Health Hub UK

16/10/2026

💜 HEALTH HUB UK — COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT 💗

💜 KAUSHALYA UK
Empowering Women, Transforming Lives

This week’s Community Spotlight celebrates Kaushalya UK, a charitable community organisation dedicated to empowering women, building confidence and creating opportunities.

Working across the West Midlands, particularly Walsall and the Black Country, Kaushalya UK supports women from diverse backgrounds to recognise their strengths, develop independence and feel valued within their communities.

Their message is one of dignity, inclusion and empowerment.

💜 SAFETY, SUPPORT & DOMESTIC ABUSE

Kaushalya UK provides confidential, compassionate and non-judgemental support to women affected by domestic abuse, including honour-based abuse and forced marriage.

Their support includes:

💗 Emotional support and guidance.

💗 Access to legal support provided by a qualified professional through Kaushalya UK.

💗 Risk assessment, safety planning and help to understand individual rights.

💗 Referrals to partner organisations for specialist counselling and assistance with temporary accommodation.

💗 Guidance with welfare benefits, financial matters and employment opportunities.

💗 Support for women and their children.

Their approach recognises that rebuilding confidence, independence and safety can take time, and that every woman’s circumstances are different.

💜 HEALTH & WELLBEING

Kaushalya UK offers activities and experiences supporting physical, emotional, mental and financial wellbeing.

These opportunities help women develop confidence, build connections and improve their sense of wellbeing.

💜 SKILLS, TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT

Through personal and professional development programmes, women can access opportunities to:

💗 Learn new skills.

💗 Build confidence and independence.

💗 Explore employment and work experience.

💗 Participate in volunteering and community activities.

The organisation also supports women who may face additional barriers to employment.

💜 PROJECT KITCHEN PHOENIX
Catering Social Enterprise

One particularly valuable initiative is Project Kitchen Phoenix, Kaushalya UK’s catering social enterprise.

The project provides flexible work opportunities for women, including those balancing caring responsibilities or rebuilding their lives following difficult experiences.

Alongside developing practical skills, it aims to strengthen financial independence, self-confidence and a sense of belonging.

The initiative also prepares and supplies food for events and gatherings organised by other community organisations.

💜 RAISING AWARENESS & CREATING CHANGE

Kaushalya UK delivers training and awareness programmes covering domestic abuse, honour-based abuse, forced marriage and safeguarding-related concerns.

Its Domestic Abuse and Mental Health Awareness Conferences bring together survivors, professionals, frontline workers and community organisations.

These events encourage discussion, shared learning and improvements in the support available to women and families.

💜 COMMUNITY, INCLUSION & WOMEN’S VOICES

Through volunteering, community development and family support, Kaushalya UK helps women build connections and opportunities.

The organisation has also published The New Woman, a collection of inspiring stories reflecting its commitment to diversity, inclusion and women’s voices.

💗 HOW TO CONTACT KAUSHALYA UK

🌐 Website:
www.kaushalyauk.com

📧 Email:
[email protected]

📞 Telephone:
07962 636590

❤️ IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, support is available.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

You can also contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, free and confidentially, 24 hours a day:

📞 0808 2000 247

🌐 www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

If it is unsafe to make contact, consider using a trusted person’s phone or device.

💜 A MESSAGE FROM HEALTH HUB UK

We are delighted to shine our Community Spotlight on Kaushalya UK and the important work it does to support women’s wellbeing, safety, skills and independence.

A special thank you to Ritu Sharma and the Kaushalya UK team for sharing information about their organisation and helping us ensure this feature accurately represents their services.

Because every person matters. Every voice matters. Every day.

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15/10/2026

💙 HEALTH KNOWLEDGE SERIES — PART 2 OF 2

💙 VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY
Causes, Treatment & Ongoing Care

In Part 1, we explored the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, including fatigue, pins and needles, memory difficulties and changes in balance and coordination.

Today, we’re looking at why deficiency develops, how it’s treated and why some people require lifelong replacement.

💙 WHAT CAUSES VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY?

Vitamin B12 is found naturally in foods such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. It is also added to some fortified foods.

Deficiency can develop for several reasons.

💙 DIETARY CAUSES

People who do not consume enough vitamin B12 may gradually develop a deficiency.

This can include people following restrictive diets without sufficient fortified foods or appropriate supplementation.

💙 ABSORPTION PROBLEMS

Sometimes the body struggles to absorb vitamin B12, even when a person eats enough of it.

Possible causes include:

💙 Autoimmune gastritis.

💙 Conditions affecting the digestive system, such as coeliac disease.

💙 Certain stomach or bowel operations.

💙 Medicines that may affect B12 absorption, including metformin and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

The underlying cause is important because it influences treatment and ongoing care.

💙 AUTOIMMUNE GASTRITIS & INTRINSIC FACTOR

Intrinsic factor is a protein produced by cells in the stomach.

It is essential for the normal absorption of vitamin B12 from food.

Autoimmune gastritis occurs when the immune system attacks cells in the stomach lining.

This can reduce the production of intrinsic factor and interfere with vitamin B12 absorption.

Some people may have heard of pernicious anaemia, a term historically associated with this condition.

NICE now uses the term autoimmune gastritis when describing this underlying cause of B12 deficiency.

💙 HOW IS THE CAUSE INVESTIGATED?

A healthcare professional may consider symptoms, medical history, medicines and blood test results.

If autoimmune gastritis is suspected, testing for intrinsic factor antibodies may be appropriate.

Importantly, a negative intrinsic factor antibody test does not completely rule out autoimmune gastritis.

Further investigations may sometimes be needed.

💙 HOW IS VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY TREATED?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, symptoms and individual circumstances.

💙 ORAL B12 REPLACEMENT

Vitamin B12 tablets may be suitable for people with dietary deficiency and some other causes.

💙 B12 INJECTIONS

Intramuscular vitamin B12 injections may be required, particularly where absorption is significantly impaired.

In the UK, hydroxocobalamin is commonly used.

People with neurological symptoms may require more intensive initial treatment and specialist assessment.

💙 WHEN IS LIFELONG TREATMENT NEEDED?

Some causes of vitamin B12 deficiency are permanent.

NICE recommends lifelong intramuscular vitamin B12 replacement when deficiency is caused, or suspected to be caused, by autoimmune gastritis.

Lifelong injections are also recommended following certain operations, including total removal of the stomach or complete removal of the terminal ileum.

Other causes may be reversible, meaning treatment can sometimes be reviewed or stopped under medical supervision.

❤️ IMPORTANT — NORMAL BLOOD LEVELS

A normal vitamin B12 result following replacement does not necessarily mean the original cause of deficiency has resolved.

For people with permanent absorption problems, ongoing replacement may still be essential.

Do not stop prescribed B12 treatment without discussing it with your healthcare professional.

💙 RECOVERY & NERVE HEALTH

Many symptoms improve following appropriate treatment.

However, recovery varies between individuals.

Neurological symptoms, including numbness, tingling and problems with balance, may take longer to improve.

In some cases, nerve damage can be lasting, particularly when deficiency has remained untreated.

❤️ EARLY TREATMENT MATTERS

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neurological symptoms even without anaemia.

New or worsening weakness, altered sensation, or difficulties with walking and coordination should be assessed promptly.

Early recognition and appropriate treatment can help reduce the risk of lasting complications.

💙 TRUSTED UK INFORMATION

NHS — Vitamin B12 or Folate Deficiency Anaemia
www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/

NICE — Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Over 16s: Diagnosis and Management (NG239)
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239

💙 Health Hub UK provides evidence-based health information for awareness and education. Our content does not replace personalised medical advice.

Because every person matters. Every voice matters. Every day.

