A focus (Back) on Health & Wellbeing

Lewis residents in Back and surrounding communities recently enjoyed exploring the range of health and wellbeing opportunities available locally to help all take control of their health in 2019.

A ‘New Year-New You’ health and wellbeing event was hosted by Back Football & Recreation Club on Saturday, January 12^th, and NHS Western Isles Health Promotion and Dietetics departments were in attendance, alongside a variety of other health and wellbeing organisations.

Karen Peteranna, NHSWI Health Improvement Practitioner, said: “Back Football & Recreation Club hosted a health and wellbeing event that had something for everyone and for all ages.

“The community were provided with an abundance of information and resources to allow them to take control of their health in 2019. I signed-up for a new exercise class on the day, so the event worked its magic on me too!”

Karen added: “Many thanks to Terri Davies Sports and Community Project Coordinator at Back Football Recreation Club, for the invitation to attend the event.”

Karen provided information on a range of health topics during the event, such as the important of physical activity to our health and wellbeing.

Advice was providing on local opportunities to take part in sport and leisure activities, including details on the ‘Walk On Hebrides’ Health Walks project; as well as information on the NHSWI’s smoking cessation service ‘Quit Your Way’, low-risks drinking guidelines, the benefits of receiving the flu vaccination, and how to detect cancers (such as bowel and breast) early.

Also attending the Back Football & Recreation Club ‘New Year-New You’ event was NHSWI Healthy Weight Practitioner Laura Macleod, who invited people to be assessed for Type-2 Diabetes risk, using the Diabetes UK ‘Know Your Risk’ tool, as well as discussing how maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risks of developing Type-2 Diabetes.