Aylesbury Surgery Health and Engagement Newsletter Volume 11- March 2019..

Volume 11 , March 2019
Fighting Depression and Loneliness
Loneliness is a complex and usually unpleasant emotional
response to isolation. Loneliness typically includes anxious
feelings about a lack of connection or communication with
other beings. Feeling lonely can plague many people
including the elderly, people who are isolated, and those
with depression — with symptoms such as sadness, isolation,
and withdrawal The causes of loneliness are varied and
include social, mental, emotional, and physical factors.
Loneliness: There are two basic types of loneliness. Acute
loneliness results from losing a loved one or moving to a new
place. The other type of loneliness is the chronic subjective
type, such, loneliness can be felt even when surrounded by
other people. The causes of loneliness are varied and include
social, mental, emotional, and physical factors.
Don’t give into loneliness give yourself a push to get back
into the thick of life. If you’re feeling lonely and want to
change it, any small step you take is a step in the right
direction. There are ways you can help yourself to fight
depression and loneliness.
Dealing with depression requires action, but taking action
when you’re depressed can be hard. While you can’t force
yourself to have fun or experience pleasure, you can push yourself
to do things, even when you don’t feel like it. You might be surprised
at how much better you feel once you’re out in the world
Reach out to a lonely person. Whether you’re feeling
lonely now or just know how it feels, you may get an
emotional boost from befriending someone else who’s
lonely. Volunteering for an organization that helps
elderly people or visiting a neighbour who’s lost a
spouse. Join a local community group where you can
meet people, simply say hi or have a cup of tea every
little step will count.
Reach out to a lonely person. Whether you’re
11
feeling lonely now or just know how it feels,
you may get an emotional boost from
befriending someone else who’s lonely.
Volunteering for an organization that helps
Mr Rajash Mehta -Chairman
Inside This Issue
Topic
Page
Fighting Depression &
Loneliness …………………. 1 – 2
Bowel Cancer Screening ………….…3 - 4
JTF- Big Brummie Bake ………….…5
Healthy Eating :…………………….….. 7 – 8
Cervical Screening …………………….…9
Street Watch –W M Police .….....9
Health Walk…………………………………10
Forum Meeting ………………………….11
Easter Message ……………………......12

Hobby - exploring a hobby are both great ways to meet kindred spirits. It can be
something as simple as join a gym or health walk group.
Explore your faith. People who have a personal relationship with their God or a
higher power tend to do well. There are a lot of factors at work here, one of them
being that faith communities provide many opportunities for positive social
encounters. In addition, faith can help you accept the things in life you can’t control.
Have realistic standards. such as expecting too much from a new friendship or
relationship too quickly or relying on another person too much
Pets, especially dogs, dogs get you out and about, they’re naturally social creatures,
and you’ll have a living being to care about. If you don’t want to take on the
responsibility of a pet due to cost etc. then volunteer to help dogs at a shelter that
need loving attention. Other pets, such as cats and fish, can also help ease loneliness.
Call, don’t post. Social networks are fun and can provide an essential social outlet for
some people, but people do best if more of the relationships happen face-to-face or
over the phone.
Make time for relationships. Spend time to build relationships. Relationships are
important whether its family or friends. Talk to a trusted friend or relative. Get some
feedback and ideas, as well as a sympathetic ear, from a family member or friend with
whom you trust your thoughts and feelings.
Have realistic standards. such as expecting too much from a new friendship or
relationship too quickly or relying on another person too much.
Meditate. Mindfulness teaches us that we are more than who we think we are.
Developing a meditation practice can help you identify and release some of the
thoughts that could be keeping you feeling lonely and undermining your efforts to
meet new people. It can help to release the negativity and embrace the positivity.
Explore therapy. If you just can’t shake profound feelings of loneliness, isolation,
and other symptoms of depression, you might want to talk to your GP or a mental
health professional as part of your depression treatment.
Taking the first step is always the hardest. But going for a walk or getting up and dancing to
your favorite music, for example, is something you can do right now. And it can substantially
boost your mood and energy for several hours—long enough to put a second recovery step
into action, such as preparing a mood-boosting meal or arranging to meet an old friend. By
taking the following small but positive steps day by day, you’ll soon soon lift the heavy fog of
depression and find yourself feeling happier, healthier, and more hopeful again.
If you’ve taken self-help steps and made positive lifestyle changes and still find your
depression getting worse, seek professional help. Needing additional help doesn’t
mean you’re weak. Sometimes the negative thinking in depression can make you
feel like you’re a lost cause, but depression can be treated and you can feel better!

