Winter Wellbeing Event Works Wonders for Over 50s
Thanks to funding from Hodge Hill Neighbourhood Network Scheme (NNS), BCHC Charity hosted an over 50's Winter Wellbeing event to provide information, advice, and support to help local citizens feel safer and fitter in the winter.
The event took place in January at Shard End Wellbeing Centre with the dual focus of keeping warm and preventing falls, which are particularly relevant concerns for people over 50 during colder months. The aim of the event was to give people the tools to remain connected to their community by helping them be less likely to fall, increasing their confidence in going out and about and therefore reducing social isolation.
Despite the very chilly weather, the event was well attended, with various exhibitors giving out falls prevention, energy saving, and healthy living information, as well as providing a community space to enjoy refreshments and musical entertainment from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. One attendee says she received lots of advice and enjoyed looking around the different stalls. Upon leaving she said, “I found that helpful, really, really helpful!”
Representatives from lots of BCHC services and other local organisations were there, including Gateway Family Services who offered free health checks, the Falls Prevention Team who provided replacement ferrules (the rubber stopper on the feet of walking aids) to those who had damaged or worn ones, the Purposeful Active Living service who demonstrated chair-based exercises, and more! Thanks to their health checks, Gateway Family Services were able to help some attendees by detecting irregular heartbeats or high blood pressure and referring them to their GPs.
Robina Iqbal, Community Wellbeing Officer within the Direct Access to Wellbeing Services (DAWS) Team, says, "We had conversations with 37 people… most individuals received a carbon monoxide alarm and benefited from energy saving advice and conversations about available benefits." The Charity Team provided prepaid SIM cards to anyone who needed one to help them stay connected with family and friends, as well as free tote bags for attendees to collect leaflets and useful freebies in, such as foot pumices from the Podiatry Team and moisturisers from the Lymphoedema and Tissue Viability Teams.
The Falls Prevention Team reported that they changed the ferrule on three people's walking sticks, providing an immediate reduction in the risk of falling, as the new ferrules have more tread and will not slip in the wet weather. Given the snowy weather in the days before and shortly after the event, this was especially needed. Rebecca Fullilove, Falls Occupational Therapist said, "A few ladies that I swim with who attended the event told me how brilliant they thought it was. It really highlighted to me how helpful it is to have different services in one spot, and the wealth of knowledge that was available. They said everyone was so kind and caring and have asked if there will be any more events in the spring or summer months."
Those who attended the event had lots of positive things to say; one lady attended with her friend to look around the stalls and talk to lots of the exhibitors, before enjoying a free hot drink in the dining hall. She told us that “it has been very interesting and a great deal of help.” Another attendee got in touch with us after the event to say, “I received several leaflets, a bag, pens, carbon monoxide alarm, thermometer, foot pumice, a health check, and extremely good advice. I was very impressed with what I saw today. It was extremely well presented with sound advice and information from knowledgeable staff. Well done to all involved.”