World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10th October.

This year's theme set by the World Federation of Mental Health is “it’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”.

The theme highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities.

Find out more about how you can get involved:

Mental Health Foundation: World Mental Health Day 2024

Health Literacy is being able to find, read and understand information that affects our health.  People with lower Health Literacy levels are more likely to experience other disadvantages, like poor housing or employment.  They are less likely to look for help, get an early diagnosis or have good conversations with professionals so it’s harder for them to stay healthy.  In County Durham, 45.21% of people aged 16-64 have a reading age that falls below 9-11 years, so we know this is a big problem.

Lots of things affect our health and wellbeing - physical and mental health conditions, relationships, jobs, housing, money, education and skills, our surroundings and things that happen nationally can all play a part.  And improving Health Literacy isn’t just about supporting individuals to read and understand information better (although that is important).  Organisations and services can take simple actions to make their information easier to understand. 

Research has shown that providing well-written information can be effective in reducing health inequalities.  Some top tips:

• Only include what’s needed.
• Present information in a logical order.
• Use short, everyday words (3 beats or less, no jargon)
• Use short sentences (15 words or less).
• Stick to 1 idea per sentence.
• Use short paragraphs (up to 4 sentences long).
• Use the active voice.
• Use pictures to help explain.
• Aim for a reading age of 9-11, or a Flesch Kincaid score of 70-80 Readability Test — The First Word.

Co-producing information is a great way to reflect different voices and help us understand the barriers people may face to receiving and understanding information. The County Durham Together Partnership has produced a co-production toolkit which you can find on the County Durham Partnership website here.

Please also see the North East and North Cumbria NHS Health Literacy team’s free training and resources here.  If you’d like a conversation about Health Literacy and how it supports County Durham’s Approach to Wellbeing, please email hannah.murray-leslie@durham.gov.uk

There is now a new way for the public to access crisis mental health support by calling NHS 111 and selecting option 2 for mental health support.

This service is for people of all ages including children and young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis and continues to be provided by our two mental trusts - Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).

The use of the 111 number for the whole of the region will make it simpler for people to find the right mental health support, including crisis support, and will in due course replace the multiple freephone lines which are in use now.

The existing local freephone crisis service numbers will remain in place for some time so that anyone calling the old numbers can still access the support they need.

There is a phased programme of communications planned with service users and the public to raise awareness of the NHS 111 select mental health option but this won't start straight away to allow time for the service to 'bed-in'. You can find out more by reading our FAQS on our website
 
Being able to access crisis mental health support via 111  is part of the NHS Long Term Plan for urgent and emergency care services.

Durham County Carers Support have been commissioned by Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council to run a project offering advice, information and support around hospital discharge, working across health and social care teams at University Hospital North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital,  Sedgefield Community Hospital, Richardson Community Hospital (Barnard Castle) and Bishop Auckland Hospital.

The aim is to identify unpaid Carers much earlier and to improve support for them before, during and after the person they care for is discharged.

Carers will be given one to one support from one of their specialist Hospital Discharge Team members for up to four weeks, and after that by the wider DCCS team.

Flu and COVID-19 can be a very unpleasant illnesses making people unwell in winter, and for many, particularly those with certain health conditions, these diseases can be very dangerous and life threatening.

The best way to protect yourself and those around you is to get vaccinated this winter.

The NHS offers free vaccinations for flu, COVID and this year the NHS is rolling out a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms; however, it can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

Vaccines are offered to eligible cohorts; in County Durham, your GP should contact you about your flu, Covid and RSV vaccines. You may also be able to get vaccinated at your local pharmacy, and some workplaces offer vaccines on their occupational health programme.

Foundation of Light are looking for volunteers to help support their Wear Together programme in Dawdon and Stanley. The aim of the programme is to increase levels of physical activity and reduce loneliness among the over 55’s population through weekly sessions.

The sessions include a coffee and catch up alongside a mixture of games including bingo, quizzes and dominos. This is followed by an hour of physical activity such as Pickleball, table tennis and more.

Volunteer roles include:

• Supporting Foundation of Light staff in setting up and taking down of sessions.
• Assisting and supporting the delivery of the sessions alongside a Foundation of Light staff member.
• Be-friending and supporting participants throughout the session.
• Creating awareness of sessions and supporting with participant recruitment.
• Taking registers and supporting with paperwork.

For more information please contact:

Jade Gilbertson – Health and Wellbeing Manager

Jade.Gilbertson@foundationoflight.co.uk

or visit the Foundation of Light website for more details

Cycle September 2024 takes place between 1st September and 30th September, offering a whole month to enjoy and promote the benefits of cycling. It is a fun, free, and friendly challenge that is open to riders of all levels. Whether you’re just getting back on a bike or you’re an avid commuter, everyone is invited!

