14 minute read
“DON’T WAIT” – CHECK YOUR HEALTH
– LANCASHIRE BOSS’ PLEA
A boss at one of Lancashire’s biggest employers has shared his story of bowel cancer in an effort to encourage people to be more open about their health
Chris Boardman, Group Managing Director for BAE Systems’ Air sector, was diagnosed with colon cancer last year and underwent successful surgery last summer.
In a video for staff at the company, which employs around 10,000 people at its sites in Warton and Samlesbury, Mr Boardman made a plea to anyone with symptoms to seek help as soon as possible.
He said: “I wanted to share my story because I think it is important we are open and we talk about issues. I was diagnosed with cancer of the colon earlier last year and that required a fairly intense period of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. I had surgery in the summer and at the end of September it was confirmed the cancer has gone.
“What I learned through this difficult time is that there is no real reason not to reach out. We have a wonderful NHS and we have wonderful people in that service, a vocation to look after people’s health, wellbeing and preserve life.
“My plea is, please don’t wait. If you have symptoms, please contact your doctor. Just go. It’s not easy but when you have reached out you are in very safe hands with the people who are trained to help and want to help you get better.”
Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that begins in the large bowel. Depending on where the cancer starts, bowel cancer is sometimes called colon or rectal cancer. Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK. Most people diagnosed with it are over the age of 60.
Dr Adam Janjua, a GP in Fleetwood and chair of the Fylde Coast Cancer Steering Group, said: “The main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in your poo, a persistent change in your bowel habit or persistent lower pain in your tummy pain, bloating or discomfort.
“I’m very grateful to Chris for sharing his story and I commend him for acting so quickly. This has clearly saved his life. Bowel cancer is very treatable if we find it early.
“If you do have any of the symptoms, please don’t hesitate. Contact your GP practice as soon as possible.” n
NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION
How many times have you made a New Year’s resolution to get fitter, make more time for yourself or be more eco-friendly? And how many times have you kept to them? Roger Wolstenholme thinks e-bikes could be the small change that makes a big difference
We’re all guilty of making New Year’s resolutions we won’t keep – we vow to get healthier while full of Christmas dinner and festive chocolate, but it becomes far less appealing when we’re faced with the sad salads and crowded gyms of January.
According to YouGov, nearly a quarter of Britons who made a resolution for 2020 failed to keep any of their promises.
Mind you, who can blame them? 2020 was tough enough!
The problem is that achieving the results you want is often an arduous and unappealing process.
That’s where e-bikes come in.
E-bikes are electric-assisted pedal bikes. You ride them like any conventional bike, but they have a battery-powered drive system to give you a boost when you need it. This means they make the hills and valleys of our beautiful area more accessible to more people. They also make commuting to work by bike far more realistic and achievable. In fact, we even have a ‘bike to work’ scheme where you could save up to 42 per cent on your dream e-bike.
E-bikes mean you can go twice as far, with half the effort. You still need to pedal, but you no longer need to avoid Waddington Fell, for example. There are models to suit everyone, from absolute beginners to seasoned cyclists and off-road enthusiasts. We also have all the kit and accessories to suit your lifestyle, including kids’ seats.
According to British Cycling, regular cyclists enjoy the general health of someone approximately 10 years younger. A low impact exercise, it is much kinder on your joints than many other aerobic activities.
And it’s not just physical health, outdoor exercise can contribute to better mental health too. And in the dark, cold depths of January we should focus on mental wellbeing more than ever.
It may be cold, but there are still crisp days of winter sunshine to enjoy. Studies show that a little sun can contribute to being a healthier weight, enjoying improved sleep and lower blood pressure. Combine vitamin D and fresh air with the endorphins released during exercise and an e-bike ride is bound to put a spring in your step.
Swapping some car journeys for e-bike rides will have a positive impact on the health of the environment too. And following COP26, we all know how crucial that is.
As well as our hire centre in Dunsop Bridge, we’ve now opened a new Clitheroe shop. The town’s becoming a great hub for cyclists with all the bike and accessory shops we have. All offer different brands, services and price points, so keen cyclists (or wary newbies) can come and do the rounds, make their own comparisons and enjoy Clitheroe’s other attractions and cafes while they’re here.
