Welcome to the Health BOCS Update, the monthly update on Health and Wellbeing activities at The Brothers of Charity Services in England.
August Promotion
As part of the Health BOCS, the Brothers of Charity Services’ health and wellbeing programme, throughout August we promoted, Sun Care and BBQ Safety.
Sun Care
We need all some sun exposure. When skin is exposed to the sun, our bodies make vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones.
Do not rely on sun cream alone to protect yourself from the sun. Wear suitable clothing and spend time in the shade when the sun is at its hottest; in the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October. When buying sunscreen, the label should have: a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to protect you against UVB; and at least 4 star UVA protection. Don’t spend any longer in the sun than you would without sunscreen.
The immediate danger of too much sun is sunburn. With repeated sun damage, skin starts to look dry, wrinkled, discoloured and leathery. Although the skin appears to be thicker, it actually has been weakened, and as a result, it will bruise more easily. However, the sun’s most serious threat is that it is the major cause of skin cancer, which is now the most common of all cancers. Doctors believe that most skin cancers can be avoided by preventing sun damage.
Click here to find out more information.
BBC Safety
A BBQ should be a safe and enjoyable but it’s all too easy to be distracted when you have friends and family around whilst cooking. To avoid injuries or damage to property, follow these simple precautions:
General Safety:
- Make sure your barbecue is in good working order.
- Ensure the barbecue is on the flat site, well away from a shed, trees or shrubs.
- Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area.
- Never leave the barbecue unattended.
- Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies.
- Ensure that barbecue is cool before attempting to move it.
- Consult the instructions provided for advice on how to check for gas escapes, e.g. brushing lead detection solution around all joints and looking for bubbles.
- Leave your gas stove, light or heater outside, with a supply of fresh air at all times.
Click here for more information
September Promotion
As part of Health BOCS, the Brothers of Charity Services’ health and wellbeing programme, throughout September we will be promoting: World Alzheimer’s month; Jeans for Genes Day; National Fitness Day and MacMillan Coffee Morning.
World Alzheimer’s Month
World Alzheimer’s Month is the international campaign every September to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia. September 2018 will mark the 7th World Alzheimer’s Month. The campaign was launched in 2012- World Alzheimer’s Day is on 21st September each year.
2 out our every 3 people globally believe there is little or no understanding of dementia in their countries. The impact of World Alzheimer’s Month is growing, but the stigmatisation and misinformation that surrounds dementia remains a global problem that requires global action.
Organisations and individuals everywhere can get involved by supporting the campaign theme and messages during September, and remembering to discuss dementia with family, friends and colleagues.
Click here to find out more.
National Fitness Day
National Fitness Day is a chance to highlight the role physical activity plays across the UK, helping us raise awareness of its importance in helping us lead healthier and active lifestyles.
This day sees a huge range of activity options enjoyed by participants of all ages, such as ‘plank offs’, yoga and Pilates classes, treadmill challenges, high street HIIT classes, dance-offs, mass walks and many more.
National Fitness Day encourages thousands of clubs, parks, leisure centres and gyms across Ukactive’s membership to open their doors to welcome the public to get active. We also encourage schools, workplaces, and communities to get involved by running events and activities to suit their audience on National Fitness Day. Research shows if you exercise in company, you are most likely to stick at it; the social atmosphere creates a positive environment which is important in helping us to have fun.
Click here to find out more
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Every Coffee Morning changes lives. The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 28th September is Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event for people facing cancer. People all over the UK are asked to host their own Coffee Mornings and donations on the day are made to Macmillan. Last year alone we raised over £27 million and together we can make this another successful year.
We understand how cancer can affect people’s whole lives- health, money, family, job; everything. And, after more than 100 years of caring, we understand that the most important thing is to treat people as individuals, not patients.
So we take the time to understand the support people need to live their lives as fully as they can. From the moment of diagnosis and whenever we’re most needed, we’re here to help people their best way through. Our help is totally focused on each individual person, so everyone receives the support that’s best for them.
Click here to find out more.