One of our longest serving staff members has shared the story of her career to demonstrate how easy it is to progress in the health arena with some hardwork and support.

My origins are from Tanzania. As first generation British I migrated here with my family and have for most of my married life been a home maker and supported my husband in running his business.

My ambition in life was, and has always been, to work in health; which I knew would enable me to positively contribute back to society. As my children were grown up, I decided to exploit any opportunities which arose that would give me a chance to fulfil my dream.

I  started as a volunteer in September 2006, with Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care NHS Trust, as a Lay Health Advisor. I enlisted for training and learnt in depth information about various medical conditions.

In November 2006 Sue Turton gave an introduction about the new Health Exchange program. This was an opportunity not to miss and I pursued it immediately. I accepted the offer without any hesitation and took up training in Support Services in Health Care.

In February 2007, I started employment with Health Exchange as a Health Supporter. During this placement I covered offices in City Hospital, Birmingham Libraries, and different community and children centres. This exposed me to different cultures and gave me a variety of experiences which further contributed to enhancing my communication and interpersonal skills.  I took the chance to become a Walk Leader and Stop Smoking Advisor across the organisation. This experience was priceless.

In April 2010 the opportunity to become a Health Trainer and Expert Patient Program Tutor presented itself, which I embraced wholeheartedly. My role as a Health Trainer was to support and motivate people to make small lifestyle changes which would contribute to the betterment of their health and overall wellbeing. Getting opportunity was satisfying beyond words. I was covering the Birmingham East and North Area, where I worked in GP Surgeries along with Doctors, Nurses, CVD Nurses, Practice Managers. I must mention that a lot of hard work was required especially at the outset when everything was new and different practices and procedures had to be learnt and adhered to. The work did not get any easier but as soon as the relationships with surgeries and patients built up, the satisfaction was rewarding in itself. I do not intend to boast about my achievements but I feel it’s necessary as to inspire future HT’s to join the team.  I am proud to say I was awarded best Health Trainer in BEN Area in 2011, with 5 out of 8 chosen feedbacks displayed in our Health Exchange Board at the Health Trainers Conference belonging to me. I was in the role for 15 months and had seen more than 500 clients with 6 reviews each and a lot more sessions in the pipeline. As EPP Tutor I delivered courses to the general public, carers and patients with long term conditions. It seems a lot, it is a lot, but this is what we Health Exchangers do and are best at.

Finally, In October 2011 I was promoted to a Wellbeing Facilitator, where I starting providing shadowing opportunities to my colleagues and setting up to deliver Courses on Chronic Disease Education. It is quite recent, and so far it’s been enlightening giving me a chance to mentor and learn concurrently.

To conclude, I’d like to add a little note: to any one aspiring to contribute to the wellbeing of their community, I must emphasise there is no better place than the health exchange in my experience.  With determination, hard work, excellent supportive friends and colleagues, we can all make a positive difference, excel in ourselves, experience ‘job satisfaction’ first hand and most importantly, help everyone become healthy. I think if one person changes because of us, achieves better wellbeing, vitality, quality of life, and possibly longevity, then it’s all been worth it.

Just hearing the ‘C word’ can be frightening. When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, it can be overwhelming – and one of the hardest things can be telling other people and sharing your fears.

Many people find it hard to talk to their loved-ones about how cancer makes them feel, or to talk about it at all. But getting the right support from family and friends can really help – especially when you’re facing the toughest fight of your life.

And it’s not just patients who need support; partners, children, colleagues and carers may also find it hard to talk about the impact cancer is having on their lives.

That’s why this year Macmillan’s Cancer Talk Week is encouraging people affected by cancer to get talking about it – and all of the associated worries – with partners, family, friends and professionals. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved.

Macmillan Cancer Support can help you find the words you need. Call our helpline on 0808 808 2020 for a chat with one of our experts, talk to others going through the same in our online community, www.macmillan.org.uk/community or access information on talking about cancer here.

And there is Macmillan support right here in Birmingham if you would like some further support locally. Visit the Macmillan Information and Support Centre on the Mezzanine Floor of Birmingham Central Library, pick up information from one of the Health Exchange Info Points in community health centres across the city or call Catherine Fletcher on 0121 663 0007 for further information.  Or visit the Health Exchange mobile unit on Edgbaston Street (by the markets) on Friday 27^th January.

2012 is here and the race is on to find volunteers as Birmingham prepares to host the world’s fastest and most successful track and field teams in preparation for this year’s Olympic Games.

The American and Jamaican track and field teams will be training in Birmingham ahead of the games – with the Americans based at Alexander Stadium and the Jamaicans based at the University of Birmingham campus. There is a huge volunteer effort underway to support the two pre-Olympic training camps.

Volunteers are needed to perform a number of roles including stewarding, team attachés, kit carriers and team liaisons. A volunteer recruitment programme was launched by Birmingham City Council’s sports and events team last September.

