Stockport Independent Issue 204

JUNE 2026 12 Independent HEALTH & WELLBEING So what does this mean for millions of people living with hay fever, and is there any- thing they can do to cope? The new report says climate change is extending the flow- ering season of some plants. It looked at three trees common in Europe – birch, alder and olive – and found pollination started one to two weeks earlier between 2015 and 2024, compared with 1991 to 2000. “We are seeing a prolonged season – an earlier onset of pollination in both the north and south [of Europe]”, says Professor Joacim Rocklov, from the University of Hei- delberg, one of the authors of the paper. He told the Today Pro- gramme on BBC Radio 4 that more research is needed to see if climate change could also be increasing the amount of pollen circulating and mak- ing hay fever symptoms more severe. Early summer is often peak pollen season, when the num- ber of grains of pollen in the air multiplies. The warm weather seen in the UK over the last two years means conditions have been ideal for birch tree pollen – a major hay fever trigger. Warm, dry days help spread pollen through the air, creat- ing what’s been dubbed a “pol- len bomb”. Any extension of the pollen season could have an impact on millions of people across the UK. “While for some their symptoms can be mild, for many their hay fever symp- toms impacts their quality of life,” says Anne Biggs, deputy head of clinical services at Allergy UK. A BOXING club has been recognised for its life-changing support in helping people with Par- kinson’s fight back. Holmes Chapel Boxing Club received the Mental Health and Wellbeing Award at the Cheshire Community Foundation’s Annual Pres- ident’s Awards, held at the Eaton Estate and sponsored by Bentley Motors. The club was honoured for its free, weekly non-contact boxing sessions designed spe- cifically for people living with Parkinson’s disease. James Rice, of Holmes Chapel Boxing Club, said: “You’re not having to live with Parkinson’s, Parkinson’s has to live with you, if you choose to fight back. “When we started, we had four people. I invited them to think of somebody that, no matter how tired they would be, they would always be able to find another punch. “One of these four people murmured to themselves as they were hitting the bag, ‘Parkinson’s’. “And then the second person said ‘Parkinson’s’. And then they all said ‘Parkinson’s’. “They’d visualised Parkin- son’s as their foe. And that was the day we decided to call our session the Fight Back Club. “It was quite clear these people wanted to fight back and we’ve captured that spirit really well. It is an utter priv- ilege coaching this group of people, they’re fantastic.” The volunteer-run pro- gramme is led by qualified coaches and aims to provide both physical and emotional support to participants. DRINKING the odd pint of beer can pro- vide “substantial lev- els” of an essential brain-boosting vitamin in your diet, according to new research. The vitamin B6 is good for the brain, blood and immune system and is found in a wide variety of foods. A beer “serving” might meet around 15% of your daily B6 requirement, the authors say, and even alcohol-free lager could have the same effect. Many of the raw ingre- dients used to make beer, including barley, wheat and brewer’s yeast, contain vita- min B6 and the brewing process doesn’t kill it all off, research suggests. B6 is an essential nutrient that we get through food. Good sources of B6 are meat and fish, but it’s also pres- ent in other foods, includ- ing porridge oats, potatoes and chickpeas. Many breakfast cereals have added B6 too. CHESHIREWest’ssexualhealth services havebeengivena six- year extension. The service, delivered by HCRG Care Group on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) since December 2021, operates clinics in Northwich, Winsford, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Blacon, andNeston. The extension follows pos- itive feedback from a public surveyandsecures thecurrent contract through to 2032. Professor Helen Bromley, director of public health at CWAC, said: “HCRG Care Group has demonstrated con- sistent high performance and receives positive feedback fromborough residents. “Awarding the contract for a further six years means people in Cheshire West and Chester have uninterrupted access to a high quality, con- fidential and inclusive sexual health service. “I’d also like to thank the residents who took part in our 2024 survey. “Your feedback directly informed this decision.” The Care Quality Commission has rated the service ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for its respon- siveness to people’s needs. The renewed contract means all current clinic loca- tions and booking systems will remain unchanged. The service will continue to offer free and con- fidential support, including contraception advice, sexually transmitted infection test- ing and treatment, HIV testing and prevention, and walk-in support. Bradley Pearson-Barnard, service manager and CQC registered manager for the Cheshire West and Chester Integrated Sexual Health Service, said: “Hearing that residents told the council they wanted this service kept the way it is means a great deal to the team. “Sexual health is one of those services where people need to know exactly where togo, who they’ll see, and that whatever they tell us stays with us. “That trust takes years to build, and it’s built clinic by clinic, conversation by conversation. “Knowing the service is secured for the next six years means our team across the region can keep doing that work, and keep improving on it, without anything being interrupted for the people who rely on us.” Residents helped shape the outcome through a council survey carried out in 2024. The survey asked about experiences with the current service and future needs, with responses guiding the deci- sion to extend the contract instead of re-tendering. Appointments can be booked by visiting thesexu- alhealthhub.co.uk or calling 0300 247 0020. Daily pint could be good for you Sexual health service extended ‘Fight Back Club’ wins top award HOW TO COPE WITH HAY FEVER MISERY Climate change blamed for prolonging season HAY fever sufferers must nowput upwith symptoms for up to two weeks longer than they would have done in the 1990s, according to a major review. A new report by 65 scien- tists from around the world found that climate change has “prolonged the pollen season”. The fine powder released by certain grasses, trees and plants can cause chaos for those who are allergic, with itchy eyes, sneezing and head- aches all common symptoms. “It can mean missed days at work, poor sleep and, for some teenagers and young people, active hay fever symptoms can mean they drop an academic grade in their exams.” Pollen can also trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions in people living with other respiratory conditions. “If people are allergic to pollen, it can inflame their airways and cause terrifying breathing conditions, which can lead to life-threatening asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups,” says Dr Samantha Walker, director of research and innovation at Asthma and Lung UK. There’s no cure for hay fever, but there are medicines which can relieve symptoms and help you feel a bit better. Allergy expert Professor Stephen Till, from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in London, recommends “a cocktail approach”, which means taking: • antihistamine tablets or drops that don’t tend to make you feel sleepy and are long acting • a steroid nasal spray, and • eye drops “They all work in different ways and are all very safe for most people – just go to a pharmacy for advice,” Prof Till says. These products can all be bought over the counter in your local chemist. Avoiding hay fever triggers is essential too, says pharma- cist Ashley Cohen from Leeds. “I always say it’s about good hygiene – pollen sits on your face and arms when you go outside, so have a shower and change your clothes when you come in.” And he warns that pets are “brilliant vehicles” for bring- ing pollen into your house. “Ninety percent of people with hay fever can be man- aged with over-the-counter medication,” says pharmacist Ashley Cohen. If your hay fever becomes really debilitating, your GP can refer you to a specialist – but that will take a while. Allergy expert Prof Adam Fox says the provision of spe- cialist allergy services and even knowledge among GPs about allergies “is not as good as it could be”. “For a significant minority, it has a genuine impact on quality of life – on productiv- ity at work and performance at school.” Immunotherapy treat- ment might be available for the worst affected. That’s when tiny amounts of pollen are injected into the body over time to get it used to the substance, so that it no longer overreacts.