WHIS INSPIRE TOGETHER WE INSPIRE CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH INSPIRING CONTENT. INSPIRE . INNOVATE . CREATE . SHARE . EXPAND
www.whisinspire.com www.worldhealthinnovationsummit.com
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World Health Innovation Summit CIC Unit 1, The Old Warehouse Lorne Crescent Carlisle CA2 5XW World Health Innovation Summit an international platform set up to support our local health services while creating community value. #WHIS #togetherweinspire @HIC2016
C
2018 – WHIS Inspire – all rights reserved
This magazine covers the WHIS organisation and content contributed by the community. Designed by Josh Entwistle Edited by Emily Dodd Fonts used – Filson Soft, Boston, STIXGeneral. A huge thank you to Thrown Overboard Media Co. Ltd for their continuous support that brought this magazine to life.
Volume #1
www.whisinspire.com www.worldhealthinnovationsummit.com WHIS Inspire does not assume legal or other liability for any inaccuracy, mistakes, mis-statements, or any other error of whatever nature contained herein.
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WHIS INSPIRE
TOGETHER WE INSPIRE Together we Inspire 5
Contents Inspiring content from the community, for the community.
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9
50 44
10 18
36
34
We want the best healthcare system in the world – a healthcare system that peaks in effectiveness and efficiency to benefit everyone. How do we achieve this? Through collaboration and cooperation. By sharing connections and positive knowledge, we create a growing platform that supports and improves healthcare for all. 6 Together we Inspire
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Introduction
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WHIS 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health & Wellbeing
34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recipes 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Community
42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
People
Science & Technology
54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Special Features 62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contact & Info
WHIS
Health & Wellbeing
10 . . . . . . . The Lightbulb Moment
18 . . . . . . . . The Gathering Fields
14 . . . . . . . . . WHIS visits Dublin
20 . . . .
15 . . . . . . . .
WHIS visits Geneva
24 . . . . . . . . . . . Harvey’s Gang
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . WHIS Events
28 . . . . . . . . . The IAM Approach
Enhance Work Performance
32 . . . . . Meditation, Wisdom & Bliss
Recipies
Community
34 . . . . . . . Ketogenic Onion Bhaji
36 . . . . . . . Cumbria Health on Call 40 . . . . . . Booomers International 42 . . . . . . All 4 Youth & Community
People
Science & Technology
44 . . . . . . . Overcoming a Stutter
50 . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobile Age
46 . . . . . . . . . . The Invisible Girl 48 . . . . . . . . . . Clean Language
Special Features
Contact & Info
54 . . . . . . . . . . Change Makers
62 . . . . . . . .
58 . . . . . . Foundation of Creativity
63 . . . . . .
Magazine Creators
Magazine Contributors
65 . . . . . . . . . . . Call to Action
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Meet the Team This magazine is brought to you by a small, nationwide team of young professionals that are full of innovative ideas and designs.
Emily Dodd Director & Editor in Chief Emily has a demonstrated history in creative copy and content writing, with extensive experience in producing meaningful media for the voluntary sector. Having produced a broad portfolio of written work for various clients at a national and local scale, she has great attention for detail.
Josh Entwistle Executive Director of Design Originally from Manchester, Josh Entwistle is an aspiring graphic designer, currently studying at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle, UK. He has always had a passion for the creative arts, with a strong focus on editorial design and commercial branding. Josh takes pride in producing fresh, professional designs for his clients that stand out from the crowd.
Joe Bellwood Associate Editor Joe Bellwood is an English graduate, originally from Leeds, UK. With his experience in writing and publication, Joe frequently engages in editorial and content-creation roles - following a passion for global and local communities.
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Introduction Our health services are under pressure to withstand unprecedented challenges. The pressure to provide effective healthcare continues to rise, just as our expectations do. With a growing population on top of this, we need innovative ideas to support these services to shape a thriving future of healthcare. World Health Innovation Summit is an international platform that supports a Salutogenic approach to health and wellbeing. It is a new, innovative way of working together that enables us all to openly share ideas and develop solutions. To expand their programmes and support communities further, WHIS has developed various stems to the organisation. As a branch from this, we built WHIS Inspire. WHIS Inspire is a digital magazine that explores the fields of healthcare to provide the tools that support individuals and their communities. Through this platform, we provide inspiring content from the community that’s created for the community. This is a digital magazine that is dedicated to the innovative advances across the globe, designed to inspire and share knowledge with everyone. #WHIS #togetherweinspire #WHISinspire @WHIS_Inspire
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The Lightbulb Moment It Started with a Tweet We interviewed Gareth Presch, the Founder and CEO of the World Health Innovation Summit, to reflect on the greatest inspirations and discuss the big ‘lightbulb moment’ for the company.
Michelle Masters
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Andy Fearon
Kate Wilson
How do you know these people? Back in February 2015, I was invited to the very first Carlisle Ambassadors’ meeting. That was where I met them, and where all the ideas for WHIS sprouted.
Why are they so important to WHIS? Michelle and Kate were the organisers of the Carlisle Ambassadors event, so they were the ones who brought that all together. That event gave us the opportunity to establish WHIS. At the event, I started speaking with Andy about ‘Give a Day to the City’, and we discussed how the NHS could get involved with the whole concept. So, when I watched Andy’s presentation, the concept of WHIS pretty much materialised from there really. That was the ‘lightbulb moment’ - when I realised that we could take all of these resources to benefit people and communities and support the NHS. They have all been great. They’ve seen WHIS grow from the ground upwards, and they are keen advocates for the organisation; always supporting us and mentioning us at Carlisle Ambassadors.
What happened next? We quickly worked together and began to throw a couple of ideas around the table. Then, a couple of weeks later, Carlisle Ambassadors invited me to a strategy meeting to talk about further development in the city. Future plans for the city were discussed, regarding the problems we faced in recruitment and the proposal to build more homes. I asked, “How are you going to service all of these people with healthcare?”. A quiet response led me to think more about this, where I thought about holding an event for innovation. After speaking to various contacts to discuss branding, I chose the name World Health Innovation Summit and, within the space of 24 hours, WHIS was born – and it’s never stopped evolving since. I sent out a tweet that asked health colleagues to come to Carlisle, Cumbria. That tweet was part of a vision to bring communities together who would inspire, innovate, and share knowledge to improve healthcare. Together we Inspire 11
How has WHIS grown? I wanted to bring consultants and taught leaders to Carlisle so that we could publish information in peer-reviewed journals and attract staff through recruitment opportunities. WHIS initially set out to help the NHS with recruitment retention, but we’ve expanded to branch out into many more directions: We have built WHISKids, WHISatWork, WHISSeniors, WHISTalks, WHISGreen – and now we’ve developed this magazine. I can’t be prouder. The initial concept was to support the local healthcare services, but now we’re reaching globally – WHIS has grown more legs now! It can do so much more. It can help the NHS right across the UK, and it can help other health services around the world. What was first a seed of thought, has quickly stemmed into a huge success and we have no plans to slow down.
What are the main objectives for WHIS? The idea is simple. We all have an interest in health, but we have never had a way to share our experiences in a forum that would allow us to contribute towards the improvement of care that we all need. World Health Innovation Summit provides that platform. It allows us all (every sector of society) to come together to share our knowledge, drive innovation, and inspire others. We’re a social enterprise that is set up as a Community Interest Company. We put profits after costs back into local communities – so, by supporting our activities, your local community will benefit too. We connect people and communities to improve their health and wellbeing, so that together, we inspire.
“WHIS proves how something as simple as a tweet or conversation can grow to make such a huge difference within communities”. - Michelle Masters
“Gareth has a strong passion for helping people work together for a better future. I love WHIS, and I love how Gareth and the team are building a working model that shows there is another way to care for people”. - Andy Fearon 12 Together we Inspire
Give a Day to the City ‘Give a Day to the City’ is about helping people find their passion and a project that suits them. The concept encourages everyone to give their passion, skills, and expertise to the city for a day. Imagine what could be achieved…
Gareth Presch is a Leadership Fellow at St George’s House. With an extensive, worldwide network, he is a social entrepreneur who strongly believes in sharing knowledge. Patient-focused and quality-driven, Gareth is a former Chief Officer of the National Haemophilia Council - a statutory body in Ireland. He has also managed National Clinical Programmes on Blood Transfusion, Haemochromatosis, and the Endoscopy Improvement Programme. Gareth is a problem-solver and healthcare strategist who has experience working in public, private, and voluntary healthcare settings in the NHS and abroad. He established WHIS as a platform to inspire, innovate, and share knowledge to improve healthcare, whilst stimulating vibrant communities across the globe.
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WHIS visits Dublin 23rd May 2018 Earlier this year, World Health Innovation Summit and Health Service Executive (Ireland) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement will see both agencies actively support each other and develop the WHIS model in Ireland. In May, our CEO, Gareth Presch, held further talks in Dublin to establish WHIS in Ireland at the HSE People’s Needs Defining Change event. HSE National Director of HR, Rosarii Mannion, and HSE Director General, John Connaughton, opened the event in Croke Park. Professor David Ulrich gave a valuable insight into change management within the health sector.
Rosarii Mannion
WHIS visits Geneva 4th - 6th June 2018 Gareth Presch was invited to speak at this year’s Globalethics.net International Conference to discuss expertise that drive ethics into society through education. Fellows, taught leaders, and change makers arrived to highlight the integral connection between healthcare and education. It was a delight to meet Hon. Professor Kwesi Yankah, the Ghanaian Minister of State at the Ministry of Education; and Roland Schatz, the Senior Advisor to the UN Director General. Gareth reflects on the event,
“We are grateful for the opportunity to present our work, and we looking forward to working closely with Globalethics. net to align our goals with sustainable development”.
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WHIS Fylde Coast 15th - 16th March 2018 WHIS Fylde Coast brought a two-day immersive health and wellbeing summit to the community of Blackpool, in the astounding venue of The Winter Gardens. Featuring local, national, and international speakers, the event showcased the great work that takes place both locally and further afield to discuss community initiatives with one another. The event provided a space for storytelling to share lived experiences of learning to live with illness, whilst creating opportunities for meaningful engagement between our communities and those providing care for us – opportunities to share knowledge, expertise, and skills. There were plenty of creative activities and workshops to get involved with – from sound bath sessions and discussion groups, to mindfulness moments and pamper experiences. With a focus on promoting wellness, preventing illness, and learning to thrive despite illness, topics included: •
Mental health and resilience
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Natural medicine
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Holistic therapies
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Supportive health technology
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Kind and compassionate care
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Research in nutrition and fitness
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WHIS Nottingham 12th May 2018 Just in time to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week, WHIS Nottingham hosted an outdoor event in the Market Square of Nottingham to raise awareness and address mental health, together as a vibrant community. Individuals, families, groups, and organisations gathered to talk, listen, and share; whilst focussing on ways to support, alleviate, and prevent mental health issues. With such a variety of stalls, visitors of all ages could engage with counsellors, holistic therapists, and other wellbeing practitioners; whilst enjoying the fortunate weather and delicious, healthy food from around the world. WHIS Nottingham strengthened the support of peoples’ state of mind and wellbeing with arts, dance, music, yoga, and meditation - the Mass Meditation and Tai-Chi sessions proved to be a great success, with an estimated turnout of 5,000 people over the course of the day.
WHIS North East 17th - 18th May 2018 WHIS North East held a two-day event in Newcastle to put the region at the centre of a worldwide movement for health and social care. Clinicians, patients, and healthcare representatives attended the event to develop fresh ideas and find solutions that support the NHS and other local health and social care services. At the heart of this discussion were speakers from across the world who came along to share innovative knowledge with others. Gosforth Civic Theatre provided a warm and welcoming venue for the event, offering a place for people to collaborate and share ideas from their various fields of expertise. Together we Inspire 17
The Gathering Fields at WHIS Fylde Coast Summit Sound bath taster sessions ran over the course of the event in Blackpool, offering visitors the chance to experience a form of holistic healing. For participants to unwind, Helen and William created music with a variety of tones, frequencies, and vibrations to build an incredibly tranquil atmosphere that was filled with spirit and soul. These sound baths encourage relaxation, with the ability to ease pain and aid sleep. With more than just a Shruti box, Venus gong, and a Mexican harp, the music hummed through the body like a sound massage, inciting goose bumps in an indescribably uplifting experience.
Holistic Healing at The Gathering Fields
Having felt a strong desire to re-establish the connection between nature and people, Helen Leece decided to transform her family farm into a retreat; a place where she can share her passion and create the necessary link between urban and rural life. The Gathering Fields is a retreat that allows individuals to touch base with plants and homegrown vegetables alike, whilst providing yoga and sound sessions, wool craft, pottery, and Ayurveda. Helen’s main passion lies in Flower Essence Training and workshops that introduce this therapy.
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Helen has faith in knowing that, at all times, the answers to our health issues lie within ourselves. Although some health conditions are inherited or genetic, as humans, we have a huge internal power to change the outcome of and the relationship with our own health issues. You can embrace a holistic lifestyle by making your own choices in life, from the food you eat, to the things you choose to listen to, and the people you surround yourself with.
“The first thing you should know about good health is you choose it”
Helen Leece is a trained Ayurvedic practitioner. At the age of five, a teacher told me that I could not sing, so I never really used my voice. One day, I attended a mantra singing day with Spiritual Healer, Maya Tiwari, and I was blown away by the effects on my mental, emotional wellbeing – so I decided to study mantra. I trained with a sound therapist in Glastonbury and a classical Indian musician, and from there I began to develop my own style.
“Sound helped me to express emotions that I could not find words for.” William has been a sound healer for some time. I went along to one of his sessions, where we did a very impromptu sound and vocal session. We then started our first session together a year ago, and have continued to run them monthly ever since. We never rehearse – everything that you hear and see is for the moment and in the moment. What we offer is unique. It is hard to put into words, but the intermingled variety of tones, frequencies, and vibrations create such a beautiful experience. People have reported a range of experiences, from feeling light to feeling inner calm. Benefits can include relaxation, pain alleviation, and aided sleep.
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5 Ways to Enhance Performance at Work By Matt Gibbs Matt Gibbs works with individuals and business to change their health, happiness, and performance. The first step always starts with movement in the outdoor environment. ‘Time for Ten’ is Matt’s effective program for businesses to improve the cognitive function, productivity, confidence, fitness, posture, sleep, mindfulness, mood, and energy levels of individuals. The program leads to lowered expenditure on absenteeism and presenteeism, whilst boosting productivity, performance, and creativity.
We often discount the simplest of things to improve our life, health, happiness, or performance in any given situation. If something appears too simple at first glance, then our conscious rational mind, desiring challenge and complexity, just says “Hmm, this is too easy, it is unlikely to work”, and we may move on looking for something more difficult - which ultimately hinders us from true progress. Yet, this is the complete irony of the situation. With greater awareness and personal experience, we stumble on the solution to life… That everything is actually very simple if we allow nature to take its course. If we let go of the masks and shackles society has forced upon us since birth, we become free to express ourselves just as we were meant to, and, in this moment, the excessive challenges of life fall away. Can we be healthier, happier, more focused, more productive, and do more with less? Yes! Of course we can. This is not some utopia that’s granted to just the very lucky few. This is something you can work towards by yourself to make your life easier, calmer, and more successful than it already is. First though, we must accept that the more we know, the more we shall realise how little we actually know - and we must become comfortable with that and accepting of it.
