Wellbeing Centre

What's on this month.

Food Allergy and Intolerance Week (23rd January 2012 – 29th January 2012)

The term allergy is used to describe a response, within the body, to a substance, which is not necessarily harmful in itself, but results in an immune response and a reaction that causes symptoms and disease in a predisposed person, which in turn can cause inconvenience, or a great deal of misery An allergy is everything from a runny nose, itchy eyes and palate to skin rash. It aggravates the sense of smell, sight, tastes and touch causing irritation, extreme disability and sometimes fatality. It occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances.
Allergy is widespread and affects approximately one in four of the population in the UK at some time in their lives. Each year the numbers are increasing by 5% with as many as half of all those affected being children.
Allergic reactions are caused by substances in the environment known as allergens. Almost anything can be an allergen for someone. Allergens contain protein, which is often regarded as a constituent of the food we we eat. In fact it is an organic compound, containing hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, which form an important part of living organisms. The most common allergens are:

• Pollen from trees and grasses
  

• House dust mite
  

• Moulds
  

• Pets such as cats and dogs
  

• Insects like wasps and bees
  

• Industrial and household chemicals
  

• Medicines
  

• Foods such as milk and eggs
  

Visit the following websites for more information:

Food Allergy UK

Food Intolerance Awareness

Come and view our displays, pick up leaflets and information regarding Food Allergy and Intolerance. The Wellbeing Centre staff will be on hand at break times and lunchtimes to answer any questions you may have.


Also on this month:

National Bug Busting Day (Head Lice) (31st January 2012)

Bug Busting is a head louse detection and eradication method that is by far the best way to deal with the problem. Instead of relying on products containing neuro-toxic pesticides or other expensive ingredients, Bug Busting works by combining our specially designed combs with your usual shampoo and conditioner.

Real facts about head lice:-

• The eggs of head lice usually take 7 to 10 days to hatch (recorded range 5 to 11 days). Live eggs and head lice are not easily spotted on the head, therefore the school nurse cannot solve the head louse problem for schools and parents.
  

• Combing dry or damp hair with a fine-tooth comb is not a reliable way to detect lice, and especially deceptive in short, straight hair, where you would think it would be easy.
  

• Metal combs are not suitable for louse detection because these combs are primarily nit combs. Lice caught between the tightly spaced teeth remain unnoticed against the metal and can be combed back into the hair unharmed at subsequent strokes.
  

• There are no studies proving that wet head lice grasp hairs more tightly, thus hampering their removal with a fine-tooth comb.
  

• It is not scientifically proven that head to head contact has to be prolonged to catch lice - close contact is enough.
  

• Head lice are a community problem About 20% of cases are amongst people over 16 or under 4 years old.
  

For more information visit the Bug Busting website.

Come and view our displays, pick up leaflets and information regarding Bug Busting. The Wellbeing Centre staff will be on hand at break times and lunchtimes to answer any questions you may have.

Aims
To provide an integrated and multi-agency support for the whole school community. This reflects our ‘Respect’ school agenda.
To develop sustain and promote our unique flagship service within the wider community and are committed to share best practice.
To promote services that address issues around equality and diversity.

Objectives
To provide a Wellbeing Centre that has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
To provide a range of services and support that address the health and wellbeing needs of the school community.
When possible, we will treat you with privacy and confidentiality, unless you or someone else is at risk of harm.
To provide services, support, advice, information and signposting to meet your health and wellbeing needs.
To promote health events in accordance with the National Health Events Calendar (for example – Alcohol Awareness Week, No Smoking Week etc).