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.
Depression is an illness which results in feelings of extreme sadness that interferes with your daily
life.
include:
Postnatal depression.
Postnatal depression is another form of depression. It is very common in new mothers, it
affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers
and partners. Many women don't realise they have postnatal depression, because it can
develop gradually. Many new mothers have difficulty bonding with their baby. In case of
postnatal depression : Mothers may have frightening thoughts – for example, about hurting
your baby
For any kind of Depression don't struggle alone hoping that the problem will go
away. Seek help.
Remember that:
• A range of help and support is available, including therapy
• Depression is an illness like any other
• It’s not your fault you're depressed – it can happen to anyone
• Being depressed doesn't mean you're a bad parent
• It doesn't mean you're going mad
Speak to your GP or health visitor if you think you may
be depressed. Many health visitors have been trained
to recognise postnatal depression and have
techniques that can help. If they can't help, they'll
know someone in your area who can.

Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
APRIL IS BOWEL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Bowel cancer is the…
4th most common cancer
1:20 people are likely to develop it
are more likely to develop it as we get older
it is the 2 nd highest cause of cancer deaths
The symptoms of Bowel cancer can be varied and vague
and many people are reluctant or embarrassed to talk about
it. They can be:
bleeding from the back passage
change in bowel habit
excessive tiredness
lump in the lower part of tummy
Useful links: https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/ https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
As many of these symptoms don’t occur in the early stages of the cancer, someone would not be aware
there was a problem. If diagnosed early, there is a 90% chance of cure, but that chance decreases the longer
the cancer has been growing. If the cancer can be detected early there is a much better chance of a
successful treatment or the polyps, which the cancer develops from, are removed, it stops the cancer from
developing at all. One way to help with this early detection is through screening.
WHAT IS BOWEL SCREENING?
The bowel cancer screening programme started 13 years ago and
offers screening every 2yrs to men and women aged between 60-
74yrs. This is the most common age group to develop bowel cancer;
over 74 year olds can opt in to the programme. The screening kit is
sent to the home and participants are invited to take part by
putting a small sample of faeces on the kit, over 3 different bowel
motions. We know it is not a pleasant thing to do, but it is well
worth it to find the cancers early. The kit is then returned to the central hub, where it is tested to see if
there is any evidence of blood in the sample. This blood is an indicator that there could be a polyp or cancer
in the bowel. Screening aims to detect these polyps or cancers before the person has any symptoms.
If blood is detected in the sample, the person will be offered a camera test of the bowel, called a
colonoscopy. Most bowel cancers start from little growths in the bowel, called polyps, if these are found
and removed; it reduces the chance of that person developing cancer later on. The cancers and polyps bleed
easily; this is why the samples are requested. There are lots of other reasons why there may be blood in the
sample too, so just because the sample is positive to blood, doesn’t mean that person has cancer.
Shortly there will be a change to a new style sample kit, it will be easier to use, as it will be just one sample,
instead of the current three.
More information can be found on the government website, including, information in different languages;

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bowel-cancer-screening-colonoscopy
WHAT IS BOWEL SCOPE?
In addition to bowel screening, there is now also Bowel Scope Screening. This is aimed at 55 year olds and
they are offered a camera test, without doing a faeces sample, called a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which just
looks at the left side of the bowel. This is because most polyps are found on the left hand side of the bowel
and if we can remove them even earlier, it reduces their chance of developing bowel cancer later in life.
More information can be found on the government website, including, information in different languages;
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bowel-scope-screening-test-what-it-is
Warren
Farm Lodge
Here at Warren Farm Lodge Care home you’ll find a
highly skilled team that’s passionate about helping
your loved one to live happily and independently,
providing carefully planned support 24-hours a
day. Happy Living for the years ahead.
Warren Farm Lodge
123, Warren Farm Road,
Kingstanding
Birmingham
B44 0PU
Telephone Number 0800 085 2952

