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OUR NEWS Neighbourhood Watch newsletter – December 2022 EDITION
OUR NEWS – Neighbourhood Watch national newsletter for England and Wales
Click here to open the newsletter
Welcome to our December OUR NEWS – the final newsletter for 2022. Yes, we hear you… it is not December just yet… but we wanted to get this to you in good time.
We know that everyone is under increasing financial pressure at the moment, which is why this edition highlights how to stay more protected this season whilst shopping online.
We are also pleased to bring you a selection of discounts from our corporate partners on a variety of door locks and cyber protection software, along with a 50% discount on Neighbourhood Watch branded tote bags and pin badges – ideal gifts for Coordinators. Please note that we do not want to increase pressure to purchase items but to ease the financial pressure on you.
If you are impacted by the cost of living and need some extra support, be that in financial support, money-saving tips; steps to avoid becoming a victim of crime, or support to help reduce loneliness and isolation, please visit our dedicated cost-of-living support pages on our website. The link is in the newsletter.
Follow us.. ourwatch.org.uk / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn
Neighbourhoood Watch Network is a charity registered in England & Wales, CIO no: 1173349
VSI Alliance Update 25 November 2022
VSI Alliance News & Events
Newsflash from the Voluntary Sector Infrastructure (VSI) Alliance team
Read the latest updates from the VSI alliance. You will find information on local events and available training, job opportunities and volunteering options. The newsletter also highlights current campaigns and consultations.
About VSI Alliance:
All staff at the VSI Alliance are available remotely to support you and your organisation at this time with various aspects of your work, along with providing key information and resources. For support/advice, please contact info@vsialliance.org.uk, or visit www.vsialliance.org.uk for more contact details.
Take antibiotics seriously this World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
[ Excerpt – read full article here ] 
The NHS in West Yorkshire will be joining health organisations around the world to raise awareness of the global problem of antibiotic resistance and to encourage people to pledge to tackle it.
According to the World Health Organisation, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global health. Drug-resistant infections killed 1.25 million people in the world in 2019, including 141,000 patients in high income countries like the UK. This is estimated to rise to 10 million deaths per year by 2050 if we don’t act now.
Antibiotics kill bacteria or prevent them from spreading, but because bacteria are adapting to survive them, these medicines are becoming less effective. If antibiotics stop working to treat infections, this might stop us from carrying out common healthcare activities such as doing major operations or giving cancer treatments where infections are common, and we need effective antibiotics to prevent them. We may see more premature babies, children and adults on intensive care dying from infections.
That’s why healthcare professionals across the region are supporting Seriously Resistant (www.seriouslyresistant.com), a campaign originally developed in Leeds that aims to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance and educate people how they can help to keep antibiotics working.
“You can pledge to make better use of antibiotics and help save these vital medicines from becoming obsolete by becoming an Antibiotic Guardian – antibioticguardian.com/”
“To find out what you, your family and friends can do to help tackle antibiotic resistance and to help keep antibiotics working, please also visit www.seriouslyresistant.com”
Vaccination chief urges people to get boosted as West Yorkshire hits the half million milestone
The leader of the West Yorkshire Vaccination Programme has rolled up his sleeves to encourage people to get their autumn booster as soon as possible.
Dr James Thomas, Medical Director for the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and practising GP, celebrated the rollout passing the half million milestone this week by getting his own top-up dose.
Just over a million people in West Yorkshire are eligible for the vital top-up jab, and over half of these have now been vaccinated. With COVID, flu and other respiratory illnesses in circulation and infection rates on the rise, Dr Thomas is urging everyone who is eligible to get their booster now to ensure maximum protection throughout the winter and festive period.
Dr Thomas said: “I am so grateful to our vaccination teams in West Yorkshire for all they are doing to get people protected ahead of what we know will be a hugely challenging winter. NHS staff and GP and pharmacy colleagues have been working flat out to protect those most susceptible to serious illness from both COVID and flu and delivered over 120,000 boosters a week during October, which is a fantastic achievement
.
“As we head into the winter months and busy festive season, the booster offers important protection and peace of mind for those at greatest risk and their loved ones, so if you are eligible for the booster and yet to come forward, I strongly urge you to roll up your sleeves and get the jab done!”
Everyone aged 50 and over, or who has a condition that puts them at greater risk from COVID-19 is eligible for the vital top-up jab to keep their immunity as high as possible this winter. This includes people with weakened immune systems, learning disabilities and pregnant women. Frontline health and care workers and unpaid carers are also eligible and being urged to protect themselves and those they care for by getting their booster and flu jabs.
Anyone eligible can book an appointment on the National Booking Service at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119 free of charge. The West Yorkshire programme is also running a large number of walk-in and pop up clinics in local communities to make it as easy as possible for people to get their booster. People can search for clinics near them at www.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Public Health Lead for the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said: “It is great that so many people have already made the smart choice to get their booster. We know that with winter comes both increased infection levels and also increased socialising indoors where viruses spread more easily. The increase in COVID infections is very concerning and latest data the UK Health Security Agency shows that flu infection rates are also on the rise so I would urge everyone who is eligible to get both their booster and their flu jab to keep them safe this winter.
A Visit to Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve with Active Calderdale
For those who don’t know where Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve is or want to know exactly what to expect before visiting, Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group, working with Active Calderdale and Accessible Calderdale Access Forum have created two self-guided walking booklets and a video.
Accessible to all
Maintained by a group of committed volunteers, the 74-acre site is home to flower meadows, dry and wet woodland, a lagoon, ponds and numerous bird viewing areas. It’s also one of the most accessible nature reserves in the area and almost the whole site can be accessed by wheelchair.
Which route will you take? Plan your visit now!