Our Health Trainer, Maxine is one of the five faces on the Birmingham ‘Our Games’ campaign, which you’ll see more information on throughout the year.

We asked Maxine:

What do the Olympics mean to you? “Excitement.”

How do you feel about the fact that two of the world’s greatest teams have chosen Birmingham as their training camp ahead of the London 2012 Olympics? “I think it is fantastic! Our Brummies will make them feel very comfortable and welcome here.”

What inspired you to become a volunteer? “For me, it’s taking part that counts and I will have fond memories of a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

What advice would you give to other people who may be thinking of becoming a volunteer? “Just do it!”

Do you have a favourite sporting event? “I love it all although I do enjoy track and field events.”

Do you have a favourite athlete who inspires you? “It has to be my son Connan because he has flat feet and tight hamstrings and has to wear shoe inserts, but, despite this, at the age of 10, he took part in a sporting event at Alexander Stadium, where all local schools took part and he was crowned Champion Boy.”

Do you do any sporting activities yourself? “Yes, I run, cycle, and play tennis and badminton. I’m thinking of taking up martial arts at the tender age of 41.”

How has sport made a difference in your life? “It keeps me fun, flexible and active.”

What does it feel like to be chosen as one of the five faces representing the Birmingham ‘Our Games’ campaign? “Honestly it’s a WOW! Such a once in a lifetime opportunity. I see myself as a regular person and I hope people can relate to me and my views.”

To find out more about how Birmingham is preparing to host the world’s greatest track and field teams and what’s happening in the city, plus how to become a volunteer, visit www.birminghamourgames.co.uk

If you’re already getting into the mood for the Olympics, there are plenty of activities and sports on offer across Birmingham as part of the ‘Be active’ scheme – and best of all, they are free to access.

To find out what’s on offer in your area, then visit the Be active webpages at birmingham.gov.uk/beactive

]]> http://www.healthexchange.org.uk/health-trainer-maxine-face-of-brum-olympics/feed/ 0 http://www.healthexchange.org.uk/tweet-the-week-stop-smoking/ http://www.healthexchange.org.uk/tweet-the-week-stop-smoking/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:07:21 +0000 AaronHEX http://www.healthexchange.org.uk/?p=7055

Here’s our top twitter posts from the week. This week we focused on quitting smoking. Hopefully some of these will help you in your quit attempt. For more information on quitting smoking visit our dedicated stop smoking support centre or call our helpline, 0800 158 35 35.

Most of us have had “Quit Smoking” on our list of resolutions for the New Year more than once.

If you’ve tried too and have now gone back to smoking, you’re not alone. In fact most people who successfully quit will have tried, and failed, several times. Something about leaving an old year behind and making lasting positive changes in our lives inspires most of us to try, and we do it with hope and enthusiasm.

It’s never too late to stop smoking. As well as reducing your risk of smoking-related illnesses, the health benefits start from the moment you STOP! If you’re planning to start the New Year without a cigarette in your hand,

take advantage of the resources and support available here at www.healthexchange.org.uk/smokefree

A few tips to help you Quit Smoking for New Year’s:

Get to know more:

We all know that smoking is bad for us, but most smokers avoid looking at the harm smoking causes. Take the blinders off and read everything you can get your hands on about smoking. It eases to make the mental shift necessary to quit smoking.

Use a quit diary

Maintaining a diary is quite useful for anyone trying to quit smoking. Start yours with your list of reasons for quitting. Include all big or small. Make your list about the pros and cons of smoking. Your diary helps you reinforce your goals and it won’t be long before your actions are following your thoughts.

Get support:

Friends and relatives interested in your success boost your motivation to keep going.

Eat Smart:

Smoking cessation throws our bodies into shock initially. Snacking could be an issue. Switch to healthier food options such as fruits and salads. Have the right foods within easy reach and you’ll minimize weight gain due to quitting.

Sleep well:

Cravings to smoke seem stronger when you are exhausted and harder to cope. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep at nights, and a nap here and there if needed. Long walks before bed work well for sound sleep.

While the weathers turning grey we know you’ll be turning your attentions to making those resolutions so key at the start of a new year. Our run down of the most common 10 resolutions helps provide tips and hints to maintain your resolve.

Whether you are making little changes, or tackling the big challenges that have beaten you in the past, these small steps will help you make the big changes to a brighter 2012.

1. Lose Weight and Get in Better Physical Shape

After the excesses of the Christmas dinner and party season its easy to feel achieving your perfect shape is impossible. But its not. Take one small step at a time and you can reach your goal.

A great way to do this is to be specific abhout what you want to achieve: whether its losing a stone, dropping a dress size, or beefing an inch on your biceps. This can often be difficult, especially in setting realistic targets. Our Health Trainers can offer one-to-one support in developing a personalised goal to reach your targets. Apply online today

Or click here to read our article about the top tips of things you can do today to help you make the change.

