Simple Signposting to Better Health and Wellbeing
Southwark
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
Change, Grow, Live (CGL)
If you, or someone you know, would like support around drug and / or alcohol use please make contact with the council’s all age drug and alcohol treatment service.
Change, Grow, Live Southwark
Change, Grow, Live Southwark all age drug and alcohol treatment service is available to anyone (Young person or adult) who is living in Southwark.
Contact the service by:
- telephone on 020 3404 7699
- email on CGL.Southwark@cgl.org.uk; or
- visit the Change, Grow, Live Southwark website
For more information visit Southwark Council's web pages
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
Southwark Council Cost of 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
Healthy Lifestyle Hub
The Healthy Lifestyle Hub can support you to improve your health and wellbeing. You will get free advice and guidance, and be given options for local services and activities that are right for you.
The Healthy Lifestyle Hub can provide friendly, supportive advice and guidance for up to 12 months, helping you to get healthier and feel better.
This is a free service available to all Southwark residents that meet the criteria. Contact the Healthy Lifestyle Hub now to get started and join one of our programmes.
To get involved in this free programme
Tel: 0333 005 0159 Email: Southwark.referrals@nhs.net
Website: https://southwark.everyonehealth.co.uk/
Alive N Kicking - Young People
Southwark’s Alive ‘N’ Kicking programme comprises of 12 weekly classes held at leisure centres and community centres across the borough at times suited to young people and their families. Each class offers nutrition workshops for parents around a number of different topics, for example portion sizes, label reading etc.
Website: https://southwark.everyonehealth.co.uk/services/child-weight-management/
Telephone: 0333 005 0159
Healthy Weight Training:
Register for your free, online training here at southwarkhealthyweight.com
Healthy weight is one of the key foundations for health and well-being. As a Southwark Professional you can help make a healthy weight environment a priority. The Southwark Healthy Weight Training can give you tools, information and understanding that help you make a difference.
Better Health
Better Health offers a wide range of written and digital resources to help people make healthier choices in relation to healthy eating, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, sexual health and mental wellbeing.
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/
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
Advice about homelessness - Southwark Council
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.southwark.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
24-hour mental health telephone support line
If you, or someone you know, is in a mental health crisis, contact the 24-hour mental health telephone support line on 0800 731 2864.
Telephone: 0800 731 2864
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
Talking Therapies Southwark
Feeling low, anxious or stressed? We can help you with a wide range of psychological and emotional problems. If you are aged over 16 and you either live in Southwark or have a GP in Southwark please get in touch for free, friendly and professional support.
https://talkingtherapiessouthwark.nhs.uk/
To self-refer go to https://talkingtherapiessouthwark.nhs.uk/refer-yourself/ or phone 020 3228 2194 or email slm-tr.SPTS@nhs.net or speak to a GP.
Information for health professionals wishing to make a referral
https://talkingtherapiessouthwark.nhs.uk/information-for-gps-and-other-health-professionals/
Southwark Wellbeing Hub:
Southwark Wellbeing Hub provides information and support to anyone in Southwark who would like to improve their mental health and wellbeing. They are run by the charity Together for Mental Wellbeing. The Hub’s services are free and open to anyone who lives in Southwark or is registered with a Southwark GP.
They work in partnership with Southwark Council’s Adult Social Care Mental Health Team. They provide an easy point of access for any person who has care and support needs because of their mental health and any person who cares for someone with mental health needs.
To find out more go to Southwark Wellbeing Hub
Southwark Council: Taking Care of Your Mind
Find out how to take care of your mind, and the mental health and wellbeing services in Southwark for children, young people and adults.
Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. Feeling low, stressed and anxious are common feelings. For more information on a range of services available in Southwark, go to Taking Care of Your Mind
Services for Young People:
The Nest:
The Nest offers free & confidential mental wellbeing advice and support for young people aged 11 – 25 in Southwark. To find out more go to: The Nest
Kooth
Young people in Southwark aged between 11 and 25 years-old can log onto Kooth.com via any connected device, for confidential and anonymous mental health and emotional well-being support, 365 days a year. Kooth offers access to self-help materials, mood-tracking and goal setting tools, counsellor messaging and peer-to-peer support through moderated online forums. The forums address issues that range from exam stress and depression to self-harm and relationship problems.
Website: https://www.kooth.com/
Email: parents@xenzone.com
Southwark's Local Offer:
Southwark’s Local Offer shows what’s available in the borough for children, young people and adults (aged 0-25) who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. It includes up-to-date information on opportunities and services that are available to you.
