Information Round Up Thursday 21 March 2024
Welcome to this week's Healthwatch Stockport Information Round-up (IRU). Our Round up brings together news, updates, training and events from us at Healthwatch, local health and social care services, community groups and more.
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Stockport Named 'Best Place to Live in the North West'!
Before we move on to all the fantastic work and more happening in terms of health and social care, we couldn't miss the opportunity to mention the glowing accolade from The Sunday Times in its annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide!
You can read full article here. Please note that the article requires a paid subscription.
Have Your Say on Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services
Details from Healthwatch Greater Manchester
Healthwatch in Greater Manchester (GM) have identified children’s mental health as one of its joint GM priorities working alongside the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board.
With this in mind, we want to hear from you if you've tried to access CAMHS in the last two years. Please read on to learn about Healthwatch Stockport's two forums and the surveys Healthwatch Greater Manchester are running.
Healthwatch Stockport's CAMHS Forums (25 & 26 March)
You are invited to take part in one of two focus groups being held in March. Whether you're a young person or parent or Carer of someone who has tried to access CAMHS, you can book onto one of the following dates:
Monday 25 March 10am-12pm - Quaker Meeting House, Stockport
Tuesday 26 March 6.30pm-8.00pm - online
To attend one of the meetings above, please contact our team to reserve a place:
0161 974 0753
info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Share Your Experiences Online by 30 March
Details from Healthwatch Greater Manchester
Healthwatch Greater Manchester have launched a survey to gather young people's personal experiences, as well as a separate survey open to parents and carers for them to share their experience of supporting their children.
Collectively we want to know more about the pathway to accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), as well as the Autism/ADHD diagnostic paths.
If you're a child aged 13 and over who started looking for support within the past 2 years, you can take part in the survey below:
Children and young people's survey
If you're a parent or who has supported a child or young person trying to access care, please use the link below:
The information collected will always be anonymised. Our findings will help decision-makers in statutory NHS and Care services, as well as in the education and voluntary sectors, to effectively prioritise services.
A Heads Up: Three Exciting Co-Chair Opportunities Available
Stockport Council and Healthwatch Stockport are proudly supporting the recruitment of three Co-Chairs with Lived Experience to help drive and lead the following partnerships and inspire change:
Making it Real Board - Adult Social Care
To support the current Chair of the Making It Real Board, working together with the wider group to ensure that the voices of people with lived experience of using adult social care services are heard and to help improve the lives of individuals, family and Carers who receive adult social care support in Stockport.
Valuing People Partnership
To support the current Chair of the Valuing People Learning Disability Partnership to improve the lives and experience of people with learning disabilities, ensuring their voice is at the heart of all we do.. It meets every two months and is for people with learning disabilities, family Carers, voluntary sector and independent organisations, and advocates to discuss issues relating to learning disability services.
Preparing for Adulthood
To support the current Chair of the Preparing for Adulthood Group, driving actions that are important to children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities and improve their lived experiences as they progress into adulthood.
The Co-Chair roles will be paid an hourly fee and expenses will be covered, we especially welcome applications from all sections of our community who have lived experience related to the above roles.
Next week, we'll be sharing further details for each of these fantastic roles including the application forms. The closing dates will be Friday 26 April.
For any questions, please get in touch with us at info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Closes 24 March: Have Your Say on Adult ADHD Services
Details from Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership
NHS Greater Manchester are reviewing adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) services across Greater Manchester, and want to hear your feedback.
The survey asks about experiences, thoughts, and feelings on ADHD services and provides the opportunity to share how you think they could work in the future.
They want to hear from members of the public, services users and those who refer people to adult ADHD services across Greater Manchester, to understand what's important to you and your family or people you care for. The survey is open until Sunday 24 March.
NHS Greater Manchester website
Could you Join a Health and Social Care Committee?
Details from NIHR
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) looking for members of the public to join one of their committees. The committees help decide which research to prioritise and which research projects to fund in health and social care.
Through funding by the Department of Health and Social Care, the NIHR enables and delivers research that improves people's health and wellbeing, and promotes economic growth.