2. Stick to a Budget

We could all do with a bit more cahs, especially when the credit card bill rolls in. 

Giving yourself a budget, and sticking to it, can be an effective of preparing for your incomings and outgoings. It will help you avoid over spending and getting costly penalties. It may also highlight that extra bit of pocket money you can spend on lifes little treats. Visit Directgov for a complete guide to developing your own budget.

3. Debt Reduction

If you’re in debt and finding it hard to cope, it’s important to deal with the problem straight away – the longer you ignore your debts, the worse the situation becomes. Click here to find out what you can do about your debt problem and where to get free help and advice.

If this feels daunting, our friendly Support plus buddies may be able to help, through their one to one coaching sessions. They can support and guide you to finding suitable solutions for your social, housing and debt issues. Click here to apply online for this service

4. Enjoy More Quality Time with Family & Friends

With increasingly busy working lifes it can be hard to find time to see friends and family.

Why not start by making a regular commitment, a certain time every week, or fortnight, you will spend with those people. You can do anything in this time, enjoy a meal or watch a movie, but why not improve your mental wellbeing and fitness by attending one of our Health Walks. They are free light exercise in a variety of Birmingham locations and, at only 45 minutes, they are short enough to fit in your lunch hour. Click here for a list of our walks

5. Find My Soul Mate

Finding someone to spend your life with is never easy. There are no simple solutions.

However, you are unlikely to find them unless you meet people. Try branching out from your usual activities and try something new. It could be joining a new sports club or visitng a new coffee shop. The more you expose yourself to new people and experiences, the more likely you are to find someone on the way. You may even find out a thing or two about yourself. Click here for Birmingham City Councils guide on activities in the area. 

6. Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health.

Cigarettes contain over 4,000 toxic chemicals and around 50 of these cause cancer. Even so, by quitting you can see health benefits from as early as one week later. So long as you don’t leave it to late.

Quitting is a difficult task. Did you know you are 4 times more likely to quit with professional help and support? Thats why we developed our stop smoking support centre, full of tips and information, plus our free downloadable stop smoking buddy. Click here for more information

Widget – smoking support Becoming a non-smoker is probably one of the best decisions you can ever make, and is a life changing as well as a life saving decision.

7. Find a Better Job

 Getting a new job can be a big boost to your confidence. Whether its a promotion or a new post, recgonition in your career can help motivate and encourage you.

At Health Exchange we frequently have new posts arising; be they entry level positions or higher management. Its always worth keeping an eye on our job section or sending us your CV to keep on file.

If you are returning to work, a lone parent or need extra support, click here for information from DirectGov about the available support for you.

8. Learn Something New

Learning something new is a great way to keep your mind sharp, boost your confidence and protect your wellbeing.

It may be a new language, a skill you’ve always wished to master or maybe even learn to cook a decent meal. A great place to start is adult learning courses. They offer a great variety of courses and you may eligible for free or subsidised payments. Click here for more information

9. Volunteer and Help Others

Volunteering is a great way to boost your CV and earn you a few points on the Karma scale.

Its a great way to use your free time if you’re retired, at college or planning a career change. BVSC is a great organisation for providing oppurtunities into volunteering. If you would like to volunteer with Health Exchange, send us your CV and a cover letter through our job pages.

10. Get Organized

Organising your diary is a great way to make the most out of your time, especially if you work long hours or have family commitments.

Its also important to make time for yourself and protect your health and wellbeing. This week our twitter feed is delivering the top 5 tips for protecting your mental wellbeing. Click here to view our twitter feed.

Good clean healthy lungs. I know its a little early to start the nagging new year resolutions, but why not put a little thought into the planning. Studies show that mental preparation before making an resolution can help lead to success.

If you are making the decision to quit smoking this year, visit our dedicated Stop Smoking centre full of handy tips, support and our downloadable free Support Buddy.

But before we do, we like to look back at our successes through the year. This video reminds us just how much of an impact our services makes to peoples lives.

Tinsel Trivia

It can take up to 15 years to grow an average-sized tree of 6-7 feet or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7!

Then get your partner signed up to commit2bfit. The completely free  online weight loss plan has been developed specifically for men, in partnership with NHS and bActive,  and has been designed to help you lose weight and waist size so that you feel fitter and healthier. Sign up now

Tinsel Trivia

GOLD-wrapped chocolate coins commemorate St Nicholas who gave bags of gold coins to the poor.

And we’re all stocking up on grub for a family dinner. Read our guide for making the christmas day lunch delicious and nutritious to keep everyone healthy happy.

Why not indulge in a spot of fun after dinner? Heres a short dance workout video the whole family can join in with

Tinsel Trivia

THE Beatles hold the record for most Xmas number 1 singles, topping the charts in 1963, 65 and 67.