PROJECT KEEP WELL!

15.09.2022

Winter is coming in and as we know with it comes the cold and flu season! This is why Ashford Place is driving home our new Keep Well Project throughout the community. The Keep Well Project has been designed to remind, encourage and assist (where necessary) anyone in the community to have their Annual Health Check and keep up to date with their Covid and general flu vaccinations.

While we know a good percentage of people in the community have availed of their Health Check and vaccinations, we find there is a concerning number of people who have not. When we look into why so many people have not yet had their Annual Health Check or vaccinations we discover the reasons vary across the board.

We have found that some people are unable to attend their long awaited scheduled appointment due to varying mobility constraints they may have, some people with a mental health diagnosis are unable to arrange their own appointments due to long telephone wait times or simply the current shortage of face to face GP appointments on offer is a huge barrier for them.  Others feel intimidated by the lack of support they feel they receive from their own GP or support service and simply do not take the first step forward to arrange their Annual Health Check.

All of the findings above are very concerning and should not be ignored. That is why we are working hard to find anyone who feels this process is just a step too far for them.

The Keep Well Project Team in Ashford Place are here to assist those who we feel discouraged and left behind and who need assistance to reach the correct support services for them.

We have been leafleting our service throughout the community and talking to anyone we can to spread the word about the work we are doing to assist all members of our community who have a mental health diagnosis to have their Health Check and Vaccinations.

It is very important for each and every member of our community to have an Annual Health Check as it can flag up many different underlying health conditions which would otherwise have gone unnoticed and it also avoids poor health in the future which can lead to unnecessary physical and mental health deterioration.

The Project Keep Well Team in Ashford Place will be physically present in the community over the coming months in GP surgeries, libraries, community halls hosting coffee mornings, and any other local spaces where people can come together to hear why it is so important for Annual Health Checks and Vaccinations not be forgotten about.

Ashford Place are hosting an All Day Health Event with Irish In Britain on 9th November which will offer Free Health Checks and lots of free information on how to maintain a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle.

We will see you soon and remember - KEEP WELL!

If you think we can be of help, please contact either Jeri, Alejandro or Michele by email on