Tuesday, 27 August 2019

Stand Up Against Youth Violence


Stand Up Against Youth Violence

Diversity Living Services ( DLS) is inviting young people to join its project about effective ways of ending serious youth violence in London
WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT?
Young people (13-25 yrs old) supported by experienced researchers, will take the lead on researching, interviewing, recording views and solutions as well as effective ways to combat youth violence in Enfield
HOW WILL YOU BENEFIT FROM THIS PROJECT?
• You will gain skills in research (e.g. interviews and in using research equipment)
• You will increase your academic and employability skills and prospects
• You will gain a certificate for your voluntary work.
HOW WILL YOU BE SUPPORTED?
• Support, guidance and training will be provided by experts about how to carry out the research, analysis, interviews, summarising and transcription of interviews.
• Expenses will be provided including reimbursements of transport fees and lunch.
WHERE THE RESEARCH WILL TAKE PLACE
The project takes place in Edmonton Green. Places are limited, call or email to register your interest in participating in this exciting project.
This project is funded by GLA Citizen Led Engagement Programme.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Diversity Living Services
54 – 56 The Market Square
First Floor, The Artzone
Edmonton Green, London
N9 0TZ
Tel: 0208 803 6161
Email: info.diversity@diversityliving.org
Website. www.diversityliving.org
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
BAME (Black, Asian Minority Ethnic) Community Needs Survey
DLS is pleased to invite you to participate in the following community survey that will take less than five minutes.
All the answers of this survey will be used by Diversity Living Services to better respond to the needs of BAME communities. We want your views to help us provide the best possible services and support for disadvantaged people in our communities.


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Thursday, 13 June 2019

10 Tips and tricks for Better Diabetes Management


10 Tips and Tricks for Better Diabetes Management


It is currently Diabetes Week and our goal for this year is to make diabetics more aware of their condition by improving the understanding around diabetes and how it can be managed.
In this article we will be looking at Type 2 Diabetes and ways to manage it. For a long period of time it has been believed that type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease which becomes worse over time. However, ground-breaking research has shown that several strategies can be used to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of further complications.
As a diabetic, the one question that has perhaps come up in your head over and over again may often be “What diet should I follow?”. There is nothing more controversial, confusing or stressful than this question since there are numerous amounts of diet books, dietary opinions and articles out there, throwing all kinds of information towards you left, right and center. However, in reality, no single “diet” trumps them all. All approaches to manage type 2 diabetes or in fact any chronic disease come with their pros and cons, whether we’re talking about health effects such as blood glucose and blood pressure control or taste, cost effectiveness and convenience. So instead of thinking about following a strict “diet,” try to think about eating in terms of general strategies, or what this article is calling “tips and tricks”.  

After talking to various health professionals, diabetics and reading research, I came across some strategies that seem to keep blood sugar levels in range, provide a decent of energy, budget friendly, convenient and easy to adjust to different eating environments. That being said, I understand that eating habits and preferences are personal and so therefore these strategies may not apply or work for everyone. One should also remember to consult a health care provider before introducing changes to one’s diet, whether they’re big or small.

Where to begin? Brainstorming Your Eating strategies


1.    Test your blood sugar levels at least 90 minutes after a meal, if it is at its best (ideally 8.5mmol/l and under), begin jotting down what and how you ate? when and where you ate it and how did you go about managing your diabetes around these times?

2.    if your blood sugar levels are higher than the ideal values 90 minutes after a meal, again think about what and how you ate? when and where you ate it and how did you go about managing your diabetes around these times?

Once you start looking at your answers, can you identify any patterns or themes? If you find a pattern, then start looking at small guidelines or rules you can follow for making better choices at meal time.


Struggling to find a pattern or theme? Then take a few days out to record the foods that you’re eating and the blood sugar level readings taken before and 90 minutes after a meal. To make this easier, go ahead to the app store and download mySugr or One Drop (both apps are available on Apple and Android). Our main goal is to produce a list with a bunch of realistic eating guidelines that help you keep your blood glucose levels regular and give you enough energy throughout the day. Below is a brainstorm produced by a diabetic which you can use as sample or even follow it word-for-word. 

