Young At Heart

The winner of our writing competition reveals how teenagers aren’t just a stereotype

In the last issue of Oke Links we ran a competition to find a budding young journalist, inviting entrants to write a feature about what life is like for them in the area. We had lots of wonderful pieces of writing sent in, so the judges had a difficult task choosing the winner. But the article by 12-year-old Bill Clatworthy Edwards - a student at Okehampton College - stood out with its lively style and vivid descriptions. Well done Bill!

What comes to mind when someone mentions teenagers? Moody? In gangs? Always on computer games? Monosyllabic?

It is true: I like going on computer games. But I much prefer browsing the bookshelves of Dogberry and Finch. Anthony Horotwitz, JK Rowling and Conan Doyle are my favourite authors. I am currently reading The Hound of the Baskervilles, a mystery set on Dartmoor.

You can see exactly why Conan Doyle used the moody, mysterious and melancholic moors for his famous book. The body of a man is found on the spooky moorland with the paw prints of a gigantic hound surrounding it. Sherlock Holmes sends Dr John Watson down to Dartmoor to investigate the supernatural crime.

My favourite walk on the moors is less spooky; going up the Skaigh Valley towards Belstone. Walking on the leafy lane, picking my way carefully over exposed roots and loose stones, the damp smell; earthy and a bit like a wet dog sometimes! My constant companions are my two normal sized dogs! Adventuring off and searching for birds, squirrels and rabbis to chase, they are not usually in their hunts.

If you are lucky, you could see deer running out onto the lane or a barn owl glide silently down at dusk, or otters swimming in the local river. Seeing snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells, and breathing in the strong scent of wild garlic reminds me of how fortunate we are to live in such a rural area.

Okehampton also offers more strenuous activities for young people such as abseiling, gorge scrambling and cycling with Adventure Okehampton. I like the excitement and fun of climbing up trees and on tors, and I go cycling along the granite way. You can also go mountain biking in the forests and on the moors.

Some may say there is nothing to do for ‘the youth of today’, but if Okehampton isn’t enough, It’s just a quick train ride from Okehampton Station up to Exeter. I enjoy activities like the Clip and Climb Centre, the cinema, the theatre, the shops, and I can meet up with friends there.

So next time you hear the word ‘teenager’ remember we are more than a stereotype!

Bill Clatworthy Edwards

Annual Health Checks

Why up-to-date jabs and regular check-ups are so vital

Vaccinations

Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year.

Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or seen very rarely. Other diseases like measles and diphtheria have been reduced by up to 99.9% since their vaccines were introduced. However, if people stop having vaccines, it’s possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again.

They work by teaching your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. It’s much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you for many years.

People who have a learning disability and those who care for them are being reminded that it’s not too late for them to have a free flu vaccination and additional Covid-19 booster. Preventing Covid-19 and flu is particularly important for people with learning disabilities, who are much more vulnerable to both viruses.

If you would like to read further information about vaccinations, please follow this link: https://www. nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/whyvaccination-is-safe-and-important/ or search for ‘vaccinations’ on the NHS website.

SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CHECKS.

You might be diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other psychosis or be having lithium therapy. If so, NHS England say you should receive a full physical health check each year from a medical professional, like your GP or a practice nurse.

Also, you should be on your GP surgery’s severe mental illness register. If you’re on the register, you should receive an invite for a full physical health check at least once a year.

The health checks are important. Living with a severe mental illness means that you can be more likely to develop physical health issues than the general population. Everyone’s situation is different, but we know that good mental and physical health go hand in hand.

Devon Freewheelers

Blood Bikes - A FREE SERVICE

A physical health check is an important first step towards taking charge of your physical health and being as well as you can be.

If you would like to read further information about severe mental illness and physical health checks, please search online for ‘Rethink Mental Illness’ and select the ‘physical health checks’ page.

Long Term Health Conditions

A Long Term Physical Health Condition (also known as a Chronic Condition) is a health problem that requires ongoing management over a period of years or decades and is one that cannot currently be cured but can be controlled with the use of medication and/or other therapies.

Examples of these conditions include Diabetes, Cardiovascular (e.g. Hypertension, Angina), and Chronic Respiratory (e.g. Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)).

If you have a Long Term Health Condition and your periodic health check is due, you can make an appointment via Klinik under ‘long-term condition appointment’.

Okehampton Medical Centre

The charity transports vital medical supplies for the NHS; moves samples and medication between hospitals, surgeries, patients’ homes; breast milk to neonatal units, restocks blood to air ambulances in three counties; all carried out 24/7 by volunteers, 365 days a year.

To find out more about our work, to meet us or make a donation visit: www.devonfreewheelers.org.uk