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.
September Promotion
As part of Health BOCS, The Brothers of Charity Services’ health and wellbeing programme, throughout August, we promoted: 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 of every 3 people globally believe there is little or no understanding of dementia in their countries. The impact of the 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 with family, friends and colleagues.
Click here to find out more
Jeans for Genes Day
Jeans for Genes Day is the annual fundraising campaign for Genetic Disorders UK, the national charity that supports individuals and families affected by a genetic disorder. Money raised on Jeans for Genes Day fund the work of the charity and provides grants to organisations for projects that aim to transform the lives or children with genetic disorders.
Genetic Disorders UK is the national charity working to improve the lives of individuals and families living with a genetic disorder. We do this by providing resources and support directly to those affected, and to the charities and patient groups dedicated to a single genetic disorder or related group of genetic disorders.
It is their mission to raise the profile and promote understanding of genetic disorders among the general public. Which we do through our one-day fundraising event, Jeans for Genes Day.
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.
National Fitness 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 your 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 the 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.
October Promotion
As part of Health BOCS, the Brothers of Charity Services’ health and wellbeing programme, throughout September, we will be promoting: Breast Cancer Awareness Month 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 every 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 having a dress down day on Friday 26th October and all money raised will go 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 with make you feel healthier; no matter have 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