Feel Good Friday

Keeping Safe in the Sun

How great is it that the school holidays have started with such awesome weather?! I think everyone loves it when it's sunny and warm (maybe not so much when you're trying to go to sleep and it's REALLY hot, but in the days it's nice to have summer here!) The warmer weather may suit you if you have half a working heart but it is VERY important that you don't become dehydrated. Dehydration means that there is less blood circulating around your body and this effects the way your heart works, and how your kidneys work. It also can make the blood stickier so this means that there is a greater risk of getting blood clots.

Make sure that you have plenty to drink throughout the day (even if you don't feel thirsty!) and especially if you are on diuretics - if you aren't sure what medication you're on, talk to your parents. It's a great idea to carry of bottle of water with you wherever you go to make sure you keep hydrated.

Try and stay in the shade during the hottest parts of the day (normally between 11am and 3pm) so that you don't get sunburn. Keep an eye out too for signs of heat exhaustion - feeling dizzy, fainting, headaches, shivers and goosebumps - and tell your parents if you have any of these, normally a good drink and staying in the shade should help. Try and have catch up rests in the shade too so that you can reinvigorate yourselves! 

For more information about keeping safe in the sun look at our Travel and Trips Booklet.

Feel Good Friday

Feel Good Friday

meet@teenheart

The British Heart Foundation’s meet@teenheart programme offers 13-19 year olds in the UK who have heart conditions an opportunity to meet other young people like them, gain confidence, learn new skills and have fun.

They've got a great new events programme. These events will focus on providing young heart patients with increased confidence, communication and problem solving skills as well as building up their determination and resilience. Over the coming year they will be delivering three exciting one day events and a residential experience. The three one day events will run the same programme so you will only be eligible to attend the one closest to where you live :    

One day events...

· 13 August – Bristol -Register interest by 16 July

· 29 November – Manchester -Register interest by 1 October

· 21 February – Glasgow- Register interest by 4 January

Residential event...The Stunner is back for 2014!

· 21-22 August – Birmingham -Register interest by 16th July

You can register your interest now to join BHF for a creative adventure (combined with fun outdoor activity sessions on the residential). Register here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/BHFEvents

The events are totally free to attend and BHF will reimburse reasonable travel to and from the event.

If you have any questions, you can get in touch with Amanda Kenn: kenna@bhf.org.uk 

Feel Good Friday