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Secondly, there are things we say, habits we hold, and actions we take that are unhelpful, unwise, or unproductive for us - yet we do them out of being blindsided to subconscious programming. If we are in denial of this, then we are likely to become aggravated when someone points out our flaws – but don’t worry, this is totally normal and we can change it. As we grow, we learn to understand that every action that we take is our own choice, and that’s when we can begin to expand our life and our opportunities. Why am I telling you this? Well, it is important that I do!
You see, modern living has disconnected us from our nature. Over the past 75 years, we have become increasingly sedentary out of choice, and progressively lived our lives indoors behind artificial structures, with a whole lot of electrical energy constantly buzzing around us. But since everyone does this, it appears normal. It appears acceptable. It appears right. However, having once been trapped there myself, I encourage you to take a moment to step outside, both physically and metaphorically. Imagine you are a bird flying 3000ft above where you are sitting right now, and in your mind’s eye, explore what you can see around you. Yes, there are roads, houses, offices, and cars. Yet, between all of them there are green spaces, fields, trees, bushes, and flowers. And between all of that there is fresh air. Masses of it, invisible to the naked eye. It is just there. All around us. Freely available to breathe in. So, I now invite you to do 5 things, and rather miraculously these five things will begin to enhance your performance at work…
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Step Outside No matter what time of the day, step outside and take a short walk - even for just 10 minutes.
Posture As you step outside, stand up tall and adjust your posture. Roll and relax your shoulders. Shake your legs. Wiggle your hips. Imagine a piece of string coming out the top of your head, which, as you pull on it, keeps you standing tall, straight, firm, yet relaxed.
Breathe Take a breath, a deep breath. Breathe deeply through the nose, and down into your gut. Breathe out through the mouth. Repeat several times. Imagine breathing in bright, clean energy into the cells of your body. As you exhale, imagine expelling dark, contaminated energy and negative, unproductive thoughts right out of your mouth.
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Awareness Start walking along a route that will take you at least 5 minutes away from your desk before turning back. Open your senses: What can you see? What can you hear? What can you smell? Is there anything natural you can touch? The grass? A tree? The petals of a rose? Relish the things that make a change to the metal, plastic, and concrete that we are so often surrounded by.
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5
Smile Smile as you stroll. Take an appreciation for the little things in life. Feel as free as a bird and let your worries float away.
That’s it! Five super simple steps that are guaranteed to enhance your performance at work. These techniques are backed by a lot of science, but instead of sitting inside to read more, I want you to go outdoors and clear your mind. So, go! Let positive energy rush around your body.
Depending on how infiltrated you have become from your indoor life, it may take several attempts – but every little step that you take will count towards a better, more focussed mind.
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Harvey’s Gang In 2013, Harvey Buster Baldwin was admitted to Worthing Hospital after a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. At just six years old, Harvey was treated in the children’s department of the hospital, and as an inquisitive child, asked many questions of the staff around him. He wanted to know what happened to his blood samples - where they went, what was done to them, and why the information was important. Some of the many questions asked by Harvey could not be answered by the staff that he was in contact with, be it due to a lack of time or specific knowledge. Harvey’s Play Specialists (hospital staff specifically tasked with treating children through play activities to make the hospital experience more fun) contacted Malcolm Robinson, who worked in the Pathology lab at Worthing Hospital. They queried a tour of the lab for Harvey, to answer these questions and provide a better insight. Malcolm obliged, and Harvey was given the smallest lab coat available, as well as a makeshift ‘I.D. card’. Along with a few pens in his top pocket, Harvey was a veritable scientist. During his tour around the laboratory, Harvey continually asked questions, all of which could now be answered. Just as the laboratory staff fueled Harvey’s thirst for knowledge with their answers, Harvey’s enthusiasm in turn reminded the staff of their own passion.
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Despite a Bone Marrow Transplant from Harvey’s 14year-old brother Max, which was initially accepted by Harvey’s body, in October 2014 Harvey lost his long battle. A farewell was held, during which Malcolm was approached by Harvey’s Consultant Paediatrician, who explained that another seven children had been asking questions, and could benefit from a similar tour of the Pathology Laboratory. As a direct result of Harvey’s enjoyment of the tour, other children could now receive the same benefit to their experience inside hospital.
Of course, in order to provide standardised care, these tours needed to be organised in such a way that they could be offered to patients and parents in a regular fashion. Appropriately, the name given to the arrangement was Harvey’s Gang. Patients would be given a correctly sized lab coat, a Trainee Scientist I.D. badge, a goody bag, and a certificate of attendance - all of which could be taken away with them. As the tour became more popular after the establishment of Harvey’s Gang in November 2014, the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) soon became sponsors of the lab coats.
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Now, as a registered charity (Number: 1169181) Harvey’s Gang empowers children in hospitals to learn more about their illnesses and treatment. The process of showing children where their samples go, can bridge the gap between themselves and their healthcare. Processes like this can result in the overcoming of needle phobia, along with other aspects that directly improve a child’s experience during their treatment. Harvey’s Gang has expanded to 58 sites, including 40 NHS Trusts, with plans in place to hold tours in pharmacies and around the globe. These concrete results have gained Harvey’s Gang and Malcolm Robinson several awards, including Biomedical Scientist of the Year 2018. Whilst embodying Harvey’s spirit, the team now looks towards the future to examine how they can spread their work throughout other countries, and ultimately improve the lives of sick children across the world.
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Harvey Baldwin with Malcolm Robinson.
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The IAM Approach to Health & Wellbeing Dr Joe Delaney PhD CSci FIBMS PhySoc Joe is a Consultant in Integrative Medicine in NorthWest England. Holding a PhD in Medicine, he specialises in the neuroscience of stress and addictive behaviour and its management. He is also an acknowledged teacher of Evolutionary and Developmental Psychology. Previously, he worked as a Senior Research Fellow in Medicine at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, exploring the use of non-medical interventions alongside pharmacological methods for treating hypertension in patients. In line with this, he was appointed as the country’s first NHS Specialist in Integrative Health Practice. For over 25 years, Joe has been involved in helping individuals through mindfulness meditation and specific breathing techniques, to rediscover themselves and to help them recover from the debilitating effects of stress, serious mental ill health, and addiction in its various forms. Joe has developed a revolutionary new approach that allows individuals to “hack their physiology in order to change their psychology”. This method helps to eradicate misery for good - making it easier for individuals to rapidly restore emotional balance and clear thinking in order to make cleaner, healthier choices. The IAM Approach offers solutions that many health and medical professionals are still largely unaware of, and it is probably unlike anything that you have ever heard before. An evolutionary leap from intellect to heart intelligence…
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After many years of stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and being plagued by various destructive addictions, I had arrived at the jumping-off place.
“All that I could think of was taking the action to finally end this misery, once and for all”. Not only had I been destroying myself for years, but my cruel illness was also damaging those around me. Hurting the people who truly loved and cared for me; people who had tried everything in their power to help me, but to no avail. I could see no other way out. This was not the first time that I had tried to end it all, but looking back, I now see that previous attempts were half-hearted cries for help. It’s not that nobody was listening, it’s just that they couldn’t hear what I was saying - and it also turns out that despite their best intentions, they didn’t have the solution either.