The new shop, between Lidl and Howdens, stocks top brands like Haibike, Raleigh, LaPierre and Volt, including mountain bikes, road bikes and hybrid models, as well as beautifully engineered woom kids’ bikes.
So, we look forward to seeing you in January – and beyond! n
Ribble Valley E-Bikes Ltd Waterloo Road, Clitheroe BB7 1RA Dunsop Bridge, Clitheroe BB7 3BB 01200 426246 ribblevalley-e-bikes.co.uk
HEALTH FIRST IN 2022
With the new year many of us will be looking at our lives and looking to make changes. Its time to put your wellbeing at the forefront of your life once and for all
Wellbeing has been at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds during 2021. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, people have become even more aware of the importance of looking after their mental and physical health. Each year, Virgin Health asks experts to make some wellbeing predictions for the next 12 months. And we’ve rounded up some of those predictions to share here…
Mental Health
Mental health awareness has been increasing over recent years, and that’s only set to continue into 2022. As many employers switch to hybrid ways of working, with employees working from home and the office, Richard Branson thinks that there will be an even greater focus on mental health. He says: “Supporting the mental health of employees, customers, and the wider community should already be a major priority for companies around the world. In the year ahead, as working from home becomes more common and our lives grow more interconnected than ever, there will be even greater focus upon mental health alongside physical health and wellbeing. This should have a positive impact on individuals, businesses, and communities.” During the pandemic, more and more health services have been using online tools to provide care to patients remotely. And now that healthcare has started to embrace digital tools, there’s no turning back.
Amanda Graham, PhD, Chief of Innovations at EX Program by Truth Initiative and VP+ partner, says: “Not only has the global pandemic accelerated the uptake of digital tools and solutions among end-users, it has also resulted in blockbuster funding for digital health in 2021. This momentum behind digital health means a plethora of
I PREDICT IN 2022 WE WILL FINALLY START TO WAKE UP TO THE FACT THAT OUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING DEPENDS ON THE MIND AS MUCH AS THE PHYSICAL BODY
solutions for employers and health plans to evaluate in helping employees and members better manage their health.” start to wake up to the fact that our health and wellbeing depends on the mind as much as the physical body, on our social connections, on our communities. We will be less likely to reduce everything to pills and procedures, and more willing to treat health as the complex, holistic, connected endeavour that it is.”
With home schooling and caring for shielding relatives during the pandemic, it’s become more apparent how workplaces are not set up to support employees with caring responsibilities. This year, the pressure will be on employers to offer more family-friendly policies as if they don’t, employees will be looking to move to companies where that support is already in place.
Rachel Boyd, VP of Enterprise Marketing, at Ovia Health, says: “Ovia Health anticipates that 2022 will be the year the world digs into what it means to be inclusive for working families as employees juggle new challenges around caregiving, mental health, children with unique needs, and more. These responsibilities affect the mental health and wellbeing of every workforce, which impacts productivity, retention and even health expenditure. Moreover, Ovia’s research shows that employees will leave their role if they don’t receive support, and fast.”
2022 will be the year that wellbeing goes mainstream once and for all, according to industry analyst Josh Bersin. He says that it’s been treated as a ‘benefit’ for too long and should now be considered a key part of business strategy. Josh explains: “CEOs and business leaders at all levels now recognise that if people are not productive, energetic, rested, and safe – they simply will not perform. “So companies have pulled the wellbeing program out of the benefits department and are now embracing and training people about all aspects of wellbeing – including leaders, supervisors and individuals. The definition of wellbeing has also expanded – it goes beyond health and fitness to include mental and psychological health, resilience and self-awareness, and learning about how to design and manage the work environment to keep the organisation healthy.” Ultimately though it’s not our employers or workplace’s responsibility to look after
Holistic Approach
There is a clear connection between physical and mental health, and that is also impacted by environmental factors too. Zubin Damania (also known as ZDoggMD) predicts that 2022 will be the year that people start to treat health holistically. He says: “I predict in 2022 we will finally work-life balance, and physical wellbeing. “On top of all the usual pressures that accompany family life, parents in particular are burdened with making intense, fatiguing decisions daily to protect themselves and fill in the gaps. Employees also aren’t solely caring for their children, they’re juggling care for older parents, sick relatives, our wellbeing. We need to ensure that we prioritise living well. Even small changes to your lifestyle can really improve your overall health and wellbeing. Whether you vow to move more, drink less, go vegan or just make sure you get more fresh air every week it’s the little changes that become habits that make all the difference. n
LUXURY LODGES FOR SALE
something for themselves. It is important for children to maintain a link with either their paternal or maternal family and the court system does consider that.