Dedicated to Conservation
Cromwell Bottom Wildlife Group is dedicated to the conservation and development of this important site. They are keen to work with local organisations, such as Active Calderdale, to collaborate and access funding that can unlock the reserve’s true potential for the benefit of the whole community.
What’s on Offer
The reserve is an ideal place to relax and take in the beauty of nature. There is free onsite parking, visitor’s centre (opening times Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays 9:30am-4pm), toilet and baby changing facilities, including an accessible toilet (only open when the visitors’ centre is open), among other things.
You can find all of this here:
A Visit to Cromwell Bottom | Active Calderdale
Access the new self-guided walk booklets and the video here:
Self-guided Walk Booklet Accessible Routes_FINAL.pdf (calderdale.gov.uk)
Self-guided Walk Booklet WEB.pdf (calderdale.gov.uk)
12 Days of Giving : Movement for Good 2022
12 days of giving is the last phase of Movement for Good’s 2022 programme!
For 12 days in December Movement for Good will be drawing 10 charities per working day to receive £1000.
The first draw will be taking place on the 1st December and the last draw will be on the 16th December.
For a chance to receive £1000 pound, nominate your charity using this link: https://movementforgood.com/
If you would like to nominate North Halifax Partnership, you could follow the link on the card below!
Would you like to be featured on The Yorkshire Auction House?
Are you moving house, clearing house or downsizing? How would you like to see yourself on television and possibly make some money for it?
STV Studios, the makers of The Yorkshire Auction House TV Series are currently working on a new series of the show and are looking for people who are downsizing, moving, or have a house to clear, and are happy to be filmed for the new series.
The team are particularly keen to have applicants from Calderdale. There is every chance that the next series will feature familiar locations and why not, familiar faces!
You could discover that some of the items you’ve held onto for years have value and they could be featured in auctions, earning you some cash!
Filming for the next series will be up until early February and there is the possibility of another series later on next year so any participants that get in touch that don’t get to film with for this series could always have their details carried over for the next series.
Ideally they are looking for people hoping to clear house in the next couple of months. Any items that are identified as valuable will be carefully packed by the STV team to be given to auction.
Whatever your situation, they’d love to hear from you!
Anyone who would like to apply can contact the team via:
e : takepart@theauctionhouse.tv
t : 07816084062
More information :
Pre and Postnatal exercise programmes and more online resources
From Couch to Fitness and gentle exercise routines for pregnant women or women who have just given birth, here are some useful links for new and expecting mothers as well as anyone who may wish to move more and increase their levels of physical activity.
- Link to the Sport England press release: https://www.sportengland.org/news/pre-and-postnatal-exercise-programmes-launched
- Link to the free online courses: https://couchtofitness.com/?ref=betterhealth
Together we Can campaign to help the NHS
West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (WY HCP) is set to once again run ‘Together We Can’ this winter. The campaign helps people access health and care services at the right time and place.
The campaign also encourages people to choose well and to opt for convenient self-care, where safe to do so during the winter months.
Ruth Buchan, Chief Executive Officer for Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire, said: ”As health services will be extremely busy this winter, we’re asking for everyone to play their part and to be better prepared during the cold and flu season. You can protect yourself and each other by having a flu jab and seeking advice for minor health concerns from your community pharmacy if needed. Our trained healthcare staff can help you choose over counter medicines and offer a range of clinical services too”.
The campaign has an easy to navigate website [togetherwe-can.com]. Here you will find help and advice and tips for keeping well this winter, as well as other useful information on how to stay healthy.
Dr Adam Sheppard, a Wakefield GP and Chair of West Yorkshire Urgent and Emergency Care Programme Board said: “Health and care services are here to help. During winter and times of significant pressure on local services, we still encourage the public to come forward and not to delay if they need help or are concerned about their health, but we want to ensure they’re using the right services and they know when to go to a pharmacy, use NHS 111 or their GP practice. You can save time by ordering prescriptions and seeking medical advice online by downloading the NHS App. Find out all you need to know this winter by visiting togetherwe-can.com”
Together we can choose well this winter. Together we can make a real difference so please:
- Access online services. You can book appointments or order repeat prescriptions through the NHS App. Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you need urgent medical help 24/7 and can’t access the internet.
- Remember GP practices are here to help and will ensure you get the right care appropriate for your needs.
- Have your flu and COVID-19 vaccines. If you’re over 50, pregnant or have a long-term medical condition, get your free jabs.
- Take good care this winter there’s lots you can do to stay well and protect yourselves and others around you this winter.
- Visit your local community pharmacy for medical advice and treatments for things like colds, tummy troubles, rashes, and pains.
- A range of urgent care services are available to ensure people can access the right care for their needs. This ensures Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) are freed up to treat those that need it most including emergencies, those with serious injuries and life-threatening situations like heart attacks.
- Don’t wait until you are in mental health crisis. There’s a wide range of support and resources available for everyone, including a 24/7 free phone line. Visit togetherwe-can.com/mental-health
- We can all spread the kindness this winter by looking out for each other and our neighbours. Visit: ourneighbours.org.uk
Calderdale Lower Valley Friday Flyer 18 November 2022 – OUT NOW!!
Click here to view this week’s Friday Flyer
This week:
- Christmas Events section is open!
- Annual Faith Celebration Thursday, 24th November 2022 at Halifax Town Hall
- Bertie’s Top Tips for a warmer, healthier home – Calderdale Council
- *CALL TO ACTION* VSI Alliance VCSE Winter Directory 2022/23
Have a great weekend!
If you’re on our mailing list the Friday Flyer will arrive direct to your inbox every Friday. Join the mailing list by emailing team@calderdalelowervalley.com
You can also contact us on 01422 252 029
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