HTG provides this service when you need to attend an NHS-funded appointment or clinic, are discharged from hospital or need to transfer between centres, and because of your medical condition, you are unable to make your own way.

How to book transport

To receive NHS-funded transport, patients must telephone the booking and enquiry line on 0345 2413012, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The call handler will check eligibility against the nationally defined criteria and book appropriately.

You will need the following information to hand when speaking to the booking team:

• NHS number
• date of birth
• GP surgery you are registered with
• full address with postcode
• mobility/support needs
• access details of your property

Once your transport is booked, you will be given a booking reference number.

To find out more please refer to the NHS website.

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A training session will be held on Thursday 24 April from 6–8 pm at Reepham Town Hall, Church Street, Reepham (please arrive 10 minutes early).

Mindful towns and villages offer safe spaces for people to have an open conversation about their mental well-being with individuals willing to support their communities.

People from within the community, such as small businesses, community groups, sports clubs and residents who like to support others, will complete low-level mental health awareness training and can use this knowledge to provide support and signpost to other services as needed.

These individuals, called Wellbeing Champions, are not expected to give any additional time to this role; these conversations will occur naturally as part of daily life.

Wellbeing Champions are also not expected to take on the role of a counsellor or diagnose any conditions. They are simply there for a low-level chat and to signpost as needed.

The training is two hours long with a break and offers basic education about stress, different mental health conditions, why people may struggle and signs you may notice when someone is having a hard time.

You will also learn how you might approach someone and start a conversation. Finally, you will learn about the district council’s Help Hub and other services that can offer support so you can effectively signpost.

You will receive access to a private area on the council’s website with further links and a supporting resource to use when having conversations.

If you are interested in booking a place, you can use the following booking link HERE.

This training is being held each month and moves around various locations between South Norfolk and Broadland. Future dates for this year are on the booking form.

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A new evening Pilates class is coming to Reepham Primary School, School Road, Reepham, to be held on Tuesdays from 6–7 pm and running from 29 April to 20 May.

This will be a mixed ability class with focus on:

• enhanced flexibility;
• improved core strength;
• better balance and co-ordination
• improved posture and body awareness;
• reducing levels of stress and relaxation.

Each class is run by Emma Power of EmPower Pilates Norwich. Trained at Body Control Pilates, London, Emma is experienced in supporting menopause, bone health and scoliosis, and also specialises in Back4Good spinal health care and is trained in prenatal and postnatal Pilates.

These classes will run during school term times. All small equipment is provided or bring your own mat.

Emma also runs group classes in St Michael’s Reepham, as well as classes in Horsford and Norwich, and has a private studio in Norwich for one-to-one and duo sessions.

To register for any of these classes, book HERE.

Any questions, send an email.

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After baby Arthur was born weighing in at a healthy 7 lb 1 oz, Amy was breastfeeding and, with the consent of her midwife, went back to the Reepham Slimming World group with Laura. (Slimming World is supported by the Royal College of Midwives.)

“Now is the time to focus on me,” said Amy. “I had put on weight through my pregnancy and wanted to be able to eat healthily and make sure I had the right nutrients for my baby. I also have hypermobility and having extra weight was very painful on my knees.

“I went back to Slimming World when Arthur was four weeks old, and I was worried about going to the group with a baby. But everyone was so lovely and very supportive.”

When asked about the biggest challenge she had to overcome since joining Slimming World, Amy said: “I found it really hard trying to fit in eating healthy and cooking meals with a baby. I felt it was a massive hurdle and an impossible task.

“With the help of the group and tips from other members I found that with a little bit of forward planning it was a lot easier than I thought.

“Food optimising is so versatile. My favourite meal is sweet chilli chicken, and now that my son is two years old he can eat the same meals as us. Cheeseburger pasta and spaghetti bolognese are his firm favourites.”

After a knee reconstruction surgery four months after Arthur was born, Amy found that losing the extra weight has definitely helped her hypermobility, and she is now able to run around after her son and not be in tremendous pain.

