Sunday 2nd Aug, 2026 22 °C
Sunday 2nd Aug, 2026 22 °C
If your 2020 resolution is to make some time for yourself, then check out Knowsley Council’s ’10 Ways to Wellbeing’ creative courses.
The free courses will run over four weeks and as well learning new skills and meeting new people, it an opportunity to make time for yourself. The ’10 Ways’ are simple actions and activities which if done regularly can make a real difference to how you feel and cope with life’s ups and downs. Activities include:-
Storytelling/Creative Writing
Wednesdays 6pm to 8pm at Stockbridge Leisure Centre on 12 and 19 February.
Thursdays 6pm to 8pm at New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre, Halewood on 13 and 20 February.
Drawing for Health: Four Pictures Make Your Story
Saturday mornings 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Kirkby Resource Centre, James Holt Avenue on 8, 15 and 22 February.
Visual Arts
Friday mornings 11am to 1pm at St George’s Church, Primrose Drive, Huyton on 7, 14, 21 and 28 February.
Photography taster course
Saturday mornings 10.30am to 12.30pm at Huyton Library Culture Hub on 7, 14, 21 and 28 March and at Prescot Library, Prescot Shopping Centre on 4 ,11, 18 and 25 April.
Drama techniques
Fridays 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Bryer Road Community Centre, Bryer Road, Prescot L35 5DW on 6,13, 20 and 27 March.
Register your interest by calling the Knowsley Culture Development and Events Service on 0151 443 5353 or emailing katy.mcloughlin@knowsley.gov.uk
If your 2020 resolution is to make some time for yourself, then check out Knowsley Council’s ’10 Ways to Wellbeing’ creative courses.
The free courses will run over four weeks and as well learning new skills and meeting new people, it an opportunity to make time for yourself. The ’10 Ways’ are simple actions and activities which if done regularly can make a real difference to how you feel and cope with life’s ups and downs. Activities include:-
Storytelling/Creative Writing
Wednesdays 6pm to 8pm at Stockbridge Leisure Centre on 12 and 19 February.
Thursdays 6pm to 8pm at New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre, Halewood on 13 and 20 February.
Drawing for Health: Four Pictures Make Your Story
Saturday mornings 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Kirkby Resource Centre, James Holt Avenue on 8, 15 and 22 February.
Visual Arts
Friday mornings 11am to 1pm at St George’s Church, Primrose Drive, Huyton on 7, 14, 21 and 28 February.
Photography taster course
Saturday mornings 10.30am to 12.30pm at Huyton Library Culture Hub on 7, 14, 21 and 28 March and at Prescot Library, Prescot Shopping Centre on 4 ,11, 18 and 25 April.
Drama techniques
Fridays 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Bryer Road Community Centre, Bryer Road, Prescot L35 5DW on 6,13, 20 and 27 March.
Register your interest by calling the Knowsley Culture Development and Events Service on 0151 443 5353 or emailing katy.mcloughlin@knowsley.gov.uk
June is a busy month with Men’s Health Week running from 10-16 June and Clean Air Day on 20 June.
Men’s Health Week is a great opportunity to think about simple steps you can do to improve your health and feel good.
It’s the perfect time to make that appointment you’ve been putting off – have that mole or knee pain looked at or just get a general check up. Use Men’s Health Week to make that call and get an appointment with your GP or call in to your local pharmacy. It’s also an opportunity to get moving – go for a walk, swim or bike ride or join that gym that you’ve been thinking about for a while. Find out more about Men’s Health Week at www.menshealthweek.org.uk
Clean Air Day (20 June) provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the important issue of air pollution, as well as the steps you can take to improve air quality both in your local area as well as your home.
We know that air pollution impacts on our health and wellbeing, increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer (particularly lung cancer), diabetes and asthma attacks, but there are some simple steps we can all take to help reduce pollution, including:-
• Leave your car at home and walk, cycle or take the bus
• Switch off your engine when stationary
• When upgrading your car, consider a low polluting alternative such as an electric or LPG model (which will also save you money on road tax too)
• Save your log burner for the cold winter – consider Defra-approved stoves, use authorised fuel and only light your wood burner when you really have too
• BBQs are often an overlooked source of air pollution. Use dry, seasoned wood or smokeless fuels
• Open your windows when cooking or using cleaning products
• Ensure you have your boiler regularly serviced
Further information about Clean Air Day and other ideas to help you minimise pollution can be found on www.cleanairday.org.uk
TIME FOR REFLECTION
The start of a new year is a great time for us to reflect on our health and wellbeing and identify one or two goals we want to achieve that can have a positive impact on us – for example getting active or drinking less alcohol.
In Knowsley, you’re not alone as our Healthy Knowsley Service can support you to make small changes to your lifestyle that can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing.
It’s available to anyone over the age of 18 years who live in Knowsley or are registered with a Knowsley GP. The team can support you to eat healthy, become more active, lose weight, stop smoking, drink less alcohol as well as preventing diabetes. You can self-refer to the Healthy Knowsley Service by calling 0800 0731 202 or visit www.healthyknowsley.co.uk
In addition, you can talk to your GP or health care professional who can make a referral on your behalf.
Once the referral is received, a wellbeing advisor will contact you to discuss the options available to help you to achieve your goals. They will listen to how you want to make the changes and give you information on the services that can best support your needs.
You will choose the support that you need and the advisor will then refer you to a specialist service or for you to see a health trainer.
If eating healthier is your goal, then eating more veg can help! The council is supporting a national campaign called Veg Power which encourages us all to eat more veg.
