Health BOCS Update October 2019

07/10/19 |

News

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 for 2019/2020

September Promotion

As part of the 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 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.

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 of 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 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.

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; 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