August 21: A message from Lesley Jones, Former Director of Public Health, Bury Council

Over the last 12 months, the Bury Directory has seen a lot of improvements to ensure it is the best digital platform it can be to meet the needs of our residents, businesses, and partners in Bury. The Bury Directory aims to help individuals, families, and communities to help themselves and others in all aspects of their life, this might be looking for a local club, an activity, a service or finding out more about what is on offer from the Family Information Service or information about a health and social care need.

The Bury Directory underpins the prevention agenda by providing information to people on the wider determinants of health, including housing, education, employment along with health conditions. National research has shown that a digital interface, in our case The Bury Directory, can help people access support early and prevent the need for additional services in the long run. It holds a wealth of information to enable and promote self-care, self-management of long- term conditions and assist in the prevention of developing future costing conditions.

The system signposts people with a consistent approach to information, services, advice, support and relevant training as well as being the catalyst for Bury residents and professionals to identify and access all the assets available in the person’s local area and across the borough.

September 21: Alison Tabois Oral Health Improvement Practitioner, Bury

As the Oral Health Improvement Practitioner in Bury, I was tasked with developing an Oral Health Promotion service page, alongside adding range of other essential resources on The Bury Directory so they can be easily accessible by a range of early years professionals. The Directory is a fabulous digital resource providing local residents and professionals access to thousands of activities, services and events all on one platform! 

The target audience for Oral Health Promotion in the borough of Bury is 0-5 years. This is where I started; adding hyperlinks, information and downloadable resources all aimed at the Early Years. Programmes such as the ‘Brush Bus’ and ‘The Golden Apple Award Scheme’ were essential for early years settings who wish to improve nutrition, hygiene and dental health amongst children in their care.

However, as oral health affects everyone, I began to develop new content, creating additional pages and resources on The Bury Directory, playing my part in reducing oral health inequalities within the community especially reaching out to the most vulnerable people in Bury. 

My work also feeds into the Bury Food Strategy, and I have been able to share information on my Oral Health Promotion Directory page with the Bury Food partnership members.

The resources on the Oral Health Promotion pages enable local people and professionals working in and around Bury to have access to downloadable oral health resources with additional links relating to overall health promotion.

The Bury Directory website is a tremendous digital asset for Bury residents and professionals alike. I will continue to promote my work through the Directory by regularly updating my pages with a range of resources that will benefit the borough as well as continue to encourage early years settings to relay a positive attitude to oral health and nutrition!

Alison Tabois

Oral Health Improvement Practitioner, Bury

Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

October 21: Helping Yourself to Wellbeing Course Success Story

This case study has been provided autonomously by a course participant.

"During the Helping Yourself to Wellbeing course, my course tutor, Chris, had helped me with so much with managing my finances such as paying for bills and ways in which I can save. I have made great friends on the course and [have] realised that I am not alone; my problems are not unique to me alone. This made me understood.

I have been unable to go out due to the numerous lockdowns which has impacted my confidence. Lockdowns have heightened my anxiety where I didn’t want to go out. But this week I have made an appointment to have my eyes tested and my hair cut which is very long overdue.

I am so grateful to Dawn and Chris who worked with me at Moorfields Residential and supported me with my goals. They have made my life 100% better.

The Helping Yourself to Wellbeing courses have been fantastic for my mental health and I would recommend the course to Bury residents, especially people who have suffered isolation over the COVID pandemic"

To find out more information on the Helping Yourself to Wellbeing course, follow the link below:

https://theburydirectory.co.uk/services/helping-yourself-to-wellbeing-course

November 21: Social And Leisure Activities For Older People

Meeting new people, physical activity and hobbies can all help you keep healthy, energetic and independent as you get older.

There have been several studies that have identified a range of factors that can lead to a person feeling lonely or socially isolated in later life.

More more information visit: https://theburydirectory.co.uk/social-and-leisure-activities-for-older-people

For even more ideas, head over to the Activities and Things to Do in Bury Area of Bury Directory’s Leisure & Recreation In Bury section, where you’ll find plenty more opportunities to meet people, make friends and have fun - perhaps even while learning a new skill. There’s plenty of activities for all ages and abilities - plus a Leisure & Day Activities in Bury section in the Adult Care & Disability Services section for adult Bury residents with additional needs.

December 21: Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) Course

Congratulations to all the participants who attended the recent Level 2 RSPH ‘Understanding Health Improvement’ course.

All the participants said they thoroughly enjoyed the course and found the content covered will be very useful in their public facing roles

For more information on the how to book onto a Level 2 RSPH ‘ Understanding Health Improvement course’ visit the below page or email RSPH@bury.gov.uk

https://theburydirectory.co.uk/services/rsph-understanding-health-improvement