General Archives - Page 3 of 5

10Aug

Menopause at the Workplace

According to Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace, women over the age of 50 are the fastest growing demographic in the workforce. The average age for a woman in the UK where menopause starts to affect them is, 51. However, it can be much earlier than this, naturally or due to surgery, or illness and symptoms can start many years before menopause, this is called the perimenopause phase.

As more employees go through the menopause during their working lives, employers and line managers need to be aware of the impact this can have on an individual at their workplace.

Some common symptoms of menopause and perimenopause include:

Sleep disturbances, which may be a result of night sweats and make you feel tired and irritable
Hot flushes (sudden surges of heat usually felt in the face, neck and chest which can make you dizzy)
Changes to your mood, anxiety and/or depression, memory loss, mood swings, low self-esteem and reduced concentration
Irregular periods
Muscle aches and joint pains
Weight gain
Headaches
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) including cystitis
Skin changes including dry and itchy skin.

Understandably, any of these common symptoms would impact your day-to-day life, including at your place of work. Therefore, it is important for line managers and employers to be aware of these symptoms and how the effects of menopausal symptoms could affect an employee’s work.

According to research from the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, three out of five (59%) working women between the ages of 45 and 55 who are experiencing menopause or perimenopause symptoms say it has a strong impact on their lives and has a negative impact on them at work. Of those who were affected negatively at work, also reported the following issues:

65% said they found it more difficult to concentrate
58% said they experienced more stress
52% said they felt less tolerant with clients and colleagues
30% said they had taken sick leave days due to their symptoms, but only 25% of them felt able to tell their manager the real reason for their absence

Supporting employees through menopause – what should line managers and employers be doing?

The role of line managers in supporting people experiencing the menopause transition is critical. They are normally the first point of contact if someone needs to discuss a possible health concern, or needs an adjustment to their work or work schedule to enable them to perform to their fullest potential.

The degree of trust you build with employees determines how willing employees suffering from menopausal symptoms are able to discuss any support or adjustments they need at work. Simple management techniques you can adopt that can make a big difference include:

Build relationships based on trust, empathy and respect.

This will make it much easier for an employee to feel comfortable about raising a potential health issue, like menopause.

Consistent and informal one-to-ones with employees can provide the setting for a conversation about any changes to someone’s health concerns, including menopause.

This will help to create an open and inclusive culture and environment that encourages people to raise any concerns

Don’t make any assumptions – everyone has different experiences, so take your lead from the individual

Some actions employers can take to ensure that they are supporting employees affected by the symptoms of menopause:

Positive messaging – employers should make sure menopause is treated as a medical issue and highlighted as such. Guidance for both employees and line managers on dealing with the menopause and symptoms should be openly available within the workplace.

Various channels for support – Some people may feel uncomfortable going to their line manager (particularly if they are of the opposite gender), and the topic of menopause may be more difficult to raise for employees who are transgender, non-binary or intersex. Therefore, various channels of support should be available.

For example, a designated menopause point-of-contact within the business or HR department for employees and their line managers.

Flexibility – Working arrangements should be in place to ensure they meet the needs of menopausal employees. Some may need to leave the workplace suddenly if they feel unwell, and/or may need a desk fan to help with hot flushes. They may also require more breaks throughout the day.

For example, employers should avoid penalising employees who need to take more frequent bathroom breaks.

Menopause policy – Some businesses (who don’t already) may want to consider putting in place a standalone policy covering menopause. This should contain information such as directing employees to relevant support channels or to HR where they believe reasonable adjustments to their workplace or working hours could be helpful.

Employment law and menopause

Menopause at the workplace is covered by certain pieces of legislations to protect employees:

The Equality Act 2010, which protects people from discrimination in the workplace, the menopause is mainly covered under three protected characteristics:

Age discrimination

Employees are protected from being treated less favourably because of their age. Given that menopause is typically age-related, if someone is being treated less favourably because they’re going through menopause, this in turn can be related to the age of a person.

It is also important for employers to note that age discrimination can affect young people who go through early or medically induced menopause.

Sex discrimination

Women who are treated less favourably than men can bring forward a claim for sex discrimination. Employment tribunals may find a case of direct discrimination if menopause symptoms are treated differently than any other medical conditions.

