June News

This month's newsletter is full of news and updates, including special events from our partners: 

• Healthy Heart
• Free fitness for girls - 11-16 years 
• East Finchley Festival - 23 June
• Get on your bike in Barnet! 
• Lung Health checks 

As always, you can contact us if you would like to share your views on health and social care in Barnet.

Healthy Heart

This month, our Healthy Heart team are working with residents in Barnet’s African, Caribbean and South Asian communities, exploring ways to tackle high blood pressure.  

This Friday 14 June, we’ll have a stall at a special event in Brent Cross Shopping Centre to celebrate Diabetes Awareness Week. This drop-in event will run from 10am to 6pm. It will include free kids art & crafts activities, health and wellbeing advice on ways to move more and manage stress, and of course blood pressure checks from Healthy Heart – more info here.

Next week, you can find us at these free events, where we’ll be offering blood pressure checks and the chance to learn more about heart health:

• Tuesday 18 June, 2-5pm - Edgware Community Hospital 
• Thursday 20 June, 2-5pm - Edgware Community Hospital 

Contact us for details of our intensive courses and workshops. Our website  contains a wealth of information about ways to manage your blood pressure. 

Friern Barnet - free classes,

girls 11-16 years

Move Together is a fantastic initiative to get girls aged 11-16 years old moving and making friends! These free fitness classes are designed to build fitness, strength and confidence in a space specially designed for girls of all bodies and abilities. Don’t miss this opportunity to work with expert instructors and make your move! 

In Barnet, classes are every Saturday, 12pm at: Nuffield Health, Princess Park Manor, 264 Royal Drive N11 3BG. Sign up here. 

East Finchley Festival

The FREE East Finchley Festival is happening on Sunday 23 June in Cherry Tree Wood, N2 9QH.

Since the 1970s, the East Finchley Community have gathered every year to create an inclusive one-day festival. Run entirely by dedicated volunteers, the festival prioritises local vendors and tradespeople, and it’s vibrant musical line-up includes a community stage to showcase local talent. Expect delicious food, music, free activities and sports for all – including tennis, pickleball, basketball and children’s games. See the festival website for more information. 

This year is the 50^th anniversary of the festival, and to mark this spectacular achievement, the community are reviving the festival parade, with a 70s theme! See their website for more information on joining the parade. 

Get on your bike in Barnet! 

Bike Week 2024 is taking place on 10-16 June. This celebration of all things cycling reminds of us the benefits of cycling for our mental, social and physical health! In line with this year’s theme, we’ve rounded up some links to help you be a #BikeHero in Barnet. 

Barnet Cycling Campaign 

• Check out Barnet Cycling Campaign's guide to cycling routes in Barnet. 
• Or join their cycle buddy scheme for people building up their confidence. 
• As well as creating free resources for the community, Barnet Cycling Campaign have membership options. Join them for rides and meetings in Barnet and beyond! Their next meeting is on 27 June.  

Free Cycle Training 

• Are you looking to get on a bike for the first time? Or to refine your skills on the road? If you live or work in Barnet, you can access the free cycle skills training which is available for adults, families and groups of children. 
• Choose from basic, urban or advanced one-to-one training, or book a family training session. 

Discounted bikes

• If you want to cycle, but the price of buying and maintaining a bike is a barrier, there are several cost-saving schemes available.   

Are you aged between 55 and 74 years old, living in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington, and do you smoke or used to smoke?

If so, you should soon receive a letter inviting you to a free lung health check. These checks are a relatively new form of screening. They are quick and painless and can help diagnose lung cancer at an early stage, when the chances of having a successful treatment are higher.

If you have any questions about having a check, see Lung Check London, or email: uclh.ncllunghealthcheck@nhs.net, phone: 0800 652 9589.