You can get help and advice on how you could benefit from heating and insulation measures from the Energy Advice Service on 0300 1231234
Your energy supplier may provide a service called the 'Warm Home Discount scheme' which pays £140 either to your electricity account or vouchers to top up your electricity meter. You will need to contact your electricity supplier to see if you meet their eligibility criteria
People aged 60 or over, disabled people or those who suffer from a chronic illness, are entitled to a range of services, by signing up for free to their energy suppliers Priority Service Register. The Priority Service Register has also been recently extended to include:
Customers with certain mental health conditions which impact on them understanding their bill
Customers who cannot top up their pre-payment meter due to injury
Temporary circumstances where a customer needs extra support for a limited amount of time
Details of how to join can be found on the reverse of your energy bill
If you don't know who your current gas and electricity supplier is, this can be checked by contacting:
For Gas - Meter Point Reference Line - 0870 6081524
For Electricity - Northern Powergrid - 0845 0707172
Better Homes Yorkshire on 0808 1592909 has been created to help residents across Yorkshire pay less for energy and live in healthier, warmer homes. Residents in participating Local Authority area will be able to take advantage of the latest Government funded options to make efficiency improvement works to their homes, this is open to homeowners, private tenants and landlords in the following councils: Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale, Barnsley, Wakefield, York, Craven, Harrogate and Selby
If you are experiencing difficulties paying your gas/or electricity bill or have an energy debt then you should contact your supplier in the first instance. Other impartial advice is available from the National debtline 0808 808 4000 or from the StepChange debt Charity 0800 138 1111.
Preparing for Colder Weather
From keeping your house warm to protecting yourself from common ailments, find out how to stay healthy this winter on NHS Choices.
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.
Download the drinks tracker from Drink less - Better Health which makes it easy to keep an eye on the booze and take control with daily tips and feedback available on itunes or google play
Get further information from NHS Choices www.nhs.uk
SELF CARE
Further tips on cutting down
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.
DRUGS
NATIONAL SUPPORT
Call FRANKFRANK is a national drug information service with factfiles and FAQs.
Tel:0300 1236600 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or Text 82111
Narcotics Anonymous -A non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a problem. They are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only ONE requirement for membership, the desire to stop using.
Tel:0300 9991212 (10.00am to midnight)
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:
Children and Young People can contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
In Leicester the local service Turning Point is still providing a service to individuals with alcohol and drug issues. It is able to take new referrals and is doing a lot more of its work over the phone. For more information on how to refer and ask for help, use the link below:
Give reassurances that there are lots of sources of support and help your bereaved person make contact with sources of support.
If you are worried that this person is in crisis, please see section forSuicide Prevention
If no immediate risk take the following steps:
Encourage and support them to contact:
National Bereavement Service
Most people will have to take responsibility for all the practical arrangements after a death, at least once in their lives. For others, it can be many more times. In any circumstance, loss is a difficult and often distressing time.
The National Bereavement Service offers practical and emotional support to guide you through what needs to be done. We can introduce the bereaved to trusted partner organisations in both private and charitable sectors, as well as provide information on the statutory requirements following loss, such as the registration of death and probate.
Cruse offers advice and information about types of support, where to get it, and help supporting other people. They also have a telephone helpline and webchat service enabling people to talk about how they are feeling Home - Cruse Bereavement Support.
The charity Mind has a wealth of information about different types of bereavement, where to go for support and suggestions for helping yourself and others Support and self-care for grief - Mind. This includes a dedicated section with information on Losing someone to suicide - Mind
Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.
Encourage the person to contact their GP. Their GP will be able support the person in many ways
Mind 'The charity for better mental health' has an extensive range of self help resources available
TheNHS have has a range of self-help tools available
Andy's Man Clubprovides a weekly talking group, a place for men to come together in a safe environment to talk about issues/problems they be have faced or currently been facing. Meetings take place regularly in different locations across the region, where applicable these can be found in the local support and contact details section.
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. They talk through any issue with you and offer support, advice and signposting.
Qwell- Free, safe and anonymous mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK
Kooth - is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous support, for 11-25 year olds
Every Mind Matters
‘Every Mind Matters’ is the first national mental health campaign from Public Health England
It’s an NHS-approved digital hub full of expert advice and practical tips to achieve good mental health
It also has a free NHS-approved online tool - ‘Your Mind Plan’ to help us:
Adultscan self-refer toImproving 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.
