Are you over 18 and providing care to friend or relative living in Aberdeenshire? If yes, Aberdeenshire Health & Social Care Partnership wants to hear your views. In preparation for the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 commencing in April 2018, they want to hear carers’ views on what is important to them. A strategy will be written in partnership with staff, third sector organisations and carers in Aberdeenshire which will highlight the key areas that you, as carers have identified as requiring improvement/development. To complete this short questionnaire online, please click the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JZCHKRK Survey closes on 30th June.
health improvement
What does “wellbeing” mean to you?
Welcome to the second of Kincardine and Mearns local community plan priorities.
Communities, both place-based and people sharing a common identity or affinity, have a vital contribution to make to health and wellbeing. Community life, social connections, supportive relationships and having a voice in local decisions are all factors that underpin good health, however, inequalities persist and too many people experience the effects of social exclusion or lack social support. Participatory approaches directly address the marginalisation and powerlessness caused by entrenched health inequalities.
The assets within communities, such as the skills and knowledge, social networks, local groups and community organisations, are building blocks for good health. Many people in Kincardine & Mearns already contribute to community life through volunteering, community leadership and activism. Community empowerment occurs when people work together to shape the decisions that influence their lives and health and begin to create a more equitable society. This is not about a DIY approach to health; there are important roles for NHS, local government and their partners in creating safe and supportive places, fostering resilience and enabling individuals and communities to take more control of their health and lives.
Over the next few weeks we will share with you some stories about wellbeing and what it means to a variety of people. Look out for our first blog next week.We hope you enjoy
Forget the gym…..
Middle-aged people are being urged to walk faster to help stay healthy, amid concern high levels of inactivity may be harming their health.
They are urging those between the ages of 40 and 60 to start doing regular brisk walks.
Just 10 minutes a day could have a major impact, reducing the risk of early death by 15%, they say.
But estimates show four out of every 10 40- to 60-year-olds do not even manage a brisk 10-minute walk each month.
An American study found that people who walked for at least four hours a week gained less weight (an average 9 lb less) than couch potatoes as they got older.
Last year, researchers at the University of Colorado found that regular walking helped to prevent peripheral artery disease (which impairs blood flow in the legs and causes leg pain in one-fifth of elderly people).
Walking can even prevent colds. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts medical school found that people who walked every day had 25 per cent fewer colds than those who were sedentary.
Because walking is a weight-bearing exercise, it can also help prevent the bone
disease osteoporosis.
Best of all, walking makes you feel good about yourself. “For people suffering from depression, walking three to four times a week for 30 minutes has been shown to enhance their mood
So next time you have 20 minutes to spare, put on your shoes and start your journey to better health.
Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) World Café.
SAMH are holding an event in Stonehaven on Wednesday 26 July from 1100 – 1400. The event is aimed 
at professionals supporting clients with mental health needs, and clients, and is relevant to adult services only (16 – 65 years). Participants should be willing to take part in discussions and share their lived experiences of mental health services. If you would like to attend, please contact enquiries@mylifedynamic.org.uk and let them know if you will be taking along any clients on the day.
Dementia Friendly Aberdeenshire
Dementia Friendly Communities in Kincardine & Mearns are working to raise awareness of the early stages of dementia and to reduce the stigma attached, enabling people with dementia to continue to remain active participants in their communities for as long as possible, live well and not be isolated from their communities. All it takes is learning a little about dementia and doing small things which can make a big difference. The Project Officer, Karen Wood, is available to come to speak (free) to all community groups in the K&M area. For more information please email karen.wood@avashire.org.uk, or phone/text 07585 242428.
The Chapelton Bike Ride, Sunday, September 3rd 2017
The launch of new 5K charity walk aims to encourage non-cyclists to get involved with local bike ride – The Chapelton Bike Ride, Sunday, September 3rd 2017
The Chapelton Bike Ride will return for a second year on Sunday, September 3, with the addition of the new Chapelton 5K Walk sponsored by Liberty Retirement Living, which will coincide with the event’s 42-mile and 12-mile bike rides. Held in aid of North East Sensory Services (NESS), the event was formerly the Great Stonehaven Bike Ride, before it moved to the village of Chapelton, near Newtonhill. Last year, over 250 cyclists took part in the first ever Chapelton Bike Ride, raising over £6,500 for NESS. Registration costs £15 per person for the 42-mile route, £5 per person for the 12-mile route, or £15 for a team of four for the 12-mile cycle. The 5K walk is free to enter, but all participants must register via the website. Register for the Chapelton Bike Ride at www.chapeltonbikeride.co.uk.
Stonehaven Young Peoples Health and Wellbeing Event
4.30 – 7pm Tuesday, 5th September 2017, Mackie Academy
This free community event is to promote and inform adults about key aspects of our young people’s health and wellbeing. With partners across education and health sessions are being offered on:
- Social Media
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Fast and easy cooking for the family
- Young People and Sleep
- Mindfulness
Conversation Cafe – If you can only spare a short time come in and visit our information stalls, chat with the teams and friends over a cup of tea and healthy nibbles.
You can book onto these sessions by phoning 01569 762071 or online at:
http://bit.ly/HWBStonehaven from Monday, 21st August to Sunday, 3rd September 2017
OUR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE: SUPPORTING HEALTH, WELLBEING AND SAFETY
This free community event is to promote and inform adults about key aspects of our young people’s health and wellbeing. With partners across education and health sessions are being offered on:
Social Media
Drugs and Alcohol
Fast and easy cooking for the family
Young People and Sleep
Mindfulness
You can book onto these sessions by phoning 01569 762071 or online at:
http://bit.ly/HWBStonehaven
from Monday, 21st August to
Sunday, 3rd September 2017.
CONVERSATION CAFE
If you can only spare a short time come in and visit our information stalls, chat with the teams and friends over a cup of tea and healthy nibbles.
Get a general access ticket at http://bit.ly/HWBStonehaven
MACKIE ACADEMY
TUESDAY, 5TH SEPTEMBER 2017
16.30 – 19.00
Carers Survey
Paths for All’s Big Fit Walk campaign
The Big Fit Walk is now in its 14th year. Its aim is simple. We want to inspire communities across Scotland to come together for a walk to celebrate the benefits of being active. It’s about having fun and staying healthy, anyone can host or attend a Big Fit Walk during the month of June! The Big Fit Walk is a fun and social way to show people the joy of a short walk. Whether you are looking to showcase an area in your community, get your workplace or school more active, or recruit new walkers to your Health Walk, the Big Fit Walk is a simple and easy way to put short local walks on the map in Scotland. Paths For All provide Health Walk groups, community groups, workplaces, schools and others with free resources to organise their own 30 minute local led walk during June. From posters and invites to get people along to your walk to a guide on running a successful walk, our pack has all the resources you will need to make your Big Fit Walk a success! To order your Big Fit Walk resource pack or download resources please visit: http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/bigfitwalk
Innovation in cycling and walking funding
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £470,000 for innovative proposals that encourage more journeys by bicycle or on foot. The Department for Transport (DfT) will fund up to £470,000 for innovative projects that lead to more walking and cycling. Proposals will tackle current barriers and encourage more journey stages to be made by bicycle or on foot. Innovations may include, for example, technology, infrastructure, manufacturing or behavioural change. Deadline: Wednesday 7th June. For more information, visit: https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/15/overview.
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K&M Communities 