Simple Signposting to Better Health and Wellbeing
Barking and Dagenham
Self-care and National Support Services
NATIONAL SUPPORT
Do you think you would benefit from some further support to reduce your drinking to 'lower risk' levels?
- Speak to your GP, a loved one or call Drinkline 0300 1231110 (Mon-Fri 9am - 8pm, weekends 11am - 4pm). The Drinkline service provides free, confidential, accurate and consistent information and advice to callers who are concerned about their own or someone else`s drinking regardless of the caller`s age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity or spirituality.
- The 'One You' drinks tracker app makes it easy to keep an eye on the booze and take control with daily tips and feedback.
- NHS Better Health have a 'Drink Free Days' app and tips on how to reduce alcohol consumption.
- Mutual Aid services including twelve step programmes and Smart Recovery are available to anyone who wants support to address their drug or alcohol use. You can find a meeting here:
- Alcoholics Anonymous https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
- Narcotics Anonymous https://online.ukna.org/
- Cocaine Anonymous https://www.ca-online.org/
- SMART Recovery https://smartrecovery.org.uk/online-meetings/
SELF CARE
Further tips on cutting down
- Alcoholics Anonymous https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
- Narcotics Anonymous https://online.ukna.org/
- Cocaine Anonymous https://www.ca-online.org/
- SMART Recovery https://smartrecovery.org.uk/online-meetings/
Make a plan
Before you start drinking, set a limit on how much you're going to drink.
Set a budget
Only take a fixed amount of money to spend on alcohol.
Let them know
If you let your friends and family know you're cutting down and it's important to you, you could get support from them.
Take it a day at a time
Cut back a little each day. That way, every day you do is a success.
Make it a smaller one
You can still enjoy a drink, but go for smaller sizes. Try bottled beer instead of pints, or a small glass of wine instead of a large one.
Have a lower-strength drink
Cut down the alcohol by swapping strong beers or wines for ones with a lower strength (ABV in %). You'll find this information on the bottle.
Stay hydrated
Have a glass of water before you have alcohol and alternate alcoholic drinks with water or a soft drink.
Take a break
Have several drink-free days each week.
Local Support Services
CGL - St Luke's Service
St Luke's Service is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults in Barking and Dagenham. They make support accessible and remove the stigma of substance misuse issues, using a trauma informed approach. They have several satellites across the borough.
Website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/dagenham-drug-alcohol-service
Telephone: 020 8595 1375
Email: stlukes@cgl.org.uk
Address: St Lukes, Dagenham Road, RM10 7UP.
WDP - Subwize (Young People)
Subwize is a vibrant community facing young people's drug and alcohol service. They provide a range of prevention and treatment services aimed at preventing young people from engaging in substance misusing and risk-taking behaviours. They enable young people to develop boundaries, emotional resilience and self-esteem, actively support young people to reduce and/or stop harmful behaviours such as drug and alcohol use, encouraging prosocial and healthy alternatives. It is open for young people under the age of 21 with a transition group for those between 21 and 24.
Website: https://www.wdp.org.uk/find-us/london/subwize
Telephone: 0300 303 4613
Email: info.subwize@wdp.org.uk
Secure email: info.subwize@wdp.cjsm.net
Address: Subwize, The Vibe, 195-211 Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, RM8 2UT.
Self-care and National Support Services
National Support Services
The Money Helper Service was set up by the Government and offers free impartial advice including
- Advice and guides to help improve your finances
- Tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead
- Support over the phone and online
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
0800 1387777 (free phone)
Got a question? You can start a Webchat online.
Webchat opening hours:
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
- Saturday, 8am to 3pm
- Sunday and Bank Holidays, closed.
WhatsApp: Need help sorting out your debts, have credit questions or want pensions guidance? You can talk to the team live on WhatsApp.
- Add +44 77 0134 2744 to your WhatsApp and send a message.
Citizens Advice Service
The Citizens Advice Service can help you to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems, how to avoid losing your home and how to get your finances back into shape. Citizens Advice also offer advice on Benefits and Tax credits as it's important to make sure that you get all the help that you're entitled to.
03444 111 444
National Debtline
National Debtline has helped millions of people with their debts. They'll talk you through options and give clear advice on how to take back control.
The Debt Advice Foundation is a national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt.
0800 622 61 51
Credit Unions
Credit unions can help those who can't get access to ordinary bank products.
Rising cost of Energy
If you are struggling to pay for energy or think you may get into difficulty, contact your supplier.