They are low in fat and sugar and high in fibre and nutrients, so eating more veg is a great way to eat healthier and I’d encourage everyone to start eating more from today.
Further information about the Veg Power campaign is available at www.vegpower.org.uk
The council is supporting the national drive to end period poverty, which research has shown is having a detrimental impact on pupil attendance.
This was recently debated at Council, where it was acknowledged that no Knowsley resident should experience period poverty and that we should do everything we can to ensure that access to sanitary products shouldn't be an issue.
My fellow Councillor colleagues were in full agreement that everyone can play their part and it was agreed that we will support the provision of free products in our schools, as well as council maintained buildings such as One Stop Shops and libraries, working with our partner agencies such as Red Box, to achieve this.
In addition, we will be encouraging our local businesses to support employees who may be experiencing period poverty. Finally, the council will be calling upon the Government to take action to address period poverty on a national level – similar to what has been achieved in Scotland whereby access to sanitary products is a basic right, and products are provided free of charge to anyone in education.
The council has been successful in securing £372,000 from Public Health England's Innovation Fund, which will be used to support children of alcohol dependant parents, providing the right support at the right time and helping them reach their potential.
The funding will be used to train frontline staff to identify issues at an early stage, increase the capacity of the substance misuse service staff working with families, and invest in Knowsley Youth Mutual's 'Me Time' enabling more young people with alcohol dependent parents to take part in a range of fun activities, including dance, arts, music, volunteering and training opportunities, as well as ensuring they have access to support they may need too.
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF THIS FESTIVE SEASON
With the festivities approaching, it can be a time of very mixed emotions for people. Some relish this time of year, whilst others dread it due to a number of factors including financial pressures or feeling lonely.
The main thing is that help and support is available.
If you are worried about paying for Christmas and would welcome financial and budgeting advice, then the Citizens Advice Bureau can provide advice via a web chat, face-to-face or over the phone. Find out more at www.knowsleycitizenadvice.org.uk or call 0300 330 9008. Don’t feel pressured to over-buy – others may be in the same situation as you so stick to an agreed limit.
We can all play our part by ensuring any vulnerable neighbours or relatives know they aren't on their own – just a cup of tea or asking if they need any shopping or prescriptions picking up can make a huge difference. There’s also lots of community groups across Knowsley who can inspire you to get out and about and meet new friends – find out more at www.thelivewelldirectory.com
Also at this time of year, it’s so easy to over-indulge in food and drink. From mince pies to mulled wine, everyone has their favourite seasonal treat, which can be enjoyed in moderation.
To help minimise your chances of indulgence turning into overindulgence and a January full of regrets, follow these simple steps:
• Don’t starve yourself to save calories – this will result in you feeling hungry and consuming even more!
• Practise portion control – some people find it helps to use a smaller plate.
• Limit your alcohol intake by alternating alcoholic drinks with low-calorie soft drinks or water. If you want a break from the booze in the New Year, you can sign-up to Dry January at www.dryjanuary.org.uk
• Keep in touch with friends and family (such as going for a walk) – it’s a good distraction too from food and drink! Remember that it’s not all or nothing – healthy living is all about balance and moderation.
I hope you enjoy the festivities and best wishes for the New Year
With the darker nights drawing in and the colder weather looming, lots of people can start to pick up bugs, sniffles and coughs. But there’s lots we can do to ensure we feel ‘tip top’ and keep any illnesses at bay!
For example, if you’re aged between 40-74 years, you’re entitled to a free NHS Health Check. Your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia can be reduced by making small changes to your lifestyle.
Even if you’re feeling great at the moment, it’s worthwhile having your NHS health check as it helps to identify any potential risks early and importantly, what you can do to lower your chances of developing these health problems in the future. Contact your GP to book your appointment.
If you’re outside of this age range and are concerned about your health, make an appointment to speak to your GP.
Further information about the NHS Health Checks is available at: www.nhs.uk/nhshealthcheck
Also at this time of year, it’s important you protect yourself (and your family) from the flu virus, which as you know can be incredibly nasty for a number of vulnerable groups. The vaccine is free to many people including pregnant women, people with long-term health conditions, over 65s and children aged 2 and 3.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect us all from flu this winter – speak to your GP to make your appointment today!
If you’re with a Knowsley GP, you can get appointments in the evening and weekends too! Ring your usual GP surgery and request an extended access appointment. You’ll be offered an evening / weekend appointment at the most convenient time and location to you
With the darker nights drawing in and the colder weather looming, lots of people can start to pick up bugs, sniffles and coughs. But there’s lots we can do to ensure we feel ‘tip top’ and keep any illnesses at bay!
For example, if you’re aged between 40-74 years, you’re entitled to a free NHS Health Check. Your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia can be reduced by making small changes to your lifestyle.
Even if you’re feeling great at the moment, it’s worthwhile having your NHS health check as it helps to identify any potential risks early and importantly, what you can do to lower your chances of developing these health problems in the future. Contact your GP to book your appointment.
If you’re outside of this age range and are concerned about your health, make an appointment to speak to your GP.
Further information about the NHS Health Checks is available at: www.nhs.uk/nhshealthcheck
Also at this time of year, it’s important you protect yourself (and your family) from the flu virus, which as you know can be incredibly nasty for a number of vulnerable groups. The vaccine is free to many people including pregnant women, people with long-term health conditions, over 65s and children aged 2 and 3.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect us all from flu this winter – speak to your GP to make your appointment today!
If you’re with a Knowsley GP, you can get appointments in the evening and weekends too! Ring your usual GP surgery and request an extended access appointment. You’ll be offered an evening / weekend appointment at the most convenient time and location to you