Healthwatch West Berkshire

01/10/2025

From 1st to 7th of October it’s Back Care Awareness Week, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness about back health and preventing back pain, which affects millions of people in the UK every year.

Back pain can impact anyone - young or old, active or not and it’s one of the most common reasons for missed work and GP visits. The good news? With the right habits, many issues can be prevented or improved.

This week is all about:
Encouraging good posture
Staying active with gentle exercise
Lifting safely
Looking after spinal health at every age

We’d love to hear from you:
Do you struggle with back pain?
What tips or exercises help you the most?
Share your experience in the comments – your advice might help someone else!

Let’s take care of our backs together – they literally keep us standing strong.

01/10/2025

Every October people across UK come together to raise awareness, share knowledge and show support for everyone affected by breast cancer.

- Early detection saves lives - regular checks and knowing the signs really do make a difference.
- Research, treatments, and support services are improving every day, but your voice and awareness are key in driving change.
- Whether you have been personally affected, know someone who has, or simply want to help raise awareness, your thoughts and experiences matter.

We’d love to hear from you.
Share your stories, words of encouragement, or tips for self-checks in the comments.

Let’s fill October with hope, strength, and solidarity.

29/09/2025

From Monday 29th September to Sunday 5th of October 2025, communities across the UK will be celebrating Positive Ageing Week – a chance to highlight the contributions of older people and to challenge ageist stereotypes.

Age is not about slowing down – it’s about living life to the fullest, staying connected, and celebrating the wisdom and experiences that come with the years.

This week is all about:
Promoting healthy, active ageing
Celebrating the role of older people in our communities
Encouraging intergenerational connections
Challenging negative ideas about ageing

We’d love to hear from you:
What does positive ageing mean to you?
Do you have a role model who inspires you as they grow older?
Share your thoughts, stories, or even photos in the comments!

Let’s celebrate ageing as something to be proud of, not feared.

26/09/2025

Did you know that 26th of September is National Doodle Day?
It is a fun and creative day that raises awareness and funds for Epilepsy Action, supporting people living with epilepsy.

Whether you’re a natural artist or just enjoy scribbling while on the phone, today’s the perfect chance to pick up a pen and let your imagination flow!

Doodling isn’t just fun, studies show it can help with relaxation, memory and creativity. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to express yourself.

We’d love to hear from you:
Do you doodle?
What’s your go-to doodle – swirls, flowers, shapes, or something else entirely?
Share a picture of your doodles in the comments!

Let’s celebrate creativity together while supporting a great cause.

25/09/2025

As a Healthwatch West Berkshire we would like to inform you about that Cancer Rehab Team are running a free online workshop:

'Bitesize Genomics: Hereditary Cancers & Precision Medicine'

Tuesday, 30th of September, 2–3pm via Microsoft Teams

You will hear about what genomics means, hereditary cancers, how testing works, and how this science is helping to improve cancer treatments.

Presented by Dr Mary Tanay RN PhD, Macmillan Nurse Consultant in Genomics.

The other dates for your diary:
Tue 7/10/25, 2-3pm – Psychology, Ideas & tools for coping with the impact of cancer
Tue 21/10/25, 2-3pm – Peripheral Neuropathy, self-management
Tue 4/11/25, 2-3pm – Physical Activity

If you wish to attend, please contact Cancer Rehab Team at: cancer.rehabilitation@nhs.net

24/09/2025

Pop along to one of SEND cafe mornings for support and meet ups.

23/09/2025

From 22nd to 28th of September is National Eye Health Week, led by Eye Health UK, is the UK's largest independent eye care campaign, running annually in the last full week of September to promote good vision and reduce avoidable sight loss.
Nearly 2 million UK adults live with sight loss severe enough to significantly affect daily life and around half of this is preventable.
Routine sight tests can detect silent conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or high blood pressure, often before symptoms appear.
So, what you can do?
- Book an eye test if you haven’t had one in the last two years
- Share this post to encourage others to prioritise their eye health
- Support healthier eye habits (spend at least 2 hours outdoors daily, eat foods rich in eye-safe nutrients and antioxidants, protect eyes from UV rays and avoid smoking)
When did you last have an eye exam?
Have you ever discovered a health issue through an eye test?
Share your experience in comments below to remind others that vision health matters.

22/09/2025

From 22nd to 28th of September 2025 is Migraine Awareness Week.
This week, organisations like The Migraine Trust are working to shift perceptions around migraine, highlighting its impact not just on health, but on relationships, work and daily life.
Many people feel dismissed - by employers, healthcare systems and sometimes even themselves.
Migraine is a serious neurological condition affecting millions. It's more than a headache - it's often disabling
Symptoms; including throbbing pain, nausea, light and sound sensitivity and cognitive fog - can stop everyday life in its tracks.

Do you or someone you know, live with migraine?
How has it affected daily life, work, or relationships?
What changes would help - awareness, workplace support, better treatments?
Drop your experience in the comments below.
🧠

19/09/2025

Youth Mental Health Day takes place in the UK on 19th of September each year and focuses exclusively on mental wellbeing in children and young people aged 8–25.
Mental Health Foundation
This year’s theme is - encouraging connection, peer support and access to evidence-based resources for young people.
Around 1 in 5 young people in the UK now face a probable mental health disorder, yet only a third access effective support.
Peer encouragement and connection can reduce isolation and promote emotional resilience, key goals of this year's campaign.
Do you support a young person who struggled with mental health?
What do you think would make support more accessible or caring?
Drop your experience, or ideas in the comments. Your insight can help others feel less alone and more empowered.

17/09/2025

Yesterday we had a fantastic day at our 'Support and Resources for All' event in Greenham!

It was wonderful to see people come together and we are delighted with all the positive feedback we have received.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their experiences and helped us make new connections with some brilliant organisations. Your suggestions are invaluable and we will be taking them on board as we plan future events!

If you couldn’t make it on the day, you can still have your say.

Fill out our survey for a chance to win a £50 Tesco voucher!!!
Remember: to be entered into the draw, you will need to answer every question, so no blanks :).

Link to our survey (closing date - 3rd of October):
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Supportandservices/

We would love to hear your views and keep the conversation going!

17/09/2025

Frimley Health’s Annual Members Meeting is happening soon.

Guest speaker is Mr Tom Poole, Consultant Ophthalmologist, the first surgeon in England to perform an artificial cornea transplant.

Date: Tuesday 23 September 2025
Address: Royal Windsor Racecourse, Riverside Marquee, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, SL4 5EZ.

Times: Stands open at 5.00pm-6.20pm and AMM starts at 6.30pm-8.00pm.

Anyone over the age of 16 can be a member. It’s free and you can choose how involved you would like to be. You might just like to receive our regular newsletters, or you may want a more active role. You decide.

16/09/2025

From 16th to 22nd of September 2025 is Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects over 400 000 people in the UK and is often misunderstood. It’s not just "aches and pains" - it's a serious autoimmune condition that causes chronic pain, fatigue and can impact daily life in invisible ways.
This week is about:
- Educating the public and healthcare professionals about what RA really is
- Challenging myths and stereotypes surrounding visible disability and “invisible illness”
- Promoting early diagnosis, proper treatment, and holistic support, from physical management to mental wellbeing
Do you or someone you know live with RA? What helps most? What do you wish more people understood?
Share your thoughts in the comments to show support.