www.facebook.com/HealthwatchCalderdalehttps://www.facebook.com/HealthwatchCalderdalehttps://twitter.com/hwcalderdalehttp://www.healthwatchcalderdale.co.uk/


8/20

Learnnewskills

Add toyour CV

Meet

new

people

Be partof ateam
http://www.healthwatchcalderdale.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]


9/20

Purple Patch Arts exists to improve the

lives and life chances of people with

learning disabilities.

Their Feel Good Workshops feature gentle

exercise delivered at a level which suits

the individuals that attend, alongside art

activity which promotes relaxation,

positive thinking and self reflection. All

workshops are lead by movement

therapists and trained workshop leaders.

Purple Patch Arts Halifax workshops take

place on Tuesday at the Orangebox,

Thomas Street.

Joining Purple Patch Arts is very easy. All

you need to do is get in touch by phoning

07725 041 801 or emailing:

[email protected]

Choice is a Supported Volunteering Projectwhich aims to help people who would like to

volunteer but may need extra support to do

so. Anyone with additional support needs

who feels unable to volunteer independently

can use the service.

Choice involves, encourages and supports

volunteers to take full advantage of the

volunteering opportunities available whilst

promoting equality and diversity.

The Choice Supported Volunteering Project

supports volunteers and is committed to

removing barriers and making volunteering

accessible to people of all abilities and

backgrounds.

The project can help individuals with

additional support needs find a suitable

opportunity, contact the organisations,

filling in forms and travel arrangements.

Choice can provide a support assistant to

support and befriend a new volunteer.

To find out more please ring 01422 438727

or email [email protected]


10/20

Many parents are all too aware of thatfeeling that comes with caring for young

children of never having a moment to

yourself and how it can sometimes be

overwhelming coping with the demands of

parenthood.

The Mum Time sessions are an opportunity

for mums struggling with the day to daydemands of babies and very young children,

to come together and have some time for

themselves.

A free crche is available for women

attending the session, but should book with

Healthy Minds prior to the session.

Mum Time meets on the 1st and 3rd

Wednesday of the month, 1pm - 2.30pm at:

The Women Centre, 23 Silver St, Halifax

For more information about Mum Time or

Healthy Minds, please call 01422 438722 or

visit the website:

www.healthymindscalderdale.co.uk

The five ways to wellbeing are a set ofrealistic, achievable actions we can

incorporate into our day-to-day activities

to feel happier and more content with

our lives. The five ways include:

Connect e.g. Smile at someone

Take Notice e.g. Keep a diary

Be Active e.g. Join a local gymKeep Learning e.g. Ask questions

Give e.g. Hold the door for someone

For more information, please email

[email protected]
http://www.healthymindscalderdale.co.uk/http://www.healthymindscalderdale.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.healthymindscalderdale.co.uk/


11/20

This support group is for Asian women

only and is organised by Calderdale

Carers Project. You can come along to

meet other carers, to make friends and

find people to talk to, to share

information and experiences. The group

gives you a chance to relax and a break

from caring. There is also a bilingual

translator available at the group.

The group meets at Calderdale Carers

Project at Rimani House, Hall Street

Halifax on the 3rd Tuesday of every

month. The next meeting is December

17th.

For more information, please ring 01422

369101 or email:

[email protected]

Calder Valley Club offers modern day care

for adults with diverse physical disabilities

and stroke survivors. The centre has

wonderful home cooked food with an

extensive choice of menu and a unique

social setting. Calder Valley Club covers the

entire Calderdale area.

Calder Valley Club offers an exciting

package of activities including Seaside

visits, trips to markets (Bury is a favourite),

trips on a wheelchair accessible barge,

restaurant and shopping trips to name a

few!

In the Calder Valley Club centre, holistic

therapy treatments are now available in the

brand new therapy room. Reiki, Indian Head

Massage, Reflexology, Manicures and Hair

Dressing are just an example of what is on

offer.

If you would like to find out more, please

ring on 01422 885098 or email:

[email protected]


12/20

High Five is a community group based in

Pellon, Halifax. They have been going for

three years and run a programme of fun

and healthy activities throughout the

week.

All are welcome to come and join in.

