By Leah Conway –
As we go into the new year, Kirklees Wellness Service has expanded its free health check pilot scheme.
In November last year, the service launched a new project to provide free health checks. The health checks were available to over 40’s in selected areas of Kirklees.
The scheme was successful; the team saw nearly 120 patients, of which 50 had potentially serious health issues identified. Catching these issues meant patients could be referred or the issue pointed out to their GP.
Following the success, the Kirklees Wellness Service will continue to offer free health checks, advice and support to residents around Kirklees in the new year.
The team delivers checks across local community venues such as community centres, religious buildings, libraries and leisure centres. Examples of the health support provided includes how to spot signs of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and strokes.
The service also supports the development of personalised plans to help prevent escalation of such health issues through spreading awareness, education and interventions.
Part of the scheme’s aim is to engage with groups in Kirklees that are at greater risk. For example, the scheme aims to reach out to people living in deprived areas of Kirklees, people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and people with mental health conditions, all of which are groups that research has shown are at a greater risk of poorer health outcomes.
The scheme aims to encourage Kirklees residents to actively engage in their health issues by going into the community and community spaces.
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Check your eligibility
The health checks take from 30 to 45 minutes. A member of the team will check things like your blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), average blood glucose and cholesterol.
Afterwards, you get a chance to review and talk to the health coach as well as plan future steps to improve and maintain your health.
To be eligible you must be a Kirklees resident, aged from 40 to 74 years. There’s a list of pre-existing conditions that exclude you from this free service, as if they apply to you, you should be already having regular check ups with your health provider.
You can check if you’re eligible for a free health check or find out more on the Kirklees Wellness Service Website. The areas are where the health checks are available includes the following:
- Golcar
- Crosland Moor
- Netherton
- Newsome
- Greenhead
- Batley east
- Birstall
- Birkenshaw
- Ashbrow
- Lindley
Keep an eye on Kirklees Wellness Service website for more details on locations, times and dates.
Taking care of your mental health
There are also many other services across Kirklees that provide mental health support. For example, the Working Together Better Partnership delivers mental health and well-being support.
The Well-bean Café provides a safe space for anyone facing a mental health crisis, providing one-to-one support. The Café’s service hours run from 6 pm to midnight, which is the telephone referrals, which you can contact on 07741 900395 (Friday-Monday) and 07867 028755 (Tuesday-Thursday) from 6 pm to midnight. During their office hours, people can also submit a professional referral form which you can request by email – wellbeancafekirklees@touchstonesupport.org.uk
There are also national charity services such as the Samaritans, who you can contact, at any time through their helpline by calling 116 123. You can also email jo@samaritans.org if you prefer to express your thoughts through writing.
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