Category Health and wellbeing Show all
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Summer Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)
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The Cheshire West summer 2024 HAF provision will shortly be getting underway across the borough for children and young people who are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM).
The Council, alongside Edsential and a range of community partners, is running a wide range of fantastic activities that will run throughout the school summer holiday.
The HAF Programme is funded by Department for Education to support local organisations to provide fun activities for children and young people during the holidays, while also helping them to access healthy food.
This year, all provision for the HAF Programme can be found on the new dedicated west Cheshire area on the Edsential website Cheshire West & Chester – Edsential Holiday Activity Fund
Criteria/eligibility for the programme
This holiday provision is for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Benefits-related free school meals (FSM) are available to pupils if their parents are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits, and have a claim verified by their school or local authority.
Further information on eligibility for Free School Meals. Free school meals | Cheshire West and Chester Council
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Reach out for mental health support this winter
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Help is at hand for anyone needing support with their mental health in Cheshire West and Chester this winter.
From text message support to urgent helplines, there are a variety of ways to access advice and support for yourself, a friend, or a family member.
“Anyone can need support at any time,” said Cllr Lisa Denson, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health).
“This time of year in particular can be difficult for many, with miserable weather, dark nights drawing in, and the money worries and emotional pressure that Christmas can bring.
“We know not everyone is the same and people need different types of support, so the services in Cheshire West provide a real range of ways you can reach out.”
Services include:
- Talking therapies – for adults and older people with mild, moderate-to-severe symptoms of anxiety or depression. Find out more about your local service, including how to refer and a range of wellbeing resources at: www.talkingtherapies.cwp.nhs.uk
- Shout text messaging service – anyone feeling anxious, stressed or in need of support can text ‘BLUE’ to 85258 to start a text conversation with a trained volunteer, who will provide free and confidential support. This is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
- Café 71, Chester Crisis Café – Café 71 provides a safe space for people struggling with emotional distress who consider themselves to be in a self-defined crisis. It offers a welcoming environment for people from across the borough to connect with others who are experiencing similar problems. The service is at 71-77 Anne Street, Chester, CH1 3HT and is open from 10am to 10pm. The café telephone number is: 01244 393139.
- 24/7 urgent mental health crisis line 0800 145 6485 – if your mental health quickly gets worse and you feel you are unable to cope, this is a mental health crisis. It is important to access support quickly. The crisis line supports people to access the help they need 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
As well as these services, which are provided by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), there are also a number of services provided by charities and community organisations. Some of these include:
- Mid Cheshire MIND – offers an informal drop-in centre in Winsford for people who have had or are currently experiencing mental health problems. Its telephone number is: 01606 863305.
- Mentell – provides circles for men aged 18 and over to talk in a safe and confidential space, free from advice and judgement. Visit: www.mentell.org.uk.
- Chapter – Chapter is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of people experiencing mental ill health in Cheshire. They support people with a range of mental health needs, from those with a serious mental illness to people experiencing mild or moderate mental ill health. You can self-refer by visiting: chapterwestcheshire.org or calling: 01244 344 409
- The Martin Gallier Project – this is a suicide prevention service helping people who are feeling suicidal and anyone over the age of 16 who has been affected by suicide. The project telephone number is: 0151 644 0294.
For more information about these and many more mental health services across the borough visit: www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk and click on ‘mental health, physical health and wellbeing’.
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Firefighters urge people to stay warm but safe
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Cheshire firefighters are offering advice on how to stay safe when trying to keep warm this winter.
To reduce costs, many people will be looking for alternative ways to heat their homes - opening themselves up to dangers and greater risk of fire in the home.
Please follow the advice to stay safe.
- If you have a log burner or solid fuel fire, make sure you get your chimney swept regularly so there's no build up inside and the space is free from bird nesting materials. Stack logs by the side of a fire and use a fireguard where possible to prevent embers falling out.
- Make sure candles are secured in a holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains. Never leave candles unattended around pets and children. Always put them out before you go to bed.
- When using a wheat bag, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and ensure it is not heated in a microwave for too long, or at too high a temperature.
- Camping stoves and barbecues should never be used indoors.
- Install a smoke alarm on every floor of your home and regularly test and maintain them – smoke alarms save lives.
Sitting room temperatures are recommended to be kept at 21°C and bedrooms should be 18°C. If you’re feeling the chill, use a blanket or layer your clothing to trap heat better.
For more information and advice about staying safe and preventing fire, visit: cheshirefire.gov.uk/keepingwarm
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Free blood pressure checks
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Feeling stressed about the rising cost of living can have an impact on your health.
From now until 10 September the Council is offering free blood pressure checks to help residents beat a potentially serious condition that has no symptoms.
