In May, Camden Council announced ‘Raise Camden’ – a new strategic programme to look at the issue of child poverty in the borough. 

Raise Camden was launched following a report produced by the UCL Institute of Health Equity which looked into the impact of child health inequality in Camden. A Raise Camden Taskforce has been set up to guide the borough’s response to this report with experts and partners. 

Part of the actions include the roll out of the ‘Marmot Estates Project’ – a two-year pilot project which will co-design actions with residents on two estates to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities. This project is the first to be trialled in the country. 

The project will use the ‘Marmot Principles’, a set of recommendations developed by Professor Sir Michael Marmot and his team to address health inequalities in England, as well as local data to address issues on estates which are most important to residents. 

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Director, UCL Institute of Health Equity, said: “The work Camden is doing through Raise Camden is hugely important and timely; it is based on the evidence on what we know will reduce health inequalities and support prevention of ill health. We know from the IHE's work to improve health equity with around 60 places across the UK that action on the drivers of health – early years, education, employment and income - are all essential for better health.  Camden's focus on two housing estates is the first time that we will have run the programme in this way. Working closely with residents is likely to bring the challenges of trying to enable healthy lives into sharp focus, and identify solutions that can be tested.”

The project is part of Camden Council’s Estates Mission, where it is working with communities and partners to support residents of its Estates to live healthy, flourishing and connected lives. The Council will test and learn different ways it can work with tenants, leaseholders and estate communities to achieve this goal, tailored to local needs and environments.

During the trial, Camden Council will work with residents and partners to find innovative ways to tackle issues on estates which matter to them, with the aim of rolling out the project across other estates in the future.

This project is in the early stages of development, with the chosen estates and actions set to be announced later this year.

The Raise Camden Taskforce is co-chaired by the Council Leader, Councillor Richard Olszewski, and Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Director of the Institute of Health Equity and Professor of Epidemiology at University College London.

Find out more about Raise Camden here. 

Read the full report here.

Launching this week, the campaign aims to reduce health inequalities in the borough after research showed that many young people are unaware of how or where to access health services, particularly for mental health and sexual health support.

It’s been co-produced by ‘Camden Youth: Tell Them’ – a group of young people from Camden aged 16-23 who have developed the campaign from research stages to creative concepts, and tested ideas with their target audience.

Bus stop advertisements, TikTok videos, and Instagram reels created by the group will be shared to increase awareness of free health services available in Camden, including sexual health, mental health, substance misuse, and GP services.

Camden Youth: Tell Them, said: “We know that there are so many services to help under 25s in Camden – we met them to create our campaign – but that young people don’t always know about them. Young people can also be put off getting healthcare because they feel embarrassed, are worried about costs or their parents finding out.

“We hope that Look after YOU not only helps Camden young people to easily find the free healthcare they need, when they need it, but that they feel comfortable and confident using these services.”

Visit the Camden Rise website to find out more about a range of health services available for young people in Camden. Watch their Instagram reel here.

The ‘Look After YOU’ campaign was developed following key recommendations highlighted in the 2023 annual public health report on adolescent health for Camden Council. Last year, the ‘Camden Youth: Tell Them’ group presented findings from this report as a graphic novel titled ‘Step into Our Shoes’.

‘Camden Youth: Tell Them’ is part of a paid training programme for young people working, living, or going to school in Camden.

One in 10 children and young people in London have asthma but less than half of these have an asthma management plan or know how to use their inhaler correctly. Many have badly managed asthma – to the extent that 4,000 are admitted to hospital with asthma every year and 170 have such a severe episode that they require admission to intensive care.

This September, Healthy London Partnership and NHS England (London), supported by the Mayor of London, are running their fourth public awareness campaign #AskAboutAsthma to encourage small steps to improve the quality of life of those living with asthma in London.

Keeping children’s asthma under control is particularly important this year due to the coronavirus and any potential second wave.

The campaign aims to encourage health professionals, children and young people and their families to 'ask' for three simple effective interventions to help them control their asthma by:

• having an asthma management plan
• being able to use their inhaler effectively
• having an annual asthma review (as a minimum).

Find out more:

• Healthy London Partnership - Ask About Asthma press release
• Asthma reviews
• Princess Asma & the Asmanauts - resources for children
• Download: Ask About Asthma campaign and resources
• Follow or support the campaign on social media with the hashtag #AskAboutAsthma

This includes hip and knee replacements - and other surgery of hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, feet, ankles and hands.

Any changes could affect residents of Camden, Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Islington and neighbouring boroughs.

North London Partners in Health and Care are asking for responses to their consultation until 6 April.

A public meeting to discuss the proposals is taking place in Camden on Tuesday, 10 March, from 6.30 to 8:30pm in the Council Chamber, Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BD.

Find out more and have your say:

• Read or download the consultation document, watch a short film about the proposals and fill in the online questionnaire here

The fund, which the Council launched in November last year, invited applications for new and inventive projects to help Camden residents eat more healthily and take part in more exercise, to prevent obesity.

More than 40 organisations applied, and on Friday 25 May Councillor Angela Mason, Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life, joint chair of Camden’s Healthy Weight Healthy Lives Partnership, met representatives from the winning organisations.

The fund will support projects including:

DayOld Eats

An innovative social enterprise to give residents access to low-cost fruit and veg boxes using surplus food – complete with recipes to help people get easier access to cheap, healthy food as well as reducing waste. Josephine Liang, director of DayOld, said: “We will be starting with a pilot in one area with the hope of rolling the scheme out across Camden. Many people would like to change their eating habits but they find it too expensive, or just don’t know where to start. Our project will help make healthy eating a reality.”

Comoodle

Comoodle is a project that can make a real difference; an online platform that organisations can use to share their resources for local activities so everything gets used more often and by more people. Project manager, Mark White, said: “If a local group needs equipment, or a place to host their club or activity, they can search Comoodle to find what they need. It will help build connections between local people and organisations, making it possible for more activities to take place and saving groups money.

Wac Arts

Wac Arts, a charity that runs performing arts and media programmes for young people of all abilities aged five to 26, will be creating a new game to help young people with learning disabilities get more exercise. Chas Mollet, inclusive technology officer, said: “The game will combine physical activity with assistive technology hardware and software. Players will have to exercise to ‘level up’. We will be working with young people to co-create the game. All too often people think of gaming as the opposite of exercise, but our project aims to change their minds.”

Somers Town Community Association

Somers Town Community Association will be working with students from Central Saint Martins College and their local community to create and launch the people’s fruit and veg stall. This will operate as a cooperative to give local people access to affordable fresh food. Sarah Elie, the association’s executive director, said: “Older people, in particular, will benefit. As well as getting a walk they’ll be able to meet and chat to other people, take part in cooking and tasting sessions and be part of the community.”

Onigo

Onigo is creating a new lifestyle activity – digital active games. These immersive experiences are delivered through smartphones in real city parks around the world. In Camden, teams will take part in missions that will take them throughout the borough – think outdoor adventure games like Pokemon Go! The idea is to get users active, meeting new people and exploring outdoors. Director, Arthur Stril, said: “With these digital adventures, hundreds of residents will be able to get out of doors and discover a social and fun way to get active.”

The attached image, pictures individuals (left to right) representing; Central St Martins, Onigo, Somers Town Community Association, DayOld Eats and Wac Arts along with Councillor Angela Mason, Cabinet Member for Best Start in Life.

Adam Thorpe

Alex Stanley

Joned Khan

Josephine Liang

Councillor Angela Mason

Genevieve Corben

Zoe Dowler

Chas Mollet

Smokers who are looking to stop now have a wider range of free support available through the Breathe stop smoking service to increase their chances of success.

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the health of your family. Breathe offers free and confidential advice to people who live, work or study in Camden and Islington, with advisors who can provide a range of tailored methods to suit your way of breaking the habit.

When you need support, you can contact local advisors via text, phone or email, or visit the Breathe website for advice and information. For more intensive support you can also attend sessions with your advisor in person at a community location.

Next month is also Stoptober, Public Health England’s mass quitting campaign that begins on 1 October, making it the perfect time to think about giving up the habit.

To find out more:

• Visit breathestopsmoking.org
• Call 020 3633 2609, or text QUIT to 66777, or
• Email info@breathestopsmoking.org

Background:

• Smoking is one of the leading causes of death in Camden and Islington, claiming up to 241 lives each year per 100,000 residents and there were 1,657 smoking-related hospital admissions per 100,000 (Public Health England, 2015)
• Smoking-related illnesses can be prevented and evidence suggests that people are four times more likely to give up smoking with support from a specialist advisor
• The new service will cater to the needs of the local population by offering out of hours support for people who work and accessible clinics in local community settings, including community centres, leisure centres and GP surgeries
• Smokers will have the option of attending group sessions, combining stopping smoking with fitness activities, receiving support via the Breathe online platform or personalised one to one sessions with an advisor.
• Innovative healthcare provider, Solutions4Health, has been commissioned by Camden and Islington Councils to run the new service.