The energy regulator rules mean suppliers must offer payment plans you can afford and you can ask for ‘emergency credit’ if you use a prepay meter and can’t top up.
Save money off your Gas Bill
Turning down a single setting will make your boiler work more efficiently, saving around £129 a year for the average household. It only takes a few minutes to lower your flow temperature, and it can be changed back instantly. There’s nothing to lose by trying it. Advice from Nesta, the UK's innovation agency for social good.
Walkthrough - Money Saving Boiler Challenge
Local Support Services
https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/cost-living-support
Mayor of London - Borough Support
This Hub contains information about benefits, grants and discounts you can get if you are in financial difficulty, from the Mayor of London, the government, your local council, charities and advice centres.
Self-care and National Support Services
Self Care
The NHS Better Health website has a range of resources, tips and apps available to help with weight management and encourage a nutritious diet.
NHS Digital Weight Management Programme
A GP or pharmacist can refer a person to the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme if the individual comes into the following category:
- They are aged 18 or over.
- They have a BMI greater than 30. (The BMI threshold will be lowered to 27.5 for people from black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds, as we know people from these ethnic backgrounds are at an increased risk of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes at a lower BMI.)
- They have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both.
- They have a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access.
Local Support Services
LEAN Living - Barking and Dagenham Healthy Lifestyles Service
Sign up with online form 12 free 1 hour classes that will support you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Website: https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/newme-healthy-lifestyle
Email: healthy.lifestyles@lbbd.gov.uk
Registration Form: LEAN Living Registration Form (office.com)
Telephone: 020 8724 8018
HENRY, Healthy Families Growing up - Barking and Dagenham - Healthy Lifestyles Service(Young People)
For children living in Barking and Dagenham, the HENRY 5-12 programme is an eight week course delivered by local HENRY facilitators for up to 12 parents. Programmes focus on building your confidence and strengths as a parent and explores key themes such as; emotional well-being, whole family lifestyle habits, mealtimes, TV, sleep, food, parenting and physical activity.
There is also a programme available for parents with children 0-5 - HENRY healthy families right from the start
Website: https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/newme-healthy-lifestyle
Email: healthy.lifestyles@lbbd.gov.uk
Registration form: HENRY Registration Form (office.com)
Telephone: 020 8724 8018
Self-care and National Support Services
If you think the person you are concerned about is in immediate danger or needs urgent care, please call 999.
Whilst there are some amazing national services available, we recommend a local first approach. A list of local services can be found at the foot of this text.
Not sure which local authority area to choose? If you know a postcode you can check which local authority area here.
Street Link is a national service which can be used by members of the public if they see people sleeping rough. Referrals can be made online or via telephone (0300 500 0914).
Supporting access to primary care
Groundswell have produced and widely circulated small, plastic, credit card-style cards called ‘My Right to Healthcare’. These cards emphasise the person’s right to register and highlight that they may need assistance to complete forms and help with reading and understanding. The cards can be used to remind GP receptionists and other practice staff of the national patient registration guidance from NHS England. The cards are freely available and can be downloaded and printed locally.
Local Support Services
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Website: If you are homeless now | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (lbbd.gov.uk)
In addition to the persons written or verbal consent, try to gather the following information to include on the duty to refer form.
• Person’s name
• Contact details – include a mobile phone number
• Address (if any)
• Household members / Next of Kin – if known
• Any other support needs, health issues or vulnerabilities
While someone can apply to any local authority, they should be made aware that the local authority might refer them to another local authority if they do not have a local connection to the area where they are applying for assistance. Local authorities should not refuse to accept a homeless application because a person does not have a local connection and must still provide emergency accommodation if the person is vulnerable or has significant health and social support needs.
Self-care and National Support Services
The London Damp and Mould Checklist is designed by London’s public health system partners, who have worked together to produce a checklist resource for use by health and social care professionals who visit residential properties as part of their management and care of patients.
It provides a checklist and guidance to support the identification of internal damp and mould, as well as people at risk of poor health due to damp and mould exposure in their home. There is also an emphasis on prevention of damp and mould for all residents.
Where concerns are identified this resource provides guidance for tenants on actions to take in the form of advice, signposting, and template letters to inform local authority housing teams, housing associations, landlords and health services of any concerns.
We would really value your feedback on this resource.
To provide feedback, please email LondonDampandMould@dhsc.gov.uk
Local Support Services
https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/housing
Mayor of London - Borough Support
The Mayor of London is funding free local advice services for vulnerable Londoners and those on low incomes: Warmer Homes Advice Service in your borough
If a tenant is concerned about a private landlord, they can consider reporting them through the GLA’s rogue landlord process.
