A31 Primary Care Network

06/02/2026

💬 Time to Talk Day – 6 February
Today is Time to Talk Day — a national moment dedicated to encouraging open, honest conversations about mental health. It’s a reminder that talking really does make a difference.
Time to Talk Day is recognised as the nation’s biggest mental health conversation, bringing friends, families, workplaces and communities together to help break the stigma surrounding mental health.
Talking openly can help people feel less alone, reduce stigma, and encourage those who are struggling to seek the support they need. Even a small chat can change someone’s day — or their life.
💛 How you can get involved:

Check in on a friend, neighbour, or colleague
Start a gentle conversation and really listen
Go for a walk and talk
Share helpful mental health resources
Use to join the national conversation online

No pressure, no judgement — just a reminder that it’s okay to talk, and it’s okay to not be okay.
Every conversation matters.
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

06/02/2026

Health on the High Street – 11th February at Alton Maltings (10am–1pm)
Come along to Health on the High Street on the 11th at Alton Maltings, 10am–1pm. Enjoy free tea and coffee while meeting a range of helpful community services.
✨ Who’s Here on the 11th:

NHS App Support
Warm Hub
Social Prescribers
Smoke Free Hampshire
FEDCAP
Ukrainian Group (12:00–13:00) – Українська соціальна група
Dementia Friendly (10:00–12:00)
Princess Royal Trust for Carers
Everyone Active

Everyone is welcome — drop in any time for friendly advice or a chat.
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

05/02/2026

💚 Kidney Cancer Awareness Week – 2nd to 6th February
This week is Kidney Cancer Awareness Week, a vital opportunity to shine a light on kidney cancer, support those affected, and encourage early detection — which can save lives.
Kidney cancer is often diagnosed by chance, but raising awareness helps more people recognise symptoms earlier and seek help sooner. It’s also a time to amplify the voices of patients, families, and carers across the UK.
💚 Why this week matters:

Kidney cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the UK.
Early detection makes a real difference to survival.
The week features national conversations, patient stories, and expert-led events designed to inform and empower communities.

💡 How you can get involved:

Wear green to show your support
Share reliable information and raise awareness online
Check in with friends or family who may be affected
Learn the symptoms and risk factors
Support local or national kidney cancer charities

Every post, every chat, every shared resource helps others feel less alone — and may encourage someone to get checked sooner.
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

04/02/2026

💙 World Cancer Day – 4 February
Today we mark World Cancer Day, a global moment to raise awareness, stand with those affected by cancer, and champion early detection, support, and compassionate care.
The international theme for 2026, “United by Unique,” reminds us that every cancer journey is different, and yet we are united in our commitment to ensuring that everyone receives care that meets their individual needs. [worldcancerday.org]
Cancer affects millions of people worldwide every year, and early detection, fair access to treatment, and community support can make a life‑changing difference. [txhospitals.in]
💛 What you can do today:

Learn the signs and symptoms of common cancers
Encourage friends and family to attend routine screenings
Support local services that help people living with and beyond cancer
Share reliable information to raise awareness and reduce stigma

Together, we can work towards a future where compassionate, person‑centred cancer care is available to everyone who needs it.
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

30/01/2026

📰 Our latest newsletter is here with news from your PCN and GP Surgeries!
This month, we’re sharing helpful health updates, upcoming local events, and support available across the community. Have a read and stay connected with everything happening near you!
👇 Click below to explore the full newsletter and let us know what you’d like to see in future editions.
https://www.a31pcn.co.uk/a31-pcn-january-newsletter/
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

30/01/2026

Health on the High Street – 4th February at Alton Maltings (10am–1pm)
Join us for Health on the High Street this Tuesday at Alton Maltings, running from 10am to 1pm. Drop in for friendly support, advice, and free tea and coffee.
✨ Who’s Here on the 4th:

NHS App Support
Warm Hub
Social Prescribers
Smoke Free Hampshire
EHDC Housing
FEDCAP
Ukrainian Group (12:00–13:00) – Українська соціальна група
Citizens Advice
Dementia Friendly (10:00–12:00)
Christians Against Poverty
Bushy Leaze Family Support

A relaxed space to ask questions, meet local services, and connect with your community.
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

24/01/2026

💙 January is Thyroid Awareness Month
Your thyroid plays a vital role in energy, mood, metabolism, and overall wellbeing — yet thyroid conditions often go undiagnosed.
This month is a chance to raise awareness, encourage early testing, and support those living with thyroid disorders.
🌀 Common symptoms of thyroid issues can include:
• Tiredness or low energy
• Weight changes
• Mood changes or anxiety
• Sensitivity to heat or cold
• Changes in heart rate
Getting the right information and support can make a huge difference. The British Thyroid Foundation (BTF) provides reliable, evidence‑based resources for anyone wanting to understand or manage a thyroid condition. The BTF is the UK’s main thyroid patient organisation, offering information, patient stories, events, and support networks.
👉 Find trusted guidance and support at:
British Thyroid Foundation
https://www.btf-thyroid.org/
Let’s help more people recognise the signs and get the care they need.

👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

https://youtu.be/ijjFucvmh3M?si=c0Lv3KclsDF3tZjs

Website http://www.btf-thyroid.orgTwitter: : http://www.justgiving.com/btf/donate

23/01/2026

🌟 Join us at our Health on the High Street Drop‑In – Wednesday 28th! 🌟
Pop in and connect with local services offering friendly advice, support, and guidance. Whether you’re looking to boost your wellbeing, get help with practical challenges, or simply find out what’s available in our community, we’re here for you.
This week you can access:
🧭 Social Prescribers – personalised wellbeing support
📱 NHS App help – get set up and confident using digital health tools
💼 FEDCAP Employment Support – job search, skills, and confidence building
🚭 SmokeFree Hampshire – free stop‑smoking support
🧠 Dementia Friendly Alton (10:00–12:00) – advice for those affected and their carers
💷 Christians Against Poverty – debt support and budgeting help
🌱 Fresh Start – drug and alcohol addiction support
🤝 Ukrainian Group (12:00–13:00) – Українська соціальна група
💉 Flu & COVID Vaccinations – stay protected this winter
Everyone is welcome—just drop in, no appointment needed!
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

23/01/2026

❄️ Friday 23 Jan — Winter Health
It’s the final day of Health Information Week! Today’s theme is Winter Health — staying well, managing seasonal illnesses, and keeping vulnerable people safe.
Access winter health information and tips here:
👉 https://library.nhs.uk/health-information-week-2026/

22/01/2026

🟦 January is Glaucoma Awareness Month
Glaucoma is often known as the “silent thief of sight” because it typically develops without early symptoms, meaning many people don’t realise they have it until vision loss has already occurred. The only way to detect glaucoma early is through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. [btf-thyroid.org]
In the UK, certain groups are at higher risk, including:
• People over 60
• Asian or Black African‑Caribbean individuals (groups shown to have a higher prevalence of glaucoma)
• People with a family history of glaucoma
• Those with conditions such as diabetes, which can increase the risk of developing glaucoma. [btf-thyroid.org], [thyroiduk.org]
📝 Want to understand your own risk?
Check your Glaucoma Risk with the questionnaire below to see whether you may be at higher risk and whether you should book an eye test.

Early detection can save sight — checking your risk today is a simple step that could protect your vision for the future.

👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

Glaucoma often develops with no early symptoms, and 50% of people with the condition don't know they have it. Start 2026 by understanding your risk.

Start your year with a quick check of your glaucoma risk. Take the risk quiz here: https://glaucoma.uk/glaucoma-awareness-week/risk/

22/01/2026

💛 Love Your Liver Month – January
This month, we’re supporting the British Liver Trust in raising awareness of liver health and encouraging everyone to take simple steps that can make a big difference.
Your liver is a hardworking organ with over 500 vital functions, yet liver disease often develops with few or no symptoms until it’s advanced. In the UK, liver disease is rising — but 90% of cases are preventable through lifestyle changes such as drinking within recommended limits, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active.
⭐ Take action this January:
• Try the free online Liver Health Screener
• Learn about risk factors and prevention
• Make one positive lifestyle change to support your liver
• Explore patient stories and useful resources from the British Liver Trust
👉 Find out more and take the Liver Health Screener:
British Liver Trust – Love Your Liver Month
https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/love-your-liver-month/
Let’s show our livers some love this January — small steps today can protect our health for the future.
👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

Your liver is amazing - looking after it is vital to keep you healthy! 💪

Did you know that it does over 500 jobs - like fighting infections, producing energy, and filtering blood?

Find out more about Awareness Month, including how to take a pledge to show your liver some love in January: https://ow.ly/fvAi50XTYtO

22/01/2026

🌼 Cervical Cancer Prevention Week
This week is a reminder that small actions can make a big difference in protecting your health.
💙 Regular cervical screening (smear tests) helps detect changes early — often before they develop into cancer.
💙 HPV vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer in the future.
💙 Knowing the symptoms and seeking help early can save lives.
By talking openly, raising awareness, and encouraging loved ones to attend their screenings, we can work together to reduce cervical cancer for everyone in our community.
👉 If you’re due for your screening, book your appointment — it could be life‑saving.

👉 Follow us to stay up to date with local events, health tips, and community support near you!

This week is . Cervical screening is a free health test on the NHS which checks for high risk HPV, which is the cause of nearly all cervical cancers. If you're nervous about attending your screening, check out our article which explains what support is available and what adjustments you can ask for - https://bit.ly/49yTHh7