Obviously, as you read this, you will appreciate that this very serious attempt at suicide was unsuccessful (thank goodness), but something very strange happened to me in the course of this desperate process. As I neared what I thought was the end, a sudden, powerful idea crossed my mind – maybe, what some people had been suggesting to me for years was correct after all... Maybe, there was a solution to my dilemma, and what I needed to do was stop looking outside of myself for answers, and turn my gaze inwards instead. I needed to dig deep within myself and discover who I really was and reveal the true purpose of my existence. The answer, it
“What I thought was the end, turned out to be a wonderful new beginning”.
seems, was under my nose all the time. From that point onwards, I became a more light-hearted and joyful person. The real purpose of my existence began to emerge, and thus, the IAM Approach to Health and Wellbeing came into being. Together we Inspire 29
What is the IAM Approach? For the last 25 years, through trial and error, I have pieced together methods and modalities from across the world to combine into a unique approach that can help anyone who is struggling to find their true purpose. The IAM Approach can be used for anyone, by anyone, at any age. It is a simple, straightforward, gradual approach, which allows individuals to outgrow fear and move into a more expansive, fully-engaged, and joy-filled life. A wholesome, whole-hearted, whole person approach to whole health.
A fusion of ancient wisdom and modern knowledge - a merger of science and spirituality that embraces healing traditions and the latest research in neuroscience. A practical approach that is not based on theory alone, but is grounded in real, lived experience. IAM stands for Internal Asset Management. It is an asset-based approach that helps individuals to find and focus on what’s strong in them, and not what’s wrong with them. In other words, to do what comes naturally to them: to be themselves. By working with what works for them, it reconnects with their unique, innate resourcefulness. In technical terms, it is a deliberately developmental, mindfulness-based, stress reeducation programme (DD-MBSR), designed to reduce excessive emotional tension and restore balance in the body, mind, and spirit. So, with time and practise, this leads to a cool, calm, and collected outlook on life; which, in the simplest of terms, helps the individual to manage time and energy more efficiently. Through this, they can make healthier and happier choices, thereby improving the quality of their lives and the lives of those around them. The IAM Approach represents an evolutionary leap from intellect to intuition. It moves away from the head-based knowledge of the past, towards the heart-based intelligence of the eternal moment. 30 Together we Inspire
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.” – Albert Einstein
IAM pleased to say that by practising the techniques within this programme, my addictions have left me. I no longer take any medication of any sort (although I’m not opposed to medication at the right dose, at the right time, for the right reason), and have subsequently rediscovered the beauty of my own inner nature…
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Meditation, Wisdom, and Bliss With Dhyan Ji Dhyan Ji’s calling is to bring Meditation, as a way of life, to everyone. Dhyan is a Self-Realised Master, Mystic, Visionary, Pioneer, and Teacher. In the life of Bhakti, she is devoted to the awakening, empowerment, and encouragement of others. As a bodhisattva, she is a catalyst for change, in which she shares her presence through her Darshan, Meditation, Retreats, and Satsangs. Meditation is not what many people have been taught to believe it is. It is not sitting still attempting to stop your thoughts. If you have tried this, you can agree it is simply impossible. Meditation is a shift in attention, our natural state of being. It is what we are, in every moment. When the mind is quiet, and we are still and silent, we are in our true state of being. The more attention we give it, the more it will grow and gravitate towards stillness, where our thoughts just naturally fall away. Attention grows presence and presence grows peace. It is like planting a seed and giving it everything it needs to be nourished to grow strong and healthy. Our mind is the seed and it’s important that we water the flowers. Meditation helps us water those flowers, which in turn supports our mental wellbeing. The practice of Meditation, is not really a practice at all - it is the means of letting go. Letting go of all the clutter of the mind and giving our attention to the peace that we cultivate in our everyday lives.
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Five minutes a day can change your life… The following are some Meditation techniques to help you find peace, joy, and freedom. The more attention you give, the easier this will become: Whenever you find yourself doing something, do it with your full attention. Whether you’re cleaning the dishes or making a cup of tea, focus on the smaller details – you will notice so much more, and you may even find an appreciation for the more mundane things in life!
Sit down in a comfortable position and become aware of your breathing. Focus on it. Watch your breath move in and out of your body - do this for a few minutes. Stay focused.
Dance! Play your favourite music, let go, and express yourself. Dance like nobody is watching for at least 5 minutes a day and rejoice in the movement of your body to seek harmony.
Chant mantras. Mantras are key to opening the consciousness; they unlock the body’s potential and help focus, calm, and quieten the mind. This practice is often called Kirtan, which is a way to bring deep joy into your life.
Upon waking up in the morning, find yourself a comfortable space and begin to express yourself with sounds and words. Believe it or not, this Gibberish Meditation will literally clear your mind and leave you in an uplifted state. Have fun with it and don’t take yourself too seriously - if you start to laugh, even better!
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Healthy Recipe: Ketogenic Onion Bhaji Brought to you by John Joyce, a.k.a The Ice Cold Chef
Who doesn’t love an onion bhaji? If you don’t, you might do now – this ketogenic recipe is low in carbohydrates and refined sugars, whilst the ingredients help to remove inflammation from the brain and body to improve your health. These onion bhajis are bursting with flavoursome spices and are so quick to make too…
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Ingredients
Optional Extras
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1 finely chopped onion
John recommends serving this meal
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1tsp turmeric
with one of his favoured sauces:
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1tsp cumin
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1tsp chilli powder
•
1tsp ground coriander
of lemon juice to thin down the
•
30g almond flour
consistency if needed, then garnish
•
1 egg
•
1tsp ghee
•
Extra virgin olive oil spray
Mix together some garlic and a sprinkling of turmeric with a large dollop of Greek yoghurt. Add a splash
with finely chopped coriander or parsley – depending on your choice.
Method 1. 2.
Set the oven to 180 C Place the almond flour into a bowl, then add the spices and give it all a good mix.
3.
Now, place the chopped onion into the spiced flour and give that another good mix.
4.
Crack the egg into this mixture, then stir until everything has combined.
5.
Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat, then add the ghee and a light spray of extra virgin olive oil.
6.
Once hot, place a small, rounded spoonful of the bhaji mix onto the pan for around 45-60 seconds, before flipping the bhajis to repeat the process - be sure not to overcrowd the pan.
7.
Next, remove from the heat and place the onion bhajis onto an ovenproof tray to warm through in the pre-heated oven for 15-20 minutes.
8.
Serve and enjoy! Together we Inspire 35
Cumbria Health on Call Leading Innovation for Primary Care Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) has been providing out-of-hours primary care to the expanding population of Cumbria for 22 years; covering approximately 528,000 people across a varied and challenging geographical footprint of 6,768 km². Such a vast geographic area is no easy feat and requires an extensive team of staff; including GPs, nurses, pharmacists, call handlers, treatment centre staff, drivers, and a fleet of 4x4 vehicles ready to safely transport clinicians to patients in need. CHoC was the first out-of-hours service in the country to be rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. More recently, CHoC was announced as the North champion in the ‘Excellence in Primary Care’ award for the forthcoming NHS70 Parliamentary Award - vying against three other regional champions from across England, with the overall winner announced at a ceremony in Westminster Palace on 4th July 2018. The plaudits CHoC has achieved can be partly attributable to the continuous innovations CHoC has carried out in the advancement of its service.
“CHoC is uniquely placed to introduce innovation into the Cumbrian healthcare system, by being fleet of foot to flex our workforce in response to both rising pressures in the healthcare system and demonstrating willingness to effectively work with partners. Both hospital avoidance schemes and the use of technology have meant that CHoC can manage patients effectively and safely within community settings, thus reducing overall pressure in the healthcare system.” - Susan Blakemore, CHoC Chief Executive
36 Together we Inspire
We outline below just some of these nationally-recognised innovations that have gained the attention of other providers across the country:
Admission Avoidance Schemes CHoC has trail-blazed several admission avoidance schemes to reduce pressures on A&E attendances, hospital admissions, and the ambulance service.