Improving air quality in Camden is a top priority. Polluted air has a direct impact on health and wellbeing, especially for young children and older people.

We are taking a wide range of actions to improve air quality across the borough. In 2016 we held an air quality conference and subsequently launched Camden’s Clean Air Action Plan for 2016-18. To find out more visit our ‘What we are doing’ web pages.

Did you know that driving exposes you to more harmful air pollution than walking or cycling? Watch our film to find out more. You can also sign up to airText, a free service that provides air quality alerts via text message, email or voicemail. For more information about what you can do to reduce your emissions and exposure to poor air quality, visit our ‘What you can do’ pages.

Camden also monitors air quality in hot spot areas across the borough. You can view how we do this and the results on our air quality monitoring page.

Find out more:

If you want to find out more about any specific concerns, our Frequently Asked Questions page covers a wide range of issues for residents, schools and businesses across Camden.

The 'Camden Walking' campaign aims to increase the number of local residents who take part in daily brisk walking* in the borough.

An element of the wider campaign is the promotion of the Daily Mile – a project run in many of Camden’s schools, including Argyle Primary, which sees every child in the school spending 15 minutes a day running, jogging or walking on top of their regular PE lessons.

On Thursday 27 April, 15 children from Argyle Primary School walked their 'daily mile' from the school - in Tonbridge Street, King's Cross - to the Ambassadors Theatre, in the West End, before taking to the stage for rhythmic brushing and stomping exercises and a photo opportunity with cast members from STOMP.

The hit show, which last year celebrated its 25th anniversary, uses familiar objects to create a rhythmic universe exploding with energy, where anything can be turned into a beat, and anybody can pound a pattern and get active.

Fraser Morrison, STOMP's casting director and original cast member, said:

"Our show is based on movement and activity, so it was a natural link to join forces with Camden Council and Argyle Primary School for a campaign to get people of all ages more active. We cover several miles on stage every night, in which we try to convey the fun, excitement and exhilaration of physical exercise, whether you are sweeping the floor briskly with a broom or zipping through the supermarket on your shopping trolley. The benefits of exercise expand the health of mind and body.”

Jemima Wade, headteacher of Argyle Primary School, said:

"This was a daily mile with a difference for our pupils! Physical education, culture and arts are all something we are passionate about at Argyle Primary and it was fantastic to have been able to combine them all, with pupils taking to the stage with the cast of a globally-renowned stage show. It was an unforgettable experience that will hopefully motivate others to get active, regardless of age."

As part of the campaign, Camden Council is also promoting walking routes and walking groups in the borough on Twitter (#camdenwalking) and Facebook and online, as well as a Spotify playlist to listen to whilst walking, and an app named Active 10 - which tracks your walking and shows when to increase pace in order to deliver health benefits.

Background:

*Brisk walking means taking up a pace where your breathing rate and heartbeat increase, but you can still carry on a conversation. The NHS recommends people exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, but if you don’t walk very much at all, it might be good to break this down into ten minute brisk bursts, and build up to half an hour.

Among the benefits of brisk walking are:

• improved heart health and blood pressure
• increased mobility, strength and balance, reducing the risk of falls
• increased happiness and wellbeing
• getting to know Camden better and meeting new people
• helping the environment
• it's a great way to relax.

Watch: Camden school kids join the cast of STOMP - London Live

Faced with greatly reduced government funding, and a growing and ageing population, Camden Council is rethinking how we deliver social care. We are consulting on day services and centres and financial contributions (paying for care). Both consultations close at midnight on Sunday, 9 April 2017.

Day services and centres:

Fewer people are using our day centres and many of our centres offer similar activities and services, which doesn’t represent a good use of Council money. Under our proposals day services will be maintained but for some people, their current service will be provided in a different building.

We are proposing to develop two specialist services in the borough - one for older people, including those living with dementia, at the Kingsgate Resource Centre in Kilburn, and one for adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs at the new Greenwood Centre, in Kentish Town, when it opens in 2018.

Financial contributions to the cost of care or support:

If a person has sufficient income or wealth, they may be asked to contribute or to pay in full for their social care. We want to make sure that our policy is in line with national policy and guidance, and other local authorities, and that it is fair to all residents who pay.

We have already taken the difficult decision to increase council tax to help bridge the gap between rising demand for social care and available funding. This will help us maintain services to residents who need them most and help avert a crisis of social care funding in the longer term.

We want to create social care services that reflect how people live now, focusing on their strengths and potential, not just the barriers they face, so they can live full, active lives in their local communities. At the same time, we will continue to support those with the most complex needs and will prioritise protecting people from harm.

Anna was referred to Future Path, one of the partners delivering the pilot, suffering from anxiety, isolation and depression after being out of work for three years. She was assigned a coach, who met with her at least once a week and provided one-to-one support to her in preparing her for employment. The coach looked to understand her future plans and the type of role she would be comfortable in.

When an opportunity arose at Mecca Bingo, the coach first arranged for Anna to complete a work trial with the employer to allow them to see her skills and commitment. The role itself was offered with the flexibility of either part-time or full-time hours. This provided Anna with the ability to ease her way back into the workplace.

Future Path’s coach also introduced himself to Anna’s line manager and explained the ongoing support available to the organisation and her, to help her to remain in employment. Now more than three months in the new role, Anna’s mental health has considerably improved, and she has recently moved to a full time position with her employer.

Find out more about how Camden’s Work and Wellbeing partners, Future Path and Hillside Clubhouse can help you recruit and support fresh talent in your organisation.

In her letter to David Sloman, Councillor Hayward says that the council “remain unclear about the next stages of the STP process but provide detailed feedback on the current draft with the aim of influencing the plan as it proceeds to ensure it has the best chance of meeting the needs of the Camden residents we’re elected to serve”.

The Council recognises that the NCL STP is consistent with a number of strategic priorities and approaches that the Council has adopted in the development of its own services – whole-system working, integration, a focus on prevention, care closer to home, and parity of esteem for mental and physical health.

Councillor Hayward makes it clear that Camden’s Cabinet know that the STP has had local clinical input and a well-argued case for change, but feels that the process has been “deeply flawed” and “significantly undermined by national requirements that have resulted in a complete lack of local political involvement, a lack of public engagement and transparency, against a background of fundamental funding constraints.”

Councillor Hayward reminds Mr Sloman that the council’s concerns “about the lack of transparency in the development of the plan and the exclusion of local politicians” led her to publish the plan at the first opportunity (once this was submitted on 21 October 2016), against the wishes of NHS England.

Following the publishing of the plan the council organised events and arranged a period of public engagement.

In addition to this the Camden-led Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee conducted a series of open-call evidence gathering sessions.

Councillor Hayward makes clear that “the message we have consistently received during this engagement is that residents, stakeholders and partners have deep reservations about the plan.”

She closes the letter, stating that she understands that the development of NCL STP is at a very early stage but asks Mr Sloman to join the council in “voicing our concern to NHS England and the Government that the STP process is neither adequate nor sufficient to the challenge of ensuring that we have a health and care service fit for the future.”

“At this stage, we are neither accepting nor rejecting the NCL STP. Cabinet has authorised officers to continue to engage with the development of the NCL STP contingent upon our concerns being addressed, and we will continue to assess our position as the process continues”, she adds.

The Chair of the North Central London Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Alison Kelly, will shortly also write to David Sloman, and Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt – outlining concerns that the five-council committee* have with the STP process locally and nationally.

*The following councils are represented on the North Central London Joint Health Overview Scrutiny Committee:

Barnet, Camden, Haringey, Enfield, Islington.

The ‘Named Social Worker’ pilot will see an experienced social worker assigned to be the primary point of contact for people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs (and their family or carers) when they are detained on a mental health ward or are at risk of being admitted to a ward. The named social worker will provide a professional voice across the whole system for the individual, including challenging decisions about the individual’s care.

Camden Council submitted a bid to be part of the Department of Health scheme and is the only London council to have been successful. The pilot will involve Camden working with five other councils nationally, and a health consultancy firm, to develop a working model for the named social worker role.

The government committed to piloting the scheme as part of its response to the consultation on a learning disability green paper launched before last year’s general election.