Self-care and National Support Services
If someone needs help for a mental health crisis, emergency or breakdown, you should seek immediate expert advice and assessment. It's important to know that support is available, even if services seem busy at the moment because of coronavirus.
Scrolling down to the local listings below will provide you with a crisis line number to use in an emergency for each London borough.
However, if someone’s life is at risk – for example they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose and you do not feel that you can keep yourself or someone else safe you should call 999.
A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone's time.
If you are not able to speak to your local NHS urgent mental health helpline and you need help urgently for a mental health issue, but it's not an emergency, you should call 111 who will tell you the right place to get help.
If you are worried that this person is at risk of suicide, please also see the section for Suicide Prevention.
You can also encourage them to ring:
Samaritans - (All age groups)
Tel: 116 123, open 24 hours a day.
Papyrus - (Young people)
Tel: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07786209697
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Opening hours - Mon-Fri: 10am-10pm, weekends: 2pm-10pm & bank holidays: 2pm-5pm
If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
Coping during a crisis
The mental health charity Mind has information on ways to help yourself cope during a crisis.
This includes calming exercises and a tool to get you through the next few hours.
Local Support Services
NELFT Mental Health Direct
If you live in Barking and Dagenham, you can call for mental health help and advice anytime of the day or night. We can arrange for you to speak with a mental health professional. We can also advise you about what service to contact to get the support you need. The line is open to callers based in the 4 London boroughs above for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Telephone: 0300 555 1000 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
Self-care and National Support Services
The following resources are available to support people who are experiencing mental health challenges, however if they are in crisis and need urgent access to support, please go to the URGENT MENTAL HEALTH section of MECC Link where you can find local support services for mental health emergencies.
For non-urgent mental health support, encourage the person to contact their GP. Always give reassurances that there are lots of sources for support, however they wish to access and use them.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to see listings of local support services in their borough.
Self Care Resources
- Good Thinking provides digital mental wellbeing support for Londoners. This includes free NHS-approved apps to help you deal with stress, anxiety, low mood and poor sleep.
- Every Mind Matters is an NHS-approved digital hub full of expert advice and practical tips to achieve good mental health.
- The NHS have other self-help tools available, including 5 steps to mental wellbeing.
- Mind 'The charity for better mental health' has an extensive range of self help resources available.
- For Men -CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer accredited, confidential and free support to men anywhere in the UK through a helpline and web and webchat service.
Support Services
Adults
Adults can self-refer to Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. IAPT is a national NHS programme, which offers evidence based psychological therapies or interventions approved by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). IAPT is primarily for treating people with mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
IAPT treatments are delivered via a stepped care model where patients are initially offered low intensity therapies, such as computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) and guided self-help. If these treatments are unsuccessful, or not appropriate for individuals, higher intensity therapies are utilised and include one to one cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT). Please see local support and contact details for further information.
Children and Young People
The Mix is a leading support service that can help young people to take on challenges they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
0808 0808 4994 (Freephone)
Parents
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline, which parents/careers can call if they are worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. They also run a group called Parents Say, for parents whose children are accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Perinatal
The PANDAS Foundation supports and advises parents who is experiencing a perinatal mental illness. They also inform and guide family members, carers, friends and employers as to how they can support someone who is suffering.
0843 2898401 (0900 - 2000 hrs, 7 days per week)
Carers
The Carers Trust contains helpful guides for carers on relationship management and information on self-care and respite care.
Refugees and asylum seekers
Thrive LDN have produced a number of resources designed to support new arrivals to the UK, including:
- Guidance for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of displaced Ukrainians
- Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Afghan refugees
- Wellbeing guidance in 36 languages
Good Thinking’s 'Coping with Trauma' workbook outlines seven techniques to help people who have experienced trauma.
Veterans
Veterans Combat Stress is the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans. They offer free, confidential 24-hour support to Service and ex-Service personnel who are experiencing mental health issues, including feeling suicidal.