Support Services - Veterans
VeteransCombat 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.
The PANDAS Foundation is here to help support and advise any parent who is experiencing a perinatal mental illness. We are also here to inform and guide family members, carers, friends and employers as to how they can support someone who is suffering.
Tel:0843 2898401 (0900 - 2000 hrs, 7 days per week)
It is important that you take care of your own health, even if you are busy looking after someone else's health. Being healthy is not only important for you, but it also helps the person you care after too. The website contains some helpful guides on relationship management and information on self-care and respite care.
Children and Young Peoplecan contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
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.
The Money Helper Service (Government backed service)
Free and impartial money advice, set up by government
Advice and guides to help improve your finances
Tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead
Support over the phone and online
Tel: 0800 1387777
*Calls are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.
For everything else please contact us via Webchat or phone.
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
PayPlans supportive, non-judgemental team of advisers help thousands of people beat their debts every year, and treat all of their calls with the strictest confidence.
Credit unions offer an alternative to traditional banks and building societies for saving and borrowing.
They're there to provide a financial community. Credit Unions can help those who can't get access to ordinary bank products; a lifeline in less well-off communities for people grappling with their finances.
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 £112 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.
You can book an appointment with an experienced debt adviser who can provide advice and assistance to help you manage fuel arrears and any other bills you may be struggling to pay. The free support will include help to maximise your income and reduce your outgoings, negotiating affordable payment plans with your suppliers, provide one off grants to eligible applicants, and identify options to help you resolve all your outstanding bills.
The Government has introduced a £150 payment to help households cover rising energy bills. This is being paid as a rebate on council tax bills for most homes in council tax bands A to D.Find out more and how to get your rebate.
Reduce your bills
You may be able to reduce your fuel bills by improving the energy efficiency of your home – for example, by installing a new boiler or insulation. Various grants are available – please see ourenergy efficiency page.
Other financial support
Find out what other help may be available to you and where to get support.
Bills and winter payments
The Big Difference Scheme - can give people on low incomes big discounts off their Severn Trent Water bill.
Cold weather payments- you may get a cold weather payment if you’re getting certain benefits or support for mortgage interest.
Household support fund- you may be referred by us to get help with food and bills (electric, gas and water).
Royal British Legion grants- those who have served, or are serving, in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, as well as their families, dependants and carers can apply for the cost of living grant.
Childcare and food
Free school meals- Find out if your child qualifies for benefits-related free school meals and how to apply.
Stocking Farm Community Shop- buy food at deeply discounted prices, join a cook club - kids eat free and you can join in other programmes and activities
Healthy Start offers vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables if you’re pregnant or have a child under four.
Advice and support is available to anyone living in Leicester who is experiencing financial hardship. Trained staff are available by telephone and online. There is crisis support to help with fuel bills and food too.Find out about financial support available.
Funeral
Funeral payments are available if you are struggling to pay funeral costs.
Legal
Legal aid can help pay for legal advice, family mediation and representation in court.
The credit union offers safe savings and affordable loans to anyone living or working in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire. You can find out more about joining on the Clockwise website.
Age Uk - Information on falls prevention, exercise classes and handyman services in some areas. Call free on 0800 169 6565 or see ageuk.org.uk/falls
The effective assessment of an individual’s risk of a fall would be a multifactorial intervention considering falls history, visual impairment etc. This assessment would enable the referral of an individual to effective interventions targeted at specific risk factors
Your GP may carry out some simple tests to check your balance. They can also review any medicines you're taking, in case their side effects may increase your risk of falling. Your GP may also recommend:
having a sight test if you're having problems with your vision, even if you already wear glasses
having an electrocardiogram (ECG) and checking your blood pressure while lying and standing
requesting a home hazard assessment, where a healthcare professional visits your home to identify potential hazards and offer
advice doing exercises to improve your strength and balance (try some exercises for older people)
Please use the Local Support and Contact details section below for signposting information to request either a Safe and Well visit for further Fire Safety advice from the Fire and Rescue Service.