“I feel so much better and fitter now and have even changed my target and have another 7½ lb to lose,” said Amy.

Reepham Slimming World Group meets at Stimpson’s Piece Community Hall, Bartle Court, Reepham, on Tuesdays at 5.30 pm. For more information, contact Laura Cornwell 07359 593946.

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The RGNS is looking for drivers who can take Reepham residents to medical and other necessary appointments and have no one else to take them.

Just helping with this once or twice a month could make an enormous difference. The service users pay the RGNS drivers to cover expenses.

Helping others in this way can improve your well-being and is hugely appreciated.

To find out more, call Judy Holland on 07936 576684 or send an email.

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The follow-up event, to be held from 6–8 pm at Reepham College, Whitwell Road, Reepham, will bring together community members to share the report from the previous meeting and work together to identify next steps.

Local organisations and community groups are encouraged to take part to help shape discussions and showcase local resources and support available to the Reepham community.

If you are interested in coming along or have any questions, please email Ellen Faure, Project Delivery Officer, Broadland Heath Health and Wellbeing Partnership.

See our earlier story:

• Help to build a more connected town

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Having previously worked at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals and Ipswich Hospital alongside other Norfolk GP practices before settling in the local area, Dr Pearce started work at the Reepham and Aylsham practice in 1994.

While predominantly working with patients in and around Aylsham, he also worked at the Reepham surgery when needed.

Over the past three decades, Dr Pearce has cared for many patients from cradle to grave and across multiple generations. He will be missed by patients and staff alike, although he admits he is looking forward to a later start to his day.

He has also seen many changes to his team, who say they are immensely proud to have had the support from him over his many years of service.

“He has provided excellent health care to many of our patients and their families over the years,” the medical practice stated. “While we will be sad to see him go, we wish him all the best for his well-earned retirement.”

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The team from the community engagement van can provide advice or support on such issues as: money and debt worries; benefits; parenting, relationships and domestic abuse; health and well-being; bereavement support; employment; and housing or home improvements. No appointments are required.

The van is a confidential space where you can come on board to talk one-on-one with a member of our team. Staff will listen to your needs and provide guidance and signposting if appropriate.

With your consent, the team are also able to log your request for support with the Help Hub and a follow-up call can be arranged.

The post Free advice and support at Great Witchingham appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

Reepham Reaches Out aims to share views on:

• What does it feel like to live in or visit Reepham and the surrounding area?
• How do people locally connect with each other?
• How to build a more connected community?

The event will be held on Monday 30 September at Reepham College, Whitwell Road, Reepham, from 6–8 pm.

This will be a welcoming and interactive event where participants will be split into smaller groups for discussion. Light refreshments will be served.

A £20 cash incentive is available for the first 60 people to register and attend. Sign up via Eventbrite HERE or telephone 01603 430431 (select option 5).

After the event, participants will be invited to attend an optional follow-up meeting to review the resulting report and help develop an action plan to bring suggestions to life.

Broadland Health and Wellbeing Partnership brings together colleagues from district and county councils, wider voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations, health services and other partners who contribute to the wider social, economic and environmental factors of health. With prevention at the heart, it focuses on the local population’s health and well-being and addressing health inequalities.

For further information, contact the partnership by email or click HERE.

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The pair completed their first marathon walk in 2022: 26 miles along the Norfolk coast from Cromer to Holkham for MacMillan Cancer Support.

Last year they decided to support the Alzheimer’s Society, which provides help and hope for those living with any form of dementia and their carers, and completed a marathon walk around London.

The pair met eight years ago when Rosie moved to Reepham and joined the local WI. They discovered a shared passion for walking and, finding there was no local walking group, decided to set one up, which has been running ever since.

Joy is a regular volunteer and programme manager for the Sunshine Café in Reepham, which meets twice a month in St Michaels to provide a meeting place for anyone with memory loss and their carers; this why the pair have called their team “Walking on Sunshine”.

The memory café meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 10 am – 12 noon. Activities include seated Pilates, music, memorabilia, board games and conversation. Refreshments are provided and there is no charge.

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