Heart and Stroke Issues

Early detection by Rotary Volunteers in West Cumbria

Rotarians from Whitehaven Castle supporting stroke awareness sessions

Rotary supports early detection of heart and stroke issues
Rotarians from Cockermouth, Whitehaven Castle and Direct Rotary in Cumbria & Lancashire help out.

In 2019 a group of people and organisations who were concerned about the high numbers of people having a stroke in the Copeland area got together to consider this issue. Up to 85% of strokes have the potential to be avoided, so they wanted to do something to help people find out if they have risk factors that can be identified and treated, and raise awareness of lifestyle choices that can improve their health. Rotarians involved included Elly Day from Whitehaven Castle Rotary and Kevin Walsh one of our Direct Members.

Building on earlier NHS and Rotary work, a multiagency steering group of health and care representatives including Rotary, was formed. Community events were attended where stroke prevention and awareness messages were delivered and the ‘health in a tent, in a field’ was taken around the area. Colleagues offered blood pressure and irregular pulse tests alongside a team sharing advice on simple ways people can improve their own health.

Following feedback and evaluation the programme was continued and members of Whitehaven Castle Rotary including Elly regularly visit the monthly Egremont Farmers Market to test for AF ( Atrial Fibrillation). Other events attended include Whitehaven Traders Fairs, where they are also able to do Blood Pressure testing with nurses from the Late Night Pharmacy.

Image : Elly Day (left) supporting the Copeland Stroke Prevention project

Occasionally there are sessions held in the Foyer at West Cumberland Hospital working with the Stroke Team, and last October they were very honoured to be invited along to meet Princess Anne, when she came to open the new Stroke Rehab Unit at WCH.

Rotary in West Cumbria has since become involved with another Stroke programme, this time from Cockermouth

Rotary volunteers are trained in taking Atrial Fibrillation (AF) tests in the community. They set up stalls at public events such as agricultural shows, busy market days, conferences and galas giving positive health promotion messages out as well as taking AF tests. The team make sure anybody with an abnormal result gets the right help from the right professional and so increase the early detection of heart and stroke issues.

Image : Cockermouth Volunteers

Their Community Stroke & Heart Volunteers were nominated and shortlisted from over 920 nominations for the NHS Parliamentary Awards where the team that attended from Cockermouth Rotary Club to represent the project were presented with a certificate and heard some inspirational stories from across the health and care sector. Thanks were given by the Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Secretary of State Wes Streeting MP along with many other cross-party MPs who were there to present various of the awards.

Read the Press release from Cumberland Council following the launch of the latest Partnership.

back to page above this...

Community Activities

back Details about activities in Cumbria & Lancashire

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Bellringing

Bellringing at St Cuthberts Church Lytham

Local Heroes

Blackpool Tower's 125th Birthday Heroes Awards

Christina Townsend inducted as President 2023

Go Laci

Palatines Annual Canal Trip

Showtime Blackpool

President Gail and Brian Rogers PHF and Howarth Higgs PHF pictured with Daniel Barber of St George's School

Presentation of Pupil of the Year award

Palatine Rotakids Duck Race

Special Schools Music Festival

Superintendent Gerry Richardson Memorial Youth Trust Music Festival

Happy 70th Birthday to the NHS

Promoting Rotary

Palatine working with Care and Share

Veterans Walk Stanley Park

Classic Car Show 2023

Out Night to Rossall Point

Blackpool Palatine Charter Night Celebration

Ride the Lights and Cafe

Members of Blackpool Palatine assisted with a party at the Dementia Cafe Layton

Ten years of Blood Bikes

Palatine members promoted Rotary

Blackpool Palatine Revoe Party in the Park

Croquet Competition 2022

Ges Naylor inducted as President of Palatine

Rotary Clubs of Blackpool Illuminations Sign

Gerry Richardson Special School 2033

Diane Glister presenting goods to The Oasis Night Shelter

Palatine Rotakids The Dance Place - Dance World Championships

Palatine Members Peter does Movember

DG Visit

Visit by District Governor Arthur Jones

Blackpool Lasers Palatine Rotakids new football strip

Easter Egg donation to Trinity Hospice Dementia Lounge

Dementia Cafe Easter Party sponsored by Blackpool Palatine Rotary Club

Palatine working with Streetlife

Palatines Lady Members attend International Women's Day

Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning

Well done Angela

Pictures of The Friends of Blackpool Palatine Rotary Club Garden Party held at President Ashok's home

Dance Place Visit

Family Fun Day

Family Fun Day Stanley Park

Blackpool Palatine President Diane Glister opened the new facilities and the David Slack Garden

Easter Egg donations 2022

Joint Venture Palatine/Salvation Army

Blackpool Palatine Officers 2018/19

Walking for Water - Aquabox

Paul Harris Fellowship

Palatine Member Ges Naylor receives Paul Harris Fellowship

Out Night June 2023

Blackpool Palatine Roundel Gambia

Roman Day 2023

Blackpool Palatine Support The Comfort Zone

Fleetwood Beach Wheelchair Sponsored Walk

Langdale Centre Bobble Hats

Blackpool Palatine distributed over 550 Easter Eggs to the local community

Rise Against Hunger 2022

Palatine and the Choir and friends of St Johns Church Little Thornton organised a Charity Fundraiser for Ukraine

Blackpool Palatine 39th Charter Night

Rotary supports Dementia UK

Four members of the Rotakids Club from the Baines Endowed Primary School attended the recently held Rotakids Conference at Lancaster. They were accompanied by their teacher. Our Club made it possible for them to attend by contributing £50 towards the cost