Latest news with #Bury-based
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Social prescribing serves up a winner for long Covid sufferer
'It's the perfect medicine to feeling brighter after years of darkness.' That's how one man has described his "social prescription" to a Bury-based tennis group while struggling with the physical and mental impact of long Covid. Five years on from the pandemic, Stephen Finneran (43), from Prestwich, said: 'Covid hit me hard. "From an active life including playing football every week and enjoying tennis, badminton and regular 20-mile hikes with friends, I was wiped out with severe fatigue and shortness of breath. I was unable to work as an archivist, and I felt like life had been taken from me.' One of an estimated 1.9 million people in England and Scotland living with long Covid, Stephen outlined how medication alone has not been the answer to his condition. He said: 'Being unable to work, play competitive sport or walk for any length of time without struggling to breathe, reduced my world. "I couldn't talk without quickly becoming breathless and this made me socially isolated and affected my mental health. "For someone used to being out and about with others this was brutal.' Supported by Julie Marshall - one of a team of 10 social prescribers working across GP practices in Bury, Prestwich and Whitefield - Stephen has taken up walking tennis. He said: 'It enables me to play a sport I love at a pace I can cope with, plus meet other people. I'm already feeling the benefits, both physically and mentally." Bury GP Federation figures show that in the 10 months from May 2024 more than 5,850 patients have benefited from "social prescriptions" which address social, emotional and practical needs to improve patient mental and physical wellbeing. It's a service that favours 'more talk than tablets". Creating personalised care plans, social prescribers connect people to community groups and social activities – from drop-ins to support social isolation and mental health, to arts and crafts, sporting opportunities and green prescribing. The team also helps patients with advice regarding debt and job issues, homelessness and welfare benefits. The combination of social prescribing and the council teaming up with We Do Tennis CIC, has certainly made a difference to Stephen. He added: 'Long Covid limited my life. Now I'm slowly getting it back.' A list of what's on locally to benefit the borough's patients are shared via community centres, voluntary groups, GP practices and via social media including Prestwich and Whitefield Primary Care Network on Facebook and Horizon PCN (covering six GP practices) For more details, or to self-refer, please email the social prescribing team:
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Man who set up dog walking business while grieving his parents shortlisted for award
A man who set up a dog walking business while grieving the loss of both his parents has been shortlisted for an award. Nathan Jennings, 32, launched Rupert's Mates in January after both of his parents died just six months apart from one another. He was 'struggling to cope' and found solace after setting up the Bury-based dog walking and pet sitting business. Nathan has now been named as a finalist in the Best Pet Related Business category for the Animal Star Awards 2025. Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts. He said: 'It's a real honour to be recognised among so many brilliant pet professionals. Being named a finalist means a lot, not just for me, but for the people and pets who've been part of this journey. 'It hasn't always been easy, but I've been lucky to have family, clients, and fellow dog professionals who've cheered me on, offered advice, and helped me find my feet on the tougher days.' Nathan and his partner Jodie Sykes, decided to add Rupert, a chow chow and cavachon cross, to their household in an effort to create a 'new kind of family bond' which later inspired Nathan to set up the business. READ NEXT: Cat suffers life-changing burns in street acid attack READ NEXT: Disabled woman's sister hits out following 'series of care failings' Rupert's Mates offers customers flexible, tailored dog walking either in groups or one-to-one across Bury, Bolton and surrounding areas. They also do cat and pet drop-ins, puppy visits, transportation and emergency sitting. The Animal Star Awards were created in 2016 to give recognition to animals and humans for the 'extraordinary things that they do for one another' and the ceremony will take place in Leeds later this year. Nathan added: 'I'm very thankful for the continued support and trust from the people who let me be a part of their pets' lives every week. 'Even just being recognised is a win for me and I am looking forward to a night away with the mrs in Leeds for the awards ceremony.' Nathan will be hosting a stall at the Andy's Man Club Summer Fair on Saturday, June 29 at Radcliffe FC to raise vital funds for men's mental health and welcomes the opportunity to meet other dog walkers and owners.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hospital cat Easter egg challenge to help make staff and patients smile
A challenge led by a very special feline mascot is underway to provide chocolate Easter treats for staff and patients at Fairfield General Hospital. Tuxedo cat Spritzer lives on the grounds of the hospital with his owner Heléna Abrahams and regularly visits staff and patients on the mental health wards. Now in its eighth year, Spritzers Easter Egg Challenge is aiming to collect 3,500 eggs to be gifted to staff and patients at the hospital, from 'cleaners to surgeons'. Heléna said: 'It's been hard this year. We have 902 eggs at the moment but really want to be able to make sure we can cover the whole hospital. Helena Abrahams (Image: supplied)READ NEXT: New owners set to take over traditional Bury pub READ NEXT: Bury-based manufacturer invites young people to tour facility 'Our aim is to make people smile and let them know they are being thought of through this small gesture. 'If everyone who is reading donated a £1.35 egg, it would be a massive help. It's all about quantity so any size is really appreciated.' The challenge was hampered when more than 100 donated Easter eggs were stolen from a supermarket collection point in Whitefield last month. People can send monetary donations to gizmoslegacy108@ and the team will use the money to buy extra Easter eggs. Spritzer the cat (Image: supplied)Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts. Heléna added: 'I live in the hospital grounds and see the work that the amazing staff do. "Spritzer makes the patients so happy and we want to keep giving a little something back.' There are donation trolleys in the following supermarkets for those who would like to support the cause: Morrisons - Whitefield, Heywood, Ramsbottom Tesco – Prestwich, Ramsbottom, Blackley Aldi - Bury Salford City FC is also supporting the cause and donations can be left with the club.