Paramedic Pathfinders This scheme enables paramedics to pass a case to CHoC instead of sending the patient straight to hospital, resulting in reduced waiting times for the patient and a reduction in pressure on busy A&E departments. At CHoC, this scheme has prevented 14,506 hospital presentations since its inception in April 2014.
Co-location with A&E CHoC co-locates with A&E departments at three Cumbrian hospitals: the Cumberland
Acute Patient Assessment Service (APAS) The APAS scheme allows patients calling 111, who would normally be advised to attend A&E, to be passed directly to CHoC where appropriate. This was also extended to cover lower priority Green 3 and 4 ambulance dispatches. APAS has prevented 3,189 A&E attendances from 111 calls, and 526 ambulance attendances since September 2016.
Hospital (Whitehaven), and Furness
Extended Access Service Provision
General (Barrow). This collaborative
CHoC offers extended access pre-bookable
approach to patient care has undoubtedly
clinical appointments in south Cumbria.
streamlined the journey for many patients,
These provide an additional 100 hours per
resulting in them being seen by the right
week of access to primary care, supporting
clinician at the right time. CHoC clinicians
the NHS Five Year Forward View and
have also reported that the clinical
giving extra capacity to daytime general
support from their A&E colleagues has
practice. CHoC’s extended access service
fostered a positive culture of joint learning.
is fully integrated into the GP practice
Co-location with A&E resulted in 5,250
appointment booking system, with clinical
referrals away from A&E in 2017.
content directly entered into the patient’s
Infirmary (Carlisle), the West Cumberland
practice record by the extended access clinicians. Patients receive a seamless transition from the integration of referral pathways, test requesting, and clinical protocols.
Together we Inspire 37
Telemedicine In Cumbria, 54% of residents are classed as living in rural areas, often with a 90-minute round trip to a clinical centre, care home, or A&E. CHoC has invested in a platform designed for largescale telemedicine consulting, ‘Attend Anywhere’, which has also been adopted by NHS Scotland and Health Direct Australia. Over the coming year, CHoC will expand telemedicine to include 10 pharmacies and 5 residential homes, whilst linking the telemedicine service to the national Directory of Service (DoS). This will allow a seamless transition of patients from a 111 call to a pharmacy visit, where they will undertake a telemedicine consultation and be provided with any prescriptions required using the electronic prescription service (EPS).
Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) in Vehicles Staff training and development is vital in providing quality patient care, and is key to staff satisfaction and retention. Since 2003, CHoC has continued to develop and expand the pioneering role of Nurse Practitioners to undertake home visits in the out-of-hours setting – with ANPs substituting for GPs on urgent home visits as part of a wider team of clinicians that cover the whole country, across all shifts. The service evaluation of this has demonstrated that ANPs undertaking home visits are responsive to patient needs to provide an effective, safe, and stable workforce; with patient health outcomes equivalent to those of GP colleagues.
The introduction of telemedicine will improve access response times and increase access rates for these patients. For example, in the remote town of Millom, patients using the telemedicine service were in the system for 36 minutes on average, compared to 142 minutes for a traditional out-of-hours appointment.
As CHoC looks to the future, the country-wide sharing of these innovations is crucial. CHoC has been requested to share good practice with both daytime practice and other out-of-hours providers, whilst continuing to present at several national conferences. Giving staff opportunities to extend their skills through training and education, means that they are enabled to drive forward innovations which will assist patients in having improved access to a number of healthcare professionals, in both primary and secondary care. 38 Together we Inspire
CHoC aims to continue to be at the forefront of innovative practice and partnership, working to ensure patients receive high quality and responsive healthcare. Together we Inspire 39
Booomers International As conscious individuals, we are frequently reminded that many rural communities across the globe have very limited, if any, access to education and schools. In Yonso, a village in central Ghana, a local, environmentally-minded entrepreneur named Kwabena Danso is forging ahead to get more children into schools, and by extension improve the lives of community members without moving them out of their traditional homes. Danso himself grew up in Yonso, and had to walk around eight miles to attend school, so his motivation for improving access to education is clear.
Upon his return from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Danso co-founded the Yonso project in 2007, which provided scholarships and other educational opportunities to children and young people in the community. After making some progress with the Yonso Project, Danso decided to shift his focus more on to providing employment as well as access to education. The result of this is ‘Booomers International’, a company that makes bambooframed bicycles that are then distributed to various global locations. Booomers is now Ghana’s leading producer of bamboo bicycles and continues to grow to this day. As a result of the company’s success and increasing global recognition, more products have been added to the roster. With 80 rural youths involved in the company, 50 of which are directly employed in the factory, Booomers has a far-reaching effect of support throughout the community. In addition to employing local community members to make the products, a significant amount of the company profits are invested back in to the area. 40 Together we Inspire
In 2016, UNICEF Ghana offered a partnership with Booomers, offering funding for 150 bicycles to be given to local rural schoolgirls to allow them to make the journey to school. This was a major milestone for the company and helped them gain traction, recognition, and steady growth. This connection between Booomers and corporate and developmental organisations sets a standard for other charitable ventures across the globe. It works, too - the combination of the bikes, scholarships, and other opportunities have enabled children to complete or continue with their studies. In terms of the future, Danso has no plans to slow down - the company aims to provide 5000 children with bamboo bicycles by 2027. One of the main problems with education in remote or rural communities is keeping young people interested. It is easy to imagine that motivating anyone to walk a significant distance just to go to school is a difficult task, but it is paramount to improving the lives of communities - and on a general level, lifting communities out of poverty. As attractive as a bigger city can look to a young person, these cities often cannot properly support a large influx of people looking for a better life. Because of this, initiatives like the one behind Booomers are vital, as they turn away from the ruralurban drift, and instead focus on providing opportunities within the rural communities themselves. Through this kind of work, we as a global community can look to improve the lives of everyone, while maintaining and preserving the nuances of culture that make us all individuals.
Together we Inspire 41
All 4 Youth & Community Featuring Mohammed Zafran ‘Community Work’ can be extremely difficult and sometimes dangerous, but it is vital to the health of our societies and the individuals within them. It can take a powerful force of will
In order to make a lasting
for someone to tackle an issue
difference, Zaf contacted Mike
in their own community, and this
Hopkins - the principal of South
force of will can, unfortunately,
and City College - who granted
be formed out of great tragedy.
Zaf the use of the school’s facilities
In Birmingham, UK, an example
at weekends, for free. With
of this is found in Mohammed
this significant gift, he began
Zafran (known widely as ‘Zaf’).
organising sport and self defence
In 2010, Zaf’s sister was taken by
sessions in order to get youths
cancer at just 30 years old.
off the street and engage them
Instead of resenting the world
in useful activities. Word soon
around him, Zaf was motivated
spread and attracted likeminded
by this to start fundraising for
individuals who gave their time
hospitals. Then, a year later,
to volunteer. As his work grew, Zaf
tragedy entered the lives of Zaf
started an official organisation
and those around him once
called All 4 Youth & Community
again; his brother-in-law was the
in 2013, which has now helped
victim of a violent crime which
over 21,000 youths to find proper
resulted in his death. As before,
education and employment.
Zaf chose to do his best to turn these events into positive action, so he ventured out into parks and alleys to find groups of youths to try to set them on a better path despite their possible involvement in drugs and crime. There was a real risk of Zaf confronting the same people who had a hand in his brother-in-law’s murder… Even at this early stage, he was willing to risk his life for the betterment of his community.