Employers should remember workplace jokes regarding menopause should be treated just as seriously as if it were about any other protected characteristic, as these jokes target women and so can lead to possible claims for harassment related to sex.

Disability discrimination

In some cases, menopause could be considered a disability.

The legal definition of “disability” requires a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term (at least 12 months) negative effect on your ability to do normal day to day activities.

Since some individuals may only experience minor symptoms, whereas others may experience more severe symptoms. Menopause symptoms have to be judged on a case-by-case basis, where serious menopause symptoms can constitute a disability.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a duty on employers to ensure, where reasonably practical, everyone’s health, safety and welfare at the workplace. This extends to the working conditions when experiencing menopausal symptoms.

There is plenty that employers can and ought to be doing to ensure that employees going through menopause are being fully supported, as the mismanagement of employees being affected by the symptoms of menopause can result in very costly disputes.

Here are the top three tribunal cases on menopause, according the Kuits solicitors.

If you found this article interesting, take a look at these similar topics:

Reshape HR is here to assist. We work with a variety of clients based across the UK, so if you are looking for HR or Payroll support or simply looking to run something past us, please do get in touch with us via:
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04Aug

Cycle to Work Day

Liam CarmichaelGeneral, Other

Background

Cycle to Work Day is celebrated nationally on an annual basis.

Cycle to Work Day was founded by Cyclescheme to encourage individuals to cycle to work, according to Cyclescheme’s website: “Cycle to Work Day is absolutely for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t cycled in years or have never cycled at all. This is just about giving it a go.”

Cyclescheme was founded by Gary Cooper and Richard Grigsby. According to Cyclescheme: “Born out of passion for cycling as a practical and sustainable form of transport, Cyclescheme Limited was incorporated in February 2005, meeting the governments three cycle to work objectives: CO2 emission reduction, Congestion reduction, and improved public health and wellbeing.”

This year Cycle to Work Day will place on the 4th of August 2022. The hashtag used for this event is #CycletoWorkDay.

Why should I cycle to work?

There are multiple reasons why cycling to work can help you, we have listed a few below:

Saves money – Cycling to work will lower the amount of fuel you are using, which saves you money.

Lower your carbon footprint – by ditching your car, even if it is for one day, you are lowering the amount of greenhouse gasses that are entering the atmosphere, which lowers your carbon footprint.

You might enjoy it – you might enjoy the ride to work, no more traffic jams and you can enjoy the fresh air and maybe take a scenic route into work.

Lowers the risk of heart disease – According to an article posted on www.health.harvard.edu: “bike commuting was associated with a lower risk of being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or cancer.”

What if I don’t have a bike?

If you don’t have a bike and would like to join in Cycle to Work Day, there are many ways to participate:

Hire a local bike – many cities now have pay-as-you-go bikes as a way to promote cycling, if you are unsure, get in touch with your local authority.

Visit a local bike shop – many small and big retailers have options which allow you to rent a bike for an occasion or a small period of time.

Is there any schemes that can support me with purchasing a bike?

There are many ways to purchase a bike:

Vouchers – from time to time, the government release discounted vouchers to financially assist the general public with their purchase, please speak to your local authority for further information

Salary sacrifice schemes – there are many different schemes out there, which allow you to spread the cost of a purchase through payroll sacrifice – please speak to your employer as there may be a provision which exists already for employees or to bring to their attention.

You can use Cyclescheme’s cycle to work scheme, where you can hire a bike for 1 year or 4 years, at the end of your hiring period, you can choose to pay an additional payment to keep your bike. If you would like to find out more about the cycle to work scheme, then please go to www.cyclescheme.co.uk/how-it-works.

How do I join in Cycle to Work Day?

You can join Cycle to Work Day by:

Cycle to work – Dust off your bike, check the tires and brakes and cycle to work, please remember to wear a helmet and use your arms to signal if you are going left or right. Why not encourage your neighbours and colleague to do the same and ride as a group?

Sharing on social media – By sharing this article and other articles and information about Cycle to Work day, you can encourage others to also cycle to work, and you can also post some selfies of your journey to work.

Join Cyclescheme’s Love to Ride community – According to Cyclescheme’s website: “All the cycling action will be happening in our free Love to Ride online community. You can sign up with Facebook, Strava or simply by entering your details, and then connect a smartphone app so you can log your rides.”

If you would like to join the Love to Ride community or would like to find out about Love to Ride, then please go to https://www.lovetoride.net/cyclescheme.

