Wellbeing

Get back in balance

11 September 2016 0 Comments

It's OK to talkWe all think we know people who never seem to lose control. But the truth is those people don’t exist.

The reason they seem to take it all in their stride is that they know how to react, how to get back in balance, get a decent night’s sleep and go again the next day.

Odds on they’re using some of the ideas on the back of the NSPA smartcard.
www.nspa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/WSPD-smart-card.pdf
(If you’re feeling wired right now try the three minute time-out below.)

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 which proves just how serious not dealing with this stuff can be.

 

3 minute time—out

This will lower heart-rate and blood-pressure and help put you in control.

Minute 1. Deliberately refocus attention. Change position or stop moving. Perhaps close your eyes. Ask yourself:
what is happening to me right now?

Minute 2. Now you’re aware of what’s going on and how you feel. focus on your breath. Follow the air in and out of your body.

Minute 3. Move awareness back out again like the lens of a camera getting wider. Slowly take ln the world.

Get on with your life. You’ll make a far better decision now than before the time-out.

NEED SUPPORT?

Samaritans – call 116 123
free anytime day or night

CALM — call 0800 585858
free 5pm till12 midnight

NHS non emergency:
Call 111

Contact your GP

Download Stay Alive app at prevent-suicide.org.uk

#wspd16 #ItsOkayToTalk

Health, News, Wellbeing

Life out of control?

10 September 2016 0 Comments

It's OK to talkA little stress is healthy but too much is too much.
When life feels out of control, it’s not unusual to feel down or have suicidal feelings — many men do. What matters is not letting it drag on.

Stuff happens

We can’t control what happens to us in life. You just need to look at the news headlines to know that. But we can control how we react to it. That means recognising when you’re feeling out of control and doing something about it.

This card will show you how. Keep it in your wallet.
www.nspa.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/WSPD-smart-card.pdf

Why it matters

As well as making you miserable, long-term overload will increase your risk of serious disease including cancer, heart disease and high-blood pressure.

It will lead to poor decisions which will make you less effective at work and at home and will even follow you into bed, disrupting sleep and your sex-life.

Health, News, Wellbeing

Tell us why parks in South Ashford matter

2 September 2016 5 Comments

Victoria ParkSouth Ashford Community Forum (SACF) are asking for your help in telling a parliamentary committee why parks in South Ashford matter.

South Ashford Community Forum (SACF) is considering submitting evidence to the Inquiry into the Future of Public Parks being undertaken by the Commons Select Committee for Communities and Local Government (CLGC).

CLGC Chair, Clive Betts MP, has said: “Whether it is kicking the ball about with friends, joining a parkrun, walking the dog or just relaxing with a paperback, people value their local parks, but with councils under enormous financial pressures and with no legal obligation to fund and maintain public parks, these precious community resources may be at risk. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Consultation, Environment, Government, News, SACF, Wellbeing

Big Boys Do Cry

28 July 2016 0 Comments

We're in your cornerA new initiative has been launched by Ashford Samaritans, supported by Ashford Borough Council, which aims to reduce what has been called the ‘silent epidemic’ of men’s suicide within the borough.

Men are almost three times more likely to take their own lives than women and more middle-aged men are killed by suicide than by cancer, heart disease or traffic accidents.

The campaign, Big Boys Do Cry, aims to break down the barriers preventing men from seeking help when it seems there is nothing left to live for. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Health, News, Wellbeing

Domestic Abuse Service Integration Consultation

8 June 2016 0 Comments

Kent County CouncilBackground:

Domestic Abuse Support Services in Kent are currently funded through a mixture of commissioned services, grant funding and charitable funds. The landscape of service provision varies across the county with different levels of support available in different areas of Kent.

The three largest commissioned services are Women’s Refuges, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) and Floating Support. Refuges and Floating Support are commissioned by Kent County Council, and these contracts come to an end in 2016. The IDVA service is partnership funded, with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) holding the contract. This contract is also due to end in 2016.

Proposal:

We are proposing to integrate these existing services into a single service, to be delivered by service providers working together within partnership and subcontracting arrangements to improve client journeys and provide clarity on where to go for support.  This will ensure consistency of support available wherever a client is living.  The proposal includes the introduction of a central referral process to ensure those accessing the service can be referred appropriately at their first contact.

Have your say:

Please have a look at the Consultation Document, the summary of the proposed service and the draft service specification.

You can have your say by using the online questionnaire or by sending in a paper version which may be downloaded below.

The consultation closes on the 15th of July 2016

(more…)

Consultation, Crime, Health, Kent County Council, News, Wellbeing

Full time carers are twice as likely to be in bad health

7 June 2016 0 Comments

carershealth

Full time carers are twice as likely to be in bad health as non-carers.

When carers faced barriers to maintaining their health

  • 51% let a health problem go untreated
  • 50% said their mental health got worse
  • 31% only got help when it was an emergency

Carers Week 2016 Research Report
www.carersweek.org/media-and-updates/item/443757-building-carer-friendly-communities-research-report-for-carers-week-2016

#carersweek

 

Health, News, Wellbeing

Carers Week 2016

6 June 2016 0 Comments

Carers WeekCarers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges that carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

The campaign is brought to life by the individuals and organisations who come together to organise activities and events throughout the UK, drawing attention to just how important caring is.

www.carersweek.org/

Health, News, Wellbeing

Add your voice to health and care changes in east Kent

27 May 2016 0 Comments

Ashford Clinical Commissioning GroupThe NHS across England is changing, including here in Ashford.  So a new drive to get people involved in shaping their local services has been launched today.

Across the NHS Ashford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area, people are being encouraged to join the Health Network so that they can have a say in how hospitals, family doctors, social care workers and community nurses work together to look after the people who need care and keep others healthy and well.

Some of our local services were designed to meet the needs of people in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.  Now they need updating for 2020 and beyond.  Local NHS doctors and leaders are getting together over the coming months to talk about what needs to change and share their current thinking about ways to make that happen.

As well as new evidence about the best way to treat certain conditions and new national standards to meet, there are challenges in funding, an ageing workforce due to retire with not enough specialists to fill vacancies and the need to join up health and social care services more effectively. But new ways of delivering health and care services need to be designed with patients and local people.  Have a voice and get involved.  Now is the time to be heard. (more…)

Health, News, Wellbeing