42 Together we Inspire
With this success, Zaf subsequently sought out new ways to help his community - addressing the widespread issue of young Asian girls being forced into arranged marriages. Of course, this issue is deeply rooted within culture, so Zaf visited the homes of the parents to persuade them that any young woman has exactly the same right as any young man to complete higher education and get into employment. After starting an academy for these young women, Zaf has directly helped over 7,000 women, 3,500 of which have immediately continued into further education and employment. As a Community Interest Company (CIC), All 4 Youth & Community has put 4,600 participants back onto educational courses and progressed 2,300 young people onto contracted employment. Within one community, these are hugely significant numbers of people - a testament to just how much we can accomplish as individuals, if we just gain the will to help others.
Together we Inspire 43
Courage is Born from Facing Fear Overcoming a Stutter - Joanna’s Story Stuttering is very frustrating at the best of times, but for me, when it was at its worst, it could get really bad. I didn’t normally speak at school - my friends were my voice who even answered my name in the register. I would never answer the phone or make appointments either - my Mum did all that for me. Whenever I was in a difficult situation, I would just freeze. My heart would pound at family meals, and I would panic when it was my turn to speak – again, my Mum would order for me. I felt frustrated as words wouldn’t come out when I wanted them to. I felt embarrassed when I couldn’t get my words out - especially in public places and on the phone. I also felt angry - I used to say to myself “why me?”, “why do I have to have a stutter?”.
NPGS
R
Y
T
S
O
L
A
H
I then joined the McGuire Programme to gain more confidence and take control of my speech. I also wanted to do things for myself rather than having to ask my family and friends to be my voice - it can get quite embarrassing when you are 24! 44 Together we Inspire
I
C
L N
B
Z
F R E QO
ZQ
Since joining the programme in June 2015, I have never looked back. I experienced many emotions: I was nervous, excited, emotional, and happy. Happy because I knew it was going to change my life after seeing the success of the programme on TV, a year before I joined. Whilst attending the programme, we had to do a variety of things, like learning costal breathing and practicing sounds and words. As part of the phone sessions and exercises, we also had to speak to 100 people – I managed to speak to 170, which I was really proud of. Now, my speech is the best that it has ever been in my whole life, all thanks to the McGuire Programme. I used to miss sounds in my pronunciation - for example, instead of “Joanna” I would say “oanna” – but I feel that I can control this a lot better now. This boost in confidence has enabled me to do so many things. I would never have spoken to strangers before, but I have now performed many public speeches - one of which was at the WHIS Fylde Coast Summit earlier this year. On top of this, I have also done a radio
A
interview and featured in Lancashire Life Magazine; my next challenge is to do another radio interview in Blackpool.
M
K
C O S
T
R
PG
H
I
I
FO S P
A
M
NH X L
V
D
U
O
B
E CJRH L X YS O N S PG
Z
W
I now love public speaking. Once I have done one, I can’t wait to do the next one, and the next…
“I love raising awareness about my stutter and telling others my story”. To prepare myself for the day ahead, I now complete a 20-minute warm up with the alphabet every morning; along with practice calls throughout the day to strengthen my speech. I often push my comfort zones and set challenges for myself, which is why I think so differently now and, as a result, I am much happier. I want to do a lot more things in the future, but my aim is to become a coach on the McGuire Programme. I want to give something back and help other people find the courage to turn their weaknesses into their greatest strengths. Together we Inspire 45
The Invisible Girl Samantha Houghton From the age of 11, I was riddled with social anxiety through to self-harming and school refusal. At 15, I was diagnosed with Chronic Depression and was subsequently prescribed anti-depressants. As I became desperate and suicidal, I begged for help from the educational psychology department.
“Then, a week before my 16th birthday, I was admitted to an adolescent psychiatric unit for 16 months” This had a huge impact on my life and that of my family. I was given therapies and medications but was moved no further forwards when I was discharged.
I struggled so deeply on so many levels - I felt like a misfit and totally alone in the world. I read self-help books and memoirs galore, frantically trying to figure myself out and find a solution. Expressive writing was an outlet of release for my tide of overwhelming emotions and stubborn obsessive thoughts.
“My twenties were chaos. With self-loathing and no selfesteem, holding down a job and any kind of a relationship was a challenge” I spent more time on psychiatric wards that provided me with nothing else but a hiding place. To help me cope with this tsunami of destruction, I fell victim to an eating disorder and befriended an enemy: Bulimia. With twelve years of binging and purging, weight and calorie addiction ensued… I stuffed myself on frozen food and ate out of a bin in desperate times. It was a living hell.
46 Together we Inspire
“I always had hope though”. I knew that I had not been born to experience this, it made no sense. I knew that one day, I would live an amazing life. The day I gave birth to my son, two new lives were born and I had a huge reason to change. As I embarked on true recovery, facing my demons, it was years before I uncovered my truths and transform the entrenched negative thought patterns. I had to let go of labels and self-blame to set myself free – after all, you become what you believe. However, my traits turned out to be my biggest strengths when they were flipped to a different perspective.
“My determination was a force to be reckoned with”. I eventually set up my first business, as I knew that I didn’t fit into the working world as we know it. Five years later, my ‘why’ became my sole mission as I let go of my business to write my book, “The Invisible Girl: A Secret Life” and share my story with the world. I spent a large chunk of my life feeling invisible, but no more! Through vulnerability, intuition, and a year of magic, I became aligned with my true self. I naturally attracted clients to work with me through my story, so, with my book designer, I set up ‘I Want To Write Your Story.Com’ to guide others to write their true-life stories and create their own book.
I offer mentoring, online training, and ghost writing to let your story inspire others. Together we Inspire 47
Clean Language With Jackie Lawlor Jackie Lawlor and Sioelan Tjoa provided taster training sessions on how to use Clean Language at the WHIS Fylde Coast Summit in Blackpool. The workshop encouraged individuals to connect and communicate with one another, despite being strangers. Through the use of clean language, people were able to openly talk to each other without triggering past trauma or causing upset, whilst obtaining genuine, uninfluenced responses. Developed by psychotherapist David Grove, Clean Language is a technique that enables effective and respectful communication between individuals, especially in healthcare. The technique uses a set of questions that involve the inclusion of the client’s own words to avoid re-traumatisation, and obtain fresh information without influencing the answers. By removing any personal input from the questioner, there is no manipulation or prompting from opinions to distract the client. The client can then maintain their attention on their own David Gore
information through unhindered verbalisation.
For Example: “What kind of tight feeling?” “Whereabouts is that tight feeling?”. “Is there anything else about that tight feeling?” This way, the client is able to take the question into their own understanding, with the freedom to open up about what they want to talk about. 48 Together we Inspire
Clean language can be used anywhere, and amazing results can be achieved when putting this technique into practise…
Put it into Practice Understand and appreciate what somebody means by what they say. Take a simple scenario: In healthcare, when a patient tells a doctor that they have a tight feeling in their body, “What kind of tight feeling?”, “Whereabouts is that tight feeling?”, “Is there anything else about that tight feeling?”. This Clean Language is far more beneficial than a doctor who makes assumptions or provide suggestions based on their opinion. Clean Language gets to the point in a way that’s respectful and effective.
Appreciate Difference Clean Language questions decipher true value and meaning between individuals. Whilst a group of people may share similar values, each of their key values may have a different meaning to them personally. Jackie frequently uses this approach in Leadership within healthcare systems.
What not to do “Clean language is inherently respectful and should be used with respect”. So, try to stick with just one or two questions in a conversation, unless you have the training and/or contract to coach. Humans are social animals, so instinctively we want to have a conversation and find out more. But remember that less is more, so refrain from adding additional words into your questions. Likewise, remember to listen. Listen to their words.
