If you are between 40 and 74 and want to make some changes to improve your health, Lewisham Council has two programmes to help.
Shape Up is an eight week free course that aims to help people lose weight and stay healthy. Courses start on 23 January in Downham, 28 January in Bellingham and 29 January in Sydenham Hill Community Hall.
Get moving is a great range of different activities from Zumba to swimming lessons to help you get moving and be more active. Activities run throughout the borough including at St Dunstan’s College, St Saviour’s Church Hall and the Acroyd Community Centre. Courses are for ten weeks and start from 23-28 January. The first five weeks are free, then it’s £2 per class.
For more information on the programmes or to register for classes visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/sport and click on ‘check and change’. In order to qualify, you must have had (or be willing to have) a free NHS Health Check which assesses your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease or type 2 diabetes. These are serious conditions and there is a link between them. If there are any warning signs, then something can be done about it. There is good evidence that by taking early action, you can improve your health and prevent the onset of these conditions.
In Lewisham you can get your check done at your GP surgery, at some local pharmacists and in some community settings. Letters are sent out to people around the date of their 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 60th, 65th and 70th birthdays, inviting them for the check, but if you would like to book a health check straight away rather than waiting for your invitation letter, simply enquire at your GP surgery or book an appointment with one of the participating pharmacies.
The check should take about 20 to 30 minutes and is based on straightforward questions and measurements such as age, sex, family history, height, weight and blood pressure. There will also be a simple blood test to measure your cholesterol level.
To find out about NHS Health Checks and where you can get one, visit www.lewishampct.nhs.uk or call 0808 1410 118.