0800 138 1619
Local Support Services
NELFT – BDAAT (Barking and Dagenham adult access and assessment team)
Website: https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-barking-access-assessment-team/
Telephone: 0300 300 1570 (option 3)
Email: BDAA.Team@nhs.net
NEFLT
iTHRIVE is an integrated, person centred and needs led approach to delivering mental health services for children, young people and families which conceptualises need in four categories:
- Getting Advice and Signposting
- Getting Help
- Getting More Help
- Getting Risk Support
Website: www.nelft.nhs.uk/i-thrive
Telephone: 0300 555 1200
Resources: https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/resources-barking-and-dagenham-camhs
Self-care and National Support Services
Self Care
- The Couch to 5K phone app has been designed to help get people off the couch and running in just 9 weeks.
- The Active 10 phone app show you how how much brisk walking you do and helps to show you how you can fit a ten minute brisk walk into your day. It breaks this brisk walking down into manageable chunks of ten minutes and encourages at least one session every day (which equates to 70 minutes a week). Users can set their own goals and the app encourages people to progress up to 30 brisk minutes of walking per day, to meet the 150 minutes recommended by the Chief Medical Officer
- Why not join a Parkrun in your local area? Did you know that one of the best things about Parkrun and Junior Park run is that you can run, or jog or walk entirely at your own pace. This makes it accessible for those who never could envisage running 2k or 5k and creates an environment where people feel welcome.
Active Travel Toolkit
The Greater London Authority have produced a toolkit to support healthcare professionals to social prescribe active travel.
Local Support Services
LEAN Living - Barking and Dagenham Healthy Lifestyles Team
LEAN (Learning, Exercise and Nutrition) Living is our free programme for people aged 16 and over, living in Barking and Dagenham and with a BMI of 25 or more. This programme has been designed by a group of highly experienced nutrition, psychology, physiology and health and fitness experts. It has shown to be effective in helping people lose weight and keep it off.
Whatever the reasons you might have to lose weight, improve your health or reduce your risk of obesity-related conditions like Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and some cancers, our free course Lean Living programme will help you to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
There are 12-week programmes, six-week programmes and a rolling programme where our expert healthy lifestyle coaches will welcome and guide you through five key areas of the weight loss programme(Getting the balance right, The fullness factor, Retraining your appetite, Getting Active, Skills for weight management) and also you will meet people of the same like minds. These programmes are also currently delivered online and over the phone at different times during the week.
We will help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight by providing you with free access to exercise classes, nutrition information, gyms, health walks and provide you a discount to the borough's leisure centres.
Website: https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/newme-healthy-lifestyle
Telephone: 020 8724 8019
Email: healthy.lifestyles@lbbd.gov.uk
Registration form: LEAN Living Registration Form (office.com)
Exercise on referral
Our Exercise on referral programme is for people aged 18 and over, living in Barking and Dagenham and who have one of the following conditions:
- cancer
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a group of lung diseases)
- diabetes type I or II controlled
- hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
- hypertension
- mild to moderate depression
- osteoporosis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- stress or anxiety
Throughout the 12 week programme, you'll work closely with one of our lifestyle coaches on increasing your physical activity levels, making some lifestyle changes and improving your health.
Once you have finished the programme you will be eligible for a discounted leisure centre membership to help continue with your healthy lifestyle journey.
You can be referred to the exercise on referral programme by your GP or other health professional.
Meet the Exercise on referral coaches (PDF, 690KB)
Self-care and National Support Services
Reassure them that sexual health services are confidential, and free of charge in most cases.
Self Care
For information about sexual health, STIs, HIV and contraception visit Sexwise, It Starts With Me or the NHS website.
The Sexual Health Helpline provides advice and information on all aspects of sexual health, call free on 0300 123 7123 (open from 9am-8pm, Monday-Friday and Saturday-Sunday 11am to 4pm). Calls will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence.
Contraception Choices is designed to help people decide which method of contraception might suit them best and provides honest information on the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Community Pharmacies
Emergency hormonal contraception is effective up to five days after sex and is available from most community pharmacies. Some pharmacies may charge for this service, so it is advised to call ahead to check what they offer.
General Practice
If registered with a GP, routine contraception and, in some cases, Long-Acting Reversible methods (such as an Interuterine Device/’coil’ or a contraceptive injection or implant) can be provided. Suggest contacting local practice directly to find out what they can offer.
Support for victims of sexual assault
The Havens provide specialist centres across London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. For urgent advice and an initial assessment call 020 3299 6900.
Other local services
Go to the local support section for information on what is available in each borough.
Local Support Services
Online Services
Anyone aged over 16 can register with Sexual Health London for this free, confidential, and discrete sexual health service. Once registered, the service can issue an STI testing kit for people with mild or no symptoms, they can be posted to their home or collected from a clinic. Users take their own samples and post the kit back to the laboratory. Test results are available a few days later and telephone support is provided.