Further information on Safe and Well can be found on the links below:
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service – Safe and Well
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service – Safe and Well
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service - Safe and Well
Self Care
Establish a Bedtime Routine
Close all internal doors fully
Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical appliances
Check your oven and/ or hob is turned off
Ensure candles and cigarettes are fully extinguished
Keep your door and window lock keys in an accessible place on the route out of the property
Make an Escape Plan
Plan an escape route and make sure everyone knows how to escape
Make sure exits are kept clear
Ensure you have easy access to a phone in your bedroom at night
Keep door and window keys where everyone can find them easily
Review your plan if your ability to escape or your property layout changes
What to do if there is a Fire
Keep calm and act quickly get everyone out as soon as possible
Do not tackle the fire yourself
Before you open a door check if it’s warm, if it is do not open it as fire may be on the other side
If there is smoke , keep low where the air is clearer
If your clothes catch fire you should lie down and roll around. If possible, smother the flames with a heavy material such as a coat or a blanket – remember – STOP DROP and ROLL
What to do if you cannot get out
If safe to do so gather everyone into one room, ideally with a window and a phone
Put bedding around the bottom of the door to block out smoke
Call 999- an operator will offer survival advice whilst you are on the phone
If you do not have access to a phone, open the window and shout “HELP FIRE”
GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 999
Hoarding UK
Hoarding UK is the only UK-wide charity solely dedicated to supporting people affected by hoarding behaviours. Our aim is to empower individuals experiencing hoarding behaviours to achieve spatial and personal change, to reduce isolation and improve their health and well-being. We are a multi-service organisation, helping thousands of people over our ten years of service. In 2017, for example, we supported over 1,000 new people and professionals through our National Helpline.
If someone is in crisis and needs urgent help, especially if experiencing suicidal feelings:
Call Samaritans for free on 116 123 – whatever you are going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential support if you prefer to talk to someone over text message.
Go to your nearest A&E or call 999, in an emergency or if you’re worried that you can’t keep yourself safe.
Support for gambling harms
Share sources of information and support appropriate to the person’s requests. These can include:
Chapter One
Chapter One is an information and support hub for everyone affected by gambling.
This is your place to find information that will help you understand the causes of gambling harm, and where to access the right help. The valuable resource contains details on help for an individual and others that might be affected by gambling.
*Chapter One has been developed by experts, research and lived experience and is free from gambling industry influence.
Free and confidential support is available from NHS specialists
NHS East Midlands Gambling Harms Service
We are the NHS East Midlands Gambling Harms Service. We offer specialist treatment and support to people struggling with problem gambling across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.
Do you have a general enquiry about the East Midlands Gambling Harms Service?
By writing to us:East Midlands Gambling Harms Service, St Andrew's House, London Road, Derby DE1 2SX.
If you want support from our team with problematic gambling, please visit therefer yourself page.
Other Support services
National Gambling Helpline and Support
The National Gambling Helpline provides advisors who are available 24/7 online or via the telephone. They can signpost you to a range of confidential and free support services, such as counselling and therapy, as part of the National Gambling Support Network.
You can speak to an advisor or refer yourself to the National Gambling Support Network by contacting 0808 8020 133.
The National Gambling Helpline and Support Network is commissioned by the charity GambleAware, which receives voluntary donations from the gambling industry.
Gamblers Anonymous is described as a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others do the same.
Gamblers Anonymous operates local meetings of people who are affected. Each local group operates slightly differently. It is not a ‘treatment’ option, as it is not a registered mental health support service, but some have found Gamblers Anonymous meetings helped them to stop gambling.
GamFam is a charity empowering individuals and families to reduce the impact of gambling harms and move towards a more positive future. GamFam offers free online peer support, including structured peer support groups for affected others and separate groups for those directly in recovery.
GamFam have created an opportunity for anyone affected by gambling harms to share experiences in a safe space, with no fear of judgement. Structured peer support groups provide information and support to help those affected learn and understand about gambling disorder.
GamFam is not a clinical service, it is an organisation that has lived experience at the heart of everything they do. Following a referral someone will reach out within a maximum of 24 hours with access to a group usually within a week.
A charity set up by families bereaved by gambling that provides support, raises awareness of gambling disorder’s devastating effects, and campaigns for change.
