A new local campaign urges people aged 40 and over to come forward for a potentially life-saving blood pressure check at their local participating pharmacy.
Around one in four adults in the UK have high blood pressure, but only half of those are aware of it. High blood pressure (hypertension) doesn’t usually have any obvious symptoms, making it an invisible threat to many. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.
Some people from African, Afro-Caribbean or South Asian heritage may have high blood pressure at a younger age and are encouraged to get their blood pressure checked earlier.
It’s quick and easy to get a FREE blood pressure check at a pharmacy. You don’t need an appointment and many pharmacies are open in the evenings and at weekends. To find the nearest participating Pharmacy, click HERE.
You can find out more about High Blood Pressure and how to get it checked on the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System site HERE.
To receive local health and wellbeing information straight to your inbox, sign up to your health and wellbeing update me at: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/updateme.
Hertfordshire Veteran & Community Drop-in STARTS THIS FRIDAY 28TH JUNE!
On Friday 28th June, a new community hub will have its very first meeting in The Ashlea Room at Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall.
Hertfordshire Veteran & Community Drop-in will be held from 12:00 to 13:30 every Wednesday and Friday.
It is a drop-in support hub offering a free cuppa as well as support staff who have at least Level 2 Counsellor Skills and can sign post to any help needed, or who simply know how to listen and converse if people are just lonely.
Coffee and Coping are working in partnership with the Walking with the Wounded charity to make sure that veterans and their families are cared for properly within the community.
Their aim is to provide a space for anyone who is struggling and doesn’t know what help there is or where to get it, as well as for older people who may have lost their friends or partners and just need to feel included and respected.
The Bishop of St Albans will be opening his garden (at Abbey Gate House, Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans AL3 4HS) every Sunday between Sunday 9 June and Sunday 11 August for people to come and look at the beautiful gardens and the summer display. Those who saw the snowdrops will have seen the potential that the garden had for the summer and will be delighted at the change a different season brings.
The two acres of garden is an oasis in central St Albans and visitors frequently comment on the fact that they did not know the garden was here or how extensive it is.
Entrance is £5 per person (children free) and dogs on leads are welcome. There will also be plants for sale on some weekends.
Please wear footwear suitable for the time of year.
All money raised is donated to the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust.
Celebrating and supporting charities and volunteers atThe Hertfordshire Volunteer Fair and Big Help Out Event
The Hertfordshire Volunteer Fair and Big Help Out Event organised by GoVolHerts returns to Hitchin Market Place, SG5 1DY, on Friday 7 June, from 10am until 4pm. Come along and show your support for local charities and not-for-profit organisations. Discover how YOU can make a difference to your community.
Each year, The Big Help Out runs a national campaign that champions volunteers and highlights their positive impact. This event on 7 June, which occurs in the same week Volunteers’ Week celebrates its’ 40th Anniversary, is set to continue the buzz about volunteering and support local charities to find more volunteers. Around 30 stalls are set to take over the Square in Hitchin Market Place, SG5 1DY – and everyone is invited to come along!
Many people help out a neighbour or do the odd errand, some offer their skills and time to a local school PTA or scout group, but they may not think they are “volunteering”. Volunteering comes in many forms, and many of us do it, perhaps without realising it. Volunteers dedicate their time to supporting charities for different reasons, maybe because it makes them feel good, or they get to meet new friends and have a sense of purpose, others may volunteer to gain experience which may lead to career prospects. Whatever form it takes, volunteering makes a huge difference to volunteers, charities, and those who rely on these organisations.
Tatiana Campos, Volunteering Development Lead at GoVolHerts said: “We’re excited to host this event in the historic centre of Hitchin; it is a great opportunity for people to meet the extraordinary teams behind our local charities and understand why volunteers are so vital to the work they do. We’re expecting a visit from The Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, the Hertfordshire Director of Libraries, and Herts Fire and Rescue Service, along with representatives from Hertfordshire County Council. We hope this event will encourage more people to try something new, discover the benefits of volunteering, and learn how they can make a huge difference to their community. We’d encourage anyone curious about volunteering to come along and show your support, there are some fantastic charities keen to talk to people. Lastly, we would like to thank Visit Hitchin for their support in facilitating this event.”
Some of the local charities which will be attending include: Hertfordshire Gardens Trust, Hertfordshire Mind Network, Hitchin Pantry, Letchworth Arts and Leisure Group, RNLI, Sue Ryder, The Red Shed, Garden House Hospice Care, Blind Veterans UK and many more! Go to www.govolherts.org.uk/the-big-help-out for more information or email the team info@govolherts.org.uk.
GoVolHerts is a free one-stop hub for volunteering in Hertfordshire which supports people in finding their ideal volunteering opportunity by connecting them with 580 volunteering opportunities with over 360 charities via their website www.govolherts.org.uk. It is a project funded by Hertfordshire County Council and operated by North Herts and Stevenage Community Voluntary Service. This event has been made possible by the support of Visit Hitchin.
The weather is improving, which is great news, but remember to be mindful of ticks as you head out into the garden, to the park or into Hertfordshire’s beautiful countryside.
Tick bites can cause infections such as Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis.
Stay safe by walking on clearly defined paths, using insect repellent, wearing long trousers in high-risk areas and performing regular tick checks.
If you are bitten, remove ticks as quickly as possible with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool.
To remove a tick safely
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. You can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops.
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it when you have removed it.
Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.
The chance of getting ill is low. You do not need to do anything else unless you notice a rash or become unwell.
If you begin to feel unwell with flu-like symptoms, persistent headache, confusion or you develop a spreading circular rash, contact your GP or NHS 111 promptly.
Source: Health advice from Hertfordshire County Council
Health Walks’ New Summer Timetables are now available and feature more than 100 different walking opportunities, including 27 on the weekends, 20 gentle walks for beginners and several evening walks. Check out the East Herts Timetable HERE.
The First Steps taster walk (Fridays 10am) in Ware is continuing and new walkers are always welcome!
First time? Don’t forget to register online HERE before you go.
The Three Villages 