Are you interested in the VCSE Partnership Programme and wondering how to get involved? Do you want to understand the role of the Integrated Care System (ICS) and the health and care developments in our region?

Join VONNE's bi-monthly introductory session, where we break down these key topics and explain how the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector plays a part in shaping healthcare changes.

This session is designed to provide a clear overview of the ICS and the VCSE Partnership Programme. It’s also a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have and explore ways to get involved - whether that’s by subscribing to regular bulletins, joining the VCSE Partnership Forum, or taking part in our VCSE Sub-Group meetings.

The next session takes place on Monday, 16th December from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Register to attend on the VONNE website

Half of work-related ill health is down to stress, depression or anxiety.

There are three main reasons employers should look to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health; it’s the law, it’s good for business and it’s the right thing to do.

Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, the law requires all employers to prevent work related stress to support good mental health in the workplace. Failing to manage stress at work can cost employers in reduced productivity, sickness absence, or even losing a valued member of the team.

The Working Minds campaign brings together a range of tools and support to help businesses and workers understand the best ways to prevent work related stress and encourage good mental health.

Find out more about the Working Minds campaign

As a leading cause of death and disability in England, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is linked to health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, with over 80% of cases being preventable.

To reduce instances of CVD and other related health conditions, the Department of Health and Social Care is bringing local authorities and employers together to provide free Health MOTs to employees. The County Durham service, commissioned by Durham County Council and delivered in partnership by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) and the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), is available for staff aged between 18 and 64 at their place of work.

Each Health MOT will include a chat with a Workplace Health Check Practitioner where employees will be offered a blood pressure check, diabetes risk score and healthy weight conversation, pulse check and the chance to discuss long-term healthy lifestyle changes.

The Workplace Health MOTs team are delivering the programme across County Durham, and from Tuesday 5 November eligible employees at Gestamp in Newton Aycliffe will be the first to take part.

If you are a County Durham based business, the Workplace Health MOTs team can visit your workplace and support your staff to live well for longer.  For more information about the service or to chat about requirements for your business, contact 0800 8766 887 or email cddft.healthchecks@nhs.net

Photograph: Pioneering Care Partnership

This year, Carers Rights Day is on Thursday 21st November and the theme is recognising your rights.

Carers Rights Day is about raising awareness of the rights the UK’s 5.7 million unpaid carers are entitled to, and to help them get the support they need.

To celebrate the day, Advice in County Durham partners are running two online sessions outlining the services offered for all carers within County Durham:

• Recognising Carers Making Every Contact Count delivered by Durham County Carers Support Thursday 21st November 10.00 - 11.30am
• Young Carers Awareness Session delivered by Family Action Bridge Young Carers Service Tuesday 26th November 10.00 - 11.00am.

Book your place on the Advice in County Durham website

Durham County Carers Support are also running a series of events in Spennymoor, Consett, Barnard Castle, Crook, Dalton Park, Darlington and Chester le Street.

Full details: Durham County Carers Support Groups and Events

The Together 21 service are hosting their Makaton Level 2 course in January.

The course will take place on Wednesday 22 January 2025 from 9.00am to 3.30pm, at the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe.

The cost of the course is £70 per person, which includes book and certificate.

Please email maggie.hart@pcp.uk.net for any enquiries and to book a place.

Photograph: Pioneering Care Partnership

Wellbeing for Life courses are designed to support you with your awareness in topics that can improve your mental and physical health and range from short 60-minute toolbox sessions to 90-minute workshops or 3-day accredited courses.

You might be interested in learning more about mental health, being resilient or want to know how to better manage diabetes - you can find more about our training at www.wellbeingforlife.net/#/allsessions

For more information contact the team on cdda-tr.CBS@nhs.net or call 0800 8766 887.

What do you want to see available?

To meet the changing needs of the local communities the team are conducting a survey to determine when, where and what you would like to have available - take a few minutes to complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WBFLpmtraining

Photograph: Pioneering Care Partnership

World Diabetes Day is an internationally recognised event that was established by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization to address the rising concerns about diabetes. It focuses on raising awareness about diabetes, its risk factors, and the importance of early diagnosis and effective management.

Participating in World Diabetes Day on Thursday 14th November allows individuals to contribute to diabetes awareness and support those affected by the condition. Here are ways to get involved:

• Wear Blue: The official colour of diabetes awareness is blue. Wear blue clothing or accessories to show your support.
• Share Information: Educate others about diabetes, its risk factors, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
• Get Tested: If you are at risk for diabetes, consider getting tested for early detection and intervention.
• Support Diabetes Charities: Contribute to organizations that fund diabetes research, education, and patient support programs.
• Advocate for Diabetes Care: Advocate for policies and healthcare improvements that enhance diabetes care and accessibility.
• Organise Awareness Events: Host or participate in events, workshops, or seminars that raise awareness about diabetes in your community.

Learn more here - https://worlddiabetesday.org/

Movember 2024, also known as Men’s Health Awareness Month, is an annual global campaign that encourages men to grow mustaches and participate in various activities to raise awareness about men’s health issues.

Movember originated in Australia in 2003 when a group of friends decided to grow moustaches to raise awareness about prostate cancer and depression in men. It has since evolved into a global movement with millions of participants and supporters. Movember has funded numerous men’s health projects and initiatives and has become a symbol of solidarity and awareness.

This month-long event focuses on promoting physical and mental well-being among men, addressing issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health challenges, and suicide prevention.

It aims to challenge the stigma around men’s health issues, spark conversations, and promote early detection and intervention.

