Be Healthy


Insight Day on Drugs & Alcohol

Posted on 26th November 2010 by

 Last Friday the 19th December we held our first ever Insight Day on Drugs & Alcohol this event focused on issues within the Perry Barr Constituency, this includes four wards Oscott, Perry Barr, Handsworth Wood & Lozells and East Handsworth.

This event was hosted by the Perry Barr Drug & Alcohol Sub Group and was aimed at local services, community organisations and resident led groups. Over the last 12 months we have been working as a group to look at a range of issues in relation to drugs & alcohol. The key aim is to increase opportunities to work together to address the impact that drugs & alcohol has on our neighbourhoods.

I know that in the main area that I work in Handsworth concerns about illicit drug use and particularly street drinking features high on the agenda for local residents. 

We will now take forward information gathered from the day to help inform the action plan for the next 12 months and welcome opportunities to get feedback on this plan from local residents. 

Please post any comments here or email me directly if you wish to comment on any aspect of drug or alcohol use in your neighbourhood?

Some of the agncies that took part in the day have a range of services and information that you can access via their websites:

For more information about Drugs or Alcohol or treatment services visit the Birmingham Drug & Alcohol Action Team website

For information about mental health visit the Birmingham & Solihull Mental Foundation Trust website

SIFA Fireside works alongside those who are socially excluded or disadvantaged, addressing alcohol issues and homelessness and empowering and supporting people to meet their short and long term goals

For help & support with a drug problem contact Phoenix Futures who provide a range of outreach services locally.

For information on whats happening nationally within the drugs field  Drugscope is a leading agency that provides expertise on drugs; informing policy, encoraging informed debate, research etc.

Health researchers wanted for #Handsworth healthy & heritage project

Posted on 12th October 2010 by

There is still room in the health & heritage project for local residents to get involved and join the group who are researching health in Handsworth in the past and present.

People can commit as much or as little. No experience required as the group is well supported with some new and fun ways for people to go out and capture local stories about health. If you’re interested contact Geoff by telephone on 01922 474480 or email geoff@digitalnativeacademy.com

The project group are working towards completion of research by January 2011 with a dissemination and event in February.

Please get in touch if you’re interested. We are interested in gathering stories about places in Handsworth where people may have accessed health services or memories linked to sites on the heritage walk.

Healthy Histories

Posted on 18th July 2010 by

Last month the Healthy Histories Project started in Handsworth. The project is linked to the neighbourhood management plan for the priority neighbourhood and forms part of the Be Healthy theme. Within the priority neighbourhood there are real issues in relation to health and particularly health inequalities.

Through the Healthy Histories project we hope to map out what these health issues are and get a better understanding of what people’s health experience is? We are interested in how health has changed in Handsworth since the 19th Century? What conditions or diseases are still problems? How did new health issues emerge e.g.  obesity?

 We are also interested in how place may or may not impact on health? This is also linked to the range of services people can access locally and other issues such as housing that can have an impact on health.

The Project: a small group of health researchers made up of local residents have been recruited and will lead the research. They have the wonderful chance to develop skills in research, go on free field trips to various venues across Birmingham e.g. Think Tank and then the chance to develop their own art/digital exhibition.

There will also be two community days throughout the summer to help gather more information, engage with a wider group of residents and to raise awareness about local health issues.

More information will be posted here about these events shortly but here are the dates:

We hope to have an exhibition ready in the autumn and will put updates about this on the blog as details are confirmed.

If you’re interested in joining the team of health researchers then contact me, no experience needed. All activities are free.

The project is being funded by Be Birmingham, English Heritage and Urban Living.

The healthy histories walk is being held as part of Heritage Open Days to find out more about them visit English Heritage site

Come on England-drink responsibly this summer & enjoy the world cup

Posted on 10th June 2010 by

The world cup 2010 starts tomorrow in South Africa. Sadly during the last world cup domestic violence reports increased by 30% and other alcohol related violence and issues were also a problem.

The Safer Birmingham partnership launched their new campaign on the 7th June. The campaign is aimed at encouraging individuals to drink sensibly and stay safe during the World Cup season, whether watching England matches at home with friends or in local pubs/bars.

For more information about the Safer Bimringham Partnership World Cup Campaign visit their website

Download the Domestic abuse campaign poster here : Too much control

To get more information and advice about domestice abuse or access support call Women’s Aid 0800 0732 606 or in an emergency always dial 999

To seek advice about yours or someone else alcohol use you can get free & confidential advice from Birmingham Drug & Alcohol Action Team by calling 0800 073 0817

To contact your neighbourhood police team call 0845 113 5000 or you can report anti social behaviour on 0121 303 1111

Link Make it Happen meeting

Posted on 20th May 2010 by

The next Link- make it happen meeting will be taking place on the 25th May Nishkam Centre 6.30-8.30

Go along and have your say about local health services, GP, Hospitals

For more information click on the flyer   Link Have Your Say meeting

Make it Happen! Chance to have your say about health services in Handsworth

Posted on 24th March 2010 by

On Thursday 25th March Birmingham Link are running a workshop at the Nishkam Centre from 6.30.

The workshop with give local people the chance to go along and have your say about local health services? This is a great way to provide some feedback about how you would like health services to improve?

Post your comments here also about views on local health services?

Make it happen! Have your say on health services in Handsworth

Raising Awareness Campaign-One Stop Shopping Centre

Posted on 18th March 2010 by

The Environmental Health Department is holding a “Raising Awareness” campaign at the One Stop Shopping Centre, Perry Barr on Thursday 25th March 2010 between 10am to 2pm. The purpose of the campaign is to promote the services provided by the Environmental Health department, and also to engage with the community.

The campaign will take place by the entrance door near Sports Direct and The Job Centre, inside the shopping centre. If you are interested please come along.

For more information please contact Ida Li on 3039900.

http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/regulatorycharter

Lozells & East Handsworth Patient Network this Wednesday 17th

Posted on 15th February 2010 by

Lozells & East Handsworth Pateint Network this Wednesday 17th pm see attached flyer

Information on Drug & Alcohol Support Services

Posted on 5th January 2010 by

If you’re looking for information on local drug & alcohol services visit the Birmingham Drug & Alcohol Action Teams Website or call 0800 073 0817

http://www.bdaat.co.uk/map.php?id=9&mid=36