This World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (18 – 24 November 2024), local NHS teams invite students to share their understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the threat it now poses.

We are running a competition to find the best story, poster or TikTok video on the subject of AMR and the issues that can follow.

This is a fantastic opportunity to communicate simple, but important messages to children, their families and their communities.

The winners will have their poster displayed in hospitals waiting areas and may be used for future campaigns in the coming year to raise awareness within our communities.

There will be a first and second place winner selected for each category:

1. Best Poster
2. Best Horrible History Story
3. Best TikTok Video

Who can enter?

Anyone age of 5-25 in an education setting.

Age Categories

• School years 1-4: Design a poster about how microbes work and why we need them.
• School years 5-8: Create a “Horrible Histories” story to explain how drug-resistant infections can occur, how they might spread and what can happen as a result.
• School years 9-13 / University: create a “Horrible Histories” story, or create a TikTok video around AMR and how drug-resistant infections can occur, how they might spread and what the result might be.

Posters / stories / videos should deliver messages to use antibiotics responsibly and #keepantibioticsworking.

Watch the difference an extra 10 seconds can make to keeping your hands clean.

How to enter our competition:

• Send your entry to: Nilanka Sivapalan, Pharmacy Department, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Mandeville Road, HP21 8AL or email it to waaw@nhs.net
• Share your TikTok video with @BHTAntibioticGuardians
• Deadline for submission for the competition extended to Sunday 24 November 2024.
• Only one submission per student for the poster, however groups can work together to create the TikTok video.
• Make sure your name, age and school / university are clearly written on your entry.

Hints and tips:

• Keep it simple. 
• Make it eye catching. 
• Make sure that the messages are clear and concise. 

What information is there to help?

• The Junior and Family Antibiotic Guardian website as part of the wider Antibiotic Guardian campaign. 
• e-Bug educational resource which also has lesson plans is a free resource.
• The World Health Organisation has extensive information on Antimicrobial Resistance.

Remember: Bugs know no boundaries! Please take part and contribute to the success of the campaign!

Stop smoking for Stoptober and you’re 5 times more likely to give up for good.

Stoptober is an annual campaign that encourages people to quit smoking during October. If you want to give up smoking, or know someone who does, the team at Be Healthy Bucks offer expert support every step of the way.

To register with Be Health Bucks, earn points and quit smoking, visit: Be Healthy Bucks and Buckinghamshire (betterpoints.uk)

A team of advisers will be out and about in Bucks this month to support your journey to a smoke free life:

• Community Advice Hub at Hope Church, Chesham on Tuesday 2 Oct from 2.30 – 4.30pm 
• High Wycombe Council Offices, Wednesday 9 Oct from 11am – 2pm
• Health Awareness Day at Riverside Surgery, Castlefield on Thursday 10 Oct from 11am – 3pm
• Swan Practice Health Fair at The Swan Practice, Buckingham on Thursday 10 Oct from 9am – 5pm
• The Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury on Monday 14 Oct from 11am – 2pm
• Health Awareness Day at Hilltop Community Centre, Cressex, High Wycombe on Tuesday 15 Oct from 11am – 4pm
• Aylesbury Walton Court Council Offices, Thursday 17 Oct from 11am – 2pm (TBC)

Buckinghamshire Council has developed a new multi-agency ‘Tackling and Preventing Domestic Abuse’ training catalogue.

The training is free and for all health and care staff in Bucks, Oxon and Berks West. The aim is to increase confidence in identifying the signs of abuse and give appropriate support and signposting to victims. Some courses are virtual and others are face to face at various sites within our health system.

Topics include:  

• Domestic abuse and child neglect 
• Incels and extreme misogyny 
• Local learning from homicides 
• Spiritual abuse  

For more information and to book sign up to the ‘Reducing the risk’ hub at: Reducing the Risk Hub

Buckinghamshire Council is pleased to announce that Access All Areas is back for 2024.  

In Buckinghamshire there are over 2400 people with learning difficulties and over 5000 people with Autism, many of whom aren’t accessing activities or services that can support and encourage healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.  

Access All Areas is aimed at people aged of all ages, who have a learning disability or autism – as well as their parents, carers and anyone else who provides support. Access All Areas aims to showcase the fantastic range of services that are available which help support people with special needs and autism to live a fulfilled and healthy life. 

This year we will be hosting free events in two fully accessible locations: 

• The Gateway, Aylesbury on Friday 25 October 2024 between 10am and 4pm
• Stony Dean School, Amersham on Wednesday 30 October 2024 from 10am to 4pm 

Both events will have a range of partner stalls offering guidance and demonstrations showcasing the support available to help people stay physically, mentally and emotionally healthy.  

To find out more and book a place, visit the Buckinghamshire Council website

The government recently agreed to withdraw the universal winter fuel payment for pensioners. The payment will now only be available to those people aged 66 and over, who are receiving pension credit or a limited number of other benefits.

Pension credit offers support for a range of household expenses including the winter fuel payment, but many people are not aware and are not claiming the support that they are eligible for. According to the government, only about 60% of eligible pensioners are claiming pension credit countrywide. This means four out of 10 eligible pensioners are missing out on benefits of up to £3,900 a year. Are you one of them?

To find out all about pension credit, including whether you or someone you know could qualify and how to apply, go to Buckinghamshire.gov.uk/pension-credit

Additional support is also available through Buckinghamshire Council’s Helping Hand service for those who may not qualify for pension credit but who are still struggling financially. The team can offer emergency support, practical guidance or supply contact details for other organisations that provide food support or specialist advice.

Pump it up! is a heart and blood pressure awareness drive in Buckinghamshire kicking off with the offer of free to use health stations in Aylesbury and Wycombe. Anyone can go along and measure their blood pressure over the next few weeks. 

Find out more: Love Your Heart Bucks | Buckinghamshire Council

Leaders from across the health and social care system want your experiences of health and social care and to find out what matters to you most.

As an Oxfordshire resident you are invited to share your experiences by meeting with senior figures in the NHS and county council at community events this summer. 

See events dates and venues here: Health and Social Care Connections | BOB ICB

The Managing Emotions Programme provides interactive group courses that teaches the skills you need to cope when faced with intense emotions.

Find out more: Managing Emotions Programme (MEP) | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

If you struggle to sleep, there are a range of support options locally including the online tool ‘Sleepio’ which the NHS is offering free to Berkshire West residents.

Find out more: Free sleep support