This service requires registering online and is best accessed via a mobile phone for confidentiality, so do encourage the person you are talking with to register.
Specialist Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinics
People who are aged under 16 years and people with serious symptoms that could indicate a sexually transmitted infection are advised to contact a face-to-face clinic. These clinics can also provide a wide range of contraception including Long-Acting Reversible Methods e.g. coils and implants.
Click here to find a clinic via Sexual Health London
HIV prevention and outreach
Do It London provides highly effective treatment and prevention strategies for HIV. The London HIV Prevention Programme hosts information and resources about U=U, PrEP, condoms and a range of HIV testing services across London.
Free condoms for young people
The Come Correct (or C-Card) scheme provides access to free condoms in a variety of locations (called Outlets) across London. Once registered you can collect condoms or get advice from any outlet displaying the Come Correct logo.
Support for victims of sexual assault
The Havens provide specialist centres across London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. For urgent advice and an initial assessment call 020 3299 6900.
Self-care and National Support Services
NATIONAL SUPPORT
- Call the free Smokefree National Helpline to speak to a trained, expert adviser on 0300 123 1044. All lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm*.
- Smokefree has lots of free support this includes a smartphone app, email programme or text messages that will keep you focused wherever you are.
- You can also speak to your doctor, pharmacy team or local Stop Smoking Service for expert advice on stop smoking medicines.
SELF CARE
- Download the NHS Smokefree app from itunes or google play
- Get further information from the National Health Service www.nhs.uk/quit
- Consider using e-cigarettes to stop smoking
- Millions have used Smokefree support to help them stop smoking. Choose from an app, email, SMS and face-to-face guidance.
Emphasise that quitting will the best thing they will ever do and the NHS Smokefree service can provide the friendly and helpful support they need to quit for good
Illegal Tobacco
The availability of cheap, illegal tobacco can seriously undermine attempts to stop smoking. Did you know that you can report any sales of illegal tobacco in your community by contacting Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline anonymously on 0808 223 1133, or report it online at http://www.londontradingstandards.org.uk/report-consumer-crime/. Click on our regional resources tab to see more information about how organisations in London are working together on the Stamp It Out campaign and how you can help.
Local Support Services
Barking and Dagenham - Healthy Lifestyles Team
Barking and Dagenham's Specialist Stop Smoking Service provides a specialist support service to high risk individuals including those with mental health conditions, pregnant women, those with long term conditions, those 18 and under and routine and manual workers.
The service is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and 7pm on some days and can be arranged by appointment only.
The service is run by our Stop Smoking advisors who have many years of experience in delivering stop smoking services.
The service offers:
- weekly Nicotine Replacement Therapy
- direct support and quit plan from a trained practitioner for up to 12 weeks
- telephone and/or digital support
- face-to-face support available at a location near you (subject to the latest local and national guidance Covid Guidance)
Community pharmacies across Barking and Dagenham
You can also access your quit smoking support from your local community pharmacy.
Their weekly face-to-face service includes:
- personalised advice and support on how to stop smoking
- individually tailored treatment plan that includes setting a quit date
- access to NHS-approved medications, including Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) like patches, gum and lozenges
- follow-ups for at least the first four weeks of stopping smoking
- regular carbon monoxide monitoring
- up to 12 weeks of support
Website: www.lbbd.gov.uk/newme-healthy-lifestyles
Telephone: 020 8724 8018
Email: healthy.lifestyles@lbbd.gov.uk
Registration form: Stop Smoking Registration Form www.lbbd.gov.uk/newme-healthy-lifestyle (office.com)
Stop Smoking London
Stop Smoking London exists to help Londoners to quit smoking. Across Greater London you can get specialist, personalised help from health advisers over the phone, throughout your 28 day quit journey.
You can call the Stop Smoking London helpline seven days a week and at the following times:
- Monday to Fridays: 9am - 8pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 11am - 4pm
- When you call you’ll speak to one of our advisors, they will talk you through the various options and help you to decide what might work best for you.
Website: https://stopsmokinglondon.com
Telephone: 0300 123 1044
Resources: https://stopsmokinglondon.com/tools-and-resources
Self-care and National Support Services
Booking an appointment
For those wishing to find out whether they are eligible for a vaccination and how to book an appointment, go back to the Assist section and guide them through.
Local information and support
Specific borough information for local vaccination and support services can be found below.
Local Support Services
Flu vaccination | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (lbbd.gov.uk)