Recommended alcohol consumption The UK Chief Medical Officer recommends that men should not drink more than three to four units of alcohol a day, and no more than two to three units a day for women. Keeping track You can track the amount of units you are drinking and find advice on cutting back on alcohol at… www.nhs.uk/change4life Health news Be aware of meningitis AS children return to school this week, national charity Meningitis Now is urging parents, students and teachers to be vigilant about the symptoms of meningitis. Symptoms can include fever with cold hands and feet, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, joint or muscle pain, pale blotchy skin, drowsiness and confusion. In babies signs are a dislike of being handled, an unusual cry, rapid breathing and a bulging fontanelle. Adults and children may also have a rash that does not fade under pressure. Anyone with concerns should seek urgent medical attention. The charity has produced a free phone app and symptoms cards. Call 0808 80 10 388 or see www.meningitisnow.org CHILDREN with diabetes were full of smiles as they gained advice about how to manage the condition at an education and family fun day. Families also made fruit skewers and enjoyed face and nail painting, as well as competing in games. Information was specifically aimed at children and young people with type 1 diabetes, a condition that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to become too high, and which can seriously damage the body’s organs. Visitors had the chance to see the latest gadgets, such as hand-held blood sugar monitors and insulin pumps. Held at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the day was hosted by the North Thames East Paediatric Diabetes Network, which includes Barts Health NHS Trust. Kate Nelson, paediatric diabetes dietician, makes fruit Brothers Aydin (left) and Aran throw the welly boot kebabs with sisters Bella (left) and Phoebe Drink sensibly to avoid alcohol harm BY ANNA WILSON RESIDENTS are being reminded to drink sensibly and be aware of the harmful effects of too much alcohol as part of a campaign for safer drinking. The National Day of Action Against Alcohol Harm on Friday, September 5 is led by the Alcohol Health Alliance whose members are calling for action to tackle the harm that can be caused by excess alcohol. Although many borough residents do not drink for religious or cultural reasons, of those people who do drink, four in ten are classified as harmful drinkers compared to two in ten nationally. Younger residents are more likely to drink than older residents and are also more likely to drink in a harmful manner. Director of public health at the council Dr Somen Banerjee said: “Regularly drinking more than the recommended amount can lead to serious health harms such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke, cancer and mental health problems. Speak to your GP if you have any concerns.” Cabinet member for adult services Cllr Abdul Asad said: “Drinking excess alcohol affects not just the individual’s health, but can also affect the health of their whole family. It can lead to pressure on a family’s budget with increased time off work.” The council recently launched the Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) in an area identified as having higher alcohol-related problems. It recognises the importance of working with supermarkets, off licences and organisations such as schools and housing associations. For further information on local support services see www.towerhamlets.gov.uk ‘Have a laugh’ at recovery café RECOVERING addicts who want to steer clear of environments serving alcohol and other addictive substances can find solace in what is believed to be the borough’s first recovery café. Social enterprise Paper & Cup is launching the weekly recovery café at its coffee shop in Calvert Avenue, Bethnal Green on Wednesday, September 10. The café will offer its usual range of cakes, coffee and teas in an abstinence-based environment. Trained baristas who are in recovery will run the café, gaining work experience to help build their CV. “It’s brilliant. I’ll have a place to go and hang out in the evening, which isn’t a boozer. I won’t be in some musty hall, drinking bad coffee, but will be able to see people I know, have a bit of a laugh and a more normal evening out,” said one potential customer. Are you unemployed and looking for work? Do you live in Tower Hamlets? JOIN OUR TRAINING MAKE A DIFFERENCE! CHANGE YOUR LIFE! FIND EMPLOYMENT … • Employment Support • CV Preparation • Basic IT Training • Online Job Search • Job Search • Capacity Building • Internet and e-mail • Universal Job Match Support For more information please contact: 020 7739 7678 Boundary Community School 20 Club Row, London E2 7EY Pathways to Employment Skills Project supported by: 1 – 7 SEPTEMBER 2014 N E W S F R O M T OWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 5
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