Its Know Your Numbers week 5-11th September, 2022 but really this is a message with importance at all times. This year we are trying to encourage as many people as possible to borrow a blood pressure monitor from one of our local libraries so you can let your GP know your average blood pressure.
Getting an average reading over the course of a week at home will give a more reliable indication of your blood pressure and action you need to take and will save your GP time.
Many people do not need medication and can bring their average blood pressure down with lifestyle changes. Avoid the heartbreak and do it now! More information on blood pressure here.
We have over 200 blood pressure monitors available to borrow at Somerset Libraries. You don’t need any kind of referral and can borrow them just like a book.
Lots of people have already borrowed monitors but we still estimate there are about 50,000 people in Somerset with high blood pressure who don’t know about it. And COVID has left a huge backlog of people who have not been able to receive the usual support from their GP practice to check and monitor their blood pressure.
If you would like a bit more support on how to use a blood pressure machine then come and join us in one of the libraries where one of the lifestyle team can guide you.
- Frome- Tuesday 6th September- 10am-12noon
- Wincanton- Monday 12th September- 10am-12noon
- Yeovil- Tuesday 13th September- 10am-12noon
- Taunton- Friday 16th September – 10am-12noon
- Chard- Monday 26th September- 10am-12noon
- Bridgwater- Tuesday 27th September- 9:45am-11:45am
- Burnham-on-Sea- Tuesday 27th September- 12.45pm-2:45pm
Also, staff at the wonderful Talking Cafés across Somerset in September will have a blood pressure monitor available for you to use at the café. You won’t be able to borrow these ones but if your readings are high, drop into a library and pick one up to borrow there.
Talking Cafés are great support if you are looking for help and advice on important services such as: caring for another, housing, health, finance, food boxes, adult social care, children’s services, feelings of loneliness and isolation – or anything that is worrying – exactly the things putting up a lot of blood pressure for us all at the moment.
Talking Café days and times
Mondays:
Minehead, The Beach Hotel: 10am – 12 noon
Bishops Hull Hub: 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, 1pm – 3pm
Wellsprings Community Church: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Tuesdays:
Burnham-on-Sea, Methodist Church: 10am – 12 noon
Wellsprings Community Church: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Ruishton Village Hall: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 2pm – 4pm
Williton Pavilion: 1pm – 3pm
Dulverton School: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 9am – 11am
Wellington, St John’s Church: 10am – 12 noon
Wednesdays:
Chard, The Guildhall: 10am – 12pm
West Monkton, Brittons Ash Community Hall: 1st Wednesday of the month 2pm – 4pm
Thursdays:
Bridgwater, The Hub at Angel Place: 10am – 12.30pm
Highbridge, Hope Baptist Church: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Dulverton, MAGNA, Fishers Mead Community Room: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Langport Library: 10am – 12 noon
Fridays:
Burrowbridge, King Alfred Pub: 4th Friday of the month, 2pm – 4pm
Galmington, St Michaels Church: 1st Friday of the month, 9am – 10.30am
All are weekly unless otherwise stated.
No need to book – just drop in.
You can download the Talking Cafe details in PDF format here:
