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As part of the 'Mental Health Transformation programme which brings together the WACA and AWC Modality PCN's alongside Pioneer Projects (Craven Hubs), Roshni Ghar & Keighley Healthy Living (Airedale & Wharfedale Hubs), there has been a new mental health support group launched in Ilkley. The drop-in sessions will be held at Christchurch, every Thursday 10am to Midday, to find out more visit www.mentalhealthconnect.org.uk
The WACA GR8 Minds Team were part of the AWARE World Autism Acceptance Event (WAAD) at Bradford City on Tuesday 16th April.
WAAD is a free event for families with autistic children or undiagnosed children or people with a connection to autism, and is a chance to meet a whole host of services including education and health care, speech and language, social care, sports and activity clubs and much more!
Shameem and David were on hand to speak with families with autistic or undiagnosed children, offering advice on a range of topics including mental health support and annual health checks.
We are incredibly proud to announce that we have been awarded the Menopause Friendly Workplace Accreditation.
We have been working together with 13 other organisations across the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership to support our workforce, raise awareness around menopause and to stamp out the taboo and stigma that exists.
What is the Menopause Friendly Accreditation?
The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace (www.menopausefriendly.co.uk), recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace.
The Menopause Friendly Accreditation is industry-recognised and the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met. As such, it is truly meaningful and considered by many as a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.
In order to achieve The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, employers are assessed by an Independent Panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas, namely: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.
WACA is an organisation with a majority female workforce, it has been extremely important to us that we have established a knowledgeable, supportive environment around any menopause related issues for our staff.
This has included reviewing all our staff policies to ensure that they were in-line with the values of the ‘Menopause Friendly Accreditation’, establishing a WhatsApp group for our workforce to share ideas and tips on menopause symptoms and ensuring that the menopause features in staff well-being conversations.
Our WACA Menopause champion, Amanda Nowell has been working alongside Helen Myers, a WACA Mental Health Coach to deliver a series monthly Peer Support Group Talks with menopause specialist GP’s and lifestyle coaches to support patients that are experiencing symptoms related to menopause and peri-menopause.
To find out more about The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, visit www.menopausefriendly.co.uk
Our latest GR8 Minds podcast has been released in which David Pugh and Sharon Cope, WACA's Children and Young Person's Social Prescribers speak with Sasha, a student from the Craven area, about her lived experience with autism and how it has impacted her life.
In January, Dyneley House Surgery GP Dr Claire Oliver and Anna and Cerin from Eat, Move, Be Happy (social enterprise) led an online talk about high blood pressure, its effects and how to manage it.
The talk is now available to watch on the WACA Youtube Channel