Collegiatemc

01/03/2026

March is Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month!

This month helps shine a light on autoimmune conditions — including autoimmune forms of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis and more.

➕ Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.
➕ Autoimmune arthritis can cause pain, swelling and stiffness that impact daily life.
➕ Early diagnosis and appropriate care can make a meaningful difference.
➕ Awareness and support help reduce isolation and improve understanding.

Learn about autoimmune forms of arthritis and why awareness matters. https://arthr.org/3yDXFF7

01/03/2026

01/03/2026

01/03/2026

26/02/2026

If you're prescribed antibiotics, don’t skip a dose!

If you're on the go, remember to take them with you so you can take them on time and . ⏰

26/02/2026

26/02/2026

It’s that time of year again when mini eggs are lining the supermarket shelves. But, did you know that, just like grapes, they are the perfect size to block a small child’s airway and choke them? And, their hard shell can make it difficult to dislodge with standard first aid techniques.

With whole grapes we advise cutting them in half lengthways and ideally into quarters to create thin strips. But chopping up mini eggs isn’t as easy. So, what can you do?

1. Hide them from the children and eat them yourself – good luck with that!

2. Break them into small pieces with a rolling pin. Or, crush them in a pestle and mortar. Or melt them a little first.

3. Opt for a different treat. Larger, hollow eggs are much safer for little ones.

For more practical tips and advice to keep children safe from choking take a look at our guide: https://capt.org.uk/resources/choking-fact-sheet/

26/02/2026

24/02/2026

📢 Help us call for free transport for carers 📢

From 1st March, older and disabled people in Greater Manchester will benefit from free round-the-clock travel on Bee Network buses, with the permanent lifting of the 9.30am restrictions on concessionary passes. This is a really positive step towards reducing inequality and helping older and disabled people retain their independence.

However, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) does not currently offer free transport for carers. We think this should change. Carers often struggle financially as many have to leave work or reduce their hours in order to provide care, and Carers Allowance is not enough to live on. According to research by Carers UK, 49% of carers have cut back on essentials such as food, heating, clothing and transport, and 74% are worried about their future financial security.

We believe carers should not be financially penalised for supporting their loved ones, particularly when the person they care for could not travel without their support. Carer or companion travel passes have been successfully rolled out in places like Bristol and Warwickshire, and could make a big difference for carers in Manchester.

TfGM are currently running a consultation to get the public's views on their new Transport Strategy. We are encouraging our readers to complete the survey and call for free transport for carers. While there are no specific questions about carers, there are text boxes where you can write comments.

Participate in the consultation: https://www.gmconsult.org/transport/transport2050/

24/02/2026

24/02/2026

Cheetham Hill – we’re bringing Mentell to your doorstep! Come say hello over coffee ☕️👋🏽

Join us for an informal Coffee & Chat at UCEN Manchester on Wednesday, March 11th. This is your chance to put faces to names, meet the local team, and hear all about what’s coming to support men’s mental health right here in the community.

Here’s what to expect:

How Mentell works

Ways to get involved or support

What’s launching in March

And of course – free brews and good company!

🕰 Two relaxed drop-in sessions:

2 pm – 4 pm → For local professionals, care partners, GPs & social prescribers

4 pm – 5 pm → Open to the general public (come say hey!)

⛪️ Where: UCEN Manchester
🎟 Tickets: Free – just grab yours here 👉🏽

🖇 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coffee-and-chat-with-mentell-cheetham-hill-tickets-1983443293283?aff=oddtdtcreator

Whether you’re curious, want to refer to the service, or just want to show some support, we’d love to see you there.

Please share this with your networks – let’s make sure no man in Cheetham Hill has to struggle in silence. 💙

19/02/2026