The pilot will not only test the premise that a named social worker will provide better support to the targeted individuals, but will also deliver swifter but appropriate relocation from inpatient units to community based support in their local communities.

Testing is free, fast, confidential and simple and can be done at a sexual health clinic, GP surgery or local HIV organisation. There are even postal tests or self tests that can be done at home.

If someone has HIV, the sooner they know the better, as it they can get treatment. What’s more, a negative test means they don’t have to worry any more.

Most people get HIV from someone who doesn’t realise they have it. If more people test and get the medication they need, we’ll be able to cut the numbers of people who get HIV in the future.

Read more about HIV testing.

Event for young people

Do you know young people aged 13 to 24 in Camden? There’s an event for young people at The HIVE on 24 November from 3 to 6pm.

On Wednesday 2 November we’re inviting local residents, students, businesses, public services and community organisations to come together at our free air quality conference and take action to improve the air we breathe.

Air pollution has a major impact on all of us. Nearly 9,500 people die every year in London as a result of poor air quality and action must be taken to change this. At this event you will hear more about Camden Council’s pledge to improve local air quality and learn how you can work with us to make a real difference. Joint action is needed not just at a local level, but at regional and national level as well. Hear our speakers discussing the opportunities and constraints to tackling the issue of air quality in Camden. Then join us for a series of breakout sessions where you can share your ideas, however big or small, on how we can tackle this problem together.

Agenda

6 to 7pm: Setting the scene

Hear from our speakers on what's been achieved so far and where action is needed next to improve the air we breathe.

Speakers include:

· Simon Birkett, Director of Clean Air in London

· Keir Starmer MP, member of parliament for Holborn and St Pancras

· Elliot Treharne, Air Quality Manager at the GLA

7 to 8pm: Breakout sessions

A series of breakout sessions where we want to hear from you, all ideas are welcome on how we can tackle the problem of air pollution together.

8 to 8.30pm: Summary and Q&A

A question and answer session in the Council Chamber before we close, bringing together the key areas of action highlighted as priorities in the breakout sessions.

Places are limited so book your free place now via Eventbrite.

To find out more about how we’re tacking air quality in Camden visit camden.gov.uk/airquality

IMAGE COURTESY OF BASKETMAN AT FREEDIGITALPHOTOS.NET

GPs in Camden are urging local people at risk of complications from flu to get their free flu vaccination this winter.

Some people, due to age or a medical condition, are at greater risk of severe illness if they catch flu. This can result in hospitalisation and, in the most serious cases, even death.

If you’re at greater risk you can get a free flu vaccination at your GP surgery. It’s safe, effective and the best possible protection against an unpredictable virus.

You can get a free flu jab if you are:

· a health professional

· aged 65 and older

· pregnant (it’s safe at all stages of pregnancy)

· a carer (paid and unpaid).

Children aged two, three and four or in school years 1, 2 and 3 can also get a free nasal spray vaccination – it’s quick, painless and effective.

Contact your GP to find out more and to arrange your flu vaccination, or book an appointment at your nearest pharmacy. Check the list below to see if your pharmacy is offering the flu jab.

Pharmacies offering the flu jab in Camden

Take part in a variety of family friendly activities, including face-painting, crazy golf, tshirt decorating, a rodeo bull, a smoothie bike where kids pedal to produce their own delicious drinks, along with free Brazilian refreshments.

Council staff will be on hand to talk about local services, including the Camden Account, and experts will be offering health advice and free NHS health checks.

There will also be a community art exhibition by artist duo Walls on Walls. Over the past two years the artists have been working with Camden residents to create unique artworks on the walks of local housing estates. They will be displaying images of the artworks, including those from the walls of Medway Court and Lismore Circus.

This event is part of the Camden Sentido programme, which explores the links between Brazil and Camden, and the sounds, smells, tastes, sights and feelings that connect them.

Find out more:

For more information about events taking place as part of Camden Sentido and listings of other local activities, visit lovecamden.org

If you are concerned about your weight and feel ready to make a change, you may be eligible for Rebalance, our free 12-week weight and lifestyle programme.

Rebalance aims to help you lose weight, grow in confidence and take control of your lifestyle.

It includes a programme of indoor and outdoor group exercise classes and one-to-one advice about your diet and nutrition.

It's held at a range of local leisure and community centres across Camden and Islington.

At the end of the 12-week course you can receive 9 months of free support to help you stick to your new lifestyle, including monthly catch-up sessions.

You will also be eligible for more than 50% off gym membership at any of the GLL leisure centres in Camden and Islington.

Find out more
camden.gov.uk/rebalance
020 7974 1741
rebalance@camden.gov.uk

Maygrove Peace Park is one of six outdoor gyms that have had new equipment installed, following consultation with local residents and users, including the Friends of Maygrove Peace Park, who made suggestions as to which equipment would be most beneficial for users of all abilities.

The outdoor gyms are free to use and the equipment is suitable for people who are 14 or older. As well as having some new core gym equipment, some of the gyms now offer equipment for activities such as table tennis, trampolining and kickboxing.

You can read more about outdoor gyms on our website

Councillor Sarah Hayward, Leader of Camden Council, said: “I am deeply saddened by the terrible incident in Russell Square. My thoughts are with the victims, and their families and friends.

“I’ve spoken to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe this morning who has updated me on the investigation. I would like to thank the Police for their response to this difficult situation and acknowledge the hard work they are now engaged in to investigate the incident. They have the Council’s full support.

“The safety of everyone who lives or works in Camden, as well as those who are visiting, is our priority. While tragic incidents such as last night’s are rare, I do urge people to report anything suspicious to the police. Please remain calm while we continue to work with the Police, other emergency services and the Mayor of London to reassure our communities.”

The heat could bring potential health issues and we are encouraging residents to take sensible precautions to avoid problems caused by the rise in temperature.

Follow these simple steps to stay safe this week:

• Carry a water bottle with you and ensure you stay hydrated with lots of soft drinks
• Use a sunscreen containing at least SPF 15 when outside and reapply regularly
• Sit in the shade rather than the direct sun
• Wear loose clothing to protect you from sunburn
• Wear a hat and sunglasses, and cover up your ears and the back of your neck
• Keep windows facing the sun closed during the day, and open to let in air at night

As well as ensuring your own safety, please look out for those around you who may need extra help, such as older or vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours, to make sure they are keeping cool and drinking plenty of fluids.

Please continue to check the met office website for further heatwave updates.

Further advice from the NHS about being prepared in the hot weather is also available.

Following a major £2.5m transformation, the 48-bed centre, near Euston, is now a state-of-the-art service that brings housing, health, and work programmes together under one roof.

All 48 bedrooms are now en suite and arranged in clusters that share modern kitchen facilities. Six of the bedrooms are designated as Hospital Discharge Network beds, where single homeless people who have spent time in local hospitals or other Pathway services, but require ongoing nursing care can receive this for a 12 week period.

The basement has been upgraded to a multi-skills workshop that will enable more clients from the centre and Pathway services to gain valuable construction skills, including bricklaying, painting and decorating, and begin their journey back to work.

The new facilities also include a café, computer area, indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, as well as changing rooms for men and women doing construction courses, and improved offices.

Councillor Pat Callaghan, Cabinet Member for Housing, who attended the event said: “It’s great to see that the refurbishment of this hostel has turned it into a unique centre, which brings a range of services to homeless people all on one site. The improvements at Endsleigh Gardens will mean staff can help residents even more to focus on their strengths and gain valuable skills which will enable them to look towards the future.

The Camden Adult Pathway provides high quality accommodation and support in a wide variety of hostels and supported housing services around the borough. This transformed centre is the result of great partnership working between Camden Council, St Mungo’s, the GLA and health services, to offer residents the high quality services they need all under one roof.”

The ‘Healthy Minds’ programme will be a pioneering and targeted response to the mental health challenge Britain faces.

In Camden, estimates indicate that over 35,000 people have a common mental health problem. Camden also has the third highest serious mental illness prevalence and seventh highest depression prevalence in London.

The new £750,000 programme is co-funded by the Council and the Camden Clinical Commissioning Group and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust.

The programme’s priorities are to:

• Support parents before and after their child’s birth. It will particularly focus on building resilience in women and their partners, who are vulnerable or at greater risk of developing mental health conditions, to help give their child the best start in life (£260,000).
• Work with the voluntary sector to improve the wellbeing of people whose mental health is at risk. The key focus will be to prevent mental health issues developing and to reduce dependency on statutory support through encouraging volunteering and involvement in community activities (£380,000).
• Support young people at risk of developing mental health conditions (£40,000).
• Promote wellbeing at work (£70,000).

