Public health news: a better u

Public Health News: September 2023

a better u is everyone in South Tyneside working together to improve health and wellbeing. "a better tomorrow, a better u!"

a better u Thank you celebration

Save the Date: 28 September 2023 from 1.45pm to 4pm

We'd love you to join us for a celebration event so we can say a big "Thank You" to all of the incredible people who have supported a better u since our official launch in November 2022.

We want to recognise and show our appreciation for the work that all of our community champions have all done in their communities to share health messages, signpost to services, offer support and promote the brand.

Come along to the Town Hall Reception Room to meet your fellow champions, have a chat, enjoy some delicious food and listen to some great local musical talent.

Book your place via Eventbrite or emailing abetteru@southtyneisde.gov.uk by Friday 15 September to help us plan the event!

Our Approach to Prevention

We developed a framework to support leaders across South Tyneside to work together to embed the principles of a better u across all health and care services in order to ensure that support for people is proactive, personalised and fair.

If South Tyneside is to fully embrace the principles of a better u we need a supporting framework to ensure it becomes part of our everyday thinking, decision-making and delivery.

To make the framework document more accessible we've also produced a Plan on a Page which gives an overview of the proactive, personalised and fair principles.

South Tyneside Young Carers - Supported by a better u

Members of the a better u Alliance have been working in partnership with Young Carers Support Services, health and education settings to co-produce a new Young Carers ID card, logo and suite of resources for young carers and young adult carers.

This will bring the branding and resources under the 'a better u' umbrella and provide greater opportunities to link to other preventative and wellbeing initiatives.

It also brings the Young Carer Service in line with the a better u principles explained in the framework and plan on a page above.

Young carers have very much been at the heart of this project from its initial concept to choosing the design and graphics and setting out its purpose.

The card will be used to:

• Raise awareness of young carer's responsibilities and give formal recognition to their role
• Discreetly let people know about their caring responsibilities without having to repeatedly share personal details
• Give them confidence to ask for help or understanding from professionals like teachers, doctors, nurses and pharmacists

A lot of work has also been done with teachers, nurses, doctors and many other professionals to help them understand the challenges faced by young carers.

Guides have been produced for professionals in health and education settings to help them identify and support young carers.

The Young Carer's ID card and other resources are being launched in education settings in September with a launch event early October. We look forward to sharing the materials and details of the launch with you in the next edition.

Become a better u Champion

Would you like to join our team of community champions and help your friends, family, colleagues and local community to become a better u?

We'll ask you to share the latest advice and information from trusted sources, to help people to improve their health and wellbeing. We will also ask you to talk to people about the help and support that is available in South Tyneside and how to find it. You will also be invited to attend events to help share information to community groups and members of the public.

With your help we can reach as many people in the borough as possible, including people who may not be able to find the information they need themselves.

Find out more about a better u and how to become a better u champion at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/abetteru.