10 tips to follow every day to regulate your blood sugar levels:

1.    Try to limit your Carbohydrate intake to no more than 35 grams in one sitting. Although this is a super controversial tip within the Nutrition and Dietetics field, every individuals body is different and therefore before adjusting your Carbohydrate intake consult with your health care provider.
2.    Eat more vegetables. 
3.    Opt for whole foods more often.
4.    Cook your meals from scratch so you know exactly what is going into your food.
5.    Avoid Sugary and fatty foods such as pastries, biscuits, crisps, cakes and anything fried.
6.    Snack on seeds and nuts, they’re heart healthy and full of nutrients. You can eat fruits but remember to spread the portions throughout the day.
7.    Eat Lean sources of proteins, remove skin of poultry and fat off meat.
8.    Drink water or unsweetened tea.
9.    Eat a filling breakfast (Protein, Fiber) and ideally nothing within 90 minutes of bedtime.
10. Check my blood sugar 90-120 minutes after eating or wear CGM or Flash Glucose Monitoring if possible financially.
This list may look tough to follow considering our modern food environment, but once you start introducing these small changes into your lifestyle, you’ll begin to see better post-meal blood sugar levels and therefore, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia, which every diabetic wants to avoid!
Since this article seems to be lengthening out, I have decided to split the information I share in two separate parts, I will write a follow-up article focusing on the everyday challenges that may occur whilst following these principles and how to overcome them. I hope this article has been very informative and that you are able to come up with your own principles and guidelines. 

Resources:
Diabetes Care 2004 Sep; 27(9): 2266-2271.https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.27.9.2266


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Tuesday, 27 November 2018

Dementia & Mental Health Awareness


Dementia & Mental Health Awareness

Diversity Living Services will be hosting an interactive and informative Workshop raising awareness of Dementia & Mental Health.

The aim of our Dementia & Mental Health Awareness workshop is designed to increase your knowledge and assist you in gaining a wider understanding of the issues that may surround Dementia and Mental Health.
The workshop will also discuss the problems in relation to stigmas placed on those suffering from mental health and provide information on how to access the range of support that is available nationally and locally.

We will be focusing on the following topics:

Dementia
· What is Dementia?
· Its causes, thoughts on managing behaviours, and ideas on how to engage and stimulate people living with dementia
· The signs and symptoms of dementia
· How dementia affects behaviour, the senses and communication
· How to build positive relationships with people affected by dementia using increased knowledge, empathy and practical skills.

Mental Health
· How to support people with mental health issues
· Defining mental health
· Looking after your own mental health
· Identifying the discrimination surrounding mental health
· How to access mental health services
· Recognising warning signs
· Key issues impacting mental health and well-being
· Barriers to accessing mental health support and services

Please call us on 02088036161 or email us at healthinfo@diversityliving.org to book your place. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Free refreshments
Free blood pressure checks
Networking opportunities

Dementia & Mental Health Awareness Workshop Information
Date: Wednesday 28th November 2018
Time: 11.00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Edmonton Green Library ( 1st floor), 36-44 South Mall,
London N9 0TN

We have compiled the following useful resources for further information about mental health and dementia:

Mental Health

Mental health services
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/


BME people ‘get worse mental health service’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45565034

BME communities face ‘cultural taboo’ over mental health
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-41999412

Mental health crisis care: commissioning excellence for Black and minority
ethnic groups
https://www.mind.org.uk/media/494422/bme-commissioning-excellence-briefing.pdf




Dementia:


Nine lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of dementia
https://www.nhs.uk/news/neurology/nine-lifestyle-changes-may-reduce-risk-of-dementia/



Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities and dementia
https://www.scie.org.uk/dementia/living-with-dementia/bme/



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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.