Local social care charity announces spectacular line up of online events

SOUTHPORT based social care charity, Community Integrated Care, is delighted to announce an extraordinary line up of:- renowned performers, sports legends, and subject matter experts, set to grace the virtual stage in the relaunch of the charity's acclaimed digital platform, What-To-Do.Co.UK.

Offering an unparalleled range of free, inclusive online events specifically tailored for people who access care and support, the summer season of this award winning platform is poised to bring high profile names and exclusive experiences to care services across the UK.

The website presents a free live mega event every week. The excitement begins on:- Wednesday, 21 June 2023, with an exclusive performance by Forever Elton, 1 of the UK's leading Elton John tribute artists, ahead of the Rocket Man's highly anticipated performance at Glastonbury.

This concert, which offers a special celebration for National Learning Disability Week, kicks off a stacked calendar of thrilling experiences, including:-

• On 28 June 2023, at 7pm, will be:- 'Pride Disco.' You can celebrate Pride with an iconic party featuring hits from the LGBT community.
   

• On 12 July 2023, at 7pm, will be:- 'Walk on the Wild Side.' Discover how to enjoy exciting sensory and activity experiences in nature with the RSPB.
   

• On 19 July 2023, will be the:- 'Women's World Cup Special.' Enjoy an exhilarating activity experience that builds life skills and confidence with the support of football legends.
   

• On 2 August 2023, will be:- 'Going for Gold.' Delve into the world of table tennis and explore the inspiring life story of Paralympic athlete Jack Hunter-Spivey, who captivated the nation with his 2022 Commonwealth Games success.

People who work in and access social care are urged to sign up for the mailing list to be the 1st to see the full lineup of upcoming events. With future sessions as diverse, as activity classes, with wrestling superstars, opera performances, Harry Potter experiences, and exclusive behind the scenes access to transport museums, there is something to suit every interest in the months ahead.

Developed by Community Integrated Care, the website has been created to support the organisation's mission of enabling people to live:- 'The Best Life Possible.' The platform received the prestigious:- 'Best Initiative' award at the 2022 National Care Awards for its impact and innovation, having delivered over 30,000 hours of life enhancing and free experiences with the support of major names and world class partners.

The community has already facilitated many once in a lifetime moments, from dance classes with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing to cookery experiences with the Great British Bake Off contestants. With the backing of esteemed personalities such as:- Manchester City Captain Ilkay Gundogan, Liverpool FC Women's Captain Gemma Bonner, dance legends Ian Waite and Vincent Simone, and WWE star Ashton Smith, the program has made countless dreams come true.

What-To-Do.Co.UK is carefully co-produced with:- 'The Doers' a team of individuals who enjoy exciting experiences and contribute ideas for this unique site, sharing their lived experience of accessing social care. Community Integrated Care warmly welcomes anyone who wishes to contribute to this forum and help shape future ideas for the site.

John Hughes, Director of the Partnerships and Communities team, expressed his excitement about the re-launch:- "We are thrilled to unveil the new look of What To Do. This Summer season represents a vibrant array of events and experiences. We hope it will become a weekly fixture for many people who access care and support across the country. We are immensely grateful to all our amazing delivery partners for their support in providing meaningful, life-enhancing, inclusive opportunities. We are especially thankful to our Doers, for helping to contribute such wonderful ideas. As we enter this new and exciting chapter, we can't wait to welcome more people to enjoy extra special experiences."

Louise Lamkin, Volunteer 'Do'er,' Supported by the charity added:- "I love What To Do. I have got the chance to do so many amazing things. I have met celebrities and made friends for life. I'm so excited to see what's coming soon; It will be epic. So glad I got the chance to help make What To Do great!"

The What To Do Summer Season will be followed by an Autumn calendar to be announced in August. Full details of the Summer calendar is available at:- What-To-Do.Co.UK.
 

North West Ambulance Service and NHS give heat exhaustion advice as temperatures sizzle

VISITS to the heat exhaustion section of the NHS website have more than tripled in the past week; averaging 1 visit every 6 seconds. As more long periods of warm sunshine are expected, the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is asking everyone to take extra care to enjoy the hot weather and to use the 999 service wisely... They are also asking people to check up on anyone vulnerable within your community, to see if they need any help.

Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency. Those who are vulnerable to heat stoke are not just those with pre-existing health conditions, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, but anyone who does not take things easy.

Unsurprisingly figures released by NHS England, which runs the NHS website, show there were 109,096 visits to the health advice page on heat exhaustion and heatstroke in the last 7 days (9 June to 15 June), compared with 34,066 the previous week (2 June to 8 June).