The challenge is operated by Love to Ride who aim to get more people riding bikes, more often.

Love to Ride can help you unlock the joys of riding a bike and help you reach your personal health and carbon reduction goals.

You can ride solo or compete with your workplace. By riding and encouraging others you can earn points to help your workplace climb the leaderboard. You earn one point for each mile you ride, ten points for each day, and up to 100 points for encouraging someone new to take part.

Find out more: https://www.lovetoride.net/uk

National Fitness Day is an annual campaign by ukactive that highlights the role physical activity plays across the UK, helping to raise awareness of its importance in assisting us to lead healthier lifestyles.

Durham County Council Wellbeing Sport and Leisure Services are offering a range of free and discounted activities across their centres, plus a free seven day pass when you register between Monday 16 and Sunday 22 September (terms and conditions apply).

They are also hosting a variety of activities including Couch to 5K, ten pin bowling sessions, soft play sessions and more.

Full details: Durham County Council: National Fitness Day

Wellbeing for Life offer an Eatwise programme with weight management group sessions delivered online or in person in the community.

County Durham man Carl Senior has recently benefited from the programme losing 1.5 stone in weight and feeling the benefits in his physical and mental wellbeing.

Healthcare Assistant Carl has multiple health issues; he lives with Dyspraxia and Dyslexia which makes mixing with groups outside his social circle quite a challenge so initially he attended his sessions on a one-to-one basis with Practitioner Kevin Howe.

With the support of Kevin, Carl progressed to attending group exercise sessions and said:

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. Some days when I really didn’t want to get out of bed and go to the sessions, I did. I stayed disciplined and I felt better for it. It you want something to change, the support is there for you, you just have to engage and commit.”

Lindsey Wood, Wellbeing for Life Manager said:

“Eatwise is a free eight-week healthy eating programme. Each session includes a variety of subjects which support clients to make healthy lifestyle changes. These could include long term lifestyle change, Eatwell guide and portion control, understanding fats, sugars and salts, food labelling, savvy shopping, physical activity and fluids. Clients work each week with a Wellbeing for Life Practitioner, are weighed (if they’re comfortable with that), review their food diary and discuss practical and individually tailored advice and support - they’re encouraged all the way.”

For more information about the Wellbeing for Life Eatwise programme visit Wellbeing for Life Weight Management and Healthy Eating, email cdda-tr.WBFL@nhs.net or call 0800 8766 887

Photograph: Wellbeing for Life

World Alzheimer’s Month runs throughout September and September 21^st is World Alzheimer’s Day. The event has been running since 2012.

The awareness campaign aims to educate the public, support caregivers, and advocate for better understanding and treatment of Alzheimer's. It also seeks to eradicate the stigma around Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.

Globally, dementia is one of the biggest challenges we face, with nearly 50 million people living with dementia worldwide. To tackle this international dementia challenge, we need to work together and share best practice with one another.

Alzheimer's Society has committed to work with partners on global research and campaigning, as well as sharing our learning, best practice and experience with one another. 

There are many ways to get involved:

World Alzheimer's Month | Alzheimer's Society (alzheimers.org.uk)

World Alzheimer’s Month - Dementia UK

Memory Walk is a series of sponsored walks held in   September and October across the UK. It's free to sign up and open to all. Every year, thousands of incredible people come together to walk for a future where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Join the Alzheimer’s Society in autumn 2024 and take on your own Memory Walk at a time that suits you.  You choose the location, the route and who you walk with. Every step you take helps provide vital dementia support for those who need it most.

Put your best foot forward and register now.  Contact an advisor to get started.:

Claire Burnley  claire.burnley@alzheimers.org.uk or         Sue Burbage  sue.burbage@alzheimers.org.uk

Located in Durham City, ARCH Recovery College runs face-to-face educational courses and workshops for adults that live in County Durham and need support with their mental health. It also helps carers, and our colleagues understand mental health, recovery skills and wellbeing.

As well as indoor sessions, they run outdoor activities within the local community, including weekly walking groups, mindfulness groups, mindful photography walks and lots more.

They’re hosting an open day on Wednesday 25 September which will be split into two sessions:

• Morning from 9.30am to 12 noon for TEWV colleagues and other health professionals
• Afternoon from 1.00pm to 3.30pm for adult patients that live in County Durham

It will take place at ARCH Recovery College, St Margaret’s Health Centre, Crossgate, Durham, DH1 4DS and there’s free car parking available.

If you’d like to know more, please email TEWV.recoverycollege@nhs.net or call 0191 451 0890.

