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MISSION FOR MERTON • FERUARY – MARCH 2009 The guiding principle behind Mission for Merton is missionformerton to make Merton a great place to call home. Merton’s healthier communities strategy helps to guide the services and focus we provide to residents by concentrating on five key areas of health and wellbeing. This issue we take a more in-depth look at healthy eating, fitness and mental wellbeing in winter. You are what you eat... Maintaining a balanced diet helps keep your immune system strong so you’re better able to fight off nasty colds and bugs lurking around in winter. A healthy diet includes a balance of a variety of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals and bread, nuts and seeds, dairy products, oily fish, and plenty of water. Witness the fitness… Just 30 minutes of activity per day is all it takes to improve posture, muscle strength, bone density, mood and body image. It also helps to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Physical activity includes everything from organised sport and exercise classes to walking, cycling and gardening. Even your household chores, getting off the bus early or taking the stairs instead of the lift can count. While it is cold check out one of Merton’s leisure or community centres for a range of options including group classes, fitness equipment and swimming. Beating the winter blues… A lack of light and warmth can leave us feeling a little glum in the depths of winter. While we 8 Winter wellbeing We can tend to reach for a glass of Pinot, a plate of hot food and a nice cosy couch more often than we care to admit in the colder months. So to make sure you survive the long cold winter in the best of health, My Merton looks at some top health tips. can’t change the seasons or control the weather, there are a few things we can do to help beat those winter blues. Keep active: Exercise releases those feel good chemicals in the brain that help boost our selfesteem and improve sleep, concentration and body image. Aim for 30 minutes, five times per week. Relax: Take time out for activities you enjoy or to spend quality time with friends and family. Events like Merton’s Happy Soul Festival would be recommended too. Eat well: Caffeine, sugar and alcohol are fine in moderation but treat your body with respect by feeding and watering it well and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the way it helps you look and feel. Ask for help: None of us are superhuman. It’s important to remember you are not alone. There are a number of places you can go to for support, advice or an open ear whether it is friends or family, your GP or CareConnect. Find out more Eating: www.eatwell.gov.uk and www.5aday.nhs. uk Merton leisure centres: www.merton.gov.uk/ leisure/sport Care Connect: info@care-connect. info or 020 8545 4710 Mission for Merton: www.merton.gov.uk/mission
workinglife “ I only came for a sewing course,” said Martina Collett-Creedy. Eight years later she is helping Merton residents find their own career path in her role as careers information officer at Merton Adult Education. Merton Adult Education’s free careers and training advice service offers impartial one-toone advice to all adults wishing to find out more about their work, learning or training options. “No two days are the same. I meet a wide range of people on a one-to-one basis, visit classes and also visit community groups.” Each year, approximately 500 local residents benefit from Martina’s information, advice and guidance, including help with CVs, applying for jobs, finding the best local course for them or simply exploring their options. “I really like helping people. Especially when someone has been out of the workplace for some time – they might have lost their confidence and feel that they lack skills, but in reality they have a number of transferable skills. It’s wonderful to explore different ideas with them whether it’s enrolling on a course or volunteering. They come back more positive and confident after attending one of our courses and continue to look for more ways to keep developing their skills.” In the current financial climate, Merton is working hard to put the needs of its residents first and with some residents looking for a new direction or advice on new skills to add to their CV, Merton Adult Education can help. “We have a career-matching computer programme called ‘Adult Directions’ that looks at skills and 96% of people who used the Careers Advice Service rated the service as excellent. “I only came for a sewing course!” interests to suggest possible career options and explains the qualifications and experience needed to move into a new field.” Martina explains that sometimes people can be unrealistic. “I like to encourage people that most of the time it can be better to get your foot in the door of a company and work your way up rather than to expect to start at the top. Recognition will quickly be given if you have extra strengths and skills.” Find out more www.merton.gov.uk/adulteducation 020 8543 9292 FEBRUARY – MARCH 2009 • WORKING LIFE Thinking of a career change but not sure where to start? My Merton meets Martina Collett-Creedy for some expert advice and guidance. In 2008 Merton Adult Education was the first in south London to be recognised by the Matrix quality standard for providing excellent information, advice and guidance across the board. 9
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