Brummies asked to ‘bake’ a difference for local
hospice
John Taylor Hospice is asking its supporters to rise to their
charity challenge on Friday 5 April – by hosting a Big Brummie
Bake.
illness.
The Erdington-based hospice is encouraging people across the
city to get together with friends, family or colleagues to hold a
bake sale and raise money for people living with a terminal
“We’re asking hospice supporters to whip up something special on 5 April and raise vital funds for
our hospice,”
explained John Taylor’s
Community
and Events Fundraising Manager
Emily Boate.
have to be a star baker to hold
Brummie Bake – by serving store-
sweet treats at your bake sale
have fun at home or in your
while raising much-needed funds
important cause.”
“You don’t
your own Big
bought
you can still
workplace
for an
Every day
over 600 people living with a
terminal
illness and their families will
receive the
care and support they need from
John Taylor teams – both at the hospice in Birmingham and in their own homes. As a charity, the
hospice relies heavily on donations and fundraising to be able to provide this care.
“This is the first year we’ve held our Big Brummie Bake campaign and we’re really hoping our city
gets behind it,” added Emily. “We would love to hear from anyone ready to get their rolling pins at
the ready and channel their inner baker!
“We’ve made it easy for everyone to get involved. We have kits packed full of event inspiration,
invitations, posters, bunting and even a Big Brummie Bake bingo game to keep guests entertained.
The Fundraising Team is on hand to help every step of the way - it really is a piece of cake!”
To get involved in the John Taylor Hospice
Big Brummie Bake on 5 April visit
www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk/bigbrummiebake
or contact the Fundraising Team on 0121 728
6739 or by email at
fundraising@johntaylorhospice.org.uk

Eating a balanced diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help
you feel your best. Consuming the right amounts of food & drink is important to achieve and
maintain a healthy body weight.
1. Fruit and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin
C and potassium.
They're an excellent source of dietary fibre, which can help to maintain a healthy gut and
prevent constipation and other digestion problems. A diet high in fibre can also reduce your risk
of bowel cancer.
They can help to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
2. Fruit and vegetables contribute to a healthy, balanced diet.
Fruit and vegetables are also usually low in fat and calories. Eating variety fruit and vegetables contain
different combinations of fibre, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. (provided you don't fry them or
roast them in lots of oil). That's why eating them can help you maintain a healthy weight and keep your
heart healthy
Almost all fruit and vegetables count towards your 5 A Day. They can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried or
juiced. Eating 5 portions is not as hard as it sounds. Just 1 apple, banana, pear or similar-sized fruit is 1
portion (80g). A slice of pineapple or melon is 1 portion. Three heaped tablespoons of vegetables is
another portion.
3. Starchy foods: like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta. Potatoes, yams and cassava don't count as your 5 a
day fruit and vegetables because they mainly contribute starch to the diet.
Starchy foods should make up just over a third of everything we eat. This means we should base our
meals on these foods. Potatoes with the skins on are a great source of fibre and vitamins. For example,
when having boiled potatoes or a jacket potato, eat the skin too.
Try to choose wholegrain or whole-meal varieties of starchy foods, such as brown rice, whole wheat
pasta and brown, whole-meal or higher fibre white bread.
4. Dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks).
Milk and dairy foods: go for lower-fat varieties
Milk and dairy foods such as cheese and yoghurt are good sources of protein. They also contain
calcium, which helps keep your bones healthy.
To enjoy the health benefits of dairy without eating too much fat, use semi-skimmed, 1% fat or skimmed
milk, as well as lower-fat hard cheeses or cottage cheese, and lower-fat, lower-sugar yoghurt.
Unsweetened calcium-fortified dairy alternatives like soya milks, soya yoghurts and soya cheeses also
count as part of this food group and can make good alternatives to dairy products.
Due to the changing eating habits, many vegetable and vegan alternatives are now available
17

5. Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein
These foods are all good sources of protein, which is essential for the body to grow and repair itself.
They're also good sources of a range of vitamins and minerals.
Meat is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc and B vitamins. It's also
one of the main sources of vitamin B12.
Try to eat lean cuts of meat and skinless poultry whenever possible to cut down on fat. Always cook
meat thoroughly. Fish is another important source of protein, and contains many vitamins and
minerals. Oily fish is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids. You can choose from fresh, frozen or
canned, but remember that canned and smoked fish can often be high in salt. Processed meats and
foods should be avoided or eaten moderately.
Eggs and pulses (including beans, nuts and seeds) are also great sources of protein.
Nuts are high in fibre and a good alternative to snacks high in saturated fat, but they do still contain
high levels of fat, so eat them in moderation
6. Choose unsaturated oils and spreads, eaten in small amounts.
It's important to get most of our fat from unsaturated oils and spreads. Swapping to unsaturated fats
can help lower cholesterol. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the
blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease, while regularly consuming foods and
drinks high in sugar increases your risk of obesity and tooth decay.
7. Ready meals are an easy solution to meal times but not always healthy, as they can be high
in salt, sugar and fat, so only have them occasionally or in small amounts.
Drinks
8. Drink plenty of fluids, avoid sugary drinks. Remember a lot of fruit juices and fizzy soft drinks may
contain hidden sugars
Keep an eye on the amount of fruit juice and smoothies you drink. The current advice is to limit
consumption of fruit or vegetable juices and smoothies to a combined total of 150ml a day (1 portion).
Crushing fruit into juice releases the sugars they contain, which can damage teeth. Even unsweetened
fruit juice and smoothies are sugary, so limit these to a combined total of 150ml a day. Diluting 150ml of
fruit juice with) can make it go further.

Cervical Screening
Vital test for women
Women in Birmingham are being encouraged
to share a simple message with female friends
and family: “Don’t put off booking a smear
test - it could save your life”.
The Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (21-27
January) campaign, backed by NHS
Birmingham and Solihull Clinical
Commissioning Group (CCG), aims to increase
the number of women taking up the offer of a
smear test (cervical screening).
Local Practice Nurse Gayle Gerry, offers
reassurance to women who might put off
booking their appointment when they receive
the invitation letter.
She explains: “If you are nervous there are
things we can do to put you at ease. The smear
test itself takes just a few minutes, and for
most women it’s not painful. Having a smear
test is nothing to be embarrassed about.
Street Watch West Midlands Guide
We aren’t bothered if you haven’t shaved your legs or
painted your toenails. We do these tests every day at
work and they can be a life-saver so please don’t delay.”
Gayle continues: “All women aged between 25 and 64
registered with a GP are invited for cervical screening.
By testing for abnormal cells on the cervix, we can
reduce the number of women who go on to develop
cervical cancer.
“I’d love to see all eligible women in Solihull having this
vitally important test as well as younger women taking
up the offer of the HPV vaccination.”
For more information about cervical screening watch
Gayle’s video here https://youtu.be/_d8ZQHQ26X0 and
speak to a Practice Nurse or visit www.jostrust.org.uk
Thank you for your interest in street watch, a community patrol initiative that helps you make a difference
where you live. Street watch gives you and your community an opportunity to keep your area safe,
including just walking round your neighbourhood, which can really help. Local police keep in regular
contact with street watch members to share information and work in partnership with you.
As a Street Watch member, you will patrol your local area for at least two hours every month, at times
which suit you. You will patrol in a minimum of two members, talk to people you meet and encourage
them to take an active interest in keeping your area safe. So your neighbours know what you are there for,
you will wear a high visibility street watch jacket.
Your local street watch co-ordinator will give you day to day support, so you know what to look out for and
you will also have support from your local police. This webpage contains some resources to help you
decide if you would like to become part of the street watch scheme. It is a programme that has worked
elsewhere in the country and is now established in the west midlands.
For further information, please contact your local neighbourhood policing team by
searching the west midlands police website which has details of your local
neighbourhood team.

Health benefits of walking
Walking is a healthy form of exercise. It is vital to keeping ourselves healthy.
Some of the benefits include:
increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high
cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes
stronger bones and improved balance
increased muscle strength and endurance
reduced body fat
Walking with other people can turn a bout of exercise into an enjoyable social occasion.
Suggestions include: Schedule a regular family walk – this is a great way to pass on healthy
habits to your children or grandchildren, and to spend time together, while getting fit at the
same time
Try to make walking a routine – for example, try to walk at the same time each day.
Remember, you use the same amount of energy, no matter what time of day you walk, so
do what is most convenient for you. You may find that asking someone to walk with you
will help make it a regular activity. Some people find that keeping an activity diary or log
also makes it easier
ON SUNDAY 30 TH JUNE 2019
Aylesbury Surgery Health Engagement Forum would like to invite local
organisations and residents to join us on our annual health walk.
You don’t have to be registered at the surgery, families, friends, children
(accompanied by an adult), elderly everyone is welcome. You can request a registration
form by emailing us at ashiforum@outlook.com or collect a registration form
(available from the 15 th April) from reception at the surgery.
Last year we had a great turn out, why not join us this year and help raise
awareness of walking for health.