24Jul

Samaritans Awareness Day – 24/7

Liam CarmichaelGeneral, Other

Background

Samaritans Awareness Day is held nationally on the 24th July on an annual basis.

It was founded by the Samaritans to “raise awareness, that Samaritans are here to listen to anyone who’s struggling to cope, at any time of the day or night. Whether it is a virtual chitchat, or a picnic in the park, “Talk to Us” is one of the ways we raise awareness that we’re here – for anyone who needs someone to listen, 24/7, without judgement or pressure.”

The hashtag which is being used this year is #WeListen. Samaritans state: “Samaritans are here to listen 24/7 for anyone that needs us. But we’re also encouraging people to become better listeners.”

How do I join in the 24/7 Samaritans – The Big Listen?

You can join in The Big Listen by:

Pledge to become a better listener – According to the Samaritans: “Becoming a better listening can help you to support loved ones who may be struggling to cope. It can also help improve your relationships with family, friends and colleagues. You could help your loved ones open up about how they’re feeling by making some small changes to the way you listen.”

The Samaritans would like for you to pledge to become a better listener on social media such as Facebook or Twitter, they also have a page on their website which contains materials that you can use to post on your social media. If you would like to look at the materials and maybe use it for your pledge, then please visit https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/talk-us/downloadable-materials.

Sharing on social media – by sharing this article and other articles and information which details about why The Big Listen is important and how important it is to reach out to your loved ones.

Join one of the Samaritans events – Samaritans branches in the UK and Republic of Ireland hold local events to raise awareness that Samaritans are here to listen. If you would like to join one of the Samaritans events or you would like to search for your local Samaritans branch, then please go to www.samaritans.org/branches.

Check in on your family and friends – By checking in on your family and friends, you can help them to open up about how they are feeling and then assist them with their worries.

If you or anyone you know are going through a rough time and don’t know who to talk to, or require support, then please call the Samaritans at 116 123, which is a free service. If you do not wish to speak to someone on the phone, then you can send an email to jo@samaritans.org.

18Jul

Mental Health at the Workplace

Trudy TongGeneral, Other

While mental health in the workplace has become a hot topic in recent years, there’s no doubt some stigma still exists around discussing mental health in a professional setting. With the ongoing effects of the pandemic, increased remote working and blurring of lines between home and work life, addressing mental health in the workplace has become increasingly difficult.

Positive mental health at work helps us flourish in our roles, manage stress and improve our resilience. In the long run, it allows us to reach our highest potential.

What is causing the increase of mental health issues in the workplace?

There are many factors to consider including the impact of the lockdown.
Some employees will be anxious about their family and friends.
Many will have suffered bereavements, often without the chance to say goodbye or attend funerals.
Fears about job security, returning to the workplace (including using public transport for commuting) and financial concerns.

However, there are still many other work-related factors that can harm mental health, such as excessive workload, financial difficulties, poor communication and workplace bullying.

Survey (see appendix 1)

A survey of employees from 129 UK businesses carried out by Wildgoose, which is a team building and virtual events business, discovered that:

Two in three people experienced worse mental health at work over the last year, compared to the previous.
One in three employees feel less able to raise mental health concerns during remote meetings.
86% of employees feel that their workplace is not a safe environment for employees to be open about mental health concerns.

What can businesses do to support employees with their mental health?

It starts with knowing the signs of mental health. Even with a healthy work culture in place, some employees may struggle with underlying mental health conditions, with or without the added stress of the pandemic.

It’s easy to miss some of the early warning signs of mental illness in the workplace. Common signs that you should look out for are:

Long-lasting sadness or irritability
Extremely high and/or low moods
Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety
Social withdrawal
Dramatic changes in eating and/or sleeping habits

Communicate more than you think you need to

Meet with employees often to check-in, not just regarding work, but also on how they are doing in general.

By simply asking an employee, if there’s anything that they need can be extremely impactful in showing you care, especially for employees who are more reluctant to ask for help.

Make sure you always keep your team informed about any business changes or guideline updates. Additionally, you can set expectations on workloads or projects and recognise that things may slide from time to time, but it’s how you manage these together as a team.

Make your team aware of mental health resources and encourage them to use them. Be aware that shame and stigma prevent many employees from using mental health benefits to seek treatment, so normalise the use of those services.