To find out more go to Southwark's Local Offer
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
For advice on how you and your family can move more, opportunities to exercise for free across the borough and local physical activity groups and services you can go to Southwark Council's Move More web pages.
Here you can find out about:
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
Sexual health services
Where to find sexual health services near you
If someone you work with wants to find free sexual health services and advice centres near them, visit findsexualhealth.co.uk
Online Sexual Health Services
Anyone over 16 years can register with Sexual Health London for free and discreet sexual health services. The individual can access discrete STI test kits, contraception and condoms, delivered to their home or collected from a pharmacy.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinics
Sexual health clinics have free walk-in appointments. They can help with sexual health symptoms, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and treatment, support after sexual assault, HIV testing and treatment and contraception (including the morning after pill, condoms, implants and the coil).
There are three sexual health clinics in Southwark:
4-5 Burrell Street, London SE1 0UN
7-169 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RY
Camberwell Building, 100 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS
Sexual health services for under 18s
Young Southwark Sexual Health offers sexual and reproductive health advice and promotion for young people between the ages of 16 to 25. Contact YSSH@turning-point.co.uk to refer someone to the service.
Sexual health services for transgender and non-binary people
CliniQ is open on Tuesdays from 4pm to 7pm at the Caldecot Centre, King’s College Hospital. The service is walk-in or book an appointment by contacting admin@cliniq.org.uk
Bridge@Southwark offers trans inclusive GP services, including hormones. To book an appointment, contact ih.bridgeatsouthwark@nhs.net
Sexual health services if you take part in chemsex
Individuals involved in chemsex can access Antidote who provide non-judgemental free advice and support for drug and alcohol users. To book an appointment, contact antidote@londonfriend.org.uk or call 020 7833 1674
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.
Emergency Contraception
If the individual you work with lives or works in Southwark and needs emergency contraception (the morning after pill), they can access it for free from the following places:
- Online at Sexual Health London
- GP practices
- Sexual health clinics:
- Pharmacies
- Bonamy Pharmacy: 355 Rotherhithe New Road, SE16 3HF (020 7740 2523)
- Chana Chemist: 18 Harper Road, SE1 6AD (020 7407 3723)
- Davis Chemist: 10 Crossthwaite Avenue, London, SE5 8ET (020 7274 9902)
- Harfleur Pharmacy: 107 Tower Bridge Road, SE1 4TW (020 7407 0051)
- Jamaica Road Pharmacy: 182C Jamaica Road, SE16 4RT (020 7237 3483)
- Kalmak Chemist: 9 Upper Ground, SE1 9LP (020 7633 0552)
- Kristal Pharmacy: 127-129 Evelina Road, SE15 3HB (020 7639 2614)
- Osbon Pharmacy (Maddock): 5 Maddock Way, SE17 3NH (020 7735 2700)
- Medica Pharmacy: 202 Southwark Park Road, SE16 3RW (020 7237 7684)
- Ridgway (Chana) Pharmacy: 251- 253 Walworth Road, SE17 1RL (020 7701 2720)
- Sheel Pharmacy: 8 Nunhead Green, SE15 3QF (020 7639 0262)
Ongoing Contraception
If the individual you work with lives or works in Southwark and needs contraception (the pill, coil, intrauterine device, implant, condoms), they can access it for free from the following places.
Order the free contraceptive pill online
Register with Sexual Health London to get the pill delivered to your home or for collection from a pharmacy.
Get an appointment for a free contraceptive injection, coil or implant
Individuals can walk-in to a local sexual and reproductive health clinic to have a long-acting reversible contraceptive or LARC (injection, coil or implant) fitted.
They can book a free LARC appointment if they are a patient at the following GPs:
- 301 East Street Surgery: 301 East St, SE17 2SX. 020 7703 4550
- 306 Medical Centre: 306 Lordship Lane, SE22 8LY. 020 8693 4704
- Albion Street Group Practice: 87 Albion Street, Rotherhithe, SE16 7JX. 020 3474 6200
- Blackfriars Medical Practice: 45 Colombo St, SE1 8EE. 020 7928 6216
- Forest Hill Road Group Practice: 1 Forest Hill Rd, SE22 0SQ. 020 8299 1234
- Nexus Health Group: Different GP practices across Southwark. 020 7928 0253
- Tessa Jowell Surgery: 72H East Dulwich Grove, London, SE22 8E. 020 8194 7600
- St Giles Practice: 40 St Giles Road, SE5 7RF 020 7740 4737
- Villa Street Medical: 47 Villa St, SE17 2EL. Call 020 7703 7393
If they are registered at a GP surgery in North Southwark, they can access an appointment through the LARC hub. Call 0203 883 1620 to make an appointment.
