Well being event in rude health

OPENING Health Awareness Day at Oldham Library is the mayor of Oldham Cllr Derek Heffernan

BLOOD pressure checks, healthy-eating advice and holistic therapies were on offer at Oldham's health awareness day on Saturday.

Now in its sixth year the event, at Oldham Library, saw dozens of organisations coming together to promote healthy lifestyles and showcase the services available for Oldham residents.

The free drop-in event was organised jointly by Sathya Sai International Organisation (UK), Oldham Council, Positive Steps and NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group, and it was officially opened by the Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Derek Heffernan.

Coordinator Bharat Sisodia said: "When we first decided to create a health awareness day in Oldham we thought it would just be a one-off event.

"No-one imagined it would continue to grow year after year and we would be celebrating our sixth anniversary."

He thanked everyone who supported the project, Oldham Library and the dozens of volunteers, including several from Oldham College,who helped make the event possible.

"Projects like this can cost hundreds of pounds to organise and set up and we could not do it without the support of our partners and the volunteers who make it possible."

Organisations from across Oldham and charities all set up stalls to provide advice and guidance.

Organisations taking part included Mind, One Recovery Oldham, Henshaws, Stroke Association and Oldham Community Leisure.

Positive Steps, who provide early help and smoking cessation services in Oldham also attended for the first time and provided free NHS health checks to residents.

Richard Rawlinson, of Positive Steps, said: "We are excited to be part of the health awareness day and hope to provide hundreds of health checks for residents.

"We aim to provide checks to people who would not usually visit their GP and we visit workplaces and community events to reach more people.

"If people can find out more about any potential health issues earlier we can save money and reduce demand on other services."

His views were shared by Cllr Eddie Moores, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, who argued that with the challenges of budget reductions and Greater Manchester devolution it was an important time to address health issues and transform the health of the borough.

He said: "Health and social care organisations are reaching breaking point.

"It is vital that people take responsibility for their health and are given the support they need to do that, such as through stop smoking services, healthy-eating advice and encouraging exercise to reduce the demand on services and allow money to be spent elsewhere in health."

A range of complementary therapists also offered advice on a variety of treatments, including homoeopathy, yoga, Reiki and massage, during the day with several workshops and taster sessions taking place.