Monday 26 October 2009

Don't spook your heart this Halloween's

Here's a top Halloween tip...

Did you know that pumpkins count towards your 5-a-day for fruit and veg!

Check out some more of our top tips for how to have a heart healthy Halloween here

Tuesday 20 October 2009

Blogging from the heart

"A lot of exciting things have happened recently. Not only did I get an operation date I got a new car!"

Leanne (pictured right) is a 21-year-old heart patient waiting for a heart valve replacement operation.

She's currently writing a regular blog for our young people's website yheart, and is into her fourth week of posting.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Thanks to the Think Tank!

Our Young People's Outreach Officer Rory Miller (that's him on the far right in the photo) reports from the latest BHF Teen Think Tank, held in Manchester...

"The Think Tank was attended by 16 young people plus their parents, and we were joining for the first time with the Hearts4Teens Group, a cardiac youth group for young people with heart conditions based in north-west England.

"The Think Tank is made up of young people with heart conditions within the UK, and we meet up twice a year to discuss ideas and get feedback and advice on our projects for young people. Their contribution is invaluable to the work the BHF does for teenagers with a heart condition.

"Many of the young people who came along have known each other for a while now, so it was a good chance for them to catch up and share stories about what they had been up to.

"It was also a good chance for their parents to meet and talk with each other. For many of them, this is the first time they speak to another parent of a child with a heart condition.

"Our weekend included a guided tour of the City of Manchester Stadium. Even if your footballing allegiances lie elsewhere, you couldn’t help but be impressed by the stadium. I certainly was, and it's a far cry from my own team Luton Town's ground!

"It was a busy but extremely fun two days, and the young people we met gave us great feedback which we'll use to improve our websites, factsheets and information for young people with heart conditions."

The Think Tank runs twice a year and visits various parts of the UK.

If you're aged 13-19 with a heart condition and want more information please visit yheart.net/meet or email meetatteenheart@bhf.org.uk