“I thought ignoring it would be easier”
At last weeks Health & Wellbeing Board, Telford & Wrekin Council showcased the successful Blood Pressure Project which has enabled staff and volunteers to work in the heart of local communities.
The drop-in appointments provide blood pressure checks that are helping to monitor residents’ health and, in some cases, even save lives.
A member of the Ghanaian Community aged 62 attended the Culture Health & Heritage event earlier in the year at Hollinswood Pavilion and was one of the lucky few whose blood pressure check saved his life.
He said at the time: “The project is brilliant. I was worried about getting my blood pressure checked with my GP and what the result would be, I thought ignoring it would be easier. I had a check at the community event as they were just there and it was free. My results were high but after 7 day monitoring and a visit to my GP I’m now on the right medication.”
By bringing health services directly to residents, the project has made vital health checks more accessible than ever before. As part Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention Programme, the Council has delivered over 200 sessions across the borough and volunteers have checked the blood pressure of over 2,000 residents.
Councillor Kelly Middleton, Cabinet Member for Healthier, Safer & Stronger Communities and Partnerships, said: “Telford & Wrekin Council is dedicated to fostering a healthier community through initiatives like the Healthy Telford pledge, our Stop Smoking services, and our fantastic Blood Pressure Project.
“By providing these blood pressure checks, we are not just taking numbers; we are taking action to support residents to manage their health in an environment that is comfortable and convenient for them. The results speak for themselves as more and more residents are stepping up to take actionable changes to their health.
“We’re grateful for the hard work of our staff and volunteers to make this possible.”
With the great success of the project so far, the Blood Pressure Project will be extended in the coming months. Over 70 new volunteers will complete their training and work across even more locations in the borough, connecting people with preventative healthcare. You can find more information on becoming a Blood Pressure Checker volunteer here: https://volunteertelford.co.uk/opportunities/health-champion-blood-pressure-checker-1