They'd like to see people who:
- have a broad interest in, and knowledge of, health, social care and/or improving public health and addressing health inequalities
- can bring own experiences to improve research
You do not need to have a scientific background. For more information and how to apply:
- Watch a short video on becoming a public committee member
- Visit the public committee members page
The deadline for submitting an application is Sunday 28 April
If you have any questions, email: publicrecruitment@nihr.ac.uk
Order Prescriptions Before Easter
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
NHS Greater Manchester are reminding people to be prepared for the Easter Bank Holiday and to order prescriptions in advance to avoid complications or delays.
The Easter Bank Holiday is one of the busiest periods for the NHS. GP practices and some pharmacies will have limited opening hours
Find Greater Manchester Bank Holiday Pharmacy Opening Hours.
NHS Launches Blood Pressure Check Campaign for People Aged 40+
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
Raised blood pressure is the number one cause of pain and disability in Greater Manchester. It can increase your risk of experiencing a serious health problem like a heart attack, stroke, or dementia. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms and millions of people will be living with raised blood pressure without knowing it.
The NHS campaign is urging people aged 40+ to get a free blood pressure check at their nearest participating pharmacy.
Eligibility criteria
- aged 40 or over and live in England
- You won’t be eligible if you've had your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional in the past 6 months.
Research to Understand Young Carers of Adults With Substance Use Issues
Details from Sector 3
GMCVO are working with Manchester Metropolitan University to research the needs of young Carers who support adult family members who use substances.
Through their previous work, they've identified that there is a real gap in understanding regarding the needs of these young people, and therefore crucially a gap in support.
To help the team understand the scale of the issue, they're running a short survey and asking anyone working with young Carers to complete the survey by 19 April. The results will be included in a bid for funding to enable the research. This survey is the first step in this process.
All responses are confidential. However, if you want to be involved in the research going forwards, provide your contact details at the end of the survey.
Further information email Dr Gary Witham: G.Witham@mmu.ac.uk
North West Ambulance Patient Transport Service
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has launched a campaign for users of its patient transport service (PTS). The PTS is a non-emergency service for eligible people who may need special support getting to and from their healthcare appointments
Providing tips and information, the campaign helps people get the most out of the offer, shares what to expect and ensures that NWAS can reach patients as quickly as possible.
Along with a video about the service, NWAS has created an A-Z of information to help patients and their families. To see if you or a loved one are eligible, check the eligibility criteria.
For patient transport services across Greater Manchester, visit transport services
Free Access to Anya App to Support Feeding Babies
Details from NHS Greater Manchester
Every new parent in Greater Manchester will have free access to an app which will give them 24/7 support with infant feeding.
The Anya app allows women/birthing people to use the various 3D animations to help them breastfeed their child, access evidence-based support through Anya AI (the app’s virtual supporter), and speak to an expert directly if they need more help.
The premium version of the app went live on 18 March. This is available to parents expecting a child (and for up to three months after the birth) who live in a Greater Manchester or eastern Cheshire postcode.
This has been funded thanks to the collaboration between the Greater Manchester and Eastern Cheshire Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) and Anya.
Access Support With Stockport's Cost-of-Living Hub
Details from Stockport Council
Stockport Council's Resident Advice and Support team provides comprehensive assistance and guidance to help you access essential support for cost-of-living concerns.
0161 474 2140 - Monday to Friday, 9:30am - 4pm
You can also access the online Cost-Of-Living Hub for benefits, debt advice, support with food and energy bills, assistance with council tax payments, pension credit information and more.
School Meal Support Scheme Applications Open
Details from Stockport Council
The Stockport School Meal Support Scheme entitles eligible families to fully funded school meals for their children during the academic year 2023/24.
To be eligible, your child needs to live in Stockport (though they can attend education outside the borough), and you need to be eligible for local council tax support and/or housing benefit.
If eligible, please check your correspondence from the council to find the link to request support. This scheme is not for those already receiving nationally-funded free school meals.
Reminder: Stockport Rocks Nominations are Open!
Details from Sector 3
Nominations for Stockport Rocks! are open from 1-28 March. The Awards is a celebration of local volunteers and the art of giving back. If you have someone in mind, please nominate before 28 March.
Click for categories and to nominate
Shortlisted nominees will be invited to the Awards at Edgeley Park on 23 May, where they’ll enjoy a two-course meal, entertainment and the chance to win an Award. All shortlisted nominees will receive two free cinema tickets, courtesy of The Light Cinema, as well as a welcome drink courtesy of Music Magpie.