Encourage team support

An important part of a healthy work environment is a team that supports one another. As a line manager, encouraging working together as a team and participating in group exercises to de-stress can prove beneficial.

To help employees feel connected while they are physically distanced i.e., working from home, you can organise team-building activities for virtual socialisation, such as:

Trivia/game night
Group fitness classes
Virtual happy hour
Video show and tell
Book clubs

Both businesses and line managers need to make it clear that discussing mental health is important and nothing to be ashamed of. You should communicate that talking about mental health will lead to support and not discrimination. This could be achieved through normalising conversation around mental health in the workplace and actively encouraging discussion.

If you think your own mental health may be affecting your work, reach out to your line manager or HR team who will then be able to assist you further. You’re more likely to feel better knowing that you have a support group around you who can assist you.

If you would like to know more or take part in mental health events, take a look at our previous blog post on Mental Health Awareness Week for more information and resources.

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E: info@reshapehr.com
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Appendix 1:

Within the finance industry:	The hospitality industry:	The communications sector – marketing, advertising and PR – saw the greatest impacts from the decline of social contact:
– 68% of employees had experienced increasingly poor mental health at work over the last year – Mental health absences were far higher in the financial services than others	– 64% increase in reported poor mental health in the last 12 months. – 100% of respondents to the survey agree that they don’t receive enough support. – 32% of employees feel comfortable raising mental health concerns.	– Two in five employees surveyed feel less able to raise mental health issues during remote meetings (despite nine in ten companies having a process in place for remote employees to raise their concerns). – 34% feel that a lack of in-person socialising makes mental health concerns harder to spot.

15Jul

World Youth Skills Day

Liam CarmichaelGeneral, Other

Background

World Youth Skills Day is celebrated globally on the 15th July on an annual basis.

The United Nations General Assembly established World Youth Skills Day in December 2014. The first World Youth Skills Day was celebrated the following year on 15th July 2015.

According to the United Nations website: World Youth Skills Day is “to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. Since then, World Youth Skills Day events have provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between young people, technical and vocation education and training (TVET) institutions, firms, employers’ and workers’ organisations, policy makers and development partners.”

What is Technical and vocation education and training (TVET)?

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO): “’Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is understood as comprising education, training and skills development relating to a wide range of occupational fields, production, services and livelihoods.

TVET, as part of lifelong learning, can take place at secondary, post-secondary and tertiary levels and includes work-based learning and continuing learning and professional development which may lead to qualifications. TVET also includes a wide range of skills development opportunities attuned to national and local contexts.”

What role does technical and vocational education and training (TVET) play?

According to the United Nations website: “TVET can equip youth with the skills required to access the world of work, including skills for self-employment. TVET can also improve responsiveness to changing skill-demands by the companies and communities, increase productivity and increase wage levels.

TVET can reduce access barriers to the world of work, for example through work-based learning, and ensuring that skills gained are recognised and certified. TVET can also offer skills development opportunities for low skilled people who are under- or unemployed, out of school youth and individuals not in education, employment and training (NEETs).”

How can I raise awareness of World Youth Skills Day?

You can raise awareness of World Youth Skills Day by:

Sharing on social media – by sharing this article and other articles and information about World Youth Skills Day and why it is important.

Sharing your experience – sharing your journey is a great way to showcase the steps which you have undertaken to get to where you are. This can prove to be invaluable for someone who is just about to start their career

08Jul

Imposter Syndrome at the Workplace

Liam CarmichaelGeneral, Other

“Everyone else knows what they’re doing except me.”

“If I can do it, anyone can.”

“I didn’t earn this, I just got lucky.”

If you’ve ever had similar thoughts or felt like an imposter at work, you’re not alone.

Many people are all too familiar with the experience of feeling ill-equipped to fill their own shoes, or lack internal acknowledgement of their own success. Research suggests these feelings affect 70 per cent of the population, however when it takes seed inside us, it often feels as if you’re the only person to ever have such destabilising feelings.

These feelings are known as imposter syndrome (IS), also sometimes referred to as imposter phenomenon. It is characterised by chronic feelings of inadequacy and fraudulence despite objective success.