The Aylesbury Surgery Health
and Engagement Forum would
like to thank everyone that took
time out to attended the forum
meeting on the 27 th March 2019.
Without the support of the local
community and organisations
we would not be able to offer
this service to the community.
We hope everyone took away
important information. If we
work together as a community it
can help us become a stronger
community and better equipped
to help our community.
We were joined on the day by
Emil Prysak Senior
Commissioning Officer
Prevention- B’ham City council,
Fauzia Begum / Wellbeing
Officer -Witton Lodge
Community Association, PCSO
Tracy Baker 30172 Kingstanding
Neighbourhood Team, Victoria
Bixby –New Heights, Amarjit
Sagoo & Adele Preece -
Dementia Support Manager-
Alzheimer's Society, Yvone
Price- Clean up uk, Penny
Venables – John Taylor Hospice,
Carmel Kendricks – Birmingham
Minds, Shafia Bi- Birmingham
Social Services, Linda Hackett,
Sophie Quiter, & Dr Deepa
Aggarwal.
Forum meeting 27 th March 2019
Yvonne Price-Beautiful Birmingham project
Amarjit Sagoo -Dementia Support,
Alzheimer's Society
Victoria Bixby & Jordon Green–New
Heights

Easter
Easter is the day that Christians
believe that Christ rose from the
dead, bringing eternal life to
followers. Christ’s resurrection. It is
a time of rejoicing, healing, new
life and sharing the message of
hope but above all, it teaches us
of God’s unconditional love and
forgiveness life to
followers. Christ’s
We can all learn from God’s message of forgiveness. As we travel on our journey
in resurrection. life, we often forget It to is stop a time and ponder. It is important that you find time to
reflect, of rejoicing, to see where healing, you have been, and perhaps what could be done
differently. Hope, that we can all change to become better.
new life and sharing
the message of hope
Chocolate Eggs, for many, are associated with Easter. The custom of giving eggs
at
but
Easter
above
celebrates
all,
new
it
life. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said
to represent Jesus' emergence from the tomb and resurrection.
teaches us of God’s
Another
unconditional
fact not known
love
as commonly
and
is that the Easter lilies are known to
Christians as the “white-robed apostle of hope,” the Easter lily has also been a
religious
forgiveness
symbol since the birth of the Christian religion. ... It's also believed that
the lilies grew where Jesus' sweat and tears fell to the ground during his
crucifixion.
Lent is a big part of Easter it runs for a six week period (40 days) leading up to
Easter. It’s one of the most important times of year for many Christians around
the world. Lent is seen as a time of solemn observance and preparation for the
celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. From its start on Ash
Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday, Lent has been a traditional
time for fasting or giving something up or abstinence.
Christians around the world observe Lent in many ways. Many from more
orthodox and traditional denominations will still observe the fast strictly,
beginning with the wearing of ashes on Ash Wednesday and abstinence of
meat, fish, eggs and fats until Easter Sunday. Others will choose to give up just
one item for Lent, more commonly a ‘luxury’ such as chocolate, meat or alcohol.
As the last day before the Lent, Shrove Tuesday was a day of self-examination
a day for the purification of the soul. where Christians would consider what sins
they needed to repent of and what changes to their life or spiritual growth they
would focus on during the fast.
Charity/Alms giving: A very important element of the Lenten season is
becoming aware of not only the suffering and sacrifice of Christ but also to the
suffering of others.
Many choose this time to increase giving to those in need. It could be through
extra financial offerings, donating goods you no longer need or use to charity, or
increasing your personal time commitment to a ministry or cause close to your
heart. To all our fellow friends, families, colleagues.
Wishing you a blessed and safe Easter.
Mrs Kirrpal Danjaul –
P.A to Mr Rajash Mehta
Aylesbury Surgery
Health & Engagement
Forum
Aylesbury Surgery
Warren Farm Road
Kingstanding
Birmingham
B44 0DX
Tel: 0747479195
E-Mail:
ashiforum@outlook.com
Facebook: Aylesbury Surgery
Health and Engagement
Forum
Twitter: @rajashmehta
Aylesbury Surgery
Health &
Engagement
Forum
Next meeting will be
held on Wednesday
19 th June 2019
at 2.00 pm