Youll make new friends, try new things,

get fitter and most importantly of all,

have fun!

Activities include Gentle Exercise Classes,

Tai Chi, Indoor Kurling and many more!

To find out more, please visit the website

www.pellonhighfive.wordpress.com

The Campaign to End Loneliness aims tomaintain and create connections in older age

and combat loneliness. They are asking

people to reach out to older neighbours or

family who might be isolated or lonely over

Christmas

Loneliness is a bigger problem than simply an

emotional experience. Research shows that

loneliness and social isolation are harmful to

our health.

Laura Ferguson, Director of the Campaign to

End Loneliness said:

Keeping in touch with older neighbours and

family could help them overcome the extraemotional pressures of Christmas. Memories

of past friends and Christmases can make the

festive season particularly painful for older

people who are isolated and lonely.

Simply sending a Christmas card, giving a gift

to or spending time with an older neighbour

or family member might help lift them out of

their isolation and loneliness.

For more information, please visit

www.campaigntoendloneliness.org
http://pellonhighfive.wordpress.com/http://pellonhighfive.wordpress.com/http://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/http://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/http://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/http://pellonhighfive.wordpress.com/


13/20

Singing for the Brain is a programme

developed by Alzheimers Society for

people with memory problems. The

programme promotes communication

through singing which can help with

articulation, concentration & motivation.

Facilitators deliver a varied programme of

vocal, rhythmic and gentle exercise and

dance, along with songs from different

eras and styles which are chosen by the

people who attend the group.

The sessions are now in Halifax, Hebden

Bridge and Rastrick. The new singing

groups are added to a programme of

dementia cafes, living with dementia

groups and carers groups which currently

take place in Calderdale.

To find out more about Singing for the

Brain please ring 01422 352789 or visit

www.alzheimers.org.uk

Halifax Street Angels was set up inNovember 2005. The Street Angels team

dedicate their time to supporting and caring

for those who have become vulnerable at

night, and promoting safety in Halifax Town

Centre. Within their 1st year, there was a

42% decrease in violent crimes in Halifax on

a Friday and Saturday night.

Halifax Street Angels have received several

awards, including local Charity of the Year

2012, Big Society Award 2012. With the

help of the Street Angels team, Halifax

received the Purple Flag Award and is now

recognised as a clean and safe place for

people to come and enjoy the nightlife.

Street Angels also offer HxSA:Training which

aims to provide low cost but high quality

first aid training to businesses, charities and

organisations locally and nationally.

Check out the Street Angels tips for

keeping safe this Christmas on page 16.

For more information, please visit

www.halifaxstreetangels.org.uk
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/http://www.halifaxstreetangels.org.uk/http://www.halifaxstreetangels.org.uk/http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/


14/20

Dimensions, an organisation supportingservices for people with Autism, offer

Autism friendly film screenings at cinemas

across the UK.

Autism Friendly Screenings are mainstream

films shown in a sensory friendly

environment:

Lights are on lowSound is turned down

Trailers are not shown

People can bring their own food, make

noise and move around the cinema as

they feel comfortable.

VUE Cinema at Broad Street Plaza, Halifax,

have an Autism friendly screening on thelast Sunday of the month. Entrance into the

film is 1.75 each and carers accompanying

people have free entry.

The next screening is:

Rise of the Guardians

Sunday 29th December 2013

10am

Safe and Warm is designed to protect

vulnerable people from the effects of

sever winter weather due to cold housing

and reduce the number of deaths over

winter by providing items like electric

blankets, portable heating and clothing.

In this instance, vulnerable individuals

and communities are defined as "those

with limited means and elderly, disabled,

households with children under 5 or

vulnerably housed".

The Safe and Warm project is by referral

only and a list of referring agents is

available on the website:

www.cvac.org.uk
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_8/cvac.org.ukhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_8/cvac.org.uk


15/20


16/20

January is Love Your Liver Month. Every

January the Love Your Liver campaign

embarks on a national tour of the UK,

offering pop-up liver health clinics to get

your liver health assessed.

