Welcome to the September issue of your Healthwatch Barnet newsletter

This month's newsletter is full of news and updates, including special events from our partners. Included in this issue:

• Know Your Numbers Week
• Barnet Patient Voices Group is looking for new members
• Wellbeing Service Review
• World Suicide Prevention Day
• NHS North Central London is looking for new community participants

As always, you can get in touch by email or phone if you would like to share your views on health and social care in Barnet.

Know your numbers week

We had a fantastic turnout at our Health check events last month with an overall turnout of 145 people.

It is Know Your Numbers! week. This week highlights the importance of regularly checking your blood pressure and ties in with our Core 20 Plus project. These simple checks help highlight the risks of hypertension and provide information so that people can manage their lifestyle. This might be diet and exercise or in some cases a trip to the GP. 

Here are the upcoming events for September: 

• New Barnet Leisure Centre on the 9th September 4pm to 10pm 
• Edgware Shopping Centre on the 23rd September ALL DAY

To know more about our Core 20 Plus project, please see below. 

Barnet Patient Voices Group

Here at Healthwatch Barnet we like to promote and support the involvement of people in the commissioning and provision of local care services and how they are scrutinised. This month we have an opportunity for you to get more involved in the work of Barnet Hospital.

The Barnet Patient Voices Group (BPVG) is a group of patients and carers who have an interest in Barnet hospital. It is run by the Barnet Hospital patient experience team. The group meet each month online for an hour and a half to discuss the latest projects taking place at Barnet hospital and to offer their views. They ask members for a minimum commitment of attending 6 out of the 12 meetings a year. Interested in finding out more? Please read their activity information sheet and if you'd like to apply to join our group, please contact Barnet Patient Voices Group at rf.bh-patientexperience@nhs.net for an application form and to discuss any questions.

For more information, please see below.

Wellbeing Service Review

Reminder that the wellbeing service review is still on, so share your thoughts:

Barnet council’s commissioning team is conducting a series of engagement and co-production activities aimed at gathering valuable insight and feedback to inform future commissioning activities. They want to hear your thoughts on the Wellbeing Services in the borough and want to gather diverse perspectives and experiences so please do take the time to let them know what you think by completing the short form below whether you have used the services or otherwise.

Please see the button below to give your thoughts on the Wellbeing Services.

World Suicide Prevention Day

It is World Suicide Prevention day on the 10th of September. We would like to remind everyone that if they are struggling, they are not alone. We would also like to share some resources that can help in a crisis and help look out for others who may be struggling: 

• Samaritans are available 24/7, even if your phone is restricted to emergency calls only. Their phone number is 116 123. 
• Mind in Barnet and Enfield also has a crisis support number, as well as other resources. Their crisis service phone number for Barnet is 0208 343 5704 and is available between Monday to Friday 5pm to 9.45pm, Saturday & Sunday 12pm to 4.45pm. If you are not in crisis but would still like support, they can be contacted by phone on 0208 906 7506 and by email at receptiondesk@mindeb.org.uk. 
• Campaign against living miserably (CALM) is available from 5 pm to midnight, every day of the year, Their phone number is 0800 068 4141 and they also have a webchat, available on their website: Homepage | Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) (thecalmzone.net), if you would prefer to talk over text.  
• SHOUT (for support in crisis) is available 24/7 by texting the word 'SHOUT' to 85258. 
• If you need emergency medical help, please call 999. If you need medical advice, please call 111 or use NHS 111 online.  

The Barnet Wellbeing service is also holding a free Lunch & Learn event in partnership with Barnet Public Health on the 13th of September from 11 am to 1 pm. They will deliver the Zero Suicide Alliance training, where you will learn how to start a life saving conversation with someone considering suicide. This event is online and speakers include Barnet Mencap, Barnet Wellbeing Service, Barnet Public Health, Amparo Support After Suicide and The Network. 

Registration for this event can be found below. 

NHS North Central London is looking for new community Participants

NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB) is seeking to recruit up to eight Community Participant Volunteers, to sit on Committees / Group as well as the Community Partnership Forum.

NCL ICB, which covers the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington, has been established for just over a year, so this is a great time to get involved and help to shape our future work. The individuals appointed will have an important role in contributing to our discussions and informing committee /group decisions on health and care in NCL.

If you are passionate about health and care and the importance of public voice shaping local services we would warmly encourage you to submit an application to join a ICB Committee / Group. We value and promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

It is estimated that as a minimum the role requires around a day a month. This would include preparing for and attending a two-hour Committee / Group meeting and participating / supporting business in between meetings (for example, attending seminars or roundtable discussions).

To apply for the volunteer role of Community Participant please complete the application form on Citizens Space. CVs submitted by email will not be accepted.