Common signs

Some of the common signs of imposter syndrome include:

Undervaluing your performance
Attributing your success to external factors (i.e., luck)
Setting excessively challenging goals and feelings of failure when you fall short
Worrying you won’t live up to expectations
Avoiding seeking promotions

5 types of Imposter Syndrome

The Perfectionist – Perfectionists set unrealistically high expectations for themselves, therefore are never satisfied and often feel like their work could be better.

For this type, success is rarely satisfying because they believe they could’ve done it even better. However, that’s neither productive or healthy.

Celebrating achievements is crucial if you want to avoid burnout and nurture self-confidence.

The Superwoman/man – These individuals tend to push themselves to work as hard as possible. This often stems from an individual’s feelings of inadequacy, but the work overload may harm their mental health and their relationships with others

The Natural Genius – These individuals, like the perfectionist, set excessively high expectations and judge their own ability based on how easily and quickly they can succeed at a goal, even if it’s their first try.

The Soloist – These people often like to work alone and feel as though asking for help is a sign of weakness or incompetence. This can lead to tasks taking longer to complete because they’re hesitant to ask for help.

The Expert – Experts are always trying to learn more. They measure their competence on what and how much they know, even though they are often highly skilled, they undervalue their own expertise.

What can be done to overcome imposter syndrome?

Share your feelings

Hearing that an advisor or mentor has experienced feelings of imposter syndrome, can often help to both minimise and/or relieve them. So, reaching out, whether it is to a personal mentor, line manager or HR Department, can be extremely beneficial for combatting thoughts and feelings related to imposter syndrome. In fact, just finding out that there’s a term for these types of feelings can be an incredible relief for some.

Once you’re aware of the phenomenon, you can combat your own imposter syndrome by collecting and revisiting positive feedback and achievements.

Reframe your thinking

If you have long-held beliefs about your lack of skill or experience, make a realistic assessment of your abilities. Question whether your thoughts are rational and write down your accomplishments, then compare that with your self-assessment.

For example, your management team may decide to give you a raise which may result in feelings of guilt or stress, because you believe you don’t deserve it. However, this is where you should reflect and review as to why you may be are having these thoughts.

Embrace success

Try to celebrate even the smallest successes.

Invalidating any of your achievements as ‘not good enough’ fuels the feelings of not belonging. Resist that by listing your successes and allowing them to inspire you emotionally. Over time, this will give you a realistic picture of your accomplishments and help affirm your self-worth.

Many organisations now regularly acknowledge hard work publicly as a way to boost motivation, wellbeing and productivity. This can help individuals practise self-acknowledgement strategies to help tackle feelings of imposter syndrome. If you think you might be negatively affected by symptoms of imposter syndrome, try contacting your company HR Department for support and advice.

T: 0141 471 5510
E: info@reshapehr.com
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21Jun

Cervical Screening Awareness Week

Liam CarmichaelGeneral, Other

Background

Cervical Screening Awareness Week is organised by the charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.

It was founded by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in 1999 by James Maxwell in memory of his dead wife Jo, who died from Cervical Cancer. According to Jostrust.org.uk: “it was her (Jo’s) wish that women affected by cervical cancer would have the opportunity with others facing similar challenges.”

Cervical Screening Awareness Week is celebrated nationally on an annual basis. It seeks to raise awareness of cervical screening (smear tests), highlighting the challenges of cervical screening, why it is so important and tips to help those who find cervical screening difficult.

This year Cervical Screening Awareness Week will take place from the 20th – 26th of June 2022.

What is Cervical Cancer?

According to Cancer Research UK:” Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow in an uncontrolled way and eventually form a growth (tumour).

If not caught, early cancer cells gradually grow into the surrounding tissues and may spread to other areas of the body.”

What is a Cervical Screening?

According to Cancer Research UK: “Cervical screening is a way of preventing cancer. It tests for a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV). High risk HPV can cause cervical cells to become abnormal. Virtually all cases of cervical cancer are linked to high-risk HPV.”

The NHS offers a cervical screening programme, according to the NHS: “All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 should go for regular cervical screening. You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment.”

If you would like to book an appointment to have a cervical screening, then please contact your local General practice.

What are the main symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

According to the NHS: “Symptoms of cervical cancer include:

Unusual bleeding

Pain in your lower back, between your hip bones (pelvis)”

The NHS also states that these symptoms are common. Having these symptoms does not mean that you have cervical cancer, but it is important to get them checked by your GP.

Is Cervical Cancer preventable?