The aim is to get the nation taking Three

Simple Steps to good liver health:

1) Take 2-3 days off alcohol every week

and drink safely when you do

2) Cut down on sugary and fatty foods

3) Get regular exercise

The Love your Liver Roadshow will be at:

Thursday 16th January 10am - 4pm

Morrison Supermarket,

Hunslet Store,

Leeds LS10 2AP

For more information, please visit:

www.loveyourliver.org.uk

A hair-raising charity campaign is gettinghundreds of people across the country to

grow beards this December. Decembeard is

now in its third year, all in aid of the charity

Beating Bowel Cancer.

Decembeard is encouraging people to

become a Beardy to help increase

awareness of bowel cancer and break downthe stigma of talking about the disease. This

Decembeard, the charity wants to sign up

more than 1,000 people with the aim of

raising 145,000.

Men can grow their facial furniture for the

month to raise funds and vital awareness for

the UKs second biggest cancer killer. Over a

hundred people are diagnosed with bowel

cancer every day, yet over 90% of cases can

be treated successfully if caught early.

Its not just men getting involved with the

campaign, women and the follically-

challenged can join in too by making,

faking, crafting or baking a beard.

To take part in Decembeard, please visit

www.beatingbowelcancer.org/decembeard
http://www.loveyourliver.org.uk/http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org/decembeardhttp://www.beatingbowelcancer.org/decembeardhttp://www.loveyourliver.org.uk/


17/20

Stress is an issue which affects us all at

one time or another, but January can be

a time when the strains of Christmas and

the pressures of New Years resolutions

intensify its symptoms.

That's why, the Mental Health

Foundation launched a campaign to help

everyone cope better with the physicaland emotional effects of stress around

the New Year. Their pocket guide has key

facts and 101 tips to help reduce the

symptoms, sourced from mental health

professionals as well as the general

public.

The booklet How to manage and reducestress is available to download on the

Mental Health Foundation website:

www.mentalhealth.org.uk

While the nation writes their Christmas listsand wait with anticipation at what Santa

might bring, there are many people who

cant wait. Their must-have gift is something

far more vital than the latest gadget or toy

its blood. NHS Blood and Transplant is

calling for people to step forward and donate

so patients whose lives depend on blood or

platelet transfusions get what they need over

the festive period.

From now until the New Year is typically a

challenging time for blood stocks. Hospitals

will need up to half a million units of blood

to see them through the period. However,

the festive season means taking the time to

donate can slip off peoples to-do list,

putting pressure on blood stocks.

Claire, whos daughter has Sickle Cell

Anaemia said:

You wouldnt forget to get your kids or

members of your family a present so please

dont forget to donate blood.

If youre 17 and over and in general good

health, visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300

123 23 23 to find a session in England or

North Wales near you to go and give blood.
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/http://www.blood.co.uk/http://www.blood.co.uk/http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/


18/20

Chionophobia is a fear of snow.

If you are out celebrating this Winter, makesure you wrap up warm!

December and January are a big part of our

social Calendar. The festive season includes Work Parties, Mulled Wine and Celebrating

a New Year. We can all overindulge at this time of year and Street Angels have a few

tips on how to keep safe when you are out celebrating.

Keeping Safe during the Festive Season

Plenty sense. Plenty water. Plenty friends. Never leave your drinks around.

Always stay with your friends, dont go off alone, have their contact information

on you somewhere other than your phone.

Always eat before a night out never drink on an empty stomach.

Know your drink and know your limit. Know what you are drinking so you know

how much you have had.

Keep your taxi money in another part of your handbag/wallet so you dont

spend it. Always sit in the back of a taxi if youre travelling by yourself.

Pick a venue right for you if you feel out of place, leave! Most fights start over

something minor someone might knock you, spill your drink apologise! Dont get

involved in breaking up a fight thats the job of the door-staff!

Halifax Street Angels are on hand from 9pm-3am Friday and Saturdays nights to

help. They can be found either out on the streets or at the Angels rest caf on

Crossley Street (next to the YMCA).

The caf is open for you! Dont hesitate to drop by if you need to get home, somebasic first aid or just a warm/safe place to wait for a taxi come along.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas! From everyone at Halifax Street Angels.


19/20


20/20
http://www.healthwatchcalderdale.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]

the calderdale voice dec - jan 2013-14 issue 2

Documents