Eccleshall Health & Wellbeing

11/10/2023

Great initiative from the Stafford Borough Community Climate Change Panel.
They are looking for models and creations for their 'Sustainable' Fashion Show in Stone.
So if you can turn used clothes into something new then they want to hear from you.
Find more details about the show and how to get involved at https://bit.ly/sbcfashionshow or from the poster 👇👇👇
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue

07/04/2022

Thanks got to all our partners for the Walking Event this Saturday!
Come and meet them all from 11am-4pm on the Jubilee Field (Hartlands Road) and the Methodist Hall on the Stone Road. Learn how getting out there can be fun, grab a slice of cake, meet some new buddies to go on adventures together, and have fun!
Saturday, April 9, 11am-4pm
Methodist Hall, Stone Road.

29/03/2022

We've got loads of local footpaths, some suggested walking loops, and soon a brilliant 'bench-to-bench' walking map for those of us that can't quite manage what we used to. Come along on April 9 to talk to councillors, footpath marshals, and others about our local routes, and find out more.

Oh, and we'll have cake, too! Tell us you are coming so we get enough in...

https://www.facebook.com/events/498089824713782

27/03/2022

Come along to our free event on April 9, meet many walking and outdoors groups including the Stone Ramblers! Tell us you are coming so we can get enough cakes in to sell to you! https://fb.me/e/496pyCxup
😀🚶‍♀️🍰🚶☕️🚶‍♂️😋

28/01/2022

Our County Council would like to hear from us whether their 'Strategy' for community health and wellbeing is fit for the post-pandemic situation. They talk about the main priorities, principles, and how they want to "ensure that those people who need support most, receive it". They want to start a public conversation about all this, so have a read, fill in their survey, and have your say.
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Care-for-all-ages/Health-and-wellbeing-board/Public-Conversation.aspx

Our vision is to create communities and environments that enable healthy choices, and to deliver high-quality support to keep people independent and well.

26/09/2021

Life too much? Putting off the unmanageable tasks - they're just too big? Break it down into mini-steps. Here's some advice we posted back in January 2021 - have a read (or a re-read) and see if it helps you tackle what's in your way.
https://www.facebook.com/EccleshallHealthandWellbeing/posts/111111794240150

Tips for Healthy Living 2: Set mini goals

Same-old, same-old, right? It doesn’t have to be this way. Putting off doing something because it’s too big? Then don’t eat that elephant all in one bite - set yourself some mini goals and tackle each in turn. Celebrate each mini goal and move to the next. Change them if they become unachievable, or boring, but keep your eyes on the prize - planning and then achieving. For some this could be couch-to-5k, or quitting a bad habit, or changing diet, talking to others, wearing different clothing, clearing out a cupboard, whatever.

The psychology behind setting and achieving goals is real - it gives us all a sense of control over our lives, a sense of perspective, and a chance to look back on life and at least tell the difference between ‘then’ and ‘now’ - if the kitchen wall becomes blue, or that manky sweater gets replaced, or the WIFI starts working properly, you can now tell the difference, and know that you achieved that.

We’re talking projects here, but don’t make them huge, there’s no need for pressure. If you really want a big project, break it down into smaller tasks, like rest areas on a long road journey. Also, it doesn’t have to be something new - you can give yourself control by simply writing tasks down and doing them. But new is good, and challenges that are accomplished feel all the sweeter. So, if ‘wear different socks every day’ is more your personal level then start there and progress to ‘learn Latin’ later!

And don’t get obsessed by the list. It’s not a monster that rules you! You are in charge, and if you come to hate or fear a certain task, just stab it with a pencil and that monster will worry you no more! And then write a new mini task to be your companion!

Further Reading:
BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55264224

Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/may/10/the-psychology-of-the-to-do-list-why-your-brain-loves-ordered-tasks

25/09/2021

Feeling charitable today? If so, makes you feel good, doesn't it? That's not random - apparently that's a real thing - Good deeds can help improve your own mood. Have a read of this advice, from earlier this year, and why not give it a go? Maybe join the Litter Pickers, 'Marshal' a Footpath, help at the Youth Club or there are any number of other ways of giving a little back and getting a 'good mood' boost for yourself too!
https://www.facebook.com/EccleshallHealthandWellbeing/posts/114826920535304

Tips for Healthy Living 7: Give a little bit

Time to channel your inner Supertramp and ‘give a little bit’. Focusing very much on the wellbeing side of things, the Mental Health Foundation has done research to prove the connection between being kind to others and gaining benefits ourselves. The NHS lists this too, pointing to us gaining a sense of purpose, of self-worth, and building a connection with other people.

You have a mini-task list right? We started that a few articles ago and you’ve still got it, right? Go on, find it now, because it’s time to add a mini-task. It’s OK, I’ll wait…

https://www.facebook.com/EccleshallHealthandWellbeing/posts/111111794240150

This time though it is about being kind - which can be as simple as saying ‘thank you’ or asking ‘how are you?’ and being interested in the reply. It could be reaching out to someone you’ve not spoken to for a while, to have a chat. It could be more - offer to help someone mend a fence or clear snow from their drive, volunteer for a community group, offer to explain something tricky like overlapping WIFI channels or how to make a pavlova. Figure out what you want to do and add it to your list.