According to Cancer Research UK: “99.8% of cervical cancer cases in the UK are preventable.”

Even though most cases are preventable, this does not mean that you are protected from cervical cancer. The best way to protect yourself from Cervical cancer, according to the NHS is through “Cervical screening and HPV vaccination”.

How do I raise awareness for Cervical Screening Awareness Week?

You can raise awareness by:

Sharing on social media – By sharing articles, information and previously shared stories about Cervical Cancer and how important it is to have a Cervical Screening.

Sharing with friends and family – According to a press release article from gov.uk: “Latest figures from March 2021 show that nearly a third of eligible individuals – women and people with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 – were not screened.”

20Jun

World Refugee Day

Liam CarmichaelGeneral, Other

Background

World Refugee Day is celebrated globally on the 20th of June on an annual basis.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) established World Refugee Day in 2001, commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. This day has been used as a platform for celebrating the strength and courage of the people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

The hashtag which is being used this year is #WorldRefugeeDay.

Theme

For 2022, the theme is “Whoever. Wherever. Whenever”. This focuses on an individual’s “right to seek safety”.

The UNHCR further explains the theme on their website by stating: “Whoever they are, people forced to flee should be treated with dignity. Anyone can seek protection, regardless of who they are or what they believe. It is non-negotiable: seeking safety is a human right.

Wherever they come from, people forced to flee should be welcomed. Refugees come from all over the globe. To get out of harm’s way, they might take a plane, a boat, or travel on foot. What remains universal is the right to seek safety.

Whenever people are forced to flee, they have a right to be protected. Whatever the threat – war, violence, persecution – everyone deserves protection. Everyone has a right to be safe.”

What is a Refugee?

According to the UNHCR: “Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country.

They often have had to flee with little more than the clothes on their back, leaving behind homes, possessions, jobs and loved ones.”

How do I join in World Refugee Day?

You can join in World Refugee Day by:

Sharing on social media – By sharing this article and other articles and information which details why World Refugee Day is so important.

Join an event – The UNHCR will post both face-to-face and online events on their website for World Refugee Day, if you would like to join one of these events or you would like to search for an event close to you, then please go to http://www.unhcr.org/uk/world-refugee-day.

Volunteer to help – You can help your local refugee organisations by volunteering in a capacity where both your personal and professional skills can be utilised to aid a refugee and their transition within a new environment, city or a country.

If I can’t join in World Refugee Day, is there any other way to help?

If you would like to donate to a charity focused on helping refugee’s, we have listed some charities below:

British Red Cross – The British Red Cross is part of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, meaning the organisation supports people around the world who are forced to flee their homes with nowhere else to go. If you would like to donate to the British Red Cross, then please go to https://donate.redcross.org.uk

International Rescue Committee (IRC) – “The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster too survive, recover and regain control of their future.” If you would like to donate to the International Rescue Committee, then please go to https://help.rescue-uk.org/.

Refugee Action – “At Refugee Action, we help people who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes. We get them the basic support they need to live again with dignity. Then we help them build safe, happy and productive lives in the UK.” If you would like to donate to Refugee Action, then please go to https://donate.refugee-action.org.uk/page/100035/donate.

14Jun

Men’s Health Week

Liam CarmichaelGeneral, Other

Background

Men’s Health Week is celebrated globally on an annual basis.

Men’s Health Week was founded in 1994, the week was linked to Father’s Day in the United States. Men’s Health Week became an international event in 2002, led by the Men’s Health Network, who was able to come to an agreement with representatives from several other leading men’s health organisations around the world met and resolved to work together on Men’s Health Week.

According to menshealthmonth.org: “The goal is to raise awareness of male health issues on a global level and to encourage inter- and intra-national institutions to develop health policies and services that meet the specific needs of men, boys, and their families.”

This year, Men’s Health Week will take place from the 13th – 19th of June 2022. The hashtag which is being used this year to promote Men’s Health Week is, #menshealthweek.

Theme

For 2022, the theme is “Time for your M.O.T”.

According to menshealthforum.org.uk: “We need to be at the top of our game, physically and mentally. So, for this year’s Men’s Health Week, which runs 13-19 June. It’s time for you, me and men everywhere, to give ourselves an MOT”.

What is a Man MOT?

The Men’s Health Forum have created an “interactive manual” called the “Man MOT”.

