Crane Valley Primary Care Network

30/01/2026

Please take care if you are heading to University Hospitals Dorset this week. Due to the recent weather and flooding, travel times are much longer than usual.

If you are attending our hospitals over the coming days, please allow extra travel time due to flooding and congestion on the roads across BCP.

There is further rain forecast over the coming days, please check your local travel alerts to find the safest route. Thank you 🌧

30/01/2026

Check out this event offered by our colleagues at Seed2Plate.
👇

FREE SLOW COOKER at our Warm & Well Workshop in February at the Somerford ARC Community Centre
Due to the success of the January workshops, we have added a new date for February: Monday 9th February 10am-12.00pm

Following on from the success of our previous Warm & Well workshops we have added another date for a morning workshop in February. With the increasing costs of energy prices, utility bills and foods we have worked hard to tailor a workshop that will focus on ways to combat them.

You’ll discuss & learn how to shop seasonally, grow your own food indoors, meal prep & batch cooking, use surplus food websites & apps, cook energy efficiently, cut down on food waste and more. During the sessions you will also be given recipes and a selection of ingredients to be able to create your own delicious meals at home along with ideas of planting & growing your own produce.

Every workshop attendee will receive a FREE Slow Cooker but spaces are limited so be sure to book your place now.
To book or for further information please email Lydia.harvey@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk or call: 07421994591
We are really excited to be able to deliver these free workshops and want to thank Dorset Community Foundation and the BCP food & energy support fund who have enabled us to run them again.
Dorset Community Action

30/01/2026

📣 Calling all partners!
We’ve shared our latest newsletter with you—and we don’t want anyone to miss out.

If it hasn’t reached your inbox, please your check spam/junk folder. Still can’t find it? Email jayne.walton@dorsetgp.nhs.uk and we’ll make sure you’re receiving future updates.


www.communityswitch.org

29/01/2026

Beat the winter slump with a community tidy-up! 🩺❄️
​While it’s tempting to stay indoors when the weather is grey, we’re backing Cllr Simon Gibson’s community litter pick because it’s one of the best ways to boost your health this season.
​Getting outside and moving—even in the cold—is a fantastic "all-in-one" for your wellbeing:
​Keep Moving: Brisk movement is a great way to improve circulation and keep joints supple during the colder months.
​Mental Clarity: Even on a cloudy day, natural light helps regulate your mood and sleep patterns, making it a great antidote to the "winter blues."
​Stay Connected: Winter can often feel a bit isolating. Joining a group effort is a brilliant way to see friendly faces and feel part of something positive.
​It’s amazing how much better you feel after a bit of fresh air and a job well done. Check out the details in the original post below!
👇

After the rubbish weather, lets go and pick up some rubbish around town. Meeting at the Rec on Saturday. If you have a spare hour, it would be great to see you.

29/01/2026

🌧️ Floods and ⛔traffic jams wouldn't stop our Social Prescriber, Kate Carroll, and Andy Saunders from The Cranborne Practice Patient Participation Group from getting to the Dorset Coast Radio studio last night to share the great work being done through our programme.

They spoke with Kev about how we work with our invaluable local community partners to deliver a neighbourhood-focused health and wellbeing programme. Community SWITCH has been co-developed with PPG members to help ensure it meets the needs of people who are most vulnerable or socially isolated.

Listen on catch up here:
⬇️
https://lnkd.in/eRyTYRea

Find out more about Community SWITCH:
⬇️
www.communityswitch.org

27/01/2026

🎙️ On the radio this Wednesday!
Members of the Crane Valley PCN community will be joining Dorset Coast Radio’s Community Connect this Wednesday, 28th January at 7pm.
Our Social Prescriber, Kate Carroll, will be speaking alongside Andy Saunders, a patient and Patient Participation Group (PPG) member, about — a neighbourhood-focused health and wellbeing programme co-developed with PPG members to help ensure it meets the needs of people who are most vulnerable or socially isolated 🌱
Tune in and listen! 📻

https://www.dorsetcoastradio.co.uk/schedule

21/01/2026

A reminder that Ferndown Library is hosting an exclusive National Year of Reading event – a talk by Clare from Bourne Dyslexia on supporting a child with dyslexia.

As well as answering any questions you may have, Clare will also be talking about:
– What is Dyslexia, common characteristics
– Dyslexia in relation to reading
– Strategies for reluctant reading
– Practical support (exam access arrangements and university)
Reserve a space using this link to Eventbrite>>

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bourne-dyslexia-tickets-1978274197378?

A professional dyslexia assessor, Clare is the perfect person to talk to you about supporting a child with dyslexia.

20/01/2026

Norovirus remains a concern in our area, as outbreaks cause significant disruption, leading to ward closures and bed occupancy issues at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD).

Hygiene is Key: Hand sanitisers don't kill Novovirus. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water to stop spread, especially after using the toilet and before eating.

Learn more:
https://staywelldorset.nhs.uk/campaigns/norovirus/

Good hand hygiene can help stop norovirus spreading.

Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand sanitisers don’t kill norovirus.

Read our blog post on how to manage symptoms and stop the spread: 👇
https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/23/norovirus-what-to-do-if-you-catch-it-and-helping-to-stop-the-spread/

19/01/2026

From October to March we can’t make enough vitamin D from sunlight, so to keep bones and muscles healthy, you may want to consider taking a daily 10 microgram supplement of vitamin D. You can get vitamin D from most pharmacies and retailers.

See the Vitamin D Patient Information Web page curated by our Clinical Pharmacy team for more:
⬇️
https://www.cranevalleypcn.org/vitamin-d---patient-information

19/01/2026

📱 Could a smartphone app help you keep an eye on your skin?

Wessex Cancer Alliance are looking at whether a phone app could help people monitor changes to their moles or skin — and know when it’s time to seek medical advice.

We encourage you to share your views on a new smartphone app designed to track changes in skin and moles and help people decide when to contact their GP.

👉 Share your thoughts by taking our short survey:
🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DGYFDM6

Your feedback could help shape future tools to support early detection and skin health.

📩 Questions or interested in getting involved?
Contact Anna at anna.wykes@hiwessex.net

Thank you for helping us improve patient care 💙

19/01/2026

Today, and all week, we are supporting the Warm Welcome Campaign to celebrate the importance of warmth, connection, and community for our wellbeing.🩷💜♥️🧡

It’s a chance for us to highlight the diary of support - full of local activities where you can meet new people, learn something new, or simply enjoy a warm and welcoming space in our area, including spaces at Dorset Libraries in Ferndown, Verwood and West Moors and The Centre Ferndown.
👉 Find your next connection here: https://communityswitch.org/events/

(Cats not included 😉)