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14/10/2026

💙 HEALTH KNOWLEDGE SERIES — PART 1 OF 2

💙 VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY
Understanding the Symptoms

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that helps the body produce healthy red blood cells, supports the nervous system and is needed to make DNA.

When the body does not have enough vitamin B12, a range of physical, neurological and psychological symptoms can develop.

Symptoms may appear gradually and can vary considerably between individuals.

💙 WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?

💙 FATIGUE

Unexplained tiredness, exhaustion or a persistent lack of energy.

Someone may feel unusually tired even after resting.

💙 PINS AND NEEDLES

Tingling, numbness or altered sensation, particularly in the hands and feet.

These symptoms can occur when vitamin B12 deficiency affects the nerves.

💙 MEMORY & CONCENTRATION

Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, slower thinking or what many people describe as “brain fog”.

💙 MOUTH & TONGUE

A sore, red or inflamed tongue (glossitis), sometimes accompanied by mouth ulcers.

💙 MOVEMENT & BALANCE

Unsteady walking, poor coordination or difficulty maintaining balance.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can affect the nerves and spinal cord, interfering with the body’s ability to sense the position of its limbs.

This can increase the risk of falls.

💙 MOOD CHANGES

Low mood, anxiety, irritability or other changes in psychological wellbeing.

These symptoms may have several possible causes and should not automatically be attributed to B12 deficiency.

💙 WHY DOES VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY DEVELOP?

Not everyone with B12 deficiency has an inadequate diet.

Some people eat sufficient vitamin B12 but cannot absorb it properly because of an underlying condition or other factors.

We will explore dietary causes, absorption problems and intrinsic factor in Part 2.

❤️ IMPORTANT — NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

Vitamin B12 deficiency can affect the nervous system even when a person does not have anaemia.

A normal haemoglobin result does not, by itself, rule out vitamin B12 deficiency.

If deficiency remains untreated, some neurological complications may become permanent.

Early recognition, assessment and appropriate treatment are important.

💙 WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE?

Contact your GP if you experience persistent unexplained fatigue, pins and needles, memory difficulties or changes in walking and balance.

These symptoms can have many causes, so an appropriate clinical assessment is important.

Seek prompt medical assessment for new or worsening neurological symptoms, particularly difficulty walking or increasing weakness.

💙 COMING IN PART 2

We will explore:

💙 Causes of B12 deficiency
💙 Intrinsic factor and autoimmune gastritis
💙 Diagnosis and blood tests
💙 B12 injections and oral treatment
💙 When lifelong replacement may be needed

💙 TRUSTED UK INFORMATION

NHS — Vitamin B12 or Folate Deficiency Anaemia
www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/

NICE — Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Over 16s: Diagnosis and Management (NG239)
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239

💙 Health Hub UK shares evidence-based health information for awareness and education. Our content does not replace personalised medical advice.

Because every person matters. Every voice matters. Every day.

Follow Health Hub on Facebook and Instagram • © Health Hub UK 2026

14/10/2026

Pop along to Morrisons at Bilston on Saturday to meet the screening team from Dudley, Wolverhampton and South West Staffordshire Breast Screening Service to chat and learn more about this valuable service. 💙

13/10/2026

💙 HEALTH CHECK SERIES — PART 2 OF 2

PARKINSON’S — Diagnosis, Treatment & Living Well

💙 Requested by a Health Hub follower.

Following Part 1, which explored the symptoms of Parkinson’s, today we look at diagnosis, treatment, daily life and an important medication safety message.

💙 DIAGNOSIS

There is no single test that confirms Parkinson’s.

Diagnosis is usually made by a specialist who assesses symptoms, medical history and movement.

Other tests may sometimes be used to help rule out different conditions.

💙 TREATMENT

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, but treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Medicines such as levodopa help improve movement by increasing the availability of dopamine in the brain.

Treatment is tailored to each person’s symptoms and needs.

Other support may include:

💙 Physiotherapy — helps with movement, mobility and balance.

