
The Porl-E competition ran across schools in south east Essex from November to December 2019. The aim was to get key audiences such as children to think about how they might stay well during winter. The narrative included a story about ‘Porl-E’, a nasty germ that causes upset tummies, colds and flu.
Thank you to everyone who submitted entries. The winners have now been announced, and include the following schools:
- Our Lady of Ransom, Rayleigh
- Thorpe Hall School, Southend-on-Sea
- Porters Grange Primary School and Nursery, Southend-on-Sea
- Greenways Primary School, Southend-on-Sea
We have developed an NHS digital storybook with the winning entries which includes lots of tips and tricks about staying well and preventing the spread of illnesses during winter.
Download the south east Essex Super Germ-Busters Guide
Read the south east Essex Super Germ-Busters Guide on Issuu
Download Campaign Overview Presentation
What was it all about?
The nasty germ, ‘Porl-E’, tried to spoil Christmas by making people unwell; infecting them and causing upset tummies and nasty coughs and colds. We needed local children to help us with stories about how they can stay well and prevent ‘Porl-E’ from spoiling Christmas.
The competition offered the opportunity for schoolchildren to play an active role in promoting self-care and prevention.
Download competition poster
What is self-care?
More needs to be done to support people to better look after their own health. Empowering people to self-care has many benefits for their short term and long term health.
Helping people to look after their own health, and their family’s health also helps to manage demand on health services.
Below are some other top tips to help you take care of yourself:
- Be prepared for most common ailments by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home
- Speak to your local pharmacist – many medicines for minor illness and ailments are available over-the-counter
- Get your flu jab during the winter season
- Keep active to stay physically and mentally well
- Be mindful that sometimes symptoms can last longer than you think – sore throats can last an average of eight days
- Don’t forget, antibiotics don’t work on sore throats, coughs or colds.
Self-care can mean the following things:
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