The checks are taking place across the borough during Know Your Numbers Week, a national campaign run by the charity Blood Pressure UK.
The campaign is supported annually by Cheshire West and Chester Council and Brio Leisure, and the aim is to reach those who have high blood pressure and do not know it. People can then access the treatment and support they need to bring it under control.
Around a third of adults in the UK are estimated to have high blood pressure, but it’s not obvious because it doesn’t have any symptoms. High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other illnesses so it’s important to find out if yours is high.
It’s never too early and never too late to start checking your blood pressure and taking action to lower it if you need to. A blood pressure check doesn’t take long and is really easy to do.
Brio Leisure is offering free blood pressure checks in a series of drop-in sessions during Know Your Numbers Week. These include:
Ellesmere Port Sports Village
Thursday, 7 September
Friday, 8 September
Saturday, 9 September
Sunday, 10 September
11.15am to 12.15pm
5pm to 6pm
11.15am to 12.15pm
5pm to 6pm
12pm to 1pm
12pm to 1pm
Northgate Arena
Thursday, 7 September
Friday, 8 September
11am to 1pm
9am to 5.30pm
Neston Library
Friday, 8 September
9.30am to 11.30am
Northwich Memorial Court
Thursday, 7 September
Friday, 8 SeptemberSaturday, 9 September
11am to 1pm
3.30pm to 5.30pm
9.30am to 11.30am
11am to 12pm
Storyhouse
Friday, 8 September
11am to 1pm
Winsford Lifestyle Centre
Thursday, 7 September
3pm to 5pm
Free blood pressure checks are also offered by GPs, pharmacies, some workplaces, some gyms and health clubs and as part of an NHS Health Check or Well Man Clinic attendance.For videos and fact sheets about how to take your blood pressure and understand the results visit: www.bloodpressureuk.org.
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Looking after your mental health
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National Debt Line: Breathing spaceWorrying about money can make it difficult to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing, but there is support available to help you take care of yourself.
Mental health charity Mind offer lots of guidance to make managing your money easier.
- Put all your letters, bank statements, payslips, bills and in one place so they are easy to find.
- Set a reminder on your phone, at a set time each week or month, to check your bank balance so you know what you’re spending and how much you have left.
- You could set a regular time to think about any tasks you need to do around money, such as paying your bills, and plan a relaxing activity for after you’ve finished.
- If possible, use cash instead of cards. Take out only the amount of money you can afford to spend, for example for a weekly shop.
- Create a budget. Start by making a list of all the essentials you need to spend money on every month, like rent, energy bills, phone bills and food shops. You could try using bank accounts which allow you to put money aside in separate pots.
- If you’re struggling to pay off your debts, get free debt advice from Citizens Advice. You could also ask for a break from paying interest on your debts under a government scheme called breathing space. If you are eligible, you’ll need to speak to a debt advisor to be considered.
Call Citizens Advice Cheshire West on 0808 2787 806.
Mind: Money and mental healthIf you are struggling financially, the stress this causes can make it harder to reach out for help. Mind has some advice on how to manage this anxiety and manage your money.
- Set a time for when you're going to open a bill or letter. You don't have to open them all at once - you can take it step by step.
- Or, you can ask someone you trust to open your letters and bills for you. They can let you know which of them are important.
- You could let your bank know that you have a mental health problem to see if there are any adjustments they can make.
- If you feel uncomfortable talking on the phone, use services which allow you to manage your account online, or let you speak to someone using web chat.
- Make notes beforehand on everything you want to ask about. You could write down all the things you want to say in advance.
- Afterwards, keep a note of everything you talked about. You can also ask the person on the phone to send you a summary.
If you need support, you can contact Mind's helpline.
- Tel: 0300 123 3393
- Email: info@mind.org.uk
If you would like to access face-to-face support, Mind have an office at 1a Dene Drive, Winsford, CW7 1AX. To check opening times and arrange a visit:
- Tel: 01606 863 305
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Live Well Cheshire West
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If you're looking for support in your local area, look no further than Live Well. Live Well Cheshire West is a website produced by the Council, working with the NHS. It can help you find information about local services, support, activities, and events for everyone across a broad range of subjects including social care, health and wellbeing, education, employment, support for carers and much more.
Visit the Live Well page and put in your postcode or area, along with the type of support you are looking for, to find services near you. You can also filter the results by all sorts of different requirements like whether the service can cater to dietary requirements, or whether they are open before or after school times. Live Well offers support to people of all ages, including children and families.