Join us for our next meeting on Thursday 26th September from 1.00 - 3.30pm at Dean Bank and Ferryhill Literary Institute where we will be joined by Home Group to hear about their community growing projects across County Durham; what they do and how it benefits the people they work with.

We will visit one of their community gardens nearby and pick some seasonal produce to bring back and cook with.

As always there will be plenty of opportunities to network, make connections and share experiences.

Each year the Macmillan Coffee Morning brings people from across the UK together to share delicious food and drink, and to raise money to support people living with cancer. 

This year it takes place on Friday 27th September; however you can host any time of the year, whenever suits you best.

There is lots of information on the Macmillan website including how to host an event, resources, and events near you.

Stoptober is back this October to encourage and support smokers to quit for good. Now in its 13^th year, the annual public health campaign aims to empower people to give up smoking during October by equipping them with the tools and confidence they need to go smoke free. Since it first launched in 2012, Stoptober has helped over 2.5 million people make a quit smoking attempt. 

Despite smoking rates declining overall, around 1 in 5 adults in County Durham still smoke, and smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness in England.

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. If you would like support to quit please contact Smokefree County Durham which provides a free, flexible stop smoking service to people who live or work in County Durham.

Phone:  0800 772 0565

Email: smokefreelife.countydurham@nhs.net

Website: https://www.smokefreecountydurham.co.uk/ 

You can also visit Better Health Quit smoking - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk) to find out more about what support is available or the Department of Health and Social Care to download resources https://campaignresources.dhsc.gov.uk/campaigns/stoptober-2024/ .

This is a unique opportunity for health and wellbeing professionals to discover what is on offer at Castle Eden Dene, how it links to the Moving Together Peterlee project and to network with other health and wellbeing professionals. 

This in-person event on Thursday 10th October from 9.30am - 12.00noon will be held at the Castle Eden Dene. You will have the chance to try mindfulness and forest crafts as well as make new connections, and explore opportunities to promote greener living and improved wellbeing to your clients.

Book your place: Eventbrite - Moving Together Peterlee at Castle Eden Dene

Pioneering Care Partnership's Together 21 service have launched their latest training calendar:

• Introduction to Down Syndrome course for early years professionals: Friday 4th October 1pm to 3pm £30 per person.
• Makaton Level 1: Wednesday 23rd October 9am to 3.30pm £70 per person (includes book and certificate).
• Makaton Level 2: Wednesday 22nd January 2025 9am to 3.30pm £70 per person (includes book and certificate).
•  

All courses take place at the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe.

To find out more or to book a place, contact maggie.hart@pcp.uk.net

Photograph: Pioneering Care Partnership

RSACC is a women-led charity working to end rape and sexual violence by supporting and empowering survivors across Darlington and County Durham.  Founded over 35 years ago we are accredited members of Rape Crisis England and Wales and support around 1000 survivors each year.  We offer free, safe, confidential counselling, specialist ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisors) services for survivors navigating the criminal justice system, telephone and email emotional support and peer support groups.  

The trauma of sexual violence can have devastating impacts on survivors, affecting physical and emotional health and wellbeing.  Some people live with symptoms for many years before seeking support.  We are here for all survivors of sexual violence, no matter when the incident occurred.  To make a referral, please call our office on: 01325 354 119.  More information and support is available at: www.rsacc-thecentre.org.uk

We have also designed a range of CPD Certified training courses to equip professionals with skills and knowledge to improve their response to survivors, create safe spaces for disclosures, and improve staff wellbeing within organisations.  Our half-day courses are specifically created for a variety of professionals supporting people who have experienced sexual violence. You can find out more by contacting training@rsacc-thecentre.org.uk

We're all affected by loneliness at times in our lives. We can feel lonely in a busy city or rural location, on social media or spending time on our own or with others. There can be many reasons for our loneliness – and sometimes there is no obvious cause and it's just how we feel.

Admitting we feel lonely can often be hard but it’s important to remember that lots of people experience similar feelings of loneliness, and that they can pass. Understanding our own reasons for feeling lonely can help identify and manage these feelings.

Find out about possible signs of loneliness, reasons we feel lonely and ways to manage it. There are also links to more support if you or someone else needs it.

This Girl Can has developed two guides for those who provide and promote experiences for women in natural spaces.

Let's Get Out There is a guide to making outdoor activities more inclusive for women, featuring campaign templates and materials to help promote activities, as well as highlighting some of the organisations who are creating opportunities for women to get outside and enjoy the benefits. 

Cultural Guidance and Understanding aims to provide a better understanding of women from diverse cultural backgrounds in the community from a cultural and faith perspective.

The guides are accompanied by a webinar that features some of the projects that are already successfully engaging culturally diverse communities.

Toolkit : Lets Get Out There Toolkit (sportengland-production-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com)