News

Activate With Joe Wicks

This summer, Joe Wicks has released a new animated physical activity series, Activate, which aims to get children moving and having fun.

Co-created by Joe Wicks and Studio AKA (the makers of ‘Hey Duggee’), Activate is backed by the government as part of a new partnership to reach families and schools across the country. Activate is made up of short, five-minute episodes, each offering a burst of movement, fun and energy which can be transformational for mental and physical health – getting children’s hearts pumping and minds engaged. Parents and teachers can easily integrate these short exercises into their day at home, school or summer activity clubs.

Physical activity is essential for growing bodies and minds. But over half (53%) of UK children are not meeting daily activity guidelines. Activate aims to make fitness fun and spark a love of movement in children, by bringing together bright and energetic new characters animated by Studio AKA, alongside well-known upbeat music from exclusive music partner Universal Music UK.

At a time when many parents are concerned about keeping their kids active over the holidays, Activate aims to turn screen time into active time and boost their physical and mental health – over the summer holidays and beyond. 

Appearing alongside an animated Joe Wicks, will be six loveable new characters called The Activators. Each brings their own unique spark, like Blue, who reminds kids to stay hydrated, Green, who shows off football skills, and Turquoise, who gets the party started. Together, they make movement feel personal, playful, and inclusive – so every child can find a character to connect with.

But Activate isn’t just for the summer holidays. It’s perfect for ‘brain breaks’ at school, rainy days, feel-good kitchen dance-offs, or anytime kids need a boost – helping them to develop healthy habits for life.

The first episode is out now on The Body Coach YouTube channel, with new episodes out weekly over the summer.

Activate is backed by the Department of Health & Social Care, Department for Education and Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Published on 21st Jul 2025

How To Spot A UTI

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect the urinary tract, including the bladder, urethra, or kidneys. 

In some people, if left untreated, UTIs can lead to severe infection and sepsis that can cause you to be very ill and in need in hospital treatment. 

As those over the age of 65 are at higher risk of complications, it is important for you to take steps to prevent UTIs and seek the appropriate treatment from a healthcare professional if you have symptoms. 

Preventing a UTI 

Whilst infection is sometimes unavoidable, staying well hydrated is key to keeping your body healthy and can help prevent you from getting a UTI, especially if you have repeated infections. 

NHS Eatwell guidance states people should aim to drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count. 

Whilst hydration is an extremely important factor, so is ensuring you do not hold in your pee and that you go to the toilet as soon as possible when you need to. If you are having difficulties getting to the toilet or struggling with incontinence, we recommend that you speak to your doctor or nurse to refer you to the continence team who will be able to help you manage this going forward. 

Keeping on top of your personal hygiene can also help. Whilst we understand it may not always be possible, bathing or showering daily, particularly if you suffer from incontinence, is recommended. 

Other steps such as keeping the genital area clean and dry; changing incontinence pads often; wiping front to back when you go to the toilet; and avoid using scented soaps around the genital area, may help. 

Washing the skin around the genitals with water before and after sex and going to pee as soon as possible after sex that may also reduce your chance of getting a UTI. 

These proposed steps may seem like common sense but are extremely important in keeping you healthy. 

Signs and symptoms 

Following the above steps reduces your chances of getting an infection, but it is still vital to be able to identify the symptoms. They include:

• Needing to pee more frequently, suddenly, or more urgently than usual if you have not increased your liquid intake. 
• Pain or a burning sensation when peeing. 
• Needing to pee more often than usual during the night. 
• New pain in the lower tummy. 
• New or increased incontinence or wetting yourself. 
• Kidney pain or pain in the lower back. 
• Blood in your pee. 
• Changes in behaviour, such as acting agitated or confused (delirium). This could be a symptom of a UTI but could also be due to other causes, which need to be ruled out. 
• General signs of infection, like a fever, a high temperature or feeling hot and shivery, with shaking (rigors) or chills. 
• A very low temperature, below 36°C. 

What should you do if you think you have a UTI? 

If you think you may have a UTI, you must seek advice from a healthcare professional – this could be your nurse, GP, community pharmacist, a walk-in centre or the NHS 111 service. They will be able to provide advice and discuss the best way to manage your symptoms. 

If you have frequent or recurring UTIs, discuss this with a healthcare professional. They may be able to recommend or prescribe treatments that will help prevent your UTIs. 

While you are seeking care, it is important that you drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. If you are in pain, take paracetamol up to four times a day to reduce any discomfort. 

Did you know that it’s not always the same type of bacteria that causes a UTI and different antibiotics are needed to treat different bacteria? You should only take the antibiotics prescribed to you by your healthcare professional. If you are prescribed them, please take the full course as instructed to on the label. 

If you have any questions about your treatment, please don’t hesitate to ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. 

Resources which you may find useful 

If you would like any further information on UTIs, please visit the NHS page on UTIs.

Published on 21st Jul 2025

New Mid and South Essex NHS Campaign to Help Raise Awareness of Available Services

With an average of 580,000 appointments taking place in local GP practices every month, healthcare teams are providing more appointments year on year. “Get the care you need quicker” goes one step further, informing residents about the many ways they can get quicker, more efficient access to local NHS and community services, in many cases without having to contact their GP practice.

The campaign website at www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/getcarequicker has tips and advice to help residents get the care they need. This includes making the most of digital platforms like the NHS App, taking appointments with one of the many healthcare professionals providing care in GP practices, and making use of healthcare services you can refer yourself into without having to contact your surgery.

Using local healthcare services in this way not only helps patients get the care they need quicker, it also frees up GP appointments so they can treat patients with more complex care needs.

Dr Taz Syed, GP Partner at the Pall Mall Surgery in Southend, is encouraging more patients to use these tips to access the care they need. He said:  

“Thanks to hardworking teams, thousands more appointments are being delivered every month compared to previous years, and plans are in place to make it easier for patients to access the care they need. All GP practices are upgrading how they work to help bring an end to the 8am scramble for appointments and make sure patients can get the right care at the right time, regardless of how they contact their practice. Part of the plan is to promote all the ways that patients can get help – often without needing to pick up the phone at all. I encourage all patients to take these opportunities to access services differently, because not only will they benefit from getting the care they need more quickly, but it also supports us working at the surgery.”

Published on 14th Jul 2025