May News

This month's newsletter is full of news and updates, including information about local services and events: 

• Community gardening 
• Healthy Heart 
• LGBTQIA+ cancer wellbeing day - 17 May 
• Cancer Alliance - have your say 
• Treatment guides - empowering patients 

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

Barnet Food Growing Opportunities

Did you know that, across Barnet, there are lots of free opportunities to get involved with food growing and make new friends? 

Drop-in events are happening at the following locations, with a food growing trainer leading each gathering:

• Montrose Playing Field, Burnt Oak, NW9 5AT - Mondays 12-2.30pm, Wednesdays 12-2.30pm and Sundays 5pm-7pm
• Hollickwood Park - Freehold Community Centre, N10 2EY - Tuesdays 10am-12 noon
• Basing Hill Park, NW11 8QY - Tuesdays 9.30-11.30am

In addition, in July and September, there will be 8-week courses on food growing starting in Basing Hill Park and Church Farm Open Space. If you work or volunteer in a community setting with an existing or potential food growing space, consider applying for one of these exciting, free courses. 

For more information, contact: katherine.carr@barnet.gov.uk

Healthy Heart

Our Healthy Heart team have been busy collaborating with peers in Barnet’s African, Caribbean and South Asian communities to promote heart health.

Recent events the team have taken part in include the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association's April Wellbeing Event, and the Barnet Voluntary & Community Sector Forum. 

Starting this month, the team are running a series of Healthy Heart drop-In sessions at Barnet libraries. For a free blood pressure check, and to learn about heart health, join us on: 

• 12 May - Edgware Library, HA8 8NN, 9.30-12.30am
• 19 May - Burnt Oak Library, HA8 0UB, 1.30-3pm 
• 3 June - Hendon Library, NW4 4BQ, 9.30am-12.30pm

For more information, see our Healthy Heart webpages. 

LGBTQIA+ Cancer Wellbeing Day

Are you a #LGBTQIA+ person who has been affected by cancer? Get involved with a free wellbeing event on Saturday 17 May at Queer Britain, N1C 4BH. 

Organised by Whittington Health and Macmillan Cancer, the day will include: 

• Wellness sessions
• Talks from experts, with the chance to ask questions 
• Interactive workshops exploring the impact of cancer and its effects on sexual wellbeing, relationships and self-image
• A live theatre performance on LGBTQIA+ experiences in healthcare
• Free refreshments  

Book for free. 

Cancer Alliance - patient voice group

Do you have cancer or are you a carer for someone who does?

The North Central London Cancer Alliance are looking for people share their insights to help shape cancer care. There are a range of ways to take part, including:

• Sharing your insights and experience in meetings 
• Reviewing materials to ensure they’re patient-friendly  
• Helping to shape upcoming projects 
• Taking part in focus groups and workshops

To thank you for your time, many of the roles are paid in line with the alliance's reward and recognition policy. Find out more on the Cancer Alliance website, or contact Fiona, the Patient Partnership Manager, who will be happy to answer your questions: fiona.martin30@nhs.net or call 0792 906 9134.

Patient Decision Aids

Making decisions about your healthcare can feel daunting. To support people with  this, NICE has created a set of handy guides.  

These documents break down the pros and cons of different treatments, to help you understand your options. NICE has guides for lots of topics, including: 

• How do I control my blood pressure? - medicine options 
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for people in the menopause 
• Long-term heartburn 
• Depression
• Knee osteoarthritis
• And many more 

As well as being generally useful, these guides might be helpful if you are preparing to discuss your options with a doctor - find out more.