Health News September 2009
Supporting older people
A new 24-hour service has been launched to support older people in Hackney’s retirement housing.
Ashley Court in Boleyn Road, N16, is set to be the first of five sheltered accommodation developments in the borough to benefit from on-site care teams.
The aim is to enable retired residents to live in their own homes for longer. In addition to the 24-hour care suite, a new office, meeting room, kitchen and additional laundry services have also been provided.
The programme is funded by the Council and managed by retirement housing provider Hanover.
Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, who officially opened the suite at Ashley Court on 4 September, said: “The Council is committed to enabling people to live independent and healthy lives – our Supported Housing with Care programme will help residents to remain as independent as possible, and for as long as possible.”
Claire Anderson, director at Hanover, added: “Older people have higher expectations of service and there is now an even greater need to give them the peace of mind that care and support is on hand if they need it.”
21 September 2009
Catch it, bin it, kill it
Generations of old schoolmasters would have waved their mortarboards in dismay when pupils sneezed into their sleeves.
But during a visit from Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Tyssen pupils learnt an effective way to limit the spread of infections such as swine flu: aim for the arms rather than hands.
The minister used the visit to the Stamford Hill primary on 9 September to urge schools to adopt basic hygiene measures to help curb the spread of swine flu prior to an expected second wave of the virus this autumn. He added: “Over the summer we have been monitoring this closely and the advice to us now is that because the virus has been quite mild and because of the number of cases, closing schools does not do any good in terms of stopping the spread of disease and would obviously be very disruptive. At the moment, the best advice is keep the schools open, keep the children learning, teach the children about hygiene and if you suspect swine flu keep them off school.”
Mr Balls also visited Morningside Children's Centre in Chatham Place on 14 September. Together with TV agony aunt Denise Robertson, he launched national Sure Start Children's Centres Week to promote the support available for families with children under five.
The minister met families and staff and heard about some of the services on offer, including pampering events for parents, drop-in stay and play sessions, as well as Morningside's successful partnership with Birkbeck University to provide on-site child care while parents study to gain credits towards a degree.
21 September 2009
Telephone books
A book group with a difference has opened in Hackney.
The Community Library Service and Community Service Volunteers have set up a free telephone-based reading group to cater for people who are elderly, disabled or housebound and want to share ideas on books they have recently read.
The service works using a conference call, allowing up to eight people to speak together, and supports those who may have difficulty accessing libraries. Books are delivered in the required format – ordinary print, large print or talking book – and the group meet by phone every six weeks. There is no charge to join or for the call, however, a home landline is needed.
For more information, contact Chris Garnsworthy at The Community Library Service on: 020 8356 5238; or email: christopher.garnsworthy@hackney.gov.uk
21 September 2009
Skills for life
She was just a teenager when she was made homeless, but Ingrid Leduc is back on her feet and now passing on her experiences to others.
After a living arrangement with her aunt broke down when she was 17, Ingrid was placed in temporary accommodation and referred to the Homerton Space Project, a programme providing housing and life management skills for 16 to 18-year-olds in Hackney.
The project gave her somewhere secure to live and, with support from link worker Lanre Odunlami and other staff, skills such as budgeting, paying rent, and cooking healthy food.
She said: “All the residents felt at home – it was like a family environment.”
Now aged 20, Ingrid has worked at Clarks Shoes for three years and moved into a flat. “Since moving, I’ve been able to use all the skills I’ve learned and am putting them into practice,” she said.
She has also completed a BTEC National Diploma in Business, enrolled on a higher education course at Queen Mary, University of London and has completed a mentoring course to offer support to others in need.
Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said:
“The Council is committed to enabling people to have more choice and control in their lives, as well as ensuring everyone in the borough is decently housed. This is an example of a number of positive outcomes for residents delivered by a variety of providers which are part of the Council’s Supporting People programme.”
More information
For details of Space Project and Supporting People call Lilieth Martin on: 020 8986 4308.
7 September 2009
Splash course for beginners
A group of non-swimmers aged over 50 faced their fear of water during a summer crash course at Kings Hall Leisure Centre.
The free one-week course in August left the new swimmers with the confidence to enter the pool and develop their abilities.
It was funded by the Sharp End resource centre for older people, and delivered by GLL, which operates Hackney’s leisure centres in partnership with the Council.
Beginner Rita Coltelli, 55, said: “I’ve always had a fear of water from when I was a young girl.
Coming on the course has given me so much confidence and with a few more lessons I hope to be able to learn to swim properly. It feels great for my self esteem and good for my health too.”
Swimming courses for 50-plus non-swimmers and improvers returns this month, for more information, call Kings Hall Leisure Centre on: 020 8985 2158.
7 September 2009
Climbing high for charity
A Hackney resident has scaled the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in just 24 hours to raise money for a local charity.
Taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge, James Man climbed Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon, alongside colleagues and members of Hackney Family Backup. On the way they battled difficult weather conditions – and many inevitable traffic jams.
James said: “It was a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to raise money.”
Hackney Family Backup aims to improve the lives of disabled children and their families by promoting community support and social inclusion.
Chief Executive, Sheila Ramdular, added: “This is an amazing achievement and we are very grateful to the team for their efforts on our behalf.”
7 September 2009
Praise for long hours scheme
Homerton hospital’s work in developing ways for junior doctors to best use their time without working excessive hours has been recognised with an award nomination.
The Health Service Journal has commended the hospital for its innovative Taking Care 24/7 scheme. It was set up in 2007 to meet European Working Time Directive requirements – which aims to cut extreme working hours – while maintaining effective training time for junior doctors.
The hospital was also applauded for complying with the directive two years before the programme went live.
The awards ceremony will be at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in central London, on 30 November.
7 September 2009
Fitness for young women
A free event for young women will aim to increase awareness of healthy activities in the borough and focus on enjoying exercise.
The Wellbeing Weekender from 11 to 13 September follows on from a successful event in June, where attendees sampled a range of activities including yoga, belly dancing, massage and the computer game Wii Fit, as well as hearing inspirational stories of personal success. The event will also be a chance for 13 to 19-year-olds to learn more about the Young Women’s Group (YWG), which has organised the event, and other activities for young women in Hackney, in collaboration with the Council’s Youth Service.
For more info email: ciara.mcdonnell@hackney.gov.uk.
7 September 2009
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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