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  • Better Health 2025

    ‘Make 2025 your fresh start’

    St Helena Government is excited to announce the launch of the “Better Health 2025” campaign, encouraging residents to make positive lifestyle changes in the New Year.

    “Make 2025 your fresh start!”

    The campaign focuses on promoting overall well-being, emphasising that health goes beyond just weight loss. While weight management is an important aspect, “Better Health 2025” encourages individuals to set personal goals that align with their specific health needs. These goals could include:

    • Reducing blood sugar levels
    • Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption
    • Drinking more water
    • Minimising added sugar intake
    • Reducing sedentary time

    The campaign offers a 12-week Plan, helping participants lose an average of 5.8kg. This plan provides guidance on:

    • Setting realistic weight loss goals
    • Planning nutritious meals
    • Making healthier food choices
    • Increasing physical activity
    • Tracking progress and celebrating successes

    “Better Health 2025” provides comprehensive support, including:

    • Behaviour change strategies
    • Access to valuable tools and resources
    • Ongoing support from the Health Promotion team

    The campaign aims to empower individuals to make sustainable lifestyle changes that improve their overall health and well-being.

    For more information or to sign up for the “Better Health 2025” programme, please contact the Health Promotion team on 22500.

    SHG
    9 January 2025

  • Financial Aid Mission Delegation Press Conference

    St Helena Government (SHG) will hold a press conference tomorrow, 10 January 2025 with the FCDO Financial Aid Mission (FAM) Delegation and local media. The event is scheduled to take place in the Governor’s office from 15:00 to 15:30 GMT.

    His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips, Chief Minister Julie Thomas and Deputy Director of FCDO’s Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate Adam Pile will be on the panel. The panel will be discussing the FAM visit this week, and how discussions have progressed around recurrent funding for the financial year 2025/6, areas of particular budget pressure and SHG’s response strategy.

    #StHelena #OverseasDevelopmentAssistance #FinancialAid

    SHG

    09 January 2025

  • Seven Seas Splendor Cruise Ship Visit

    The cruise ship Seven Seas Splendor will arrive in St Helena at 10.00hrs on Sunday 12 January 2025  with  662 passengers and 541 crew on-board. 

    Approximately half the passengers are booked on island tours. Tours will depart at 10:30 from Jamestown Wharf.

    It is expected that the passengers will carry the following currencies:  Euros, Dollars and GBP. Currency rate of exchange information is available from the Bank of St Helena and the Tourist Office.

    There is a wide range of nationalities on-board, with the main nationalities being American, British, Australian, South African, German and Canadian.

    The Seven Seas Splendor will depart St Helena around 19:00.

    Temporary One Way Traffic System

    The public are advised thata temporary one-way system will be in place in the direction of Gordons Post to Hutts Gate along Tomb Road on Sunday 12 January 2025, from 10.30 to 17.00.

    Traffic wishing to travel in the opposite direction will be diverted from Hutts Gate to Gordons Post via The Dungeon, as per the map below:

    The one-way system will be clearly signed and will be removed as soon as no longer required.

    The one-way system has been put in place in order to more safely manage traffic and ease congestion, given the anticipated increase in vehicle volumes due to the visit of the Seven Seas Splendor cruise ship. This is the same process as has been put in place in previous years, and for the last cruise ship visit, and is likely to also be a feature during future cruise ship visits.

    We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their understanding in this matter.

  • Change To School Term Times

    It has become necessary to make changes to the published term times for the current academic year (2024-25)

    The public will be aware of a recent visit by a team from Hampshire, conducting an Education Standards Review on the primary schools provision.  This has led to a partnership with Hampshire and has generated access to substantial support, with training and upskilling opportunities for all teaching staff. 

    Rearranging the current Staff Development Days (SDDs) will enable staff to access and implement relevant strategies from this training within this academic year.

    To support these training opportunities the Minister for Education Skills and Employment Portfolio has approved the following changes for Term 2A:

    • Additional school holidays in January 2025:

    13, 14 & 15January 2025 – these are now SDDs to support staff training.

    • First Teaching Day:

    Thursday, 16 January 2025.

    The updated Term times 2024-25 with the above changes is available on the St Helena Government website www.sainthelena.gov.sh or directly from the Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio.

    The Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio appreciates your support and understanding regarding these changes and apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.