If they are registered at a GP surgery in South Southwark, they can access an appointment through the LARC hub. Call your GP for a referral to the hub
Free condoms for people under 25-years-old
The Come Correct (or C-Card) scheme provides access to free condoms in a variety of locations (called Outlets) across London. Once registered they can collect condoms online or get advice from any outlet displaying the Come Correct logo.
HIV
What is HIV?
You can find out more about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and how to protect yourself on the NHS website.
What to do if someone is exposed to HIV
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a course of HIV medication that may stop someone developing HIV infection if they have been exposed to the virus. They need to be treated with PEP within 72 hours of exposure. Contact a local sexual health clinic to receive treatment.
What to do to reduce the risk of getting HIV
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a drug taken by HIV-negative people before and after sex that reduces the risk of getting HIV. PrEP works by stopping HIV from getting into their body and making copies of itself (replicating). They'll only be protected from HIV infection if there are high enough levels of PrEP in their body, so it's important to take it correctly. PrEP can be used by anyone from a community or group that is most at risk of HIV, or people who have sex with people from those networks.
Contact a local sexual health clinic to receive PrEP.
Do It London offers advice and information on the best ways you can prevent HIV through testing, condoms, PrEP and treating early.
Get tested for HIV online or in person
Order free STI and HIV tests online through Sexual Health London, which is delivered to your door.
Individuals can also contact a local sexual health clinic to get tested for HIV.
Support for people living with HIV
Bridges supports individuals living with HIV to live well and embrace positive futures. The wide range of services on offer include, advice and advocacy, family support, counselling and peer support.
It Starts With Me offers advice and support about HIV. The information covers testing, protection, treatment and STI’s associated wth HIV. There are also videos and stories of other peoples lives and experiences of HIV, STI’s and sexual health.
Connect Well provides free counselling, coaching, hypnotherapy and wellbeing workshops for adults living with HIV in London.
Abortion Services
If someone you work with is pregnant and unsure whether or not they want to continue with the pregnancy, visit the South East London (SEL) Abortion Services website for more information about the services available.
An abortion can be carried out up to the 24th week of pregnancy, unless in emergencies that threaten the pregnant person’s life. The type of abortion you get depends on how early or advanced your pregnancy is.
It is best to have an abortion before 10 weeks of pregnancy (a pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period). The service will provide a choice of contraception after the procedure.
For more information on having an abortion, go to the NHS website.
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
Southwark Stop Smoking Service
With the help of the Southwark Stop Smoking Service you are three times more likely to quit than if you go it alone. This service is for people living in Southwark or those registered with a Southwark GP. You will receive free expert advice, free personal quit plan, stop smoking medication, motivational tips, one to one and group support and a 12 week treatment plan.
Website: www.southwark.gov.uk/smoking
Email: Southwark.referrals@nhs.net
Call: 0333 005 0159
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
Vaccinations are one of the most effective health interventions, protecting individuals, and the broader population, from serious diseases such as measles, polio and cervical cancer. Unfortunately, vaccine uptake in Southwark has decreased since the pandemic. This is making outbreaks of measles and other vaccine preventable disease increasingly likely.
Most vaccines are given in childhood, so every opportunity should be taken to remind parents of the importance of vaccination, and where to access trustworthy information. Those aged 50 and over should also be reminded of the vaccinations available to protect their health, including vaccines against flu and COVID-19 offered seasonally.
Where to get reliable information about vaccination
The South East London child health website has a useful timeline showing when childhood vaccines are offered locally.
Click here to view local information on child immunisations
The NHS website has more detail on the full range of vaccines offered in the UK across all age groups.
Click here to view the UK vaccine schedule
Some people with low confidence in vaccinations do not trust UK government affiliated sources. The Oxford University Vaccine Knowledge project provides totally independent, scientific evidence on vaccines.
Click here for independent information on vaccines
How to get vaccinated
Children
Parents should check the links above against their red book to see if their children are up to date with their vaccines. If they aren’t up to date, or are unsure, they should call their GP to book an appointment.
Some vaccines are offered in schools, including flu in primary schools and HPV in years 8 and 9. If your child is at school, look out for an online consent form for vaccinations. If parents have children in primary school, or year 8 and 9, and think they’ve missed some of their vaccines, they can email:
HRCH.immunisationteammailboxSouthwark@nhs.net
Over 50s
Those aged 50 and over will be offered COVID-19 and flu vaccines during the period October – January. In the first instance, they should ask their local pharmacy if they are offering the vaccine.