The team are currently visiting locations across Gloucestershire, offering people simple health checks, including blood pressure, and chatting to them about simple changes they can make to their lifestyle, such as stopping smoking, improving their diet or increasing exercise.
High blood pressure is a major cause of heart attacks and stroke. Around one in three adults have high blood pressure, but many don’t realise it because it often doesn’t have any symptoms until it’s too late.
The Know your Numbers campaign urges everyone, particularly those aged 40 and over, to get a blood pressure (BP) check to find out their numbers and start making healthy lifestyle changes or taking medicines if needed to help bring their blood pressure down.
There are several ways for people to access a BP check, including at a local pharmacy, at a community drop-in event, or at their GP surgery. Some people may also wish to check their BP at home with a home blood pressure monitor.
The Outreach Vaccination and Health team provided almost 1,700 blood pressure checks at community drop-in events in 2025. Of those, 111 people were referred urgently, and 50 were notified and recommended to self-refer to their GP practice – either due to their blood pressure results, or other reasons which came up during their health checks.
Members of our friendly team also chat to people about simple changes they can make to their lifestyle, such as stopping smoking, improving their diet or increasing exercise and signposting to further support if needed.
Find out more about the Know Your Numbers campaign in Gloucestershire and how to access a BP check.
In Gloucestershire, prevention and increasing the early identification of high blood pressure and supporting those with a diagnosis to manage their condition are important priorities. That’s why we’re supporting the Know Your Numbers campaign all year round.
Oonagh Wilson, Clinical Lead, Community Outreach Vaccination and Health team, said: “The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked. All adults over 40 years old are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. Getting this done is easy and could save your life.”
How to access a blood pressure check:
- At a community health outreach team event – see dates and locations below
- At a pharmacy – use the NHS website to find a pharmacy close to you
- At your local GP surgery – some GP surgeries have a blood pressure machine in their waiting room, or you may be able to book a check with a member of the surgery team
- You can also check your blood pressure yourself with a home blood pressure monitor – see below.
Dates and locations
Our Community Outreach Vaccination and Health team will be offering health checks at the following locations:
Friday 4 September - Kingswood
Tuesday 8 September - Coleford
Time: 10.30am-12pm
Location: Forest of Dean Stroke Group
Address: The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH
Wednesday 9 September - Gloucester
Wednesday 9 September - Frampton on Severn
Time: 10am-2pm
Location: Cadbury Hall Community Centre
Address: Lake Lane, Frampton on Severn GL2 7HG
Thursday 10 September - Cheltenham
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS)
Address: School House Café, St Paul’s Road, Cheltenham GL50 4EZ
Thursday 10 September - Gloucester
Friday 11 September - Moreton-in-Marsh
Monday 14 September - Gloucester
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS)
Address: The Trust Centre, Falkner Street, Gloucester GL1 4SQ
Thursday 17 September - Cheltenham
Time: 10am-2pm
Location: Cheltenham Open Door
Address: Unit 3, St George’s Business Park, Alston Lane, Cheltenham GL51 8HF
Friday 18 September - Stroud
Monday 21 September - Stonehouse
Time: 10.30am-1.30pm
Location: All Pulling Together
Address: 1 Park Parade, Park Road, Stonehouse GL10 2DB
Wednesday 23 September - Gloucester
Time: 10am-2pm
Location: All Nations Community Centre
Address: Chase Lane Estate, Chase Lane, off 61-63 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester GL4 6PH
Saturday 26 September - Gloucester
Time: 9.30am-12pm
Location: Polish Community Event
Address: Kingsway Primary School, Valley Gardens, Gloucester GL2 2AR
Tuesday 6 October - Cirencester
Time: 2pm-3.30pm
Location: Churn Project Friendship Cafe
Address: 21 Ashcroft Road, Cirencester GL7 1RA
Check your blood pressure yourself
Home monitoring can be a really useful way of keeping track of your blood pressure. To make sure you get reliable readings, it’s important to use a monitor that’s suitable for you and that you know how to use it.
Find out more about home blood pressure monitoring on the Blood Pressure UK website, or speak to a pharmacist about what type of monitor may best suit your needs.
‘How a simple blood pressure check saved my life’
Amanda's story
‘I am so grateful to the Outreach team. By offering me the opportunity to have a blood pressure check that day on the ward, they have made me aware of my condition and possibly saved my life.‘
Amanda is a healthcare assistant on Mulberry Ward at Charlton Lane in Cheltenham.
The Outreach Health and Vaccination team visited the hospital recently, offering colleagues the opportunity to have blood pressure and health checks.
Amanda recalls: “I took up the offer of a blood pressure check when the team visited Mulberry Ward. I was told my blood pressure was high at 166/116, and they advised I contact my GP.
“So, I sent a message to my GP practice, and they called me back. Initially I was prescribed medication – a calcium channel blocker – and asked to attend the surgery for an ECG (electrocardiogram).
“While I was at the surgery the practice nurse took my blood pressure manually and was very concerned, as it was 224/110. My GP asked me to complete four days of blood pressure readings, every morning and evening, and send the results into the surgery.
“My blood pressure remained high. The first (or top) number, the systolic pressure, was in the 190s. So, I was prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and my other medication was increased. Again, I was asked to record my blood pressure over four days and send my GP the results.
“At the time of writing my blood pressure is 191/98. I have further GP appointments and blood tests scheduled, my medication has been increased, and I have to provide my GP with another set of blood pressure readings in a couple of weeks.
“Through all of this experience I have felt absolutely fine. I’ve not experienced any symptoms – no headaches, blurred vison, or chest pain. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I don’t smoke or drink, I am vegetarian and eat a healthy balanced diet. I am slightly overweight but have lost two stone since February. So, I was totally shocked to discover my blood pressure was so dangerously high.
“I am so grateful to the Outreach team. By offering me the opportunity to have a blood pressure check that day on the ward, they have made me aware of my condition and possibly saved my life. Now I encourage all my friends and family to get their blood pressure checked.”
Phil's story
‘Thanks to the team’s persistence, my urgent health condition was identified’
Phil (aged 37) happened to be holidaying in the Cotswolds on the day of their visit. He recalls: “There was an NHS van parked in Stow Market Square offering free blood pressure checks. Despite my initial reservations the team were persistent in checking me. They found that my blood pressure was extremely high.
“Following their advice, I managed to get an urgent appointment with my GP, had blood tests and a 24-hour blood pressure monitor fitted.
“I hadn’t been experiencing any symptoms, so was totally unaware of my underlying health condition.
“Thanks to the team’s persistence, my urgent health condition was identified, and I am now on medication to control it. I am extremely grateful.”
