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 BOCS Health and Wellbeing Calendar for 2019/2020.
Click here to view HealthBOCS Booklet 2019
October Promotion
As part of the Health BOCS, the Brothers of Charity Services’ health and wellbeing programme, throughout October we promoted Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Stoptober and the Brothers of Charity Services Health and Wellbeing Surveys.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Support is a breast cancer care charity providing care and helping breast cancer patients worldwide who can’t afford medication or treatment.
Breast Cancer Support believe what where people live with breast cancer be it a women or a man shouldn’t determine if they live. So they are aiming to fight breast cancer in countries across the globe to reduce breast cancer mortality worldwide. Supported by doctors, dentists and other medical professionals, BCS aims to alleviate pain and discomfort around the world through making medicine, medical expertise and medical equipment readily available to those living in poverty stricken countries and communities.
It is not only women who can be diagnosed with breast cancer and it is often forgotten that men can also suffer from the disease. At Breast Cancer Support, our mission is straight forward: to save lives and end breast cancer forever in women and men. We do this through education, treatment, emotional assistance and financial support.
Click here to read more.
Stoptober
Join in with thousands of others giving up smoking for 28 days this October. Launched in 2012, Stoptober is the 28 day stop smoking challenge from PHE that encourages and supports smokers across England towards quitting for good. Stoptober is based on the insight that if you can stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to be able to quit for good.
Smoking tobacco cigarettes is harmful to your health and the health of others around you, not to mention the environment and also your bank balance. Stoptober offers a wealth of support to help you achieve your goal of giving up your tobacco habit and enjoy the many health, wellbeing and financial benefits of quitting smoking.
To get involved in the campaign, simply sign up and wait for your free information and support pack to arrive.
Click here to read more.
2019 Health and Wellbeing Reports
In July 2019, Brothers of Charity Services circulated a Health and Wellbeing Survey to all staff across our services in England.
This report presents a summary of responses to each of the questions asked as well as actions generated for the service to build on our investment into your health and wellbeing.
Many thanks to those staff colleagues who participated in this survey. The results will be used to develop our Health & Wellbeing strategy and action plans to ensure all initiatives are responsive to staff needs. Your feedback is essential and we continue to welcome any comments or suggestions to help drive forward continuous improvement.
Please see below links to download the survey report for your service area.
– Merseyside Health and Wellbeing Report 2019
– Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Report 2019
– Greater Manchester Health and Wellbeing Report 2019
November Promotion
As part of Health BOCS, the Brothers of Charity Services’ health and wellbeing programme, throughout November we will be promoting: Movember (Men’s Health), Children in Need, Alcohol Awareness Week and Winter/Fu 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.