💙 Occupational therapy — supports independence and everyday activities.

💙 Speech and language therapy — helps with communication and swallowing difficulties.

💙 LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S

Regular specialist reviews, personalised care and appropriate physical activity can help people manage daily life.

Support may also be needed for sleep, mood, fatigue, nutrition and other non-movement symptoms.

💙 MEDICATION SAFETY — AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Parkinson’s medicines are TIME-CRITICAL.

They must be given at the times individually prescribed for that person.

💙 Delayed or missed doses can cause worsening stiffness, tremor, difficulty moving and swallowing problems.

💙 Serious delays or sudden withdrawal of certain Parkinson’s medicines can cause potentially life-threatening complications.

💙 In hospital or a care home, levodopa should be administered within 30 minutes of the person’s individually prescribed time, in line with NICE quality standards.

💙 If someone cannot swallow their medication, is vomiting or is nil by mouth, staff must urgently seek specialist and pharmacy advice to arrange an appropriate alternative. Medicines should not simply be omitted.

💙 Parkinson’s medication should not be stopped or changed without appropriate specialist advice.

These precautions are particularly important during hospital admissions, emergencies and surgery.

💙 GET IT ON TIME

Parkinson’s UK campaigns for people with Parkinson’s to receive their medication on time, every time, in hospitals and care homes.

www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/our-campaigns/get-it-on-time

💙 TRUSTED INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

Parkinson’s UK
www.parkinsons.org.uk

Free confidential helpline:
0808 800 0303

NHS
www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/

NICE — Parkinson’s Disease in Adults (NG71)
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng71

Health Hub UK shares trusted health information and awareness. Our posts do not replace individual medical advice.

Follow Health Hub on Facebook and Instagram • © Health Hub UK 2026

💙 Because every person matters. Every voice matters. Every day.

12/10/2026

💙 HEALTH CHECK SERIES — PART 1 OF 2

PARKINSON’S — Understanding Parkinson’s

💙 Requested by a Health Hub follower.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain and nervous system.

Parkinson’s develops when nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra become damaged or are lost.

These cells produce dopamine, a chemical messenger that helps the brain control movement.

As dopamine levels fall, movement can become slower and more difficult.

💙 POSSIBLE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The three main movement symptoms are:

💙 Tremor — involuntary shaking, often noticeable when resting.

💙 Slowness of movement — everyday activities such as walking, dressing or writing may take longer.

💙 Muscle stiffness — muscles may become rigid, uncomfortable or painful.

Other symptoms can include:

💙 Changes in walking, posture or balance.

💙 Sleep difficulties, including disturbed or poor-quality sleep.

💙 Constipation and a reduced sense of smell.

💙 Fatigue, low mood, anxiety or difficulties with memory and concentration.

💙 IMPORTANT TO KNOW

Not everyone with Parkinson’s experiences a tremor.

Some symptoms, including constipation, sleep difficulties and reduced sense of smell, may appear before movement problems become noticeable.

Symptoms vary considerably between individuals. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms or progresses at the same rate.

Having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean someone has Parkinson’s. There can be other causes.

If you notice persistent or unexplained symptoms, speak to your GP. They can arrange a specialist referral if needed.

💙 TOMORROW — PART 2

We’ll explore diagnosis, treatment, living with Parkinson’s and why receiving Parkinson’s medication at the correct time is so important, particularly during hospital admissions.

💙 TRUSTED INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

Parkinson’s UK
www.parkinsons.org.uk

Free helpline: 0808 800 0303

NHS
www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/

Health Hub UK shares trusted health information and awareness. Our posts do not replace individual medical advice.

Follow Health Hub on Facebook and Instagram • © Health Hub UK 2026

💙 Because every person matters. Every voice matters. Every day.

12/10/2026

💙 WHAT’S COMING UP ON HEALTH HUB THIS WEEK? 💙

We’ve got another busy week of health awareness, information and community support!