Further details about the different aspects of the ‘Healthy Minds’ programme are below.

Community perinatal support (£260k)

The Camden Healthy Minds Fund is supporting the First 1001 Day Programme through early, evidence-based interventions for parents-to-be and new parents, supporting greater confidence and positive parenting skills with their new born, as the cornerstone of early parent-child attachment and bonding and its long term impact on resilience and longer term outcomes. Funding is targeted across two strands:

1. “Preparation for Parenthood Service” (153k) –This new service aims to promote effective support for parents around sensitive parenting and attachment and to help parents-to-be to manage the transition. The Preparation for Parenthood Service will be delivered by children’s centre staff, health visitors, midwives and partner organisations with the overall aim to reduce inequality and improve outcomes for young children and their families in Camden. Starting in August 2016, in its first year the service will support at least 100 families to complete the intervention programme.
2. “Relationship support for vulnerable parents” (£107k) - This new service will deliver relationship support to vulnerable parents during the antenatal period to promote strong couple relationships and the best possible environment for a new baby. This will be supported through training staff in Children’s Centres to identify parents with risk factors around their relationships and mental health.

Individual and community resilience (£380k)

This innovative voluntary sector partnership will look to promote improved levels of wellbeing and reduce dependency on statutory support through a Resilience Network. It is aimed at people whose mental health is at risk to prevent mental ill health developing and to support people as early as possible to prevent progression or to promote sustained recovery. It will work with people that are below the threshold for specialist mental health services and will be targeted to communities with higher levels of deprivation and groups that are less likely to engage in formal services. Support will include development of tailored peer support, volunteering opportunities and employment support, and include access to a range of activities that promote mental and physical wellbeing. Specifically, the service will aim to deliver:

• Improved access to early help for 300 people at risk of increased mental health problems per year;
• Increased access to community activities for 600 people per year;
• 150 people per year to volunteer regularly; and
• Over 100 people per year to benefit from new forms of peer support.

This service is currently out to tender and will be awarded in autumn 2017.

Promoting Wellbeing in the Workplace (£70k)

This project aims to ensure that employers in Camden, including the Council, understand the benefits of promoting health and wellbeing amongst their workforce and reap the benefits of having healthy engaged staff. We are working with the Business Disability Forum to set up a Camden Ability Network that will promote “disability smartness” with Camden employers. 

Proposed support for young people at risk of mental health conditions (£40k)

This project will provide support to key organisations to better identify and support young people at risk of mental health conditions and will complement the Open Minded service offer. This recognises that the majority of lifetime mental health needs first occur in childhood or adolescence and there is a significant increase in mental health needs between the ages of 11-16. 

The project will include providing all primary and secondary schools with the Take Ten programme. TakeTen is a new system that has been developed specifically for teachers and pupils to enhance their emotional health and wellbeing. The programme achieves strong outcomes around improved concentration, behaviour, performance and results and trains children, young people and adults to control the way their bodies deal with stress. The programme includes a Biofeedback heart monitoring system to recognise young people that are feeling heightened levels of stress and anxiety and to address these early. Funding will be used to purchase the equipment necessary and we will seek to embed this within the programme at schools. A number of schools have already come forwards to pilot this work which will start in September 2016. 

In addition, a need has been identified to deliver a new training programme around the mental health needs of young people that will be delivered in youth settings, schools and colleges to professionals that work with young people on a daily basis. 

So come and celebrate cycling with one if the events below, which are suitable for a range of ages and abilities:

Tuesday 14 June, 11am to 2:30pm: King’s Cross Bike Week Roadshow with Exchanging Places.

This event will feature exchanging places including a new low-cab design of truck to improve cycle and pedestrian safety. We also have the Santander Cycle Hire Roadshow along with free Dr Bike servicing and bike marking from the police.

Wednesday 15 June, 7.30 to 9.30am: Camden Cycling Campaign Breakfast

Camden Cyclists are offering breakfast at the Community Cafe in Ossulston Street with rree Dr Bike checks and bike marking. Stop by for a chat and refreshments. 

Wednesday 15 June, 11am to 3pm: Lincoln’s Inn Field Bike Week Roadshow

Free bike marking and Dr Bike servicing. Sign up for our free cycle skills and bike maintenance courses. Free cycle guides and information.

Thursday 16 June, 11am to 3pm: Primrose Hill Bike Week

Get information about cycling in Camden, including local cycle maps, free Dr Bike servicing and police bike marking, as well as opportunities to sign up for our cycle skills and bike maintenance courses.

Thursday 16 June, 4 to 7:30pm: Regent’s Park Bike Week Roadshow

Dr Bike and bike marking event in conjunction with Royal Parks and the Westminster Cycling Campaign. Free cycle guides and cycling information.

Friday 17 June, 11am to 3pm: Queen’s Square Bike Week Roadshow

Free Dr Bike servicing and police bike marking, along with information on cycle routes and sign ups to our free cycle skills and bike maintenance courses. This is the last roadshow event of Camden Bike Week.

Sunday 19 June, 9.30am assembly for 10.30am start: Ride Around Camden

A friendly and easy-paced bike ride that gives you the chance to enjoy some of Camden’s sights and scenery.

The ride is free and you do not need to register – simply turn up on the day with your bike.

Find out more:

Visit the Cycle Camden Facebook page for regular updates.

NLA's annual New London Awards recognise the very best new architecture, planning and development in the capital. The Wellbeing category focuses on projects that seek to improve the users’ health and wellbeing via innovative design and technology, from active design to extra-care facilities.

Active Spaces are original, imaginative, challenging and never-before-seen structures made possible through funding from Camden Clinical Commissioning Group and Camden and Islington Public Health. Led by Proactive Camden, Camden’s strategic partnership, Active Spaces are designed to provide greater and more varied opportunities for pupils to be physically active during and outside the school day.

Helen Bruckadorfer, Headteacher of Torriano Junior School, one of the schools to develop an Active Space, said: “Camden Active Spaces has given the school and local community a unique opportunitiy to contribute to the design of an innovative outdoor learning environment. (We now have) dynamic play structures set within community gardens and facilities, which will provide opportunities for physical activity, cooking and growing.”

Active Spaces is one part of Camden’s objective to enhance the health of our young community. Another is Race to Health, which launched last weekend as an online physical activity challenge for primary school children that encourages them to participate in daily physical activity. To tie in with this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, over the next five weeks Camden and Islington schools will compete to be the first school to reach the distance from London to Rio

The winners of the NLAs will be announced on Thursday 7 July.

More information:

Find out more about the wide variety of health and physical activity schemes we offer across the borough.

Read more about the NLA nominations.

Last month our campaign to tackle domestic abuse launched. One aim of the campaign is to get people talking about the issue to continue to break down the silence that can surround it. As a community, talking about what is and isn’t acceptable in a relationship and not tolerating or accepting damaging behaviors, is something we can all do to help.

We know that abusive behaviour, including emotional, psychological, sexual, financial or physical abuse, should never be part of a loving relationship. Knowing the signs to look out for, both in your own relationships, and in those around you, whether it’s a family member, friend or neighbour, is key to tackling domestic abuse and getting help for the people who need it.

If you are concerned that someone you know may be experiencing domestic abuse of any kind, call our confidential support service, Camden Safety Net, to talk in confidence to our friendly advisors.

Thank you for your support

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Know You’re Not Alone campaign so far. Thanks to your help in sharing the video online, the message that there is a safe place to go for support has reached nearly 8K people. You can continue to follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter and watch the campaign video on YouTube.

Find out more:

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or know someone who is, contact our dedicated support service, Camden Safety Net:

Phone: 020 7974 2526

Text: 07814 671 427

Email: camdensafetynet@camden.gov.uk

Find out more about Camden Safety Net and the campaign at camden.gov.uk/know

You could join a team of volunteers as a team member (over 16s) or team leader (over 18s) who will support at this event by welcoming and guiding visitors on the day. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and give something back to the community, so what better way to get involved than supporting at this Olympic event?

The Night of the 10,000m PBs (personal bests) will be hosted by the Highgate Harriers Athletics Club at Parliament Hill Athletics Track on Saturday 21 May. The day will include a series of races, including inter-borough school relay races and adult races where runners will attempt to achieve their personal best times for the 10,000 metres.

The last two races of the day will be reserved for elite athletes, who (provided they have achieved Olympic qualifying times) will have the chance to compete for a place in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There will also be a range of entertainment for all ages at the event, plus food and drink stalls. Entrance to the event is free.