This manual focuses on assisting men with self-checks and simple measures to improve their health. The Man MOT manual can be viewed here, a physical copy of the Man MOT can be purchased from the Men’s Health Forum’s online store.

Men’s Health in the UK

According to the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH): “Men’s health in the UK is unnecessarily and unacceptably poor. Around one in five men die before the ‘traditional’ retirement age of 65 with cancer, suicide and heart disease being the biggest killers of working-age men.”

The information regarding male health is a major concern, according to menshealthforum.org.uk: “The figures are shocking. 19% of men in England, in Wales and Northern Ireland and 22% of men in Scotland die before they retire.”

According to mentalhealthforum.org.uk: “In England, around one in eight men has a common mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).”

This is also a major issue with men’s ability to understand information to make decisions about their health, according to menshealthforum.org.uk: “Men have lower levels of health literacy than women, with men twice as likely to have inadequate health literacy”. Additionally, the Men’s Health Forum have also stated that “Men are less likely to use a general practice or visit a pharmacy – in the age group 20-40, women attended a general practice twice as often.”

What about cancer? Well according to Cancer Research UK: “Overall the number of men getting cancer is rising”.

With the most common cancer in men being prostate cancer. According to Cancer Research UK: “Around 52,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year. In men, it is the most common cancer in the UK.”

It is very important to get health checks from your doctor or local GP, according to Oxfordonlinepharmacy.co.uk: “It is good practice to arrange a routine health check every few years to keep track of your overall health, such as blood pressure, cholesterol and any worries.”

What can I do to improve my physical health?

There are many ways that are suggested to improve your physical health, some of these are listed below:

Increase the amount of daily physical exercise – According to the NHS: “Adults should do some type of physical activity every day. Exercise just once or twice a week can reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke.” If you would like to view the NHS exercise guidelines, then please click here.

Eating a balanced diet – Eating a balanced diet can be difficult, but there is a lot of information and guides online that can be used to help you to create a balanced diet. A good example is the NHS’ eight tips for healthy eating, which is part of their “Eat well” guidance.

Drinking more water – drinking more water per day will help keep you hydrated and alert throughout the day.

Break your unhealthy habits – Unhealthy habits such as smoking, excessive drinking and drug use can cause multiple health issues, these health issues include lung cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease and more. If you would like support to help you break these unhealthy habits, then please go to your GP or a medical professional, who can advise and support you on your steps to quitting.

How do I join in Men’s Health Week?

You can join in Men’s Health Week by:

Sharing on social media – By sharing articles and information about Men’s Health Week, why we need to bring awareness towards men’s health and why it is so important.

Participating in a fundraiser – A fundraiser is a perfect way of showing awareness and raising money for the charity of your choice, such as the Scottish Half Marathon, Inflatable 5K or Tough Mudder.

Download The CAN DO Manual – According to menshealthforum.org.uk: “We’re putting together The CAN DO Manual collecting together all the great ideas our Men’s Health Champions have had for things we can all do to boost our mental wellbeing. It’ll be available FREE during this week.” If you would like to download The CAN DO Manual then please go to www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw.

What can I do to improve my mental health?

We have listed a few tips that could help you improve your mental health below;

Enjoy your hobbies – Take some time for yourself throughout the week and enjoy your hobbies, according to mentalhealth.org.uk: “Enjoying yourself helps beat stress. Doing an activity that you enjoy probably means you’re good at it and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.”

Take a break – According to mentalhealth.org.uk: “A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work or a weekend exploring somewhere new.”

Talk to someone – Talking to someone else about what you are struggling with can help you to realise how you are feeling and what you can do to accept and live with this feeling.

If you feel that your mental health is being affected, be sure to reach out to your support system or a mental health support service as soon as possible.

We recommend that you reach out to the Samaritans to talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, which is free from any phone. If you do not wish to speak to someone on the phone, then you can send an email to jo@samaritans.org.

13Jun

Diabetes Week

Liam CarmichaelGeneral, Other

Background

Diabetes Week is organised by Diabetes U.K and is celebrated nationally on an annual basis.

Its aim is to raise awareness of diabetes and to encourage people to share their experiences of living with diabetes.

This year Diabetes Week will take place from the 13th – 19th June 2022. The hashtag which is being used this year to promote Diabetes Week is #DiabetesWeek.