NHS Weight Loss Plan app, a 12-week programme following NHS advice on losing weight safely. Available from the App Store and Google Play. To find out more you could watch ourapp demo
Healthy Steps is a budget-conscious email programme designed to encourage families to take steps to improve their health and wellbeing. It provides regular reinforcement and feedback to help families set and achieve goals. Particular focus on lower income families with children aged 5-11.
The programme invites families/parents/carers to complete a quiz, leading to a recommendation of the best NHS approved health options for your family. There are currently three on offer: sugar reduction, 5 A Day or planned cooking. Those who sign up will get eight weekly emails with hints and tips on their chosen theme, as well as weekly challenges. Built-in feedback loops means that they will also be provided reinforcement and encouragement after set-backs to help them in their journey through Healthy Steps.
Support Services - Children and Young People
Children and Young People can contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
There is a weight management services website for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, supported by the local integrated care system and NHS England.
Service information has been collated for adult weight management services in the city and counties with information to support referrals and continuing professional development for healthcare professionals.
For members of the public there are links to wellbeing hubs, which can support people to find opportunities for weight management and other healthy lifestyle behaviours such as smoking and sexual health.
Dementia Connect, Alzheimer's Society's dementia support service, is free, easy to access, and puts you in touch with the right support. From local help to phone and online advice.
Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia advisers can support you directly by phone or face to face, as well as connect you to a range of local services.
It's normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines. But if you're becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you're over the age of 65, it's a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia. Memory losscan be annoying if it happens occasionally, but if it's affecting your daily life, or it's worrying you, or someone you know, you should get help from a GP.
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. We campaign for change, fund research to find a cure and support people living with dementia today.
Carers UK- Making life better for carers: Telephone: 020 7378 4999
Self Care
We can’t change our age or our genes, and there is currently no way we can completely prevent dementia. However, there are some simple steps we can all take to help lower our risk.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (like high blood pressure and stroke) are also risk factors for dementia, so what is good for your heart is good for your brain. Looking after your health, cutting out smoking and being physically active on a regular basis will help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s likely you’ll be lowering your risk of dementia too, particularly vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme that encourages carers, family and friends to provide and put together useful information, which can then be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing.
Carers and / or relatives and friends can complete a form in advance, including important information about the missing individual such as the contact numbers, medication needed, locations the person was last seen and so forth also a photograph can be provided.
Tips to manage mental wellbeing based on Mind’s ‘5 ways to wellbeing’.
Plusself-help CBT techniques sectionLife’s challenges - practical tips on dealing with drivers of poor mental health egcoping with money worries and job uncertainty, maintaining healthy relationships and loneliness
The Mind Plan– free, personalised plan. Answer 5 quick questions on how you’ve been feeling over the last 2 weeks and you’ll get recommendations on practical self-care actions that could help. You can customise the plan and get it emailed to you
Free email support programmes – complete the Mind Plan to sign up for regular emails with further tips on building wellbeing actions into everyday life, or go to the “anxiety” page to sign up for a tailored email programme with expert advice and practical tips to help deal with anxiety
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.
There are several established sheds across the patch, all very welcoming to those experiencing mental health difficulties or isolation. The provide great local asset based work and opportunities for men of all ages to meet, talk and take part in varied group activities
Andy's Man Club
Provides a weekly talking group, a place for men to talk about issues/problems they have faced or are currently facing.
For information about how to connect with clubs please email info@andysmanclub.co.uk and the team will be able to assist.
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.
The PANDAS Foundation is here to help support and advise any parent who is experiencing a perinatal mental illness. We are also here to inform and guide family members, carers, friends and employers as to how they can support someone who is suffering.
Tel: 0843 2898401 (0900 - 2000 hrs, 7 days per week)
It is important that you take care of your own health, even if you are busy looking after someone else's health. Being healthy is not only important for you, but it also helps the person you care after too. The website contains some helpful guides on relationship management and information on self-care and respite care.
Children and Young People can contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
Talk about the Five Ways to Wellbeing. The mental health equivalent to the dietary advice to have ‘5 a day’ fruit and vegetables for physical health.
1. Connect - With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community.
As being well connected is good for your mental wellbeing… Is there anything you could be doing more of?
Can you think of connections that you would like to make or remake?
2. Be Active - Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity that you enjoy; one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
What activities do you engage in on a regular basis? How would I like to develop this?