The deadline to register your interest in volunteering at the Night of the 10,000m PBs has now been extended to Friday 13 May 2016. Read more about the event and find out details about volunteering on the day.

Find out more:

For other volunteering opportunities in sport, search bit.ly/RoleSearch or contact Volunteer Centre Camden on 020 7424 9990 or info@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk

If the strike goes ahead there will be a full withdrawal of labour between 8am and 5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Advice to patients

The NHS is working hard to ensure that as few patients as possible are affected by the industrial action, but some services will need to change. Alternative additional services have been put in place to meet patient demands. Please visit nhs.uk/strike to search for the extra services being provided in your local area.

It is especially important if you have a long-term health condition or you look after people in vulnerable groups – such as the elderly and young children – that you know what to do on the days of the industrial action.

Planned operations/procedures and outpatients appointments​

If you have a planned operation/procedure or outpatient appointment one of the days when the industrial action is taking place, your hospital will contact you if it needs to be rearranged. If you have not been contacted by the hospital you should first check the hospital website for additional advice.

GPs

Your GP practice will be open and working as normal on the days of the industrial action. Given that GPs may experience greater demand than normal on these days, we strongly recommend that you contact them early if you need advice or an appointment.

A&E

Accident and Emergency departments will be open for patients with serious and life threatening conditions, with essential care being provided by senior staff. As is always the case to ensure that hospitals can treat those who most need it, only those patients with serious and life threatening conditions should visit their A&E.

Other medical needs

If you become ill on this day with a non-urgent condition and need advice, please visit www.nhs.uk, or go to your local pharmacist. If you need medical help fast but it’s not an emergency call 111, or contact your GP.​ If you have regular medication please make sure you collect your prescription from the GP and have been to the pharmacist to collect it, and have it to hand.

Find out more

Visit nhs.uk/strike.

On Saturday 21 May the Highgate Harriers Athletic Club will host the Night of the 10,000m PBs (personal bests), an Olympic qualification event which offers runners a chance to reach their personal bests for this distance. The first two British athletes to cross the finish line in Olympic qualifying times in both the men’s and women’s elite races will go on to represent the UK at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Volunteering is a great opportunity to meet new people, develop skills and give something back to the community. So, what better time to get involved than this unique opportunity to be a part on an Olympic event right here in Camden? Volunteers must be 16 or over and will receive full training. For more information and to register your interest, click here. The deadline to apply is Tuesday 10 May 2016.

The event will also incorporate the England Athletics 10,000m championships, include junior races from inter-London borough schools, and there will be a variety of entertainment for all ages on the day, along with food and drink stalls. Entrance to watch the event is free.

Find out more:

For full details of the event, visit camden.gov.uk/active and follow the link to the ‘Events.’

Friday 26 February is Fuel Poverty Awareness day, a nationwide campaign run by National Energy Action with the aim to raise awareness of the problem and the solutions available.

To coincide, today we are re-launching our fuel poverty infographic which outlines the main causes and effects of fuel poverty and what we are doing to tackle the issue in Camden.

Keeping well and warm at home

Keeping your home warm over the colder months can be difficult, especially if you are worried about high energy bills. Green Camden has a wide range of advice and support services to help keep you well and warm in your home.

Your first step to a warmer home is to call the free-phone Green Camden Helpline. The team provide advice and tips on saving energy, changing fuel tariff/ suppliers, dealing with fuel debt and more. They can also check your eligibility for any services or financial support available to help keep your home warm, such as the Well and Warm home energy advice visit service or energy efficiency grants for home owners/ private tenants.

You can call the Green Camden Helpline for free on 0800 801 738 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Here are a few simple ways you can keep warm and start saving money today:

• Check to see is a cheaper fuel tariff is available ( the average saving is £200)
• Set your heating and hot water controls to only come on when needed
• Close your curtains at night to keep the heat in your home

Find out more

Visit our Green Camden web pages for more tips and advice on how to keep well and warm or call the Green Camden Helpline on 0800 801 738.

The service is funded by Camden Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and delivered by the Camden GP Federation.

Dzenana Hozic, from Bloomsbury, was one of the first patients to be seen by the Saturday service.

Dzenana said: “I called my surgery at 5pm on Friday and was offered an appointment the next day. It’s brilliant being able to see a GP on a Saturday – it means I’ve avoided a visit to the urgent care centre”.

Patients make an appointment in the usual way through their GP surgery. All consultations take place at South Camden Centre for Health on Drummond Street between 9am and 5pm each Saturday.

Shira Rotem, from Bloomsbury, visited the service on 6 February.

Shira said: “I think it’s great. My GP doesn’t do Saturday appointments and I work during the week. When you are sick you don’t want to wait a week to be seen – being able to come on a Saturday really helps”.

Similar Saturday services are coming soon in north and west Camden.

Find out more

camdenccg.nhs.uk/saturday-appointments

The report published on January 4, found 60 per cent of the 1,200 smokers surveyed said something should be done about the sale of cheap illegal tobacco.

In addition, 56 per cent of respondents said they agreed cheap tobacco made it easier for children to start smoking, and 52 per cent agreed it made it harder for smokers to quit the habit.

The results of the joint survey - commissioned by seven London boroughs’ trading standards and public health departments – come as many thousands of smokers strive to kick the habit this New Year.

Councillor Sally Gimson Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “Worryingly this report indicates 44% of smokers in Camden and 33% in Islington found it easy to buy cheap illegal tobacco.”

“They also said the availability of cheap tobacco makes it possible for them to continue to smoke – where they would otherwise not be able to afford to continue doing so.

“The many negative long term health effects of smoking are beyond dispute, not to mention the substantial pressure and financial strain the effects of smoking add to an already struggling NHS. We will be stepping up our efforts to stop the sale of illegal tobacco in Camden, I strongly encourage residents who see or hear about illegal tobacco being sold in the Borough to report it to the Council so we can take action,” Councillor Gimson concluded.

Islington Council’s Deputy Leader and executive member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Janet Burgess, said: “This report shows there are real concerns that cheap, illegal, easily available tobacco not only hampers smokers’ efforts to quit, but increases the risk of children starting.

“Trading Standards teams in both boroughs are working hard to crackdown on those who sell counterfeit tobacco or supply tobacco products to children and young people under 18.

“Islington council is committed to helping our residents lead healthy lives. As part of our ‘New Year, New You’ campaign, we’re encouraging smokers who want to quit to seek expert help and face-to-face support from their local stop smoking advisor.”

Leon Livermore, Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) chief executive, said it was effectively a cry for help from would-be quitters whose efforts are being undermined by the illegal trade.

He said: “That smokers themselves are against the illegal trade shows just how far we have come in the fight against all tobacco products, which kill about 80,000 each year in England alone.

“Clearly illegal tobacco is now everyone’s concern and this survey shows that a majority of smokers want action taken against the unscrupulous tobacco sellers that often target them.

“Trading standards teams are working hard, alongside Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officials and police, to crack down on the illegal trade but continued public support is vital.”

Illegal tobacco products are made up of genuine but smuggled products as well as counterfeit and illegally manufactured tobacco products.

HMRC figures show the market share of illegal cigarettes has halved in a decade, falling from 21 per cent to 10 per cent.

Unlawful rolling tobacco sales have dropped too, from 62 per cent to 35 per cent during the same period, but combined sales still represent a £2.1 billion loss to UK taxpayers.

Meanwhile, CTSI’s national tobacco survey, published last month, has shown a 26 per cent increase in people reporting illegal tobacco sales to local councils.

In addition, the survey found that illegally manufactured cigarettes are unlikely to contain self-extinguishing properties, designed to prevent a dropped or discarded cigarette from causing fires.

Several illegal cigarette manufacturing operations, each capable of producing millions of illegal cigarettes, have been shut down across the UK and last month the government said it will consider licensing tobacco machinery.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, London regional director for Public Heath England (PHE), said: “Tobacco remains a high priority for PHE as half of all long-term smokers will die due to a smoking related illness.

“Although smoking rates for the UK, England and London have continued to fall, deep inequalities persist, with much higher prevalence among routine and manual workers.

“Our aim is to achieve a smoke-free generation and it is interesting to see the results of this survey which show that smokers think illegal tobacco makes it easier for children to take up smoking.

“While availability is declining nationally, it is clear that illegal tobacco undermines local efforts to prevent young people from starting smoking in the first place and to reduce overall smoking rates.”

Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest were the seven participating London Boroughs.

Camden and Islington’s Trading Standards teams work with business in their Boroughs to ensure the tobacco they supply and sell complies with the law.