On top of that, the NHS has also told us that the number of people seeking heat rash or prickly heat advice has almost doubled, from:- 34,478 to 67,132 page visits during the same time periods.

The hot weather comes as the NHS in many parts of the country has faced high demand for urgent care services.

To make sure safe care continues to be available for those in life threatening situations, health service staff have been asked to prioritise emergency and urgent care over some routine appointments and procedures this week. The NHS has urged people who need care to still access the care they need this week; using:- 999 and A&E in life threatening emergencies only and using NHS 111 online and other services for non-urgent health needs.

Duncan Burton, NHS England's Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, said:- "We know there is a high risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke during hot weather especially among children, older people and those with long term conditions like diabetes or heart problems. The NHS website has a range of useful information pages aimed at helping people keep themselves and their loved ones safe during hot weather. Keeping the body cool and drinking plenty of fluids is vitally important, as well as dressing sensibly, using high-factor sun screen and limiting the amount of time you spend in the sun to avoid the risk of sunburn and to prevent skin cancer. With heat exhaustion, it is important to cool the person down, hydrate them and see if their condition improves after 30 minutes. If it doesn't, we would always advise seeking medical attention by calling:- 111 or 999 in an emergency."

The NHS heat exhaustion page offers guidance on checking for the signs of heat exhaustion, which include:- tiredness, dizziness, feeling sick, and a fast breathing or heartbeat. It also details how to cool someone down, and prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke during hot weather with the following advice:-

• Drink plenty of cold drinks, especially when exercising
   

• Take cool baths or showers
   

• Wear light coloured, loose clothing
   

• Sprinkle water over skin or clothes
   

• Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm
   

• Avoid excess alcohol
   

• Avoid extreme exercise

Advice on treating or preventing heat rash includes:- keeping skin cool so you do not sweat and irritate the rash, applying something cold (such as a damp cloth or ice pack wrapped in a tea towel), and tapping or patting the rash instead of scratching it.

The NHS website is the UK's biggest health website with an estimated 2.6 million visits a day, in 2022, from people seeking information and advice.

It includes over 4,000 pages and provides information about 990 medical conditions as well other health services including:- applying for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card for healthcare cover abroad, finding a GP, and a pregnancy due date calculator.

The North West Ambulance service has also given the following advice to help stay safe whilst temperatures continue to soar...

In the heat...

• Drink lots of water - It is important to keep hydrated as you lose more fluid than you take in during hotter temperatures, this is also vital if you are doing any physical activity and when you are travelling long distances.
   

• Keep out of the sun - It is best to try to stay in the shade between the hours of 11am to 3pm, as this is when the sun is at its hottest.
   

• Wear sunscreen and sunglasses - Apply a sun cream of at least factor 15 that includes UVA protection and make sure your sunglasses have UV protection lenses to protect your eyes.
   

• Loose clothing - Wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes along with a hat.
   

• Look out for others - Keep a check on those vulnerable to the effects of heat, especially the elderly, young children and babies and those who have a heart or respiratory condition such as asthma.
   

• Never leave babies, young children or animals in a parked vehicle; Temperatures can soar in a parked car very quickly, and children under the age of two are particularly at risk of getting heatstroke or heat exhaustion.

Water safety...

• Unsupervised water - Don't be tempted to take a dip in reservoirs, canals, lakes and rivers to cool down. There are hidden dangers lurking under the surface such as deep and cold water, debris and underwater currents which can result in drowning.
   

• Keep an eye out - Children should always be supervised when they are in or around water and make sure they are swimming within designated areas.
   

• Don't be pushy - Never run, push or jump on others when in a swimming pool or at the beach and if you see someone in difficulty tell a lifeguard or call 999.
   

• On the water - If out in a boat or canoe always wear a lifejacket.

Out and about...

• Road safety - When out on a bike or scooter always wear a helmet, be aware of busy roads and cross roads safely.
   

• Dangerous playgrounds - Make sure you know where your children are going to ensure they aren't playing in any hazardous areas such as railway tracks or abandoned buildings and always arrange a time for when they are going to be home.
   

• Stick together - Don't walk away and leave friends to get home on their own.
   

• Drink alcohol sensibly - If you're enjoying a tipple in the sunshine, be sure to know your limits and remember to drink plenty of water as the alcohol will make you even more dehydrated.

By taking these steps it will help to keep our services free for those who are most in need and also ensure everyone enjoys the sunshine safely.

For more information visit the heat exhaustion and heatstroke or heat rash or prickly heat pages on the NHS website. For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website.