My health and wellbeing

Maintaining your weight is a key factor in personal wellbeing, in addition to lowering the risk of different diseases, conditions and cancers associated with being overweight and weight gain.

Throughout the UK, many people suffer from weight gain. Statistically, 1 in 4 adults across the UK are clinically obese (a term used to describe a person overweight and carrying a lot of body fat).

There are a variety of services and resources available to you locally and nationally to help you on your health improvement journey.

My Weight Matters (Essex Lifestyle)

The innovative MyWeightMatters programme available through Essex Wellbeing Services aims to help you to manage your weight, improve your health and enhance your quality of life. 

• NHS: Calculate your body mass index (BMI)

NHS digital weight management programme

The NHS digital weight management programme supports adults living with obesity who also have a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension or both, to manage their weight and improve their health.

It is a 12 week online behavioural and lifestyle programme that people can access via a smartphone or computer with internet access

It’s easy to refer yourself and should take about 10 minutes to complete the online referral form. You will need an NHS login, the same as is used to access the NHS App. If you do not have one, you can set one up during the registration process.

• Complete the self referral online

Resources and services in Mid and South Essex

To find out what else is available to you as a local resident, including access to more specialised weight management services and medication, read more on the Mid & South Essex NHS website.

Active Essex

Find Your Active is here to support you in taking your first steps to a more active lifestyle.

Starting a new activity can be daunting, but there is an activity out there that suits your needs and your lifestyle. Whether you have never exercised before, used to be involved in an activity but haven’t for a while, enjoy moving but have a pre-existing health condition so are a little nervous, or just want to explore something new, Find Your Active is here to help.

Visit the page below for our activity finder or to contact one of our active ambassadors who can help guide you on the next steps.

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health.

When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you will be able to breathe easier. There are lots of other benefits too and they start almost immediately.

It’s never too late to quit and easier with the right support. The one you personal quit plan is a quick and easy tool that encourages smokers to make a quit attempt with support that is tailored to their habits rather than going ‘cold turkey’.

Stop smoking services

Making the choice to quit is the first step and there are a number of treatments/ services that can help you get through the first few months.

The services available also make it easy and affordable for you to get stop smoking treatments, such as:

• Varenicline (Champix)
• Bupropion (Zyban)
• nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum

Talk to your GP

Many people don’t realise that their GP can help them quit smoking. Your doctor can do a lot, such as enrolling you in a “stop smoking” clinic, and prescribing nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum, or stop smoking medication such as Champix.

Join your local stop smoking service

Did you know that you’re up to 4 times more likely to quit successfully with the help of your local stop smoking service?

Contact the live well team, or call the Smokefree national helpline on 0300 123 1044 to speak to a trained adviser.

Drinking less alcohol can help improve the health of both your mind and body. To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level, both men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week.

You may need help if:

• you often feel the need to have a drink
• you get into trouble because of your drinking
• other people warn you about how much you’re drinking
• you think your drinking is causing you problems

A good place to start is with a GP. Try to be accurate and honest about how much you drink and any problems it may be causing you.

Drinking less services

Drinkline

Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).

Alcoholic Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.

Al-Anon Family Groups

Al-Anon Family Groups offers support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether they’re still drinking or not. Alateen is part of Al-Anon and can be attended by 12- to 17-year-olds who are affected by another person’s drinking, usually a parent.

We Are With You

We Are With You is a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse. If you are over 50 and worried about your drinking, call 0808 8010 750.

Adfam

Adfam is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol. Adfam operates an online message board and a database of local support groups.

National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa)

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) provides a free, confidential telephone and email helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and others concerned about their welfare. Call 0800 358 3456 for the Nacoa helpline.

SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery groups help people decide whether they have a problem, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.

It is really important to look after your sexual health, whether it is about sexually transmitted infection (STIs) or understanding what kinds of contraception are available to you, to keep you safe and healthy.

Essex Sexual Health Service (“Asking for a Friend”)

The Essex Sexual Health Service, called Asking for a friend, is delivered by Provide Community Interest Company, together with the Terrence Higgins Trust, two NHS Trusts and the Healthy Living Partnership. They provide