Live Well Cheshire West: Malpas Community KitchenMoney Matters
There is a dedicated Money Matters section which can show you support for bills, budgeting, debt, benefits, and more. For example, if you live in rural Cheshire and are worried about affording hot meals for yourself or your family, you could visit Malpas Community Kitchen on a Wednesday lunchtime and enjoy a hot meal for free, no referral needed.
turn2us: Your Situation A-ZIf you are struggling to pay your bills as the cost of living rises, you may be eligible for benefits that you are not yet claiming. Live Well can direct you to this A-Z list of welfare benefits and grants, made by Turn2Us.
Changing Lives Together: What we doYou might need a new fridge or washing machine but not be able to afford a large sum right now. On Live Well, you can see a whole list of organisations that provide white goods and furniture at affordable prices. Changing Lives Together offer new and reused furniture for low prices, as well as many other services like distributing food that would otherwise have gone to waste, connecting socially isolated members of the community, and providing a community bus service to help residents get around.
Watch this short video which shows you how to find the information you're looking for on Live Well Cheshire West.
If you know anyone who is not online, Live Well can be accessed at any local Cheshire West and Chester Council library. Staff at the library can help people get online and find services to improve their computer skills.
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Save money on your prescriptions
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Did you know that you can pay a set amount per month for as many prescriptions as you need? As long as you live in England, you can sign up for a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) from the NHS which may make your prescriptions cheaper.
A 3 or 12-month PPC covers all your prescriptions for that period, no matter how many you need. A prescription costs £9.65 per item, but a PPC costs:
- £31.25 for 3 months
- £111.60 for 12 months
This means if you’re going to buy 4 or more prescriptions in 3 months, or 12 or more prescriptions in 12 months, you could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate.
You can pay in 10 monthly instalments if you buy a 12-month prescription prepayment certificate.
How to get a prescription prepayment certificate
You can buy PPCs online or call the order line on 0300 330 1341 and pay by debit card or credit card. Please be aware that there is a charge for the phoneline.
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Five ways to put your wellbeing first
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As the cost of living rises, many people will be worried about managing their money and paying for everything they need. At this stressful time, it is more important than ever to look after your health and wellbeing.
Stress can have a negative impact on your mental health and your physical health. January is an especially difficult month with Christmas festivities long-forgotten and the shine already wearing off New Year's resolutions.
The Council has teamed up with Brio Leisure and Active Cheshire to share information and advice about five ways to lift your mood and improve your wellbeing.
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing are:
- Connect - with people around you, including friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours. Good relationships give you a sense of belonging and self-worth, as well as providing emotional support.
- Be active - whether it is going for a run or a walk, gardening, playing a game or dancing around the kitchen, being active can raise your self-esteem, help you to set goals you can achieve and cause chemical changes in your brain that can positively change your mood.
- Take notice - savour the moment and make the effort to be more aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better.
- Learn - try something new or rediscover an old interest, which will help boost your self-confidence, give you a sense of purpose and help you connect with others.
- Give - do something nice for someone else, volunteer or say thank you. Acts of giving and kindness can create a sense of reward, give you a feeling of purpose and self-worth and help you connect with others.
It is traditional for many people to make New Year's resolutions about losing weight or dropping a bad habit, but if that feels like it's adding pressure on yourself at a time when you already have a lot of worries, then why not look to do something much more positive for yourself.
Whether you decide to learn how to cook a new tea, join a guided walk to be active and connect or give some of your time to volunteer, it is possible to find your own five ways to wellbeing.
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing have been adopted by the NHS and mental health charity Mind following evidence that the steps improve people’s mental health and wellbeing.
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Let's Talk about health and wellbeing
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You can find lots of information and support at three Let's Talk sites. Drop in for a friendly chat about health and wellbeing. The initiative is run by the Council working with a range of community groups.
People's health and wellbeing can be affected by lots of different issues, including housing and financial challenges. At Let's Talk, you can get face to face advice and find out about the wellbeing support available in your local area.
The Let's Talk in Ellesmere Port Market is open every Thursday from 10am to 1pm. Here you will find representatives from adult social care, occupational therapy, ForHousing and Brio leisure, as well as a range of community organisations such as Cheshire West Communities Together, and Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust.
You can find the Blacon Let's Talk in Matthew Henry Evangelical Church on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month, from 10am to 12noon.
The Lache Let's Talk is in Lache Community Centre on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Friday of every month from 11am to 1pm.
Let's Talk in Blacon and Lache join existing community groups centred around food. They offer conversations with people from a range of organisations such as Cheshire West Communities Together, Citizens Advice (for foodbank users), social care, and occupational therapy.
Let's Talk has been set up so that residents can access the help they need through a friendly conversation. Plans are underway to have Let's Talk venues in Northwich, Winsford and rural areas later in the year.