Welcome to the Health BOCS Update, the monthly update on Health and Wellbeing activities at the Brothers of Charity Services in England.
Click here to view the BOCS Health and Wellbeing Calendar from 2018/2019.
October Promotion
As part of Health BOCS, the Brothers of Charity Services’ health and wellbeing programme, throughout October, we promoted: Breast Cancer Support and Stoptober.
Breast Cancer Support
Breast Cancer Support is an international charity that provides much needed help, support and care to breast cancer patients who cannot afford screening or treatment. Their key objective this October is to raise funds to help save the lives of many. They aim to help breast cancer patients through funding treatment and early detection and intervention through their screening program.
It is very important to remember that men can also be affected by breast cancer; however, it is very rare. Around 350 men are diagnosed with the disease each year in the UK compared with over 55,000 women. However, the earlier breast cancer is found, the better chance of successful treatment, so it’s important to look out for any unusual changes and get them checked by your doctor right away. Around 80 men die from breast cancer in the UK each year.
If you notice any unusual changes to your breast tissue, check them with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will check your symptoms and may refer you for test at a hospital clinic if needed.
To raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness we are had a dress down day on Friday 26th October and all money raised went towards Breast Cancer Care.
Click here for more information.
Stoptober
Stoptober is a Public Health England campaign that challenges smokers to give up cigarettes for 28 days during the month of October. The idea is that after abstaining for this period of time, individuals are five times more likely to quit smoking permanently.
Stopping smoking will make you feel healthier; no matter how long you’ve smoked for, quitting can help improve your health straight away. It will help you to save money; you will have more cash in your pocket! If you smoke a packet a day, you could save around £250 each month. Finally, more importantly it will protect your family; quitting helps protect your loved ones from harmful second hand smoke- reducing their risk of developing asthma, meningitis and some cancers.
Individuals are more likely to stop smoking with the right support and guidance.
Click here to find out more.
November Promotion
As part of Health BOCS, the Brothers of Charity Services’ health and wellbeing programme, throughout November, we will be promoting: Movember; Children in Need; Alcohol Awareness Week and Winter/ Flu Jab Promotion.
Movember
Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. The Movember Foundation runs the Movember charity event.
The Movember Foundation is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. We’re addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men. They know what works for men and how to find and fund the most innovation research to have both a global and local impact. They are independent of government funding, so they can challenge the status quo and invest quicker in what works. In 15 years they have funded more than 1,200 men’s health projects around the world. By 2030 they will reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%.
Click here for more information
Children in Need
BBC Children in Need is the BBC’S UK corporate charity. Thanks to the support of the public, they are able to make a real difference to the lives of children all across the UK.
Their vision to that every child in the UK has a childhood which is: safe, happy and secure; and allows them the chance to reach their potential. They provide grants to projects in the UK which focus on children and young people who are disadvantaged. They are local to people in all corners of the UK and support small and large organisations which empower children and extend their life choices.
They are currently supporting 2,400 projects all across the UK. The projects Children in Need fund, help children facing a range of disadvantages for example poverty and deprivation; children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect or disabled young people.
Click here to find out more information.
Alcohol Awareness Week
Alcohol Concern was founded in 1984 at the national charity working to help reduce the problems that can be caused by alcohol. In April 2017 Alcohol Concern teamed up with Alcohol Research UK to form the UK’s leading independent alcohol charity. Together, they are working to end the harm caused by alcohol.
Every hour someone in the UK loses a loved one to alcohol. It’s the biggest cause of death, ill-health and disability for people aged 15-49. We are doing everything in our power to make this stop.
Over the next year we will be releasing the new, merged organisation’s strategy. Join us by making a donation or beginning your fundraising today. This week will feature a range of messages on the dangers of mixing alcohol with drugs, the benefits of taking a quick alcohol MOT and highlighting information and support services available for those who need help for their drinking or someone they know.
Click here for more information
Winter Flu Jab Promotion
There are two ways of making sure we prevent the spreading of Flu.
- -Hygiene- Hand Washing, Cleaning, etc.
- -Flu Vaccination
Good Hygiene
Preventing the spread of germs is the most effective way to slow the spread of the flu. Always:
- -Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
- -Clean surfaces and door handles regularly to get rid of germs.
- -Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- -Put used tissues in a bin as soon as possible and wash your hands.
The Flu Vaccine
If you wish to be vaccinated you should make an appointment with your GP Surgery or go to your local Drop- in Centre or Pharmacy. General information about seasonal flu and flu vaccination is available from NHS Choices at https://www.nhs.uk/livewell/winterhealth/pages/fluandthefluvaccine.aspx.
Much more detailed information about ‘flu vaccination is provided in Chapter 19 of ‘The Green Book’ from Public Health England, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/influenza-the-green-book-chapter-19.
The flu vaccine is usually free to high-risk people, to protect them from flu. If the vaccine is not free to you then you will have to pay the prescription cost of £8.60.
Click here for more information.