Are there any minor adjustments you can make in your life that can help you to be more active?
3. Take Notice - Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are on a train, eating lunch or talking to friends.
How can you practice slowing down and pausing more often?
What difference will incorporating this into your daily life make?
4. Keep Learning - Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving.
What would you like to learn about? What interests you? What do you value? What would you find useful?
What do you need to do to make learning something you look forward to?
5. Give - Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in.
Do you notice what it’s like for you when you give to others?
What else could you give others that you hadn’t thought of before?
If you are in need of urgent NHS mental health support, you should call
0808 800 3302
This is a 24/7 Freephone helpline for people of all ages in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, provided jointly by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) and Turning Point
If you feel your mental health is suffering and you are struggling to deal with everyday situations it may be worth talking to your GP, family or friends.
Life Links provides a mental health wellbeing and recovery support service within local communities. Through the provision of information, advice, navigation and community recovery services, working in partnership with other providers and mainstream resources. They are commissioned by Leicester City Council.
Let's Talk Wellbeing provides psychological assessment and treatment for what are known as mild to moderate common mental health problems.
You may want to share details of the one of the organisations below who specialise in providing support for victims of Modern Slavery
UK – Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides specialist support for all adult victims of modern slavery in England and Wales. Their confidential referral helpline is available 24 hours a day.
Childline provide free, confidential support to children about any topic, including modern slavery and human trafficking. Children can speak to a counsellor on the phone:
Tel: 0800 1111 (Available 7.30am-1.00am every day)
Active 10 walking app- track your walking habits to increase the number of brisk minutes, which is when the health benefits will be greatest. No Lycra required, and there are lots of benefits of getting out into local green spaces like parks for your mental health too. Available from the App Store and Google Play
Couch to 5k app -easy to follow, flexible programme to get you running 5k in as little as 9 weeks, or longer if you want. Listen to your preferred music player as you run, between motivational messages from your chosen celebrity “coach”. Track your achievements and collect awards as you progress. Available from the App Store and Google Play
How to be more active - Regular physical activity is good for our bodies and minds, but it can be difficult to get started – especially if we're not particularly sporty or have not done any exercise for a while.
Home workout videos- We could all do with a boost to feel better right now – and you don't even need to leave the house to do it! Exercise is great for your mind as well as your body, so clear some space and follow along with our 10-minute home workouts.
Park Run
Why not join aParkrunin your local area? Did you know that one of the best things about Parkrun and Junior Park run is thatyou 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. For those who don’t wish to run, jog or walk there is always the opportunity to volunteer to support your local Parkrun. There is probably a Parkrun local to you…visithttp://www.parkrun.org.uk/for more information.
For information about sexual health and contraception visit the FPA sexual health charity website www.fpa.org.uk or the sexual health pages of www.nhs.uk
You can call the national sexual health helpline free on 0300 123 7123. Calls will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence. The Sexual Health Helpline is open from 9am-8pm, Monday-Friday.
Posters and leaflets can be ordered through the NCSP website or more information can be found via NHS choices
Support Services - Children and Young People
Children and Young People can contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
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*
Better Health quit smoking websitewhich includes information about the benefits of quitting, advice on various quitting aids and a local stop smoking service lookup tool
NHS Quit Smoking App (Apple) or NHS Quit Smoking App (google/android) - a 28-day programme that provides practical support, encouragement, and tailored clinical advice on your mobile/tablet. Includes a savings calculator so you can see how much money you're saving.
Get a free Personal Quit PlanQuitting smoking is easier with the right support. Give up for 28 days, and you're 5 times more likely to quit for good – get your plan now!
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 Quit Smoking app from apple or google/android
Get further information from the National Health Service www.nhs.uk/quit
Consider using e-cigarettes to stop smoking
Get daily email support- If you would like some extra support, you can sign up for 28 days of stop smoking advice and tips – delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for email support
Find your online community - You do not have to do it alone – join others going through the same thing in a friendly and supportive environment. Join the Quit Smoking Support Group on Facebook
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
Support Services - Children and Young People
Children and Young People can contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
Although most people need some kind of social contact to maintain good mental health, everyone has different social needs. The person may be someone who is content with a few close friends, or they may need a large group of varied acquaintances to feel satisfied.
