Nice one, Darren - but a good policy might be to eat the same number but never doner kebabs and no fries as a side order?
Today the Let’s Get Physical! campaign reached Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan in this gorgeous summer weather. Service users and carers in the Vale have two top tips:-
1. Carers: get a Carer’s Assessment
"Getting a Carer’s Assessment is probably the one of the best opportunities you get to address your physical health needs," says Peter Morgan, a carer from the Vale. "I’m glad this campaign is looking at the physical health of carers as well as the people we care for. It can be difficult to get the chance to look after your health properly when you’re a carer. We need more control in our lives and we need to be more demanding of services."
Junaid Iqbal, a member of the Service User and Carer Panel leading the campaign, said: "Most carers have a legal right to an assessment of their needs – and they should use the assessment to discuss any issues with their physical health. There are a number of support organisations which can help and the Assessment will identify these and action the support required. Remember: if you don’t ask, you don’t get!"
2. Service users: get on the Exercise Referral Scheme
At today’s event visitors also had the opportunity to get information on the Exercise Referral Scheme in the Vale which provides a range of activities to help people become more active.
Louise, who has lost five-and-a-half stone in under two years, said: "This is a great scheme and more people should make use of it.
"People with a mental illness can be referred to the Scheme by their doctors to improve their lifestyles. They take part in activities run by the Vale Council’s exercise referral team for about four months and can also use the Vale’s leisure centres at a discounted rate.
"At the end the professionals discuss how they can continue to achieve their health goals by making exercise a key part of their day-to-day lives. So it’s a practical, long-term way to achieve better health."