Enforcement action is regularly taken against those who sell counterfeit or illicit tobacco, and those who sell to children under the age of 18.

Any information about tobacco sellers who do not comply with the law can be reported to trading standards teams, in confidence, via the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.

You can view the full report here: http://www.tradingstandards.uk/policy/illegaltobacco.cfm

Our stop smoking service, Smokefreelife Camden, is available for free support to stop smoking all year round. During January they will also be at the following locations for one-off stop smoking events. Pop along for helpful tips and advice on quitting smoking.

Find out more

For more information and advice or to book an appointment with a stop-smoking advisor, visit smokefreelifecamden.co.uk or call 0800 1070 401.

1. Get online

We can provide hands-on support to help you use computers and get online – making it easier for you to access council services online with a Camden Account, search for jobs, stay in touch with friends and family, find out about local events and much more.

Pop along to one of the sessions below or visit camden.gov.uk/adultlearning to find out more.

2. Volunteer

Why not give up some of your spare time to support the people and causes that matter to you? There are hundreds of local opportunities to choose from.

Talk to someone at Volunteer Centre Camden on 020 7424 9990 or visit volunteercentrecamden.org.uk to find out more.

3. Have a health check

If you're aged 40 to 74 (or 30 to 74 if you're of South Asian origin) start 2016 with a free NHS Health Check. It's free, simple and takes as little as 20 minutes – and can lower you risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes. Book a check at your GP surgery or local pharmacy.

Visit the NHS health checks website to find out more.

4. Discover more of your borough

From museums and libraries to markets and parks – there's plenty on offer to keep you entertained right on your doorstep.

Visit lovecamden.org to find out more about local events and activities near you.

5. Get active

There are lots of ways to get active in Camden. Try out the fantastic facilities at our leisure centres, with a range of membership options including many concessions. Over 60s can swim for free on weekdays from 7am to 12pm, and kids can swim for as little as £1.

You can find lots more free and low cost community activities including health walks, outdoor gyms, physical activity and sports sessions at camden.gov.uk/active.

6. Register to vote

Registering to vote means you will be ready to have your say in the London Mayoral and London Assembly elections on 5 May. From time to time, elections can be called at short notice and with an EU referendum planned before the end of 2017, now is a good time to make sure you're on the electoral register.

It's quick and easy to register oneline at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Alternatively, contact Camden's elections team on 0207 974 6000.

7. Sing out loud

There are loads of music groups and choirs across the whole musical spectrum looking for people like you to join them. For a list of choral and classical choirs, therapeutic and culturally diverse groups in Camden, visit camden.gov.uk/choirs.

8. Shape up

Get inspired in the new year with Shape Up, a free weight management programme to support you to achieve your goals with advice on exercise, healthy eating and keeping going. Sessions start in January across the borough.

Find out more at camden.gov.uk/shapeup.

9. Kick the habit

Tight on cash after buying all those Christmas presents? Quitting smoking can save you money as well as reducing your chances of chest infections, asthma and lung cancer

With help from Smokefreelife Camden you're four times more likely to quit for good. Offering free expert advice, one-to-one and group support, a personal quit plan and a range of tools and treatments to help you beat the cravings – there's never been a better time to kick the habit.

Pop along to one of these stop smoking events in January, or visit smokefreelifecamden.co.uk or call 0800 1070 401 or 0203 317 3861  for free advice and support all year round.

10. Find a new job

Looking for a new job? A range of information and advice is available – from help with your CV and interview tips to ideas of how to build up your experience through volunteering and work placements. A range of local apprenticeships are also available for 16 to 24-year-olds in everything from retail and catering to construction and mechanics.

Visit camden.gov.uk/jobsandskills to find out more.

11. Cut down your drinking

Lots of us enjoy a drink from time to time, but regularly drinking too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems such as chronic liver disease.

Kick start a new approach to alcohol consumption by taking part in Dry January – a national challenge to banish booze for 31 days. Find out more at dryjanuary.org.uk.

If you are concerned about your own drinking, or someone close to you, we can help. For free advice and support visit icascamden.org.uk or call 0300 303 2420 (24-hour freephone).

Find out more

camden.gov.uk/health

020 7974 4444

Last year over 2 million people cut down their drinking for January. 2016 is looking to be even bigger, so join in and reap the rewards.

From significant health benefits including weight loss and better sleep, to more money in your pocket – what have you got to lose?

You’re more likely to stick with it and feel the benefits if you sign up, so take the challenge, banish the booze and feel like a new you.

Worried about your drinking?

Whether you’re worried about yourself or a loved one, there is lots of local support and advice available.

Take a free test at dontbottleitup.org.uk to check if your drinking is risky.

Contact our alcohol support service for free help, support and advice. Visit icascamden.org.uk or call 0300 303 2420 (24-hour Freephone).

The Hive is a safe and welcoming place for young people aged 16 to 24, who may be caught in the gap between children’s and adults’ services. A new borough-wide health and wellbeing service for the same age group, called Axis, is based at The Hive and employs a team of young adults trained to help other young people in many areas of their life – including education, employment, housing, social care, health and wellbeing.

The Hive is also a place for young people to relax, study, meet new people and to get information about local services. There will be spaces for e-learning and personal study, as well as a social enterprise where young people can get experience to help build their CVs.

The Hive and Axis are managed by social business Catch22, in partnership with local specialist organisations, while the new base and service are funded by the NHS Camden Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and jointly commissioned by Camden Council and the CCG.

A Young People’s Board has been helping to lead the design and delivery at every stage, including choosing The Hive as the name of the youth base. Members of the board received recognition for their efforts at a recent ‘graduation’ celebration. A new youth board is now being formed and local young people are invited to get involved to influence the shape of future services at The Hive, which welcomes all young people aged 16 to 24.

Angel, 17, a Hive user and former Young People’s Board member, said: “Now the service is up and running, I feel a difference in my quality of life. The Hive has helped me with issues, made me feel safe and less lonely.”

Chris Wright, Chief Executive of Catch22, who officially opened The Hive on Wednesday 9 December, said: “We are proud to be managing this trailblazing new service and working in such an innovative partnership."

Councillor Georgia Gould, Camden Council’s Cabinet Member for Young People and Economic Growth, said: “This is a bold new way of working with providers and young people to create support which is responsive, accessible and designed with young people in mind. We hope Camden will pave the way for others.”

Dr Martin Abbas, lead for children on Camden CCG’s governing body, said: “We are really excited about launching this important and ground-breaking new service with Camden Council and other partners, including the inspirational Young People’s Board, to improve the health, wellbeing and opportunities of local young people.”

Find out more:

• Visit the Catch22 website
• Story of The Hive – 20-minute film
• See photos from the launch event here

Know You’re Not Alone is our new campaign to put a stop to domestic violence and abuse within the borough. To coincide with the release of our community-led video, we invite you to show your support by joining us on the day, either in person or via social media, to help us spread the message.

• Drop by one of our campaign locations, which will be announced on @camdentalking, and have your photo taken with our placard.

• Or, if you can’t make it in person, get involved by sharing and retweeting our video and photos, which will be posted using the hashtag #KnowYoureNotAlone

• We also encourage you to share your own messages of support. Download our campaign placard or get creative and write ‘Know You’re Not Alone’ on a piece of paper, your computer screen, your hand or even your t-shirt. Then post a picture of yourself with the slogan using the same hashtag #KnowYoureNotAlone

However you choose to get involved, show that you stand together with our whole community on 25 November in our pledge to stop domestic violence and abuse in Camden.

Domestic violence and abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation. Whether it be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse, it ruins lives and those affected often feel that they have no choice but to face it alone. Help us spread the message that there is help and support available.

More information:

If you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic abuse of any kind, contact Camden Safety Net to speak with one of our friendly staff for confidential and neutral advice.

Phone: 020 7974 2526

Text: 07814 671 427

Email: camdensafetynet@camden.gov.uk

For more information about our previous domestic violence and abuse campaigns, visit camden.gov.uk/know, where details of our current campaign will also be available soon.

The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Larraine Revah, joined residents yesterday to celebrate our new sport and physical activity scheme, Camden Active Communities.

At the event at Coopers Lane Tenants and Residents Association Hall, participants from the adult ‘Learn to Swim’ programme came along to share their experiences while residents had a chance to join in free trial sessions of boccia, cycling and table tennis.

The community scheme aims to increase participation in sports and physical activities within Somers Town, Regents Park, Gospel Oak, and Kilburn and West Hampstead. Since sessions started in the spring, more than 300 residents have attended free activities including basketball, boxfit, boxing, cycling, multi-sports and running.

