A New Year boost for our Health & Wellbeing!
By the end of this month every household should have received their own copy of the Wedmore Directory of Health & Wellbeing. This is our guide to all the local organisations and people who can help to boost that feel-good factor in our lives. There is good evidence that striving towards these ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ can have definite health benefits too, eg, ‘keeping moving’ can lower the risk of a number of significant diseases, for example, coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and dementia. Details can be found on the NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/
Also, surprisingly, feeling lonely is thought to be a risk factor for these diseases too, so ‘investing in relationships’ and ‘giving to others’ can help minimise feelings of loneliness. We have so many resources in and around Wedmore to help us with these ‘five ways’. Thanks to our three donors for awarding us grants to enable us to update, re-print and deliver a Directory to every household in the Parish of Wedmore.
Our three donors are:-
- Wedmore Community Power Cooperative
- The Bluebird Café
- Wedmore & Axbridge Community Health Fund CIO
These grants will enable everyone in Wedmore to have easily accessible information about all the organisations which can support our health & wellbeing. You don’t need a mobile phone or computer! Thank you to the team who updated the Directory:- Eileen Gillibrand, Pauline Heslop, Sue Kirley, Sue Parsons and Eileen Wotton. Wedmore Parish Council supports this project. If you have not received your Directory by February, please ring the number below or send an email. This resource is for everyone!
A TEAM approach for young people
Strode College has a new initiative for young people, 16-25 year olds, in partnership with The King’s Trust (previously The Prince’s Trust). It is a project designed to enable young people to achieve a number of outcomes:- uncover hidden talents & improve confidence, gain new qualifications, develop English & Maths skills and mix with new people & make friends. It’s free! To find out more contact the local TEAM leader, Nick White on 07880 005530 or nwhite1@strode-college.ac.uk.
Support for people with dementia and their carers in Wedmore
Carer’s Group
Do you care for or support a person living with dementia? Then this friendly informative group is for you! Come along on the first Friday of the month to The Swan Hotel, Wedmore between 10am and 12md, next meeting on 3rd January 2025. If you want to find out more about the Memories Workshops and Carers’ Group, phone HeadsUp on 01749 670667 or email wedmorecarers@yahoo.com You can also see their latest Newsletter by going to www.whawb.co.uk If you need help with funding, just ask, help may be available.
Dementia Safeguarding Scheme
Avan and Somerset Police operates a scheme, also called the Herbert Protocol, to help keep people living with dementia as safe as possible. This is particularly helpful should a person with dementia go missing, need assistance or be in distress. People registered with the scheme can receive FREE resources, eg a wristband and lanyard. To find out more search on the internet. https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/apply/dementia-safeguarding-scheme-herbert-protocol/
For easy links to all the websites and documents referenced please go to www.whawb.co.uk and go to the Wedmore News item for January 2025.
Cathy Butterworth
Wedmore Health & Wellbeing Project
01934 806266