  • Viral Respiratory Tract Infections

    Over the past few weeks, there have been a number people within the community with virus infections causing coughs, colds, headaches, and vomiting. No specific viruses have been identified on St Helena, but given that there are currently large outbreaks in the UK of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS CoV19, as well as rhinovirus (the common cold), and that we have had lots of arrivals from there in the run up to Christmas, it is probably the same mixture of viruses.

    All of these viruses can cause a range of symptoms including blocked or runny nose, sore throat, a dry cough, headache and generalised muscle aches, sometimes with fevers. The same virus can cause different types and severity of symptoms in different people.

    What to do if you’ve got an infection

    As with any viral respiratory tract infection, most people do not need any specific treatment. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the headaches and fever, as well as simple cough linctus for the cough. These medications are usually available in the local shops.

    There is no need to come to the General Hospital to see a nurse or doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms. It is actually best to stay away given that you might pass your infection onto unwell people or medical staff. Crowded places should also be avoided as you risk passing the infection onto others.

    Very rarely you can get a bacterial infection on top of the viral one. If your cough starts producing a lot of yellow or green sputum and you start to feel unwell with shortness of breath, chest pains and persistent fevers, it maybe that you have a bacterial infection. In these cases you should seek clinical advice as you may need antibiotics. However, in most cases you should be back to normal within a few days.

  • Grounds and Maintenance Services required for  Pilling Primary School

    The Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced contractors or persons to provide a grounds maintenance service for Pilling Primary School.

    Interested parties must have some experience in maintaining grounds including hedges, lawns, gardens, etc, be able to handle general maintenance tasks, and have their own equipment to carry out the work.

    For further details, contact Business Support Officer, Christine George, on tel: 22607 or via email: christine.george@sainthelena.gov.sh.

    Submission of proposals along with a clean vetting certificate should be sent to Business Support Officer, Christine George, at the Education Learning Centre, Jamestown, by no later than 16:00 on Monday, 20 January 2025.

  • Minister Martin Henry to return on 11 January 2025

    Further to the Press Release issued on 12 December 2024, Minister for Health and Social Care, Martin Henry, will now return to the island on Saturday 11 January 2025.  

    Minister Christine Scipio will be responsible for the Health and Social Care Portfolio in Minister Henry’s absence and can be contacted by email via christine.scipio@helanta.co.sh, christine.scipio@sainthelena.gov.sh or by telephone on 23545.

  • Kickstart 2025 with a Healthier You

    The Health Promotion team invites you to join our annual “Healthier Me, Healthier You” campaign this January. This year’s programme includes two initiatives: Dry January and New Year, New You. These initiatives are designed to help you embrace positive lifestyle changes and achieve your health goals.

    Take the Dry January’ Challenge

    Dry January is a 31-day alcohol-free challenge designed to reset your mind and body. Did you know that excessive alcohol use contributes to over 200 health conditions? On St Helena, drinkers consume an average of 18 units of alcohol weekly – well above the NHS-recommended limit of 14 units.

    Benefits of cutting back:

    • Health: Improved liver and digestive health, lower blood pressure, and reduced cancer risk.
    • Life: Better relationships, financial savings, and work-life balance.

    Quit Smoking with ‘New Year, New You’

    Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Why not make 2025 the year you quit? Within just 20 minutes of stopping, your health improves—and the benefits keep growing over time.

    Look for more information and updates on the “Healthier Me, Healthier You” campaign on social media.

    3 January 2025

  • Union Flags Flying at Half Mast Following the Announcement of the Death of President Jimmy Carter.

    Union flags in Jamestown and at Plantation house have today been lowered to half-mast following the death of President Jimmy Carter.

    Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States passed away on 29 December at his family home in Plains, Georgia, age 100. He is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. President Carter had been receiving hospice care at his home since February 2023.

    Along with other Territories and Government buildings in the UK and overseas, the Union flag will be half-masted from now until 20:00 on 30 December.

    #StHelena #PresidentCarter

    www.twitter.com/StHelenaGovt

    www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

    SHG

    30 December 2024

  • Changes to the Public Transport Service during the Festive Season

    The public are advised that only the ‘everyday routes’ will run for the dates 25, 26, 30 December 2024 and 1 January 2025 as per the published timetable.

    For Route one, the scheduled route departing Grand Parade at 16.10 from ‘Mondays to Fridays’ will cease to operate during the period 25 December 2024 to 1 January 2025 and will resume as normal on 2 January 2025.