Mayor of Camden, Councillor Larraine Revah, said:

“Camden Active Communities has been a huge success and shows how committed we are to taking action to improve the health of our communities. Keeping active isn’t easy as I know from my personal fitness challenge, so anything we can do to improve access to sporting activity is great I’ve enjoyed trying out some of the activities on offer.”

Camden Active Communities is funded through Sport England’s Community Sport Activation Fund, along with Camden and Islington Public Health, Camden Council, and England Athletics, and is run in partnership with Camden’s voluntary sector.

Find out more:

For more information about sports and physical activities taking place across the borough, visit camden.gov.uk/active

The HWB exists to improve the health and wellbeing of Camden residents and reduce health inequalities across the borough. It brings together leaders across the health and care system to provide leadership on a range of complex challenges which impact on the health of local people.

The Board has developed a new draft Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy – which sets out the actions they plan to take to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities in Camden.

The strategy sets out five priority areas which work will focus on:

• Healthy weight, health lives – making Camden a place where everyone has the opportunity to achieve and maintain a healthy weight
• Reducing alcohol-related harm – working together to reduce health inequalities, crime, disorder and offending
• Resilient families – working with partners to reduce families’ dependency on services and focusing on what they need to support themselves
• The first 1,001 days – ensuring the support we provide from pregnancy and through the first two years of life focuses on the most important outcomes for children
• Ensuring good mental health for all – promoting positive mental health, improving outcomes for people with serious and long-term conditions and preventing suicide wherever possible.

We want to find out your thoughts, views and experiences on the draft strategy.

Have your say

You can share your views from now until Monday 30 November in the following ways:

• Online – complete an online questionnaire at camden.gov.uk/hwb
• Email – send your views to jhws@camden.gov.uk
• Post – write to us at Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation, London Borough of Camden, Public Health, 8th Floor, 5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG.

Find out more

You can read more about the Health and Wellbeing Board here.

Keeping your home warm over the colder months can be difficult, especially if you are worried about high energy bills.

But we can help. Calling the free-phone Green Camden Helpline is your first step to a warmer home.

The team provide advice and tips on saving energy, changing fuel tariff/ suppliers, dealing with fuel debt and more.

They can also check your eligibility for any services or financial support available to help keep your home warm, such as the Well and Warm home energy advice visit service or energy efficiency grants for home owners/ private tenants.

You can call the Green Camden Helpline for free on 0800 801 738 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

Here are a few simple ways you can keep warm and start saving money today:

• check to see is a cheaper fuel tariff is available - you could save around £128 a year
• set your heating and hot water controls to only come on when needed
• close your curtains at night to keep the heat in your home.

Find out more

Visit Camden.gov.uk/wellandwarm for more tips and advice on how to keep well and warm or call the Green Camden Helpline on 0800 801 738.

The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Larraine Revah is embarking on a health and fitness challenge – and wants Camden residents to join her.

Today, (Thursday 8 October) the Mayor began the first day of her 8 week challenge in which she aims to lose weight and increase her fitness, at the newly refurbished gym Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, managed by Greenwich Leisure Limited on behalf of Camden.

As part of the challenge the Mayor will be committing to a healthy eating plan, weekly gym sessions and walking meetings – and she wants other Camden residents to join her on this exciting journey to better health and wellbeing.

“As part of my health and fitness challenge I will be making use of existing Council services and open spaces – I want to show people that you don’t necessarily need a lot of money to get fit and healthy, there are some simple steps you can start with to improve your health.

“I personally have struggled with my weight for many years and have found in recent years it has only exacerbated by poor eating choices and lack of exercise – so I decided that it was time to do something about it in my Mayoral year.

“I know there are residents in Camden struggling with the same issues so I want to reach out to them and say if I can do it, so can you.”

“There are some fantastic free services that Council provides including Exercise on Referral and Apples and Pears a free weight management service – both programmes are designed to support long term health changes.

“Camden also offers a free 8 week exercise programme for residents who have been referred to Camden’s exercise on referral programme by their GP”

“It’s a fantastic programme where specialist exercise instructors work one on one with residents to develop a realistic exercise programme that will work for them – then monitor their progress at weekly sessions of a gym of their choice, where they are also on hand to offer advice and support.”

Camden Exercise on Referral Instructor Siobhan Rodgers based at the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre said the programme was fantastic and has helped a lot of residents.

“We’ve seen people’s whole lives change as a result of this programme – they come in after having been referred by their GP for a medical reason, and have used the free eight week programme as a base to make some real positive changes that have improved their overall health and wellbeing.”

The Mayor will be encouraging Camden residents of all ages to join her in her quest, either by coming along to free weekly gym sessions at Swiss Cottage, or joining her for walks in some of Camden’s open spaces.

She is also interested in visiting community centres around the Borough to see what group fitness classes they run and get involved with some of them.

The Mayor is also keen to support and drop into any community fitness activities that are going on across the borough.

“I’d love to hear from residents who are also looking to improve their health. They can contact me online via twitter or at my drop in surgeries.”

The Mayor will be posting regular updates on the success of her challenge online and via twitter page – so make sure to stay tuned via @mayorofcamden for updates.

Private vehicles must be free from smoke if they are enclosed, there is more than one person present and one of them is under 18.

If you smoke in your car while carrying a child as a passenger you will be liable to a £50 fine.

Why the law is changing

Every time a child breathes in second hand smoke they breathe in thousands of chemicals. This puts them at risk of serious conditions, including:

• asthma
• meningitis
• ear infections
• decreased lung capacity
• bronchitis
• pneumonia
• cancer

Children are especially vulnerable to second hand smoke, because they breathe more rapidly and have less developed airways, lungs and immune systems.

Smoking in cars is particularly harmful to passengers – over 80% of cigarette smoke is invisible and opening windows and doors does not remove its harmful effect.

More than 430,000 children are exposed to second-hand smoke in cars each week and according to the British Lung Foundation 86% of children would like the smoker to stop, yet only 31% actually feel able to ask them to do so.

Get help to quit

Quitting can be hard, but with support from our team of stop smoking specialists, you’re four times more likely to quit for good.

Smokefree Camden offers free expert advice and a range of support to help with quitting smoking.

Find out more

Visit: nhs.uk/smokefree or smokefreelifecamden.co.uk

Call: 0800 1070 401 or 0203 317 3861

Here’s a selection – and more are planned:

One-off events and workshops

20 October: Green gym from 10.45am to 2pm at the meadow

24 October: Dog awareness event from 11am to 2pm

28 October: Birds of Bray display at the bowl from 10.30am to 3pm

29 October: Open cinema evening from 6pm

Weekly events

• Thursdays from to 10 December: outdoor photography – 1.30 to 3pm at the SHELL Centre, Boundary Road, London NW8 OHS.
• Tuesdays to 27 October: Our Station – 4.30 to 7pm, design workshops for six to 14 year-olds at ARC, 109 Rowley Way, NW8 0SW.
• Fridays: cricket – 4.30 to 6pm on the games pitch near the stage.
• Saturdays until 12 December – 10am to 11am bootcamp, and abs bums and thighs from 11am to 12 noon at the bowl.

Finding your way there and getting around

The park is near South Hampstead Overground station and Swiss Cottage tube. Buses 31, 189 and 139 stop nearby.

If you’ve never visited the park before, why not visit our web page and download our online map so that you don’t miss anything.

Want to know more?

For more information about these and other activities please visit lovecamden.org/events/outdoor, or call 020 7974 2367.

Our new and improved alcohol service can provide support to anyone experiencing difficulty with alcohol use.

How we can help

You can visit the main service at 8-9 Early Mews, Arlington Road, Camden Town. Alternatively, a worker from the Integrated Camden Alcohol Service (iCAS) can meet with you at a venue convenient for you, such as your GP practice, hospital or local community centre. This means even more people will now be able to get help when and where they need it.

The worker from the service will discuss your needs with you and together develop a tailored recovery plan to help you progress towards your individual goals. Whether you have recently become concerned about your alcohol use, or you have been drinking for many years, iCAS can support you to make healthier choices and improve your lifestyle.

Family Alcohol Service

Support is also available for those affected by someone else’s alcohol use, such as that of a family member, relative or a friend. The Family Alcohol Service takes a family based approach to recovery, working with children, young people and non-drinking family members around the impact of alcoholism, building resilience and helping them to adapt to changes in the family functioning.

The facts

Studies show that alcohol is linked to more than 60 different conditions including liver disease, cancer, osteoporosis and a range of mental health issues.