State that the simplest way to ease feelings of loneliness can be to try to meet more, or different, people.
Can they think of anything they are interested in, a class or a group they have heard of, that could help connect them with new people? SeeUseful contacts for ideas of how to find groups
Volunteering is a good way of meeting people. Helping others can also really help improve mental health. Seeuseful contactsfor organisations that can help someone find local volunteering opportunities.
Join an online community. Seeuseful contactsfor some suggestions.
There are several established sheds across the patch, all very welcoming to those experiencing mental health difficulties or isolation. The provide great local asset based work and opportunities for men of all ages to meet, talk and take part in varied group activities
Andy's Man Club
Provides a weekly talking group, a place for men to talk about issues/problems they have faced or are currently facing.
For information about how to connect with clubs please email info@andysmanclub.co.uk and the team will be able to assist.
The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 0800 470 8090. The Silver Line can also put you in contact with community activities in your local area
Age UK has a befriending service to support loneliness in later life, this is where a volunteer visits an older person once a week in their own home. There is also telephone befriending Telephone befriending, where a volunteer befriender will phone an older person.
NHS Choices has a range of advice on Loneliness including volunteering, continuing education and how to engage with social media and computers.
Loneliness in Younger People
It is recognised that Loneliness is not something that is exclusive to older adult, indeed many younger adults in particular can experience loneliness and a recent report from the office for national statistics highlighted Britain as the loneliness capital of Europe.
Whilst on the outside young people can be very well connected on social media but if this replaces face-to-face contact then it can add to a feeling of loneliness. Some people also present an idealised version of themselves online and we expect to have social lives like those portrayed in the media.
Helplines can reduce loneliness, at least in the short term
The Samaritans are available around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This number is FREE to call on 116 123
Get Connectedis a free confidential helpline for young people, where people can seek help with emotional and mental health issues often linked to loneliness.
There are also support services onwebsites such as Mind'sthat can remind you you're not alone.
It doesn’t really matter who you talk to first. Some ideas would include: a friend, family member, anonymous listening service like Nightline or the Samaritans, student union welfare rep, personal tutor, students support services staff member, counsellor, or doctor. Decide who is the best person for you to talk to first. Be realistic about what each person can offer. If it doesn’t work out, try someone else. Talk to more than one person.
Support Services - Children and Young People
Children and Young People can contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
Flu vaccination is available every year on the NHS to help protect adults and children at risk of flu and its complications. Flu can be unpleasant, but if you're otherwise healthy, it'll usually clear up on its own within a week.
But flu can be more severe in certain people, such as:
anyone aged 65 and over
pregnant women
children and adults with an underlying health condition (such as long-term heart or respiratory disease)
children and adults with weakened immune systems
Anyone in these risk groups is more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), so it's recommended that they have a flu vaccine every year to help protect them.
Visit the NHS Choices Website for full information on the flu vaccine and who can is entitled to this and why
What else can I do to protect myself against the flu?
You have probably already heard of Catch it, Bin it, Kill it. This is still great advice!
During flu season you should get into the habit of washing your hands regularly with soap and warm water, particularly after spending time amongst large groups of people, or having contact with someone who is sick.
You should also keep shared surfaces (such as door handles and telephones) clean, and avoid sharing food, crockery, cutlery, or towels with any people who have the flu.
You can often treat the flu without seeing a GP and should begin to feel better in about a week
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
a sudden fever – a temperature of 38C or above
an aching body
feeling tired or exhausted
a dry cough
a sore throat
a headache
difficulty sleeping
loss of appetite
diarrhoea or tummy pain
feeling sick and being sick
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but flu tends to be more severe.
Flu
Cold
Appears quickly within a few hours
Appears gradually
Affects more than just your nose and throat
Affects mainly your nose and throat
Makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal
Makes you feel unwell, but you're OK to carry on as normal (for example, go to work)
How to treat flu yourself
To help you get better more quickly:
rest and sleep
keep warm
take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains
drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)
Please note that Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as colds and flu, and most coughs and sore throats. In most cases your pharmacist should be the first point of call as they can help advise you on appropriate colds and flu remedies to help manage symptoms such as fever, headache, aches and pains, and fatigue.
Connect with Resources: Inform veterans or their families about available resources, services, and support networks that can address any specific needs
