Simple Signposting to Better Health and Wellbeing

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

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 Waltham Forest

CGL Waltham Forest provide drug and alcohol treatment and support services for children and adults who want to recover or change. CGL works at all levels, from prevention and early engagement, through to recovery. They support clients who may also be dealing with other issues and offer a range of 'wrap around' services.

Monday: 9.30am – 5.00pm
Tuesday: 9.30am – 8.00pm
Wednesday: 1pm – 5.00pm
Thursday: 9.30am – 8.00pm
Friday: 9.30am – 5.00pm

Open access:
Monday: 10am - 4pm
Friday: 10am - 4pm

CGL have an anonymous webchat service that young people, parents, concerned others and professionals can access Monday to Friday 1-4pm, via the CGL YP website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/young-peoples-drug-alcohol-service-waltham-forest/info#opening 

Website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/cgl-waltham-forest

Telephone: 0203 826 9600

Address: 1 Beulah Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 9LG.

 

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)

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.

0808 808 4000

StepChange Debt Charity

StepChange helps change the lives of thousands of people every week. Their expert advice is impartial and personalised to each individual situation.

0800 138 1111

PayPlan

PayPlan's 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.

0800 280 2816

Debt Advice Foundation

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

Cost of living support: your crisis, our action | London Borough of Waltham Forest

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

NHS Digital weight management

A 12-week online behavioural and lifestyle programme. People can access it via a smartphone or computer with internet access. This programme offers digital weight management support via a 12 week intervention at 3 intensity levels:
• Level 1: Digital support only
• Level 2: Digital support + human coaching
• Level 3: Digital support + enhanced human coaching

The ‘Referral Hub’ triages patients to one of three levels of intervention based on demographic features associated with greater likelihood of non-completion of a weight management programme (based on evidence from the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme). Service users will have a choice of provider for a 12-week digital weight management service.

Eligibility criteria:

• Over the age of 18
• Has a BMI of 30+ (adjusted to ≥27.5 for people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds)
• Has a diagnosis of diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2) or hypertension or both.

Exclusion criteria:

• Currently pregnant
• Diagnosed eating disorder
•  Significant unmanaged comorbidity
•  Bariatric surgery within the past 2 years
•  Moderate/severe frailty (as recorded on frailty register)
•  For patients aged >80, further supporting information requested from GP to ensure suitability

Referrals by trained health care professional via GP surgery or via community pharmacies

Tier 2 structured Weight Management Group Education programme, delivered by a trained Dietetic Assistant and overseen by the Community Dietitian. At present the programme is held virtually with the aim to include face-to-face sessions soon. 

Eligibility criteria:

• Tier 2 patients with a BMI between >25kg/m2 and <40kg/m2 with no comorbidities
• <35kg/m2 with co-morbidities (diabetes or hypertension, for example). 

Exclusion criteria:

• Tier 3 and Tier 4, including patients with a BMI of >50kg/m2 or >45kg/m2 who also have significant co-morbidities -  can be referred directly to the Tier 4 specialist bariatric service.

Referral:

• Complete referral form for Adult Nutrition and Dietetic service (ensure to include Weight, height, BMI etc)
• Email the completed form to: wfadultchsreferrals@nelft.nhs.uk

NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a 9-month tailored, personalised programme offering support to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes through structured education on healthy eating, weight management and lifestyle, including physical exercise component.

Patient information available in 16 languages.

Eligibility criteria:

• Aged 18 or over
  • Registered with an NEL GP
  • Able to take part in light/moderate physical activity
  • HbA1c 42-47 mmol/mol (6.0-6.4%) or fasting plasma glucose 5.5-6.9 mmols/l within the last 24 months
  • Women with a past diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a normoglycaemic blood reading within the last 12 months

Does not accept referrals for women who are currently pregnant.

Referrals via GP or Patient self-referral (requires calculation of Diabetes UK risk score)

0333 577 3010 

https://preventing-diabetes.co.uk/self-referral/

Beezee Adults

Various healthy lifestyles programme that supports residents to lose weight with a focus on long-term behaviour change. Our Adult programmes include in-person group sessions and online sessions.

