Isle Of Wight NHS Trust

My Life A Full Life message brought to thousands of Islanders

A distinctive building on Coppins Bridge is being used to help raise awareness of My Life, a Full Life – the Island’s integrated health and care programme which aims to support Islanders to make healthy lifestyle choices.

theAgency building on Coppins Bridge at Newport has been painted with a giant mural urging residents to Choose Life, Choose Health, Choose Change.

The building is well known for featuring innovative and entertaining artwork associated with local events and causes.  It is hoped that this mural will make Islanders more aware of the My Life a Full Life programme and the need to prevent health problems arising, or worsening, by encouraging and helping them to lead more healthy lifestyles.

The colourful Coppins Bridge graphic highlights the importance of simple lifestyle choices such as exercising more and eating healthily. My Life A Full Life has worked with the Agency to create artwork inspired by the national Change 4 Life campaign, the latest element of which highlights the dangers of sugar that is hidden in many foods.

The mural invites those who view it to visit the My Life a Full Life website where they can learn more about the initiative and also what they can do to lead the lifestyles that will help them live healthily and independently for as long as possible.  The website includes information on getting involved with healthy activities, links to the NHS Choices website - which has over 100 healthy living topics as well as access to information and support relating to a range of physical and mental health conditions – and more information on the national NHS’s current Sugar Smart campaign.

Loretta Outhwaite, Interim Programme Director for the My Life a Full Life Programme said: “With so many people sat in their cars in slow moving or stationary traffic we felt that Coppins Bridge was an ideal location in which to publicise the My Life a Full Life initiative and also to promote healthy living.

“Not only is the junction extremely busy, the great majority of people using it do so in cars and one of the key things people can do to adopt a more healthy lifestyle is to drive less and walk more.

“The mural is meant to get people thinking about their lifestyles and about My Life a Full Life. They can then find out much more about both by visiting the website www.mylifeafulllife.com.”

Last updated on 18 February 2016.

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Level 42's Mark King supports the Isle of Wight NHS's Flu Campaign

Mark King, lead singer of band Level 42 joined Paul and Emily on IW Radio’s breakfast show this morning to have their flu jabs and protect themselves against the flu virus this winter.

Mark King, Paul Topping and Emily Wells had their flu vaccinations live on air in support of the NHS Stay Well this Winter campaign which is a nationwide initiative to support people to prepare for winter and help themselves to avoid illness and stay well.

Speaking on air about flu and getting himself jabbed, Mark King said: “The idea of being laid up in bed for a week doesn’t sound appealing to me at all and I’m getting to the age where I need to think about things like this. The jab is incredibly quick and you don’t feel anything at all.”

For Paul, this morning was a big step towards overcoming his fear of needles. Despite feeling extremely nervous, Paul went ahead and had his jab as he told listeners about the time he had flu a number of years ago and how poorly he felt, it’s not something he ever wants to have again. Paul said: “I’m not great with this kind of thing but I can honestly say there was nothing to it. If you’ve ever had flu then you know you’ve had the flu and it’s awful. If you feel like I do about needles, I can honestly say there isn’t anything to worry about and afterwards you feel a sense of relief, not just because it’s over, but that you have done something to help protect yourself against the flu virus.”

The vaccinations were given by Matthew McKeown from the Occupational Health Department at St. Mary’s Hospital. Speaking about this year’s flu vaccination, Matthew said: “Last year the flu virus mutated quite late and so the vaccine that was offered didn’t prove to be as effective as we had hoped. This year’s vaccine includes 3 of the most prevalent flu strains and the earlier you have the jab in the season the better as it can take up to 10 days to develop full immunity. It absolutely saves lives, especially in people with underlying medical conditions.”

The flu virus strikes in winter and can be deadly; leading to serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. That’s why the flu jab is free for anyone aged 65 or over, or if they have a long-term health condition.

Children aged two, three or four or in school years one or two, are also eligible. The nasal spray vaccine is quick and easy and is recommended for all healthy children in these age groups.

For pregnant women the flu jab is free and safe at any stage of pregnancy. Pregnancy naturally weakens the body’s immune system and pregnant women may be less able to fight off infections increasing the risk of becoming ill as a result of flu.

Anyone who is a main carer of an older or disabled person may also be eligible for the free flu jab.

For further information about flu, getting yourself protected and staying well this winter go to www.nhs.uk/staywell You can also speak to your GP, Pharmacist or Midwife. Even if you’re not eligible for a free jab you can still get vaccinated at some local pharmacies or by telephoning the Occupational Health & Travel Clinic, St. Mary’s Hospital on 534209. Charges apply.

Associated document

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Last updated on 14 December 2015.

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