Movember provides a platform for men to discuss their health openly, seek support, and take proactive steps towards a healthier and happier life.

Find out more: https://uk.movember.com/

The transformative project for the community includes two extensions and was officially opened by Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Mrs. Sue Snowden and Alan Strickland MP Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor who attended the launch event on Friday 18 October.

The first includes a new hydrotherapy pool and changing facilities, replacing the old pool that was struggling to meet demand. The new pool has doubled in size to support a growing demand for hydrotherapy, with more appointments available.

PCP’s Options service for adults with learning and physical disabilities has benefitted from investment, with a much-needed extension and kitchenette, providing members with more space to learn, thrive and develop key day-to-day living skills.

Hydrotherapy Pool bookings are now open - call 01325 321234, visit the Pioneering Care Centre reception or visit the online booking system here: https://www.pcp.uk.net/booking 

Read more about the launch here: https://www.pcp.uk.net/post/health-and-wellbeing-charity-the-pioneering-care-partnership-pcp-has-launched-its-long-awaited-re 

Photograph: Pioneering Care Partnership

Hoarding is a condition where someone struggles to throw away their possessions, leading to homes becoming cluttered and unusable.

Hoarding Disorder often brings emotional distress and can also be a major health risk to people living at an affected property.

Durham County Council’s Breakthrough Service offers support to vulnerable adults dealing with hoarding behaviours whilst empowering them to improve their wellbeing and create safer and healthier homes.

The service is targeted towards people who self-neglect and hoard to a severe or extreme level and offers a therapeutic focus which is person centred and utilises trauma informed care approaches.

County Durham residents aged 18 and over who are registered with a GP and have significant issues with self-neglect and hoarding behaviours can be referred to Breakthrough Service by their social worker.

Breakthrough work closely with the NHS, GP practices, housing providers, environmental health, emergency services and bereavement charities. Individuals are supported to increase their confidence and manage anxiety; take part in decluttering activities; develop a daily routine and improve their socialisation.

A single point of contact has been established for referrers. To make a referral into Breakthrough Service please contact 03000 269 071 or email breakthrough@durham.gov.uk

The Chatty Café Scheme tackles loneliness and social isolation by facilitating face to face meet ups for customers who want to get together and chat at a ‘Chatter and Natter’ table.

Some venues have Chatty Table Volunteers to host the table.

Cafes,and community venues that have a café on site, can register with the scheme to promote their Chatty Table (there is a small annual subscription fee for this). They are then sent a pack to get started including Chatter & Natter table signs, leaflets and window stickers and offered support to find a Chatty Table volunteer if required.

County Durham has venues involved in the scheme including Lanchester Community Centre, St Nic’s Café in Durham and The Well in Bishop Auckland. Find a Chatty table here - Find a Chatty table – Chatty Cafe Scheme UK

Website: Chatty Cafe Scheme UK – Chatty Cafe Scheme UK

Durham County Council want to better understand peoples’ experience with the Healthy Start scheme in County Durham so that more people gain from its benefits.

You may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk, as well as vitamins, if you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child aged under 4 and are on certain benefits or under 18 years old.

If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. This will be topped up every 4 weeks. You can use your card to buy:

• plain liquid cow's milk
• fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables • fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
• infant formula milk based on cow's milk

You can also use your card to collect:

• Healthy Start vitamins - these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Vitamin drops for babies and young children that are suitable from birth to 4 years old.

Complete the Healthy Start Scheme survey her

The survey closes on Friday 22nd November.

LGBT Foundation have recently released their 2024 pride in practice patient survey. This survey aims to capture data on patient experiences in primary care, be that at GP practices, dental practices, pharmacies or optometry services.

The responses to this survey will be used to support the LGBT Foundation in improving awareness of the experiences LGBTQ+ patients have when using primary care services. The data that is collected may then be used to:

• increase awareness of t LGBTQ+ patient experiences in primary care services
• inform and improve the training provided by LGBT Foundation’s Pride in Practice team to primary care services
• feature in our written reports that promote the ongoing need to improve service provision for LGBTQ+ patients in primary care.

Any data shared by the LGBT Foundation for these purposes will be anonymised.

The survey is available at:  https://form.jotform.com/242603515677358 and for information on Price in Practice: Pride in Practice - LGBT Foundation

For further questions email: pip@lgbt.foundation

Members of the public, health and care staff, and organisations across all sectors - including VCSEs - are being asked to help shape the government's plan to reform the NHS through the Change NHS consultation. 

This follows the publication in September of Lord Darzi's independent investigation of the NHS.

It's the biggest ever conversation about the future of the NHS in England and the responses to this consultation will help to shape the government’s 10-year health plan, which will be published in spring 2025. It will be underlined by three big shifts in health care: hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.

There are various opportunities to feedback during November, including sharing initial thoughts on ways to improve, and different online surveys to share experiences as organisations, members of the public or NHS workforce, as well as for sharing your ideas for change.

A blog gives more information and context about the consultation for the VCSE sector, and all the links to the various ways you can contribute. Read the blog.

Additionally, beyond these national surveys, there will be further regional engagement opportunities. The Change NHS website provides details on how Integrated Care Systems (ICS) will organise events and gather both local and regional feedback. The VCSE Partnership Programme team is in touch with Integrated Care Board (ICB) colleagues about their regional plans, and we'll share engagement opportunities across our network as they emerge. We really hope that this is an opportunity to be part of a genuine national, regional and local conversation about how we can improve our NHS. We would encourage everyone across our regional VCSE sector interested in the future of health and care to get involved when, where and how you can.