Eligibility criteria:

• Residents 18+ years of age
• Overweight (BMI >25 - or >23.5 BAME*) with risk factors for Type 2 diabetes or CVD Or Obese (BMI >30 or >27.5 BAME*)

Exclusion criteria:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding

•  

  A diagnosed eating disorder

•  

  BMI>30 with recent-onset type 2 diabetes (* Tier 3 referral criteria)

•  

  BMI >35 with 2 recognised comorbidities(* Tier 3)

•  

  BMI more than 50 (*Tier 3)

•  

  any individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery who are post 2 years who require specific post-operative support

Self-referral or from a health professional

Referral Route: Free Healthy Lifestyle Courses | Waltham Forest (maximusuk.co.uk)

NHS Weight Loss Plan app

Free 12-week diet and exercise plan available to all adults.

The plan, which has been downloaded more than 7 million times, is designed to help you lose weight safely – and keep it off.

Freely available on the App Store and Google Play.

BeeZee Bodies

BeeZee Bodies support families to improve their eating and lifestyle habits. They are a free service and offer support online and face-to-face.

Who is eligible?

Families with at least one child who is 5-15 years old, has a BMI > 91st centile and resides/goes to school/is registered with a GP in Waltham Forest. The whole family is encouraged to participate together.

Sign up here:

https://beezeebodies.com/programs/beezee-families/

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

Homelessness | London Borough of Waltham Forest

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

Does your home have water stains on the ceiling or black specks on the side of your windows and walls?

Cold homes increase the risk of damp and reporting damp and mould concerns as soon as possible can make sure action is taken.

Causes of damp, mould, and condensation

• Building conditions - age, design, overdue repair work such as broken pipes.
• Cold surfaces caused by a lack of insulation
• Poor ventilation in your home
• Only heating one area of your home
• Moisture from daily actions such as taking a bath, cooking, or drying clothes.

Steps to reduce damp, mould and condensation in your home

• Report it - If you are renting your property, it is your landlord's responsibility to fix repairs that may be causing damp. Report any issues to your landlord.
• Insulate - Loft and wall insulation, and draught proofing are changes that will keep your home warmer. Contact your landlord about these changes being carried out. 
• Heat correctly - If you rent your property and heaters don't work, there is no thermostat or controls, you must report this to your landlord. If there is no response contact your local council. On cold days keep the temperature in bedrooms between 18 to w21 degrees celsius. In living rooms lower the heat at night and when you leave your property. 
• Ventilate - Extractor fans are a low cost way to ventilate and make a big difference. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity and condensation which will save you money in the long run as you will be heating your home less.
• Reduce moisture - Cook with lids on pots to prevent steam from escaping. This also is a cost-effective way to use less energy whilst cooking. 
• Drying clothes outside - During colder months, you can dry clothes outside or in bathrooms with the door closed. Opening the window slightly or having an extractor fan on will help clothes to dry quicker.
• Cleaning - You can use approved moldicide or fungicidal washes to wipe down mould growth. 

Where to get help

Private rented accommodation 
If you live in privately rented accommodation please talk to your landlord. If there is no response get in contact by sending an email to propertylicensing@walthamforest.gov.uk or by calling 020 8496 4949 to request a free home visit.

Housing Associations 
If you live in a Housing Association home, in the first instance, you should contact the Housing Association to report any damp and mould issues, please find the details below. 

• L&Q 
  • Website - Damp, mould and condensation
  • Call - 0300456 9966
     
• Peabody 
  • Website - Damp, mould and condensation  
  • Call - 0300 123 3456  
     
• Clarion
  • Website - Damp, mould and condensation
  • Email - CDM@clarionhg.com 

Council tenants and leaseholders 

• Damp and mould guidance for council tenants  
• Damp and mould guidance for council leaseholders 
• Call our Customer Resolution Centre on 0208 496 4197

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

These resources are available for adults, young people, children and families.  If you need mental health advice or are feeling particularly low, help is available. 

Samaritans

If you or someone you know is feeling low, depressed, or suicidal call the Samaritans on 116 123

Mental Health Direct

If you live in Waltham Forest, our partner at NELFT has set up a new Mental Health Direct number. If you're in a crisis and don't know what to do, call 0800 995 1000

Shout

Shout is the UK's free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. 

Text ‘SHOUT” to 85258. 