Together we Inspire 49
Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation Through Technology Professor Niall Hayes, Professor Lucas Introna, and Dr Marcia Smith - Lancaster University, UK. As the older adult population in Europe is growing steadily, especially those living in rural areas, the issue of loneliness and social isolation has become of significant concern. Loneliness broadly refers to the idea that there is ‘no significant other’ involved in a person’s life; whereas social isolation refers to the limited number of social networks available to a person. Loneliness tends to lead to a decline in physical and mental health, with strong links to obesity and depression conditions that put significant strain on our health services. Consequently, addressing it can to lead to significant socio-economic benefits that reduce the number of healthcare visits and allow older adults to live independently in their own homes for longer. Our research explores whether technology plays a role in addressing loneliness and social isolation in rural districts and, if so, how?
50 Together we Inspire
We ran co-creation workshops, interviews, and observations with older adults, staff, and volunteers that work for government and NGO institutions. This highlighted that mobile devices such as phones and tablets do have a role to play in addressing loneliness and social isolation. However, to do so, they need to consider three things:
Enabling Links First, they need to manage the ‘enabling links’ such as transport, which will help older people seek out social opportunities. We found that older adults in rural districts like to plan their opportunities for social connectedness in advance, due to the significant logistical challenges that living in rural districts presents. In these areas, public transport is often limited with prolonged travel times due to the terrain and narrow roads; but many older adults rely on these links as they no longer have access to their own cars. Additionally, transport services are run by different providers which can cause further issues. Travelling in rural districts often requires the knowledge of the weather forecast and the hours of darkness – our research found that older adults like to know whether they can be home before darkness falls for safety reasons, and to avoid country roads in the dark. Many also like to know about the toilet facilities on route, and the gradients of the route they will have to walk from the bus stop or car park, to the social event. Taken together, these elements are all key enabling links to facilitate face-to-face connectedness.
“It is difficult to find out what is taking place in all the different villages and in the main town. If I do find out something is going on, I then need to find out how to get there, what the facilities are, what the weather will be, and who else might be going.” - Margaret, a 78-year-old widow who lives in a rural village. Together we Inspire 51
Open Data Secondly, technology requires open data. Older adults’ ability to take part in social events could be made easier if they could access all the information they desired from a single, safe, and trusted source. Data is provided by many different organisations, in different formats, and with different data structures. Searching from site to site and mixing between paper and digital information is a key challenge for older adults. Joining up this data and ensuring that the information is upto-date and accurate is therefore vital.
Technology Lastly, technology can only be effective for older adults if they can access it. It is crucial to understand their existing familiarity and approaches to using mobile devices, along with the cost of tablets and phones. Many older adults we spoke to had never used computers and technology in their working lives - and many do not see any benefits of starting to use it now. One striking statistic provided by AGE UK South Lakeland, is that only 17% of older adults in South Lakeland currently access the internet. So, how might a technological solution address the majority of older adults? For those who do not use technology, our study has found that they seek help from intermediaries such as family, friends, carers, neighbours, or NGO and government staff to routinely access the internet in order to find out information on their behalf. Might these friends and connections be the key to providing access? Yes, especially when we create a ‘user profile’ based around individual preferences, access, and mobility needs for the apps. The profile can then be shared with the individual’s permission to friends and family who can use the apps on their behalf. This approach means that all of a sudden, digital and personalisable services are available to all older adults - regardless of their degrees of digital connectedness.
“My family and friends often use technology to find out things for me when I am stuck. However, most of my friends do not have internet access. They did not use technology in their working lives, as they were either farmers or manual workers. They still just ring people up or ask their children or grandchildren to use technology for them.” - Jack, an 80-year-old who lives in a rural village. 52 Together we Inspire
So where are we up to? We now have a fully functioning demonstrator app that is being piloted in South Lakeland, which has the potential to be extended across the country. With a working title ‘Social Connectedness’, the demonstrator contains new programs that are in development, such as a launch portal, events, services, and volunteering applications - plus a feature to upload images of posters for local events that might not be listed online (i.e. local car boot sales). Users are able to build their own profile to select their preferences about transport, with how far and for how long they want to travel, whilst setting a limit to the cost of events. They can request to view transport options and routes to the event on an ‘age friendly’ map that includes the location of nearby toilets and benches too. As we found that older adults like to see that they have a full week ahead to look forward to, we know that planning the week
Niall Hayes
itself is important – so we incorporated a calendar that allows the user to organise their schedule as well.
Lucas Introna
Marcia Smith This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 693319. This material reflects only the author’s view and the Research Executive Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Together we Inspire 53
It’s Time to Raise Your Awareness of Cancer
Cancer affects everyone, so why don’t we talk about it more? “In England, 303,135 new cancer diagnoses were registered in 2016 - that’s around 830 every day”. Office for National Statistics (2018). Cancer registration statistics, England: 2016.
Change Makers Change Makers is run by volunteers who are keen to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer. Based in Nottinghamshire, these volunteers actively encourage people within the community to seek health advice and treatment. The group offers fun, interactive methods to raise awareness and reduce the stigma behind life-saving screenings and bowel cancer testing kits for instance. Their principles don’t stop in Nottingham: the entire concept can be spread across the world to share this vital knowledge with everyone.
Identifying, diagnosing, and treating cancer early means better outcomes for In 2008, Change Makers was first set up as a national pilot project under the NHS. It aimed to raise awareness of cancer signs and symptoms among hard to reach communities, covering three areas of the city. By 2012, Change Makers covered all areas of Nottingham City with over 100 volunteers that spoke 18 different languages in total. It became an independent group in 2015, with the volunteers running the programme themselves. They use a range of interesting approaches to take a very serious message to the public.
54 Together we Inspire
Together we Inspire 55
Breast, prostate, lung, and bowel cancers are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United Kingdom. Change Makers has kindly provided us with this information, so that you too can learn about the signs and symptoms of cancer, and when to seek medical advice.
Here, you will find a list of symptoms to look out for, and, if you do suffer from any of them, please see a doctor. After all, early detection saves lives.
Breast Awareness
Lung Awareness
Some symptoms to look our for:
Some symptoms to look out for:
•
•
Changes in the size, shape,
• • •
Lumps (of any size) or thickening
•
A change in an existing cough.
in the breast or armpit.
•
Coughing up phlegm with blood in it.
Constant pain in your breast or armpit.
•
Persistent chest infections.
Changes in texture of skin on the
•
Being short of breath.
breast: e.g. an orange peel effect
•
Loss of voice or hoarseness without a sore throat.
on skin, or skin being pulled in. •
Redness of skin on the breast.
•
If the nipple becomes inverted
•
Having a cough for more than 3 weeks.
position, or feel of your breast.
•
Persistent chest and / or shoulder pain.
(pulled in), or changes its shape or
•
Unexplained, extreme tiredness.
position.
•
Unexplained weight loss.
Discharge from nipple and / or rash around it.
Lung cancer can affect anyone, not just people who smoke.
A national Breast Screening Programme is available for women
Lung cancer can affect people of any
aged between 47 and 70.
age - although it is more common in people over 65 years old.
Men can get breast cancer too - about 300 are diagnosed each year. So, if
Early diagnosis can significantly
concerned, men should also see their
increase chances of survival.
GP. Stopping smoking will significantly reduce your risk of lung cancer.
56 Together we Inspire
Bowel Awareness
Prostate Awareness
Some symptoms to look out for:
Some symptoms to look out for:
•
Bleeding from the rectum and / or
•
A need to rush to the toilet.
blood in your poo.
•
Difficulty starting to pass urine.
A change in your normal bowel
•
A frequent need to urinate,
•
habits (diarrhoea, looser stools, or constipation) that last 6 weeks or
especially at night. •
more. •
Straining or taking a long time to finish urinating.