Now here’s our personal twist to this. Each day you look at your list and you realise you haven’t done this one yet, add a mark (a bar) to count the days. Don’t let your counter become a ‘5-bar gate’ before you achieve this one, and when you do, replace it with a new kindness task, and start counting again. Try to make this a habit - the stress of having to be kind should very soon be replaced with the mental benefits we are told come from being kind, and when it’s a habit we’ll all feel better about that, too!

References: NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/
Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week/kindness-matters-guide

24/09/2021

Don't stay in - get out! Saturday is our fabulous Community Picnic! Get down the co-op and get yourself a picnic, grab a blanket or chair to sit on, and come on over to the Jubilee Field (Bishop's Court & Hartlands Road) from 1-4, and let's have a good-ole chinwag!
https://www.facebook.com/EccleshallHealthandWellbeing/posts/254571386560856

On the field at Hartlands Road and Bishop's Court. Bring along a picnic and a blanket or chair, and let's catch up with one another. Save the date! September 25.
Sign up on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/18onDNsjC

23/09/2021

Autumn is a great time to get serious about being active - and a great excuse for wearing brightly-coloured and reflective lycra! Or just going for a walk to see the Autumnal colours. Here's some advice from earlier this year about getting and staying active.
https://www.facebook.com/EccleshallHealthandWellbeing/posts/114826513868678

Tips for Healthy Living 6: get Active

The key to getting a feeling of wellbeing is the production of endorphins, and the best, easiest, way to do this is to get active. Exercise, movement, doing things produces the body’s natural pain-killer and makes our brain feel happier. Activity also helps our heart and joints, and keeps bones and muscles strong.

The key isn’t to target 6-packs or running continent-spanning marathons by Easter. The key is regular, achievable, pleasant exercise. Keeping it up is more important that achieving fame down the gym, and keeping you happy with ever-increasing fitness and remaining injury-free is better than any dream of a different body shape.

The trick here is to have goals related to being and remaining active, rather than connecting the goal to weight, body shape, distance, or getting a new world record. Competition only helps if that is what makes you happy - the important thing is to keep at it regardless of what others are doing.

Even just ten minutes of exercise achieves the task of altering your mood - the BBC says aim to be slightly out of breath, while the NHS says it’s better to do stuff you enjoy and keep doing than to commit to endurance sessions with gym equipment.

There’s an app for everything, and so many apps for this. Couch-to-5k is an NHS app that will suit some people, while others will benefit from the free tracker apps that often come pre-installed - they’ll reward personal best times or achievements with little fireworks displays or badges, and help you to keep pushing yourself ever-so-slightly more each day, since as you get more active you’ll get more fit, and then you need to do more to get slightly out of breath!

References: NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/
BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55264224
Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-to-using-exercise

22/09/2021

Are you worried about the future? Do you find yourself thinking back to the past year r events that you can't change now? Try "Living in the now" - here's some advice from earlier this year, this may be a timely reminder for us all to "just get on with it"!
https://www.facebook.com/EccleshallHealthandWellbeing/posts/111114367573226

Tips for Healthy Living 5: Live in the moment

“The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there”. That opening line of the 1953 book The Go-between tells us to not dwell on the past. Learn from the past but move forwards. Live today, live in the present.

We also have the problem of dreamers. Live for the moments of today or “all these moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain”, as the 1982 film Blade Runner tells us (eventually).

We’re talking about mindfulness here, and you can learn more from the experts in the NHS link below. What we want to do is to balance worries about the past and worries about the future, and make sure we don’t miss today. Whether it’s the sandwich we eat, the sunset we see, the quiz show we watch, or any number of things in our normal day, take a few moments to simply stop. Stop. And think about the day. Today. Be mindful of our life, and note the world as it whizzes by in a blur of sunrises and sunsets.

Some people keep a diary, many don’t. Some just pause for thought. Some discuss their day with others - a phone call, zoom call, FB post, or a chat over supper.

And try rearranging your day. Be aware of your unconscious habits and try to switch things around - sit in a different chair every now and then. Watch the news on the other channel, or at a different time. Try that weird tea at the back of the cupboard. Viewing the world from a different perspective can help you value it all the more, even if you end up chucking out that weird tea!

Mindfulness helps us to be aware of what we are seeing, doing, thinking. Don’t overthink or worry too much about the ‘quality’ of those thoughts - at first just learn to be aware of them. Take the time to pause and experience today.

Further Reading:
NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mindfulness/

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55264224

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/

21/09/2021

As we enter Autumn tomorrow, now is a good time to remind ourselves of advice we all read half a year ago. Remember, there's a whole community out here ready and able to talk to, when you want.

https://www.facebook.com/EccleshallHealthandWellbeing/posts/111111267573536

Tips for Healthy Living 1: Talk to someone, anyone!

