BOROUGH residents are being urged to take charge of their own health as part of national self care week.

Dudley Council’s self management team is using the week, which runs from November 17-23, to get people to think about making one small change to help improve their overall health.

Tips include getting an early night, taking regular exercise, eating healthily and making sure medicine cabinets are stocked ready for the cold and flu season.

For those people who are dealing with more long term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or depression, self management programmes are available to help manage day to day symptoms and meet people with similar experiences.

The self management team will be at Cornbow Shopping Centre, Halesowen from 10am to 1pm on Monday (November 17) and at Russell’s Hall Hospital from11am to 2pm on Tuesday (November 18).

They will also visit Church Hill Shopping Centre, Dudley on Thursday (November 20), and Asda, Merry Hill on Friday (November 21) from 11am to 2pm.

Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member for health, said: “Self care week is a great opportunity for people to be proactive about improving their own health and that of their families.

“As well as making some simple changes, it’s also a good time to make sure people know where they can get information or support on health related issues, particularly where people are trying to manage long term conditions."

For more information about self care week visit www.dudleyselfmanagement.org.