Free mini checks and advice offered at health MOT day at Downham Market Library

Residents were able to find out if their health was on track thanks to a free event at Downham Library last week.

The My Health On Track (MOT) drop-in event on Friday, which offered mini health checks and advice from a range of different organisations, saw more than 50 people attend.

Library manager Fran Valentine said: “The event was a great success. We work with all the organisations who came along regularly and I decided it would be a good start to the year to have them all in together to deliver a Health MOT day.”

She said the event had a “fantastic” response, with more than 50 people taking the opportunity to find out their BMI (body mass index), check their eyesight, blood pressure and diabetes risk.

Ms Valentine said visitors could also have the health of their feet checked, get support with hearing aids, and be provided with information on safety in the home and about being smoke-free.

“Our wonderful library friends made sure everyone had refreshments and helped people with the online ‘One You’ health quiz,” she added.

A number of visitors were referred to see their GPs or opticians as well.

The groups which attended the event were The Stroke Association, Casualty Reduction Team, Smokefree Norfolk, West Norfolk Deaf Association, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and Feet First Chiropody of Downham.

Ms Valentine said the library is hoping to hold the event again in the future, with potential for later in the year.