Healthier Together helps local people get ready for a winter of wellbeing
Five steps to staying healthy is the theme of this year’s winter wellbeing message from NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and Healthy Cornwall.
A new Healthier Together video is launching online, on social media, on digital screens and in local cinemas to support local people to take 5 simple steps to stay well over winter:
- Getting checked
- Eating well
- Moving more,
- Trying new things
- Being kind
Further advice how to keep warm and well can be found in the updated winter wellbeing guides. They have been compiled by Inclusion Cornwall, working alongside Cornwall Council’s Public Health team, with support from Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF), Council of Isles of Scilly and NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB).
The guides are being distributed across our network of more than 50 community hubs, foodbanks, libraries, 96 pharmacies and 52 GP practices.
It’s all part of the Healthier Together campaign being run by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, with Healthy Cornwall, community hubs, and a host of local health and wellbeing partners.
The ethos is that small changes to our lifestyles can make a big difference to future health and wellbeing throughout the year, and especially over winter.
Susan Bracefield, Chief Nurse for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said: “The bright and positive messages of the Healthier Together video are a great way for everyone to consider the simple ways we can improve our health and wellbeing.
“I would encourage everyone during the winter months to see how they can follow the 5 simple steps of getting checked, eating well, moving more, trying new things and being kind and to pick up a copy of the new winter wellbeing booklet.”
Assistant Director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Ruth Goldstein said: “The guide is a great tool for everyone this winter, featuring important advice on how to stay connected, getting checked, eating well, moving more, trying new things, being kind as well as being warm and well during winter especially with the changes to Winter Fuel allowance.
“It contains lots of advice on how to prepare for cold and damp weather and where to get additional support or find a warm and friendly place to meet others.
“It also stresses the importance of flu and covid vaccinations, which are available to many people. These can really protect you and your loved ones from getting seriously ill.”
Working together with Cornwall Council, ‘getting checked’ has never been easier, with blood pressure monitors free to borrow from 24 libraries. Local employers can arrange NHS health checks for their staff through Healthy Cornwall; many local community pharmacies and GP surgeries also offer free blood pressure checks.
A state-of-the art self-serve wellbeing kiosk has been popping up in public places across Cornwall to provide people with information on their blood pressure, as well as other health statistics including heart rate and cardiovascular risk. Its latest location is Launceston library.
Moving more, eating well, trying new things and being kind are steps being supported by Healthy Cornwall and Active Cornwall, which provide free access physical activities and help with weight management, stopping smoking, healthy pregnancy and aging well.
Paul Critchley, CEO at Active Cornwall, said: “Research shows that physical activity plays a crucial role in preventing illness and managing long term health conditions, and being active can reduce the risk of major illnesses and early death by 30%. Trying new things and moving more, incorporating physical activity into everyday life, really can make a meaningful difference and we’re delighted to support this Healthier Together campaign”.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- There are Cornwall and Isles of Scilly versions of the winter wellbeing guide. Residents can call Inclusion Cornwall on 01872 326440, if they need a copy of the guide urgently. There is also more on cost of living support on the council’s dedicated cost of living web pages.
- For more information on winter wellbeing, to read and download the guide visit the Public Health pages on the council’s website.
- To find out about free physical activities and a range of healthy lifestyle advice visit Healthy Cornwall and Active Cornwall.
- To find out more about Healthier Together visit; Let’s Get Healthier Together – NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and to be kept updated on Healthier Together campaign, sign up here for the monthly Cornwall Together bulletin.
- Local libraries started to offer free Blood Pressure monitors to borrow to local people in September and over 200 of these devices were loaned by October. Any abnormal results are flagged up for further review at GP surgeries or Community pharmacies.