A lump and / or pain in your
•
Pain when passing urine.
abdomen or rectum.
•
A feeling that your bladder has
•
Unexplained, extreme tiredness.
•
Unexplained weight loss.
not emptied fully. •
Persistant pain in the pelvis, spine, hips, upper thighs, or lower
Bowel cancer is often referred to as
back.
‘colorectal’ cancer.
•
90% of bowel cancers are treated
•
Trouble having or keeping an erection.
successfully when identified early.
Blood in the urine or semen (but this is rare).
A national Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is available for men and
These changes do not necessarily
women aged 60 - 69. Those aged 70+
mean you have cancer, but it is
can request a screening kit by phoning
important that you get them checked
0800 7076060.
out by your GP as soon as you can.
Bowel cancer screening is predicted to
Don’t be embarrassed. Your GP is
save over two and a half thousand lives
used to seeing people with all sorts of
every year in the UK by 2025.
conditions. You could take a friend or family member for support.
Cancer screening programmes play an important role in detecting cancer early. If in doubt, get it checked out. Early detection and treatment saves lives. Together we Inspire 57
Drawing Practice as the Foundation of Creativity By Lefteris Heretakis
Lefteris Heretakis is a designer and a lecturer. He has been designing since the late 1990s in various roles as an illustrator, graphic designer, photographer, and art director. He began teaching in 2009 and has since developed a passion for the role of drawing in design education. In line with this, Lefteris is developing the New Art School that will provide a much-needed framework for design education in the future. In 25 years of designing and illustrating, I have always wanted my students to discover their individualised design processes. Having witnessed the decline of drawing in the teaching and learning of Visual Communication Design in higher education, I have also witnessed the work of my students becoming more similar to each other’s; except those with a deep ability to see and depict - those that see the design process as play rather than scientific dissection. In other words, the students with the best hand-heart-eye coordination are also the ones that can use the tools of design-thinking to express themselves in a clearer manner. Consequently, these are the students that are more employable and more likely to be able to adjust to the coming disruption to the design profession - artificial intelligence. The fundamental question to my students is, what can you do that artificial intelligence can’t? It is not always a question that can easily be answered in a direct way. However, the element of play; the element of doing without doing; plus the element of being in the creative state without overly specific and tightly defined objectives can contribute to the answer. It is our responsibility as design educators to augment the environment of play, by designing Art Schools that embrace joy, experimentation, music, and most of all, failure. I am confident that my colleagues will recognise the grade anxiety that overwhelms our students after 18 years of social conditioning, blocking their creativity. As educators, our first step is to embrace failure by abolishing grades. According to Alfie Kohn, researchers have found three consistent effects of using (and especially emphasising) the importance of letter or number grades: 1. Grades tend to reduce students’ interest in the learning itself. 2. Grades tend to reduce students’ preference for challenging tasks. 3. Grades tend to reduce the quality of students’ thinking. 58 Together we Inspire
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Lifelong teaching and learning is a constructive and rewarding process. There are times where I feel that my students see their learning as digging for endless hours inside a coalmine, rather than something pleasurable and enjoyable. How can educators help learners shift their perspective in an environment that seems to be getting more and more data-driven and cerebral, rather than emotion and intuition based?
“IQ is beating EQ. Right now in the permanent struggle between analytics and intuition, data is winning. But the wheel will turn. It always does .” - Wally Olins, graphic designer and branding guru I propose a pass or “try again” based system of feedback to students, according to their progress. This measure will help students focus on their art, rather than the numerical value that their effort represents in their mind.
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Drawing as Creative Play “If a person who had no taste for drawing were at once to be endowed with both the taste and power, he would feel, on looking out upon nature, almost like a blind man who had just received his sight. ” - John Ruskin The role of drawing in education is more important than ever, and it is essential in the creative disciplines of art and design. In order to make our teaching and learning more understandable to our students, we must place observational drawing at the heart of our curriculum. As our students are more engaged in the purely digital realm using a limited range of skills, we must remind them initially of the physical realm and endow them with abilities and skills, rather than the quick techniques that they sometimes desire. I do not wish to diminish the digital realm, as some fantastic artwork has been produced by artists and designers, like David Hockney for instance, but that is only after they have had in-depth drawing education.
“If you don’t push your curiosity to the point that it becomes unbearable, you don’t nourish your imagination .” - Michael Wolff In an increasingly cerebral, information-based society, I think it is imperative to remind our students of the reflexive process of learning - that learning in Art and Design should mainly originate via doing, and not via reading or watching videos. We must encourage our students to swim upstream, towards the treasures of becoming a creative individual. By applying practical transparency and mutual responsibility in our teaching and learning, we will step closer to creating the artists and designers of the future; providing them with the skills that will enable their own successors to do just the same.
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Contact Info
A Big Thank You To All Those Who Helped Out Gareth Presch WHIS Founder & CEO Email: gareth@worldhealthinnovationsummit.com Website: www.worldhealthinnovationsummit.com Twitter: @garethpresch
Magazine Creators Emily Dodd Director & Editor in Chief Email: emily@worldhealthinnovationsummit.com Website: www.thrown-overboard-media.com Twitter: @ejrd_
Josh Entwistle Executive Director of Design Email: joshtwisle16@gmail.com Website: www.joshtwisle16.wixsite.com/jtwisgraphics Instagram: josh_twisle
Joe Bellwood Associate Editor
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Contributors to the Magazine The Gathering Fields Email: info@northernapproach.co.uk Phone: +44 (0) 779-125-4101 Website: www.northernapproach.co.uk
Matt Gibbs Email: matt@mattgibbs.co.uk Phone: +44 (0) 753-081-3225 Website: www.mattgibbs.co.uk
Harvey’s Gang Email: HarveysGang@gmail.com Website: www.harveysgang.com Blog: www.harveysgang.blogspot.com
Dr Joe Delaney The IAM Approach Email: drjoedelaney@gmail.com Phone: +44 (0) 770-883-2413 Twitter: @DrJoeDelaney
Dhyan Ji Awakening Love Email: dhyanawakeninglove@hotmail.com Phone: +44 (0) 780-704-4908 Website: www.awakeninglove.co.uk
John Joyce Ice Cold Chef Website: www.cookerysosblog.wordpress.com Facebook: IceColdChef Twitter: @John1827Joyce Together we Inspire 63
Cumbria Health on Call Email: Office@choc.nhs.uk Phone: +44 (0) 122-851-4830 Website: www.chocltd.co.uk
Booomers International Email: info@booomers.com Phone: +233 (0) 249-157-348 Website: www.booomers.com
Zafran Mohammed Email: Zafran79@hotmail.co.uk
Joanna Wagstaff Email: joannaw23@yahoo.co.uk
Sam Houghton Email: sam@samanthahoughton.co.uk Website: www.samanthahoughton.co.uk Facebook: @IWantToWriteYourStory
Jackie Lawlor Email: jackie@cleanforhealthcare.co.uk Phone: +44 (0) 795-441-8683
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Mobile Age Email: mobile-age@lancaster.ac.uk Website: www.mobile-age.euÂ
Change Makers Email: changemakers@renewaltrust.org.uk Phone: +44 (0) 115-911-2226 Twitter: @changemakers24
Lefteris Heretakis Website: www.heretakis.com
Have you got an inspiring story to share? We are always looking for content to feature in our magazine. Why not get in touch via our website:
www.whisinspire.com or contact the Editor at:
emily@worldhealthinnovationsummit.com
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WHIS Inspire is a digital magazine that explores the fields of healthcare to provide the tools that support individuals and their communities. Through this platform, we provide inspiring content from the community that’s created for the community.
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