Free events in Bradford and district to help you take control of your health
The theme for this year’s Self Care Week week is ‘Self Care for Life’. This includes exercising regularly, looking after your mental wellness, managing minor and long-term health conditions and making positive lifestyle choices.
The events will offer free health checks, as well as the the flu and Covid vaccines (subject to availability). In addition, there will be tailored advice for pregnant women and their families as well as those who are thinking about starting a family.
The events have been organised by a range of local partners through the Act as One health and care partnership for Bradford District and Craven that brings together the NHS, local councils (Bradford Council and Craven Council), voluntary and community sector organisations and the independent care sector.
Amanda Stanford, Chief Nurse for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and Senior Responsible Officer for the Act as One Better Births Programme said: “On each of the events a midwife will be attending to provide advice to pregnant women and their families, as well as those looking to start a family.
You can improve your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy by having a healthy diet, stop smoking, cut out alcohol, keep to a healthy weight, know which medicines to take and taking a folic acid supplement.
Karen Dawber, Chief Nurse at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Senior Responsible Officer for the Act as One Respiratory Programme, commented: “It’s great to see that we’re holding these free events across the district and engaging with our communities to provide inclusive care.
“There are a number of things people can do to self-manage their lung and respiratory health, this includes self-management plans with regular practitioner reviews. You can also join a peer-support group, like the Breathe Easy groups set up by the British Lung Foundation. To find when these groups will be taking place (virtually), please call 03000 030 555 or visit www.blf.org.uk.
“We’ll also be providing free flu jabs to people who are eligible and those with a long-term respiratory condition getting flu can make your breathing problems much worse and can lead to problems with other organs in your body. Some of these complications can be life-threatening.”
John Holden, Director of Strategy and Integration at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Senior Responsible Officer for the Act as One Diabetes Programme, added: “People living with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) can self-manage their condition, you can do this by eating healthily, regular exercise, and regular blood tests to make sure your blood glucose levels stay balanced.
“People with type 1 diabetes must make sure they continue with their regular insulin injections even during periods of illness. And it’s important for anyone living with diabetes to ensure they attend their eye and feet screening appointments. Taking control of your diabetes improves your quality of life, your emotional wellbeing and helps you understand your health.”
Michelle Turner, Strategic Director for NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group and Senior Responsible Officer for the Act as One Healthy Hearts Programme, said: “Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of death in the UK, but this can often largely be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle.
There will be free blood pressure checks at these events and we know that high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight and obese, inactivity are contributing factors to CVD. People from South Asian and an African or Caribbean background, CVD is more common, as these people are likely to have other risk factors for CVD, like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
The free events (no booking required) will take place the following days:
- Wednesday 10 November, 11am to 3pm, Central Hall, Keighley, BD21 3JD
- Tuesday 16 November, 9am to 3pm, Highfield Community Association, BD21 2QG
- Wednesday 17 November, 10am to 4pm, Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley, BD21 3QQ
- Thursday 18 November, 10am to 4pm, The Broadway Bradford, BD1 1JR
- Thursday 18 November, 11am to 3pm, Sue Belcher Centre, Bracken Bank, BD22 7AE
- Tuesday 23 November, 11am to 3pm, Keighley Asian Women & Children’s Centre, BD21 3HU