For any questions, contact laura.bowers@sector3sk.org
Exam Stress Resources for Young People and Parents and Carers
Exams are a stressful time for any young person. Kooth will be running KoothTalks for parents and Carers: How you can support your child to manage exam stress.
This is a free 45 minute virtual training session covering:
- An overview of how Kooth works as a mental health service.
- How to support your child to manage exam stress.
- Tips when talking to young people about their feelings.
- Q&As.
Don't worry if you're unable to attend any of the dates offered. Simply select the 'I cannot attend' option and Kooth will send you a recording of the session and related resources.
Kooth have also produced a ‘Guide to Coping with Exam Stress’ for young people
Thank you to Christopher Hughes (Stockport Homes), Lizzie Austion and Ellie Unwin (Pure Innovations), Charlee Fitzgerald (Stockport Council), Sector 3 and more who continued to send 'what's happening' across Stockport each week.
There are a number of community groups, events and activities taking place across the borough. Please see the details and/or attachments and continue to share with others.
Stockport Town of Culture Weekender
Stockport will be hosting a two-day, fun-packed weekend of free cultural festivities on 23 and 24 March. The Town of Culture weekender event is a great opportunity to get moving and to try something new.
Working with partners at Life Leisure, Stockport College, Stockport County Community Trust, Walkaday and Mosodi, the Town of Culture Weekender will feature walking tours, movement and dance performances and taster sessions to get involved with. Many attractions and venues will be offering free entry.
Further Community Events
Training Courses Coming Up
Details from Christopher Hughes, Stockport Homes
For more information about any of the courses or to book a place, contact:
0161 474 2862
customer.training@stockporthomes.org
Skills for Life Plus (sk-y-light.org)
Priority given to Stockport Homes’ customers.
Stockport Women and Girls Network Are Recruiting
Details from Stockport Women and Girls Network
The team are seeking a dynamic and passionate individual to fill the role of Stockport Women and Girls Network Development Worker.
This position involves advocating for women's rights, ensuring access to services within the community, and facilitating connections to appropriate resources and support. The successful candidate will play a vital role in upholding a welcoming and inclusive environment that prioritizes the psychological and physical safety of women.
See the attachment for full details of the role.
To apply, submit your CV and a cover letter to stockportswagn@gmail.com
The deadline for applications is 5 April – Interviews will take place on 15 April
Stockport Council Suicide Awareness Training (for Professionals)
Details from Stockport Council
Stockport Council are offering new dates for the popular Stockport Council Suicide Awareness for Professionals training. The 2.5 hour training is free for anyone working or volunteering in Stockport. The course:
- Develops understanding and compassion.
- Tackles myths, stigma, and barriers
- Introduces concept that suicide is not inevitable – people can be helped, and module includes the latest research and evidence.
- Helps delegates understand how distress develops and how people can be best supported.
- Develops common language between community, services, and those in distress.
- Gives delegates the confidence and the skills practice of talking to someone in distress.
- Develops a compassionate approach for demanding and time-pressured environments.
- Equips delegates with the knowledge of how to use www.StayingSafe.net to make their own Safety Plan
No prior experience required. The next sessions available are:
Thursday 18 April 09:30am – 12:00pm via Zoom
Thursday 16 May 09:30am – 12:00pm via Zoom
Wednesday 22 May 09:30 – 12:00pm via Zoom
To book a place for any of the sessions, please CTRL & click on the following link:
SUICIDE AWARENESS FOR PROFESSIONALS BOOKING FORM
For further information, email info.wellbeing@stockport.gov.uk.
Sector 3
GM Cost of Living Support Grants, Meet the Funder, Free wellbeing sessions at RHS Bridgewater + more
Stockport Council Review
Age UK Stockport
Information and Signposting
For up to date health and social care information, signposting and guidance call Healthwatch Stockport on
0161 974 0753 10am - 2pm or email info@healthwatchstockport.co.uk
Visit our Information and Signposting directory
Do you have a health or social care experience you want to share – how did your last appointment with your GP or dentist go? Are you happy or frustrated with the service you received – let us know so we can work with local services to influence better commissioners and better outcomes for you and your family.
