Thursday, 1 March 2018

STAND UP FOR GOOD HEALTH - ISSUE 1


Stand Up For Good Health - Issue 1


Welcome to the first issue of our ‘Stand Up For Good Health’ Newsletter.

Here at Diversity Living Services (DLS), we have recently started our new project “Stand up for good health and wellbeing” which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

The project aims to promote good health amongst the residents of Enfield, especially BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Communities.

The project activities include:

•        Health advice and information to access services
•        Free health coaching including nutrition advice
•        Fitness classes
•        Healthy eating cooking classes
•        Health related educational events and workshops
•        Blood pressure and weight checks

Through our newsletters we aim to share with you news and information about health issues that affect most our communities. It will include tips to improve our health and wellbeing as well as events and services available within the borough.

If you have news and events or want to tell readers your story, please email us at healthinfo@diversityliving.org so that we can include them in our next e-bulletin.

DLS has joined the “One You” public health campaign targeted at changing lifestyle choices which greatly determine your health status later in life.

Six components are promoted in the campaign: Checking yourself, eat well, move more, be smoke free, drink less, stress less and sleep better. A long list but well worth it!

Find more at: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou#HmmKl5Umv1rpgfXV.97

We have a few resources in our offices. Please get in touch if you want to join the campaign.

Saadia Guedira (Health coach and registered Dietitian)


Recent Events

• DLS organised a “Female genital mutilation (FGM)”conference on the 6th of February to mark the UN International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.

• Healthy Eating Talk: on the 6th of February, our Dietitan talked to “Wadajir Community Group” in the Green Towers with an emphasis on the harmful consequences of a meat based diet. Our communities are encouraged to get some of their protein requirements from plant foods.

Health Advice


Five ways to stay healthy this winter: https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/winterhealth/Pages/Healthywinter.aspx

Food to fight cold and flu, more at:  https://www.webmd.boots.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/vitamins-supplements-colds-flu-relief

In The News


Black women urged to get screened for cervical cancer

More at: http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/black-women-urged-get-screened-cervical-cancer

Cervical cancer symptoms: Six warning signs you should NEVER ignore

Find more at: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/health/580306/Cervical-cancer-symptoms-smear-tests-prevention-treatment

Health Services

Did you know you can be eligible for a free NHS Health Check?
The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40-74. It's designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk.

More at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/

Local Energy Advice Programme (LEAP)

Struggling to pay your energy bills? Has it been too cold in your home this winter? Is living in a cold home affecting your health?

LEAP (Local Energy Advice Programme) is a new free energy and money saving advice service. LEAP can help you save money and keep your home warm and cosy. More: https://www.applyforleap.org.uk/  or call 08000607567.

Events & Activities

• Free health advice, nutrition and diet clinic will be held at Edmonton Green Library on the 10th of March from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.
If you wish to attend, the above events, please drop-in or book for an appointment by sending an email to healthinfo@diversityliving.org or calling on 02088036161

• Would you be interest in attending an Exercise class every Thursday from 11.00 to 12.00 at the Green Towers Community Centre, for more information please get in touch.  A small contribution of £3.00 per participant is required per class.

 If you would like to receive our newsletters by email please let us know by email healthinfo@diversityliving.org and we will add you to our subscribers list
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Our Vision and Services

Our vision is of a society where no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health.

Mental health problems are extremely common across society, with one in four of us experiencing them in any year. Despite being so common, people from all communities will still experience discriminatory attitudes and behaviours that can prevent people from speaking out, seeking support and playing full and active roles in our communities. The impact of mental health stigma and discrimination will vary between communities as mental health has a cultural context that affects the way communities talk about the subject and engage with people who have mental health problems. In some cultures depression, for example, doesn't exist and in others an experience of a mental health problem can be attached to a sense of shame.

For the African and Caribbean communities a key issue is the overrepresentation of young African and Caribbean men in mental health services. Misconceptions and stereotypes have led to a perception that this group is more likely to pose a risk of violent behaviour and, as a result, they are more likely to be treated as inpatients and sectioned when compared to other groups. It is well documented that this has led to a fear of talking about mental health issues more openly and a fear of using mental health services. Research by the Race Equality Foundation (2011) also highlighted fears that discrimination against Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and migrant service users will increase in the austerity climate and whilst commissioning arrangements change.

Our Services

· Provide information, advice, advocacy

· Represent diversity communities in Health Care services, policies and strategies

· Organise training in health and social care in collaboration with local colleges

· Provide human resources ( including interpreters) who are suitable to the diversity communities especially to break language and cultural barriers

· Provides domiciliary care and support

· Provide services such specialised support for people with mental health needs, including people who suffer from short-term memory problems, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

· Provide visits to elderly people and help them with outings and home services

· Participate in local authority and NHS consultations , research events and programmes to voice the needs of diversity communities.

· Increase access to services and rights for disadvantaged people and the most vulnerable of our society

· Help and support unemployed people to look for work, including training and job preparation

· Provide legal advice in a range of issues from on Immigration and Asylum , welfare benefits, housing, health, education, community care, and training, employment, etc.

· Provide advice and guidance, information and practical help so that our service users can access opportunities they are entitled to

· Organise training and other community learning opportunities that provide new skills, increase confidence and motivation

· Support our service users to overcome barriers to learning, employment and training

· Provide support for young people with their education, training, confidence building, employment and social needs.

Objectives of our Diversity Living Programme:

· To promote the inclusion and participation of diversity communities* in integrated care.

· To inform policy, locally and nationally, and assisting in the formulation of effective policies, strategies and good practices in integrated care in order to contribute to improved health outcomes for the people from the diversity communities (e.g. Black and minority ethnic communities) and to ensure health services are able to meet their specific needs.

· To improve the quality of life for diversity people with disability, mental health problems and their families and carers through integrated care by providing inclusive advocacy and information.

· To provide service that enable diversity groups and individuals with disability /elderly and their carers to make the right choice for themselves and have an influence on decisions made about their future.

· To promote the rights of diversity people with disability, their families and carers and make sure their rights are safe and protected.

· To promoting access to information regarding healthcare issues and to raise awareness of the needs of diversity disabled children, young people, older people and their families.

· To promote the rights of older and disabled diversity people, helping them overcome and enable them to participate in decisions about their future

· To provide support and information to those suffering the isolation and loneliness that can be associated with disability and old age

· To fight against mental health stigma in refugee, black and minority ethnic communities and ensure no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health or disability.

*Diversity communities are older people, disabled people, Black, Asian, refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities.