Diabetes poses one of the major health risks in the region according to Stephen Ryan, Head of North England for Diabetes UK. Diabetes can lead to very serious health situations including leg amputations and blindness yet many people are unaware of dangers or the distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Sean Munnelly, a Burngreave man who came close to suicide after suffering from depression and anxiety, has spoken of the value of the neighbourhood cafés project run by Sheffield Mind and community partners. Munnelly, who lost his house and job after a relationship breakdown but has since recovered, is encouraging people who are feeling low or isolated to visit one of the three Springboard cafés. The drop-in centres run at Manor Library, St Mary’s Community Centre and the Learning Zone in Parsons Cross, providing a place to meet and talk with others and offering confidential support to help on the road to recovery. There is also a women-only Springboard café in Burngreave. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Sean Munnelly about his experience.
Further information is available from:
http://www.sheffieldmind.co.uk/services/social-cafes
or by calling 0114 2584489
Sheffield based charity The Children’s Food Trust, have published their first State of the Nation report, with sugar-related obesity presenting one of the most challenging health risks for children today. Earlier this year the Government released their long awaited obesity strategy which included a planned tax on sugary drinks and a programme to cut sugar in products popular with children. The charity’s report highlights the enormity of the task facing parents to get children eating healthily, with many saying they believe their child has too much sugar in their everyday diet. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Claire Rick of The Children’s Food Trust.
Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are encouraging patients with minor illnesses to make more use of community pharmacists as part of a week long self care campaign. Sheffield CCG are advising patients to seek out the expert advice and treatment on offer at their local pharmacy for common illnesses such as aches and pains, colds and flu, itchy skin conditions and simple eye infections. Many local pharmacists are now offering private consultation areas and no appointment is needed. Sheffield Live! report Baillor Jalloh spoke to Sheffield GP, David St John Livesey.
Anyone found producing or supplying psychoactive substances, otherwise known as legal highs, now face up to seven years in prison under new legislation introduced this week.
Wellbing Festival 2013 Flyer (click to download pdf)
Sheffield Wellbeing Festival – part of the Sheffield Mental Health Week Initiative – is back for its fifth year.
Friday 26th July will see Fargate filled with stalls, activities, games and even a film screening. Two months ahead of World Mental Health Day, organisations and charities from across the city will join in a celebration of wellbeing.
The Festival will also promote the steps we can all take to enhance and safeguard our own mental health and wellbeing – “just as important as getting your 5-a-day,” according to co-ordinator Sara Hill.
Sara spoke on today’s Communities Live show on Sheffield Live, telling presenter Dale Le Fevre that, “one in four of us will experience a mental health problem at some point and so the services that support people in those times are vitally important.”
However all too often these services are unsung – hence this Festival.
The festival will see Fargate brimming with stalls from organisations offering information on their services, volunteering opportunities and more.
Free taster sessions for fun, healthy activities that the whole family can enjoy from Zumba to parachute games will be available from 11am, as well as stilt walkers and a free facepainter for the young, and young at heart.
And don’t miss Madame Zucchini who will provide her unique, vegetable-based entertainment in a performance at 3pm.
Sheffield City Council’s Little Library will be offering children’s activities and workshops throughout the day.
Councillor Mary Lea, Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independent Living, said: “We are really pleased to be supporting the Wellbeing Festival and it is important that it is focusing on mental health. For many years people often found it difficult to talk about mental health problems even though it is something that affects many people and impacts greatly on overall health and wellbeing. Thankfully, here in Sheffield there is a lot of support for people – this day really will show how people can get help and show they are not alone. There will be so much going on during the day and anyone can get involved – we hope it is a real success and that many people will benefit.”
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