Theme

For 2022, the theme is “This is your #DiabetesWeek”, which focuses on celebrating people who have diabetes and the challenges which they face.

According to diabetes.org.uk: “Your blood sugar won’t always be in range. Figuring out food labels and menus might have you tearing your hair out. And you might have treated that 3am hypo with a few too many jelly babies. (And biscuits. Oh, and that sandwich…) But you’re doing it, every single day. Living with diabetes, juggling the ups and downs. And that’s worth celebrating.”

What is Diabetes?

According to Diabetes UK: “Diabetes is a serious condition where your blood glucose level is too high. It can happen when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin it produces isn’t effective. Or, when your body can’t produce insulin at all.”

There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2:

According to Diabetes UK: “When you’ve got type 1 diabetes, you can’t make any insulin at all.”

Diabetes UK states “If you’ve got type 2 diabetes, it’s a bit different. The insulin you make either can’t work effectively, or you can’t produce enough of it. They’re different conditions, but they’re both serious.”

What is a diabetic emergency?

According to the Red Cross: “In most cases, the person’s blood sugar levels become too low. This is called hypoglycaemia. It can happen when the person has missed a meal or exercised too much. If left untreated, a diabetic emergency can become very serious.”

Another form of a diabetic emergency is known as “Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)”. According to diabetes.co.uk: “Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious condition which develops if blood glucose levels become very high. The symptoms include vomiting and a laboured form of breathing known as kussmaul breathing, which may be identified by gasping breathes. If someone is going through DKA, it is often possible to detect ketones on the breath, which can be similar to a fruity smell or similar to nail polish.”

Diabetes.co.uk further this by stating about Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS): “HHNS is a short-term complication that can occur in people with non-insulin dependent diabetes, such as type 2 diabetes, if blood sugar levels rise to a very high level of 30 mmol/l or above.”

What do I do if someone is having a diabetic emergency?

If someone is suffering from hypoglycaemia, the NHS states that the person should: “Have a sugary drink or snack – like a small glass of fizzy drink (not a diet variety) or fruit juice, 4 to 5 jelly babies, 3 to 6 glucose tablets or 1 to 2 tubes of glucose gel.”

The NHS also has a step-by-step guide to follow if someone is experiencing from hypoglycaemia symptoms, if you would like to know more about this, then please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycaemia. If the person is unconscious or having a seizure, then please call 999.

If someone is suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetes.co.uk states: ”If diabetic ketoacidosis is suspected and the person is either incoherent or unable to help him or herself, call 999.

If someone is suffering from “Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic Nonketotic Syndrome”, diabetes.co.uk states: “If someone is showing signs of HHNS, it is important that they receive emergency treatment.”

How do I join in Diabetes Week?

You can join in Diabetes Week by:

Participating in the Diabetes Week events – Diabetes Week will host a multitude of events, both online or face-to-face.

If you would like to find out more or join an in-person event close to you, or an online event, then please visit www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-week and use the map to find an event near you.

Sharing on social media – By sharing this article and other articles and information which details why Diabetes Week is so important, the challenges faced and what can be done to support people with diabetes, you will assist to raise awareness and make Diabetes a less taboo subject to speak about.

If I can’t join in Diabetes Week, is there any other way to help?

If you would like to help, then please donate to a charity focused on Diabetes, we have listed some charities below:

Diabetes UK – “We are Diabetes UK – our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm. We’re leading the fight against the UK’s biggest and growing health crisis. And it’s a fight that involves us all sharing knowledge and taking on diabetes together.”

If you would like to donate to Diabetes UK, then please go to https://donate.diabetes.org.uk.

The InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT) – “We are concerned with listening to the needs of people who live with diabetes, understanding those needs and doing our utmost to offer help and support.”

The InDependent Diabetes Trust is a charity that is focused on listening and helping people with diabetes and their carers and supporting their needs. If you would like to donate to the InDependent Diabetes Trust then please go to www.iddt.org/here-to-help/donate.

The Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation (DRWF) – “We are funding diabetes research In the UK & around the world in order to understand the causes, prevention, treatment and management – our ultimate goal is to find a cure.”

If you would like to donate to the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, then please go to www.drwf.org.uk.

This article is for informational purposes only. If you or someone you know is suffering from a diabetic emergency, please contact a medical professional or an emergency service for medical advice.

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