💙 Monday & Tuesday — Health Check
Parkinson’s — Parts 1 & 2

💗 Wednesday & Thursday — Health Knowledge
Vitamin B12 Deficiency — Parts 1 & 2

💚 Friday — Community Spotlight
Introducing Kaushalya UK, supporting and empowering women through wellbeing, skills and community activities.

🩷 Sunday 18 October — World Menopause Day
Raising awareness, sharing information and encouraging open conversations.

⏰ Health Check and Health Knowledge now publish at our new time of 19:30!

🧡 YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
Is there a health condition you’d like us to cover, or a UK community organisation you’d like us to feature?

📧 Email: [email protected]
Or leave a comment!

Follow Health Hub on Facebook and Instagram

© Health Hub UK 2026

💙 Because every person matters. Every voice matters. Every day.

12/10/2026

Are you curious? Take a look at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust - Walsall Manor Hospital and Community Health post to learn more.

Visitors to Walsall Manor Hospital can join staff to discover their blood type and potentially play their part in saving lives across the borough’s communities🩸

The Plasma of Hope charity supports people living with genetic blood disorders such as Sickle Cell and Thalassemia.

It aims to raise awareness about blood donation and improve access to lifesaving, ethnically matched blood types, particularly for patients with genetic blood disorders.

The charity now joins Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and NHS Blood and Transplant to stage a “What’s your type?” testing event on Monday 19 October, 9am-3pm, in the main atrium at Walsall Manor Hospital.

For many patients, especially those with sickle cell disease, ongoing access to rare blood subtypes such as RO is critical.

“The RO subtype is urgently needed in the UK, especially among patients of African and Caribbean heritage,” said Marie-Claire Kofi, Founder and CEO of Plasma of Hope.

Here's what will happen on the day:
✔️Register – The team will check if you’re eligible to donate
✔️Test – A quick 5-minute finger prick test reveals your blood type
✔️Learn – Find out your blood type and discover how donations save lives
✔️Book – The team can book a donation appointment at your nearest donor centre

10/10/2026

💜🦋 LUPUS: LIVED EXPERIENCE — MY MUM’S STORY

For Lupus Awareness Month, I wanted to share something much more personal.

This is my mum’s story.

Before lupus came to dominate her life, Mum was incredibly active.

She worked as a student liaison officer at our local college. She was a sprint coach at the athletics club where I trained and was also Women’s Cross Country Manager.

She was a wife, a mum, a working woman and someone with a real love of sport.

Then things began to change.

Mum had experienced joint pain and fatigue for years, which she had put down to arthritis. In her mid-40s, after developing a severe headache, she was admitted to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.

After numerous tests, doctors knew she had an autoimmune disease, although initially they weren’t certain which one.

Eventually, Mum was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Our GP was very honest about how little he knew about lupus at the time. I still remember what he told her:

💜 “We will learn about lupus together.”

And in many ways, that’s what everyone seemed to be doing.

Understanding and treatment of lupus were very different then. Mum’s disease was particularly severe and complex, and over the years doctors tried different treatments in an attempt to control it.

Her specialist care was eventually taken over by Professor Graham Hughes at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

Mum also had Hughes syndrome, now usually called antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and Sjögren’s syndrome.

She experienced numerous flares and lived with pain, overwhelming fatigue, the characteristic butterfly rash, severe sensitivity to sunlight and cognitive problems.

She loved the sunshine. Having to avoid something she loved because it could make her ill was another small piece of normal life that lupus took away.

As her illness progressed, her memory became affected too. She would forget conversations and sometimes tell us the same things repeatedly.

We learned not to say, “Mum, you’ve already told us that.”

We simply listened again.

💜 I only had to look at Mum to know she was in pain somewhere.

There were countless journeys to St Thomas’ Hospital. I can still remember sitting beside her and seeing tears running down her face because she was hurting so much.