Humans are social creatures, and winter makes this hard enough without covid and lockdowns getting in the way. Professionals tell us that it is important to make the extra effort to reach out and communicate. Apparently, it’s good to talk!

Start with what to do less of: reduce the time you simply watch TV, don’t just ‘lurk’ in a Facebook group, and don’t just read a book or newspaper. - reach out and interact as well.

Find a way to talk that makes you comfortable. For some that’s online - add a ‘like’ on a Facebook photo. Add a comment or two. Put up a photo of your cat (dog, hamster, potted plant, etc) and see if anyone else ‘like’s it. Start a digital conversation and go from there. But don’t stop with purely online - progress to real people soon!

For some it means encouraging family mealtimes, setting a schedule of Zoom calls with distant family or even with your own street (a virtual pub), or making time to talk over the garden fence, going beyond the usual ‘good evening’.

Sometimes a good moan helps, doesn’t it? But make sure you listen as well as talk - making it a two-way thing is what this is all about, creating a connection with someone. Even an argument can be good - within reason of course - as long as it’s also a conversation and not a declaration of war!

And topics? What to talk about? Why not start with Eccleshall Health & Wellbeing? 😊 Where did you hear about us, are we worth following? Can we be trusted? Yes of course 😉

In summary - talk with people, make yourself stop and chat (six foot apart of course, or online), and don’t accept any excuses from your own brain to not to talk!

Further Reading:
NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55264224

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/

17/09/2021

On the field at Hartlands Road and Bishop's Court. Bring along a picnic and a blanket or chair, and let's catch up with one another. Save the date! September 25.
Sign up on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/18onDNsjC

09/07/2021

Sadly cancelled due to lack of interest from sellers 😔 Sorry folks.
We may try a different kind of event later on.

21/06/2021

Once the Showground site stops, the Holmcroft site continues to offer jabs via the national NHS site, now open to all over 18s. Don't skip your second jab - book it with confidence so we protect our NHS services and us!

Covid 19 Vaccinations are being offered to patients by GP First at the Stafford Vaccination Centre.

03/05/2021

The results are in! Prize winners are as follows:

Simon Bott wins 2 tickets to the comedy night at The Royal Oak, Eccleshall on August 14th
Joanne Redding wins the Hot Diamonds Earrings, courtesy of
Spencer the Jeweller
Angela Delanchy wins a gorgeous bottle of Sancerre, courtesy of Three Pillars Wine

We'll be emailing the winners to confirm prizes and sort handover/collections.

Well done to everyone that took part, You travelled a collective 3,704 miles. Outstanding!

26/04/2021

Walk to Sancerre - travel update

Well you have been busy. Having reached Sancerre fairly swiftly, we've decided to keep on exploring - after all, no one's had a holiday in a while. So you intrepid explorers decided to set us up for a multi-Country, multi-City extravaganza. So far we've visited:
1. Sancerre, France for a vino or two
2. Zurich, Switzerland for a new watch
3. Visited the World's fashion capital fr some designer gear from Milan
4. Taken in the Colosseum and the joy of the Trevi Fountain in Rome
5. Chilled out in the blue waters of the Croatian coastline
6. Headed over to Vienna to take in some cultural sites and enjoy the quaint coffee houses
7. Quick stop in Budapest for a boat trip on the Danube and to rest our muscles and recharge in the thermal springs, before heading off to....
8. Warsaw for a stroll around the Old Town whilst sampling some Pierogi and contemplating the route back in the direction of sunny Eccleshall, for a pint in a beer garden.

Phew! you have been busy and it's not over yet. Looking forward to see where else we get to visit, so keep those miles coming at www.eccleshallhealtheandwellbeing.co.uk/sancerre to be in with a chance of winning one of the fabulous prizes that have been donated by our businesses Three Pillars Wine Spencer the Jeweller The Royal Oak, Eccleshall

26/04/2021

!!! PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT!!! Walk to Sancerre.
2 tickets to Comedy @ The Royal Oak, Eccleshall on Saturday 14th August 2021; 8pm.

If you love live comedy, this is one for you. The Royal Oak is proud to bring the laughs back to Eccleshall with a rare Comedy Night...
Multi award winning comedian Tom Wrigglesworth(“Ultimate crowd pleaser” The Guardian “Comedy giant” Time Out), BBC Radio's 'Fair Cop' Alfie Moore ( “Very funny” ★★★★ Daily Mail "Well-crafted jokes” ★★★★ Telegraph).

Get your miles logged at www.eccleshallhealthandwellbeing.co.uk/sancerre to be in with a chance of winning!

15/04/2021

!!!PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Courtesy of our lovely friends at Spencer the Jeweller, we're able to offer a beautiful pair of hot diamond earrings to one of our winners. Keep those miles coming in - you're doing so well!