As with all breakdowns, taking legal advice is best. Whilst grandparents do not have an automatic right, opportunities to open up negotiations by letter or attempting family mediation are both options that are available for grandparents too. If neither of those options is successful, then an application can be made to the court. A grandparent does not have an automatic right to make an application, however permission can be sought. The court will carefully consider the connection to the child or children and based upon that, will decide whether the
GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS TO ACCESS TO CHILDREN
While grandparents do not have automatic rights, there may be opportunities to open up negotiations in order to see their grandchildren, advises Rubina Vohra of Forbes Solicitors
It’s heartbreaking when a relationship breaks down and the heartbreak can span beyond the couple themselves. Where children are involved, there are often grandparents. When a couple have separated, unless there is an amicable arrangement in place, often extended members of the family, including grandparents, can find themselves very much on the outside of the grandchildren’s lives.
Grandparents may believe that they have no rights, but this is, in fact, incorrect. It is usual for a parent to have arrangements for seeing children and within that time, they can spend time with the extended family. Where either time is restricted or objections are made, a grandparent can do application can progress. Once that hurdle has been overcome, the application is a Child Arrangements Order application and will be dealt with by attempting to identify the issues and, where necessary, considering if there are welfare issues that need to be investigated.
The initial application is made on a C100 application form, together with a supporting C2 form seeking permission to make the application. Once an order is in place, the order will have to be complied with. If you are experiencing difficulties with access and contact to your own grandchildren, we can provide you with advice and support to assist you with any contact arrangements. n
For more information contact Rubina Vohra, Head of Forbes’ Family/Divorce Department at: rubina.vohra@forbessolicitors.co.uk or phone on: 01254 580 000
forbessolicitors.co.uk 01254 580 000 WHATEVER THE MOMENT, WE’RE IN IT
Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girlguiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools and corporates will be encouraged to play their part to enhance our environment by planting trees during the official planting season between October 2021 to March 2022. Tree planting will commence again in October 2022, through to the end of the Jubilee year.
With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC is encouraging planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations.
As well as inviting the planting of new trees,The Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
Everyone should be able to get involved in planting a tree for the Platinum Jubilee. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a complete novice. The QGC offer the following guidelines to help you: • If you wish to plant a tree in your garden to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee, its recommend you order a tree/trees from a certified Plant Healthy nursery in your area.
• You will need to consider the time of year. Experts recommend planting trees between October and March, when they are dormant and less likely to be damaged during planting. The summer months are a good time to plan your project, ready for planting during the autumn. • It is important to think about the size and spread of the trees and how you will use the site as the trees grow. There are many different varieties of trees, all of which have different characteristics, purposes and needs (soil, water, nutrients).
Most trees can grow in a range of conditions, though some will prefer particular soil types. • A nursery with a Plant Healthy certification will have a strong biosecurity standard and their trees are likely to be healthy plants and have high plant health. The
OHAS Grower Standard is another certification scheme to look out for when searching for an accredited nursery. • If storing your tree before planting, store it upright sheltered from frost and wind.
Lightly spray the roots with water if they appear to be drying out. Or if your tree is in a container, ensure the roots do not dry out by watering. n
PLANT A TREE
FOR THE JUBILEE
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”
For more information and to get involved with planting a tree for the Platinum Jubilee go to: queensgreencanopy.org