Young people

If you are a young person under 35 having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be, you can contact Papyrus’ HOPELINE247 for confidential support and practical advice.

• Call: 0800 068 4141
• Text: 07860039967
• Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

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

Waltham Forest Talking Therapies - Adults

This service is available to anyone aged 18 or over registered with a GP in the borough. They can help people with a range of problems including depression, stress, anxiety, stress at work, phobias, difficulty sleeping, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, shyness and social anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Phone lines open 9-5, Monday to Friday.

Website: http://wftalkingtherapies.co.uk/

Telephone: 0300 300 1554

Email: wf.talkingtherapies@nhs.net

Kooth - Young People

Kooth offer online counselling service for young people, aged 13-24, as well as articles around emotional wellbeing.   The service is open 7 days per week, 365 days a year (noon until 10pm weekdays, 6pm until 10pm on Saturday and Sundays).

Website: https://www.kooth.com/

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

GoodGym - Adults

GoodGym offers opportunities to keep fit and doing good in your community. Members combine a weekly run with physical tasks such as gardening, painting, cleaning and helping isolated people aged 60+. All sessions are free to attend and open to runners of all abilities. GoodGym meet every Wednesday evening, 6.45pm, at Mirth, Marvel and Maud on Hoe Street, Walthamstow.

Website: https://www.goodgym.org/areas/waltham-forest

Email: getinvolved@goodgym.org

Telephone: 0203 432 3920

Waltham Forest Parks - Adults and Young People

Our parks offer various activities every day for free in Waltham Forest, such as Dance Fit, Pilates, Social Sport, Yoga and more. Classes are for all ages and abilities (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).

Website: https://www.ourparks.org.uk/borough/waltham-forest

Enjoy Waltham Forest - Adults and Young People

The service run various walks, cycling, football events and other free physical activities for families and individuals and for all age groups throughout the year.

Website: https://www.enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/

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.

Click here to find a pharmacy

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.

Click here to find a GP

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

Quit Right Waltham Forest

Quit Right is a free, confidential stop smoking service available to adult smokers as well as children and young people over the age of 12. 

The service offers information and advice as well as an intensive 12-week stop smoking programme either face to face at various community venues or remotely.

Smokers receive behavioural support alongside combination nicotine replacement therapy, e-cigarettes and prescribed medication.

Clients can make appointments directly or be referred by a health professional such as their GP

Website:  https://quitrightwf.org/

Telephone:  020 7882 8230 / 0800 169 1943

Email: clinicbookings@qmul.ac.uk

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

There are a number of free vaccinations available to residents of all ages to protect them against harmful infectious diseases. More about these vaccinations can be found on the Waltham Forest Council webpage.

National support services & self-care

Residents are encouraged to check whether they and their children (where relevant) have received all of the necessary vaccinations to protect themselves against infectious diseases. Residents can check which routine vaccinations they should have received on the NHS website.

Residents are advised to check their vaccination status in the following ways:

• Contact the GP practice for which they are registered and ask about their vaccination status
• For children, vaccination records should be in their red book (or e-red book)

If residents are not registered with a GP practice, they should be encouraged to do so either by visiting their nearest GP practice and registering in person or by registering online.

The easiest way for residents to book a vaccination appointment for any vaccination is to contact their GP practice by phone and to arrange this. Residents should also arrange vaccination appointments for their children in this way.

Covid-19

Some residents will also be eligible to receive Covid-19 booster vaccinations in the Autumn/Winter and Spring. For the Autumn 2024 Covid-19 booster vaccination, only the following residents will be able to receive a Covid-19 vaccination are as follows:

• adults aged 65 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group (as defined in tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book)
• frontline NHS and social care workers, and those working in care homes for older people

Once this vaccination becomes available, residents will be able to book their Covid-19 vaccination online or by visiting a local pharmacy that is stocking the vaccine. Local pharmacies that are taking part in the Covid-19 Autumn booster programme will be advertised here in due course.   

 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) 

From September 2024, some residents will also be eligible for the new RSV vaccine. All adults turning 75 years old either on or after September 1^st 2024 will be offered this vaccine by their GP practice. Likewise, all women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant either on or after 1^st September 2024 will also be offered this vaccination. Pregnant women will remain eligible to receive this vaccination up until birth.

Residents can learn more about RSV on the NHS website.