Atherton health event offers free 'health MOT' for residents

Atherton health event offers free 'health MOT' for residents

The Be Well team will be offering free wellness checks and leisure passes as part of the event at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre on Wednesday 25 February

A ‘lifesaving’ wellness event is headed for Atherton later this month, with locals encouraged to pop in for a free ‘health MOT’.

Howe Bridge Leisure Centre is the venue for Wigan Borough’s latest Health and Wellbeing Open Day on Wednesday 25 February (10am-2pm).

Adults can have their blood pressure measured by NHS staff without an appointment and get a free wellness check by the Be Well team who’ll also be giving away free 14-day leisure passes.

Eligible residents aged 40-74 will also be able to get a free mini NHS health check, while there’ll be specialist advice and support available on lots of topics from breast cancer screening, smoking, alcohol and nutrition to employment, money saving and mental wellbeing.

Councillor Keith Cunliffe, deputy leader of Wigan Council and cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care and health, said: “After successful events at Hindley, Leigh and Robin Park, we’re delighted to be headed for Howe Bridge Leisure Centre for the first time.

“Around 2,000 people have already benefited from our open days, and in some cases it’s no exaggeration to say that lives have been saved simply by residents having their blood pressure checked.

“Life is busy and can sometimes get in the way of us taking care of ourselves properly, but making time for our health is so important – for ourselves and for our families and loved ones too.

“That’s what these days are all about; making it easier to discover some of the amazing services available in our communities and to find out what steps we can take to keep ourselves well.”

Organised by Wigan Council’s Be Well service in partnership with TABA+ Primary Care Network and Health First AWL CIC, the open day puts the focus firmly on prevention and early intervention in line with the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England.

Be Well health advisors will be on hand to give advice and support with nutrition, family health, long-term conditions and other topics, while visitors can even get a free body composition scan to measure their Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat and other important metrics.

Smokers can get free CO readings and advice from the Be Well Stop Smoking Service, while other council services in attendance will include community link workers, care coordinators, income maximisation advisors and the Digital Wigan team.

Partner organisations already confirmed for the event include Citizens Advice, Diabetes UK and drug and alcohol support charity We Are With You – with more expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

For more information on the event including a full list of stall holders and to see if you are eligible for a NHS health check, visit the Be Well website (external link).