A Better Medway – July Newsletter

Celebrating Medway’s public health services

A Better Medway: On a hot afternoon in early July, 150 health professionals and Olympic athlete Kate Allenby MBE gathered to celebrate Medway’s public health services in the leafy setting of the University of Greenwich’s Medway Campus.

The first A Better Medway awards saw eight category winners, 34 members of the public graduate as A Better Medway Champions, 11 businesses receive their Medway Workplace Wellbeing Award and 13 schools and early years settings recognised for their promotion of healthy eating and living.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to our three event sponsors, without them the afternoon would not have been possible.

• Medway Community Healthcare sponsored the Shaping Medway’s Health Award. It was won by the Blue Light Project for its work to support some of Medway’s most vulnerable residents.
• National Grid sponsored the Outstanding Contribution to improving Mental Health Award. The award was won by wHoo Cares for its work to combat social isolation on the peninsula.
• Medway Sport sponsored the Outstanding Contribution to improving Physical Health Award. The winner was the Prince Arthur Bowls Club for its impressive efforts to welcome everyone in the community, including people with disabilities.

Special thanks also goes to Julia Hargreaves and Kirsteen Denver-Fedder from Porchlight who presented on the Medway Time to Change Hub and Dr Saloni Zaveri from Public Health England for presenting the Public Health GP Partner of the Year Award.

The afternoon culminated in James Williams, Director of Public Health, inviting Team Connect from the midwifery department at Medway Maritime Hospital to accept his special award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Health. Team Connect has transformed the care and service provided to vulnerable families before and after birth.

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Take action on loneliness this summer

While lots of us look forward to the summer, for people experiencing loneliness the holiday season can be particularly tough, as family and friends go away, services take a break and the long days feel hard to fill.

Our new campaign ‘A Better Medway – Together’ focuses on combating social isolation and loneliness in Medway. We’re asking local people and groups to pledge to create a new connection in their community. Pledges can be big or small, from inviting an elderly neighbour round for a cuppa to organising a street party for all your neighbours!

If you’re at a loose end this summer or know someone who is, Medway’s local libraries continue to offer activities and get-togethers over the holiday season.

• ‘Toddler Shake and Boogie’ and ‘Baby Bounce and Rhyme’ sessions are running as normal, find out when and where.

• Weekly Knit ‘n’ natter groups welcome absolute beginners, experts and enthusiasts with refreshments provided.

Inspired by the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, all of Medway’s libraries are running fun craft sessions with a space age theme for four to 10 year olds. Booking is essential for these free events

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Inspire others to get on their bikes

Rochester Castle was the backdrop to two important events this month, with the UK’s top cyclists battling it out at the HSBC UK | National Circuit Championships and the Leader of Medway Council announcing Medway’s aspiration to become UK City of Culture in 2025.

More than 500 families were given the opportunity to cycle on a section of the race course before watching Rebecca Durrell and Joey Walker take home the iconic red, white and blue national champions’ jerseys.

Would you like to share your passion for cycling with others and lead a group in exploring Medway by bike?

Our free cycling groups run throughout the week across Medway and we’ve so much interest that to meet demand we need more people to volunteer as cycle leaders.

Interested? Phone 01634 333720 or email [email protected]

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We’ve made it easier to find out about our children’s

services

Medway works with a range of organisations to provide families with the right support. We’ve recently relaunched our website pages to make it easier for parents and carers to find out about these different services.

Learn more about our services.

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Explore Medway’s award winning parks this summer

Seven of Medway’s parks have been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as some of the very best in the world. Summer is a great time to get out and active so over the holidays we’ll post a park a week for you and the family to explore together. Simply follow our A Better Medway facebook page.

 

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