You can work out how risky your drinking habits are by visiting dontbottleitup.org.uk to complete a quick and simple online test.

Get support and find out more

Visit icascamden.org.uk

Call 0300 303 2420 (24-hour freephone) 

Smoking is the main cause of illness and preventable death in the UK - responsible for around 450 deaths every year in Camden alone.

Launched in 2012, Stoptober is the 28-day stop smoking challenge from Public Health England that encourages smokers across England towards quitting for good.

Why sign up?

Research has shown that by stopping for 28 days, you are five times more likely to quit altogether.

By signing up to Stoptober, you can choose from a range of free support tools including a mobile app and daily texts and emails throughout the month - all of which have shown to increase the chances of staying smokefree.

This year, support includes daily messages of encouragement from some of the nation's top comedians: Bill Bailey, Rhod Gilbert, Al Murray and Shappi Khorsandi.

Team effort

Why not sign up with friends, family or colleagues and encourage each other along the way? Evidence shows that this can dramatically improve your chances of quitting for good.

You can also get free face to face advice and support to quit from our stop smoking service, Smokefreelife Camden. Donna Harrison, manager of Smokefreelife Camden, says:

"Some people find stopping smoking can be quite isolating. Often they don't tell anyone just in case they fail, so they do it alone. Talking about any problems you might be facing works really well."

Steve's story

Steve Brennan had wanted to quit smoking for years when he came across Smokefreelife Camden.

“I’ve been smoking on and off since I was about 15. When I was young and with the lads it was just the thing to do.

“I have asthma and found that I was getting very wheezy in the chest. And it’s really expensive. I was spending about £300 to £400 on cigarettes every month.

“I’ve tried giving up a few times over the years. I managed for nine months once – but when my flight was delayed for nine hours on a trip to America I started smoking again.

“I first heard about the stop smoking service when I went for an NHS Health Check. I’d been considering trying to quit again, so I thought I’ll give it a go and see what happens.

“I went along every week for 10 weeks. My advisor was brilliant. We set a quit date and she kept me going and pushed me to reach my goals. Within three days I had smoked my last cigarette.

“Now I haven’t had a cigarette for 12 weeks. I feel grand. I still get the odd craving of course, but I’m sticking it out.

“If you want to quit smoking definitely give the stop smoking service a go. It’s a brilliant service.”

Smokefree cars and playgrounds

Did you know? All of the playgrounds in Camden's parks and estates are smokefree. And as of 1 October 2015, it will be illegal to smoke in vehicles with someone under 18 present. So with one less place to smoke, there is one more reason to quit.

Sign up today

Search ‘Stoptober’ or visit smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober.

While the Great British weather may be unpredictable, one thing you can rely on this summer is the diversity and entertainment provided by our annual summer programme.

From community festivals as part of our Discover a new delight category, to walking tours to explore the history of the borough and encourage you to Discover what’s on your doorstep, there’s certainly lots to keep you and the kids busy.

Why not urge your child to Discover a new world with the Record Breakers-themed Summer Reading Challenge at your local library, which runs until 29 August? Or you can tempt them to Discover a new way to get active by visiting one of our Active Spaces – original, imaginative, challenging and never-before-seen structures in the playgrounds of seven schools in the borough. If they have a burning desire to Discover a new talent, there are a variety of workshops and classes available to inspire them.

And as you’re exploring all the borough has to offer, why not take some snaps for our photography competition (deadline 15 September) as part of our anniversary celebrations for Discover Camden 50? Whatever your family’s interests, we have something to make this summer one to remember.

Find out more:

Check out LoveCamden.org/discover for full details of events and activities

Follow @LoveCamden on Twitter for the latest updates

For more details on Camden 50, log on to Camden.gov.uk/camden50

Camden Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is working with the other CCGs in north central London to improve the way that the NHS 111 and out-of-hours services work for local people and they want your feedback.

How do the NHS 111 and GP out-of-hours services work now?

We want residents to be treated in the right place, at the right time and by the right professional – no matter what the circumstances.

When people need medical advice or support for a condition that is urgent but not life threatening, the free NHS 111 number is there to help. Trained call advisers will give you self-treatment advice, or refer you to the most appropriate clinical support, 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year.

What improvements are being proposed?

The CCG are proposing to develop a new contract which will join up the NHS 111 and out-of-hours services across the whole of north central London – so that patients experience fewer transfers between different parts of the NHS and better information sharing.

The CCG want to ensure that the patient ‘journey’ is as easy to navigate as possible. The proposals would not change how and where patients access NHS 111 and out-of-hours services, but commissioning services in a joined-up way would enable improvements to be made, increase the amount of clinical support available, and bring in new systems and technology.

The new contract would likely be delivered by a group of providers working together, with a ‘lead provider’ responsible for making sure that they deliver the performance that patients need.

Dr Denise Bavin, Camden CCG clinical lead for the project, says:

“We are committed to improving patients’ experience of using and accessing urgent care services, making sure they receive the best care from the best person, in the right place at the right time. We are proposing to join together our NHS 111 and out-of-hours services so that the system works better for patients in future.

“NHS 111 is an important tool to help link people to the right service at the right time. Joining it up with the out-of-hours service should make the whole system work more effectively and ensure our patients experience a better service.

“Our residents’ views on these proposals are very important to us, so we strongly encourage them to participate in our survey or feedback in writing.”

How can I have my say?

Download a document giving more information about the proposals here.

Take a look at the proposals and let us know what you think through our online survey or by emailing your thoughts to feedback@nelcsu.nhs.uk.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in England, with around 41,500 women diagnosed each year – and can even be found in men.

The risk of breast cancer increases with age and one in three women who get breast cancer are over 70 years old.

How do I check?

Checking your breasts regularly is essential – cancer is much easier to treat if found at an early stage – so you should check at least once a month.

You should feel the whole of both breasts and your armpits to see if anything is different. Also, look in the mirror to see if you notice any changes.

What should I look for?

The first symptom is usually a lump in your breast or armpit – although this might not always mean cancer.

Other symptoms can include changes to the skin or nipple, changes to the shape and size of your breast, discharge from either of your nipples and pain in your breast or armpit.

If you, or someone you care for, have noticed any symptoms - tell a doctor as soon as possible.

What can I do to reduce the risk?

Women over 70 are entitled to breast cancer screening every three years. You can contact your local breast screening unit to arrange an appointment.

You can reduce the risk of cancer by leading a healthy lifestyle, and our support services can help with everything from quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol to maintaining a healthy weight and getting active.

Find out more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer

nhs.uk/breastcancer70

020 3465 6631

Attendees got to experience a range of free taster sessions sports and physical activities including junior gymnastics, cycling and table tennis. There were also free health checks on offer, and a chance to meet and chat to local clubs, such as St Pancras Boxing Club and Highgate Harriers, and leisure centres to find out about getting more active in Camden.

Bob Warnock, the City of London Corporation’s Superintendent at Hampstead Heath, said:

“It was wonderful to see so many people come to the Heath to enjoy sports and physical activities. One in three children in the UK are now overweight, while one in five is obese. We are proud to support a range of sports on Hampstead Heath, and encouraging young people to get active is especially important to us. The Heath is crucial in providing public sporting opportunities to Londoners, and promoting health and wellbeing here is very much part of our ethos.”

As well as live music and healthy refreshments, there were also plenty of activities for younger residents, including face painting and an inflatable track challenge.

For more information and to find out more about sports and physical activity in Camden, visit: www.camden.gov.uk/giveitago

If you are aged between 40 and 74 years (or 30 to 74 if you are South Asian) you are eligible for a free NHS Health Check to assess your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke or dementia.

Heart disease is Camden’s biggest killer, and you are at increased risk if you have high blood pressure, do little physical activity, smoke, or are overweight or obese.

By having a regular health check you stand a better chance of preventing or catching potential conditions before they become serious.

It is estimated that nearly 80% of premature deaths from heart attacks and strokes are preventable if the main lifestyle risks are changed.

The check takes about 20 to 30 minutes and includes measuring height, weight, blood pressure and checking your cholesterol with a simple blood test.

You’ll be given an overall score of your risk of developing heart disease or suffering a stroke. You will also be given a clear explanation of steps you can take to better your health and offered professional support to make the changes you want to make.

Just 20 minutes could save your life.

If you are Camden resident, and registered with a GP, ask at your local surgery, call 0203 633 2609 / 0800 917 0976, or click on the link below to book an appointment at a place near you.

Find out more
Visit: healthycamden.com/healthchecks