One evening, when I was about 18, mum returned home from an out patient appointment. Mum was exhausted, so I helped her to bed and made her a hot chocolate.

Later, I found her leaning against the wardrobe.

I asked, “Are you OK, Mum?”

She told me she felt awful — and then collapsed unconscious.

I called an ambulance. Eventually two ambulance crews were needed to stabilise her enough to get her to hospital.

That was life with severe lupus.

Over the years, Mum’s health deteriorated significantly. Her kidneys were affected and she developed cardiac, lung and digestive problems. We were eventually told that the only major organ lupus had not affected was her liver.

She suffered numerous TIAs. Because of her Hughes syndrome, she took warfarin and had frequent INR checks. On one occasion she required hospital treatment with intravenous heparin.

She also experienced recurrent infections. Being immunocompromised and frequently requiring antibiotics meant candidiasis became another recurring problem.

Sjögren’s caused severe dryness, and she needed artificial tears and artificial saliva.

Eventually Mum became registered disabled. She had to give up the job she loved, her athletics coaching and her role in cross-country.

Dad eventually gave up work to care for her.

And still Mum kept going.

Years earlier, Mum had undergone a total hysterectomy following cervical cancer. Later bowel problems and prolapse eventually meant further surgery was considered.

Because of her complex health problems, sensitivities and allergies, her doctors were extremely concerned about the risks of anaesthesia. Dad later told us that they had estimated Mum’s chance of surviving the operation at only 20%.

Mum understood the risk.

She wanted the surgery.

She had it — and she came home.

That night, she developed internal bleeding and was rushed back to hospital.

She spent around four hours in emergency surgery, suffered a cardiac arrest and was admitted to intensive care on full life support.

There were repeated attempts to wake her, but things did not go as hoped.

Eventually, she did wake.

The last time I saw Mum awake in intensive care, she had developed C. difficile and MRSA.

I had to leave because I was working the following day.

Before leaving her room, I told her:

💜 “I love you. Keep fighting.”

As I reached the door, I turned around and looked back at her.

Mum looked at me and mouthed:

💜 “I love you too.”

Those were the last words we ever exchanged.

A week later, Mum deteriorated and we were called back to the hospital.

Her doctors explained that her lungs had been severely damaged by the prolonged ventilation and that her lupus had also flared, contributing to severe inflammation.

They tried one final very high-dose steroid treatment.

The doctors described it to us as:

💜 “One last throw of the dice.”

It didn’t work.

Dad then faced the most heartbreaking situation imaginable. Life-sustaining treatment was withdrawn.

On 14 December 2009, Mum passed away with her family around her.

She was far too young.

⸻

💜 Mum’s experience of lupus was particularly severe.

I want to make that very clear because somebody newly diagnosed with lupus may read this. Not everyone with lupus will experience what Mum experienced, and our understanding and treatment of lupus have changed considerably over the years.

But this was our family’s lived experience.

My youngest brother recently said something that stayed with me:

💜 “I kind of blocked it all out… that’s a lived experience, I guess.”

And he’s right.

Lupus didn’t just affect Mum.

Dad became her carer. We watched her lose parts of the life she’d had. We watched her suffer. And each of us dealt with that in our own way.

But lupus was never who Mum was.

She was our mum.

She worked. She coached athletes. She loved sport. She loved the sunshine. She raised her family. She fought an extraordinarily difficult illness for years.

And more than sixteen years later, I can still picture that final moment in intensive care.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

💜🦋 In memory of my mum
Passed away 14 December 2009

For trusted information and support:

💜 LUPUS UK
www.lupusuk.org.uk

💜 NHS — Lupus
www.nhs.uk/conditions/lupus/

Health Hub UK shares trusted health information and awareness and does not replace individual medical advice.

Follow Health Hub on Facebook and Instagram • © Health Hub UK 2026

Because every person matters. Every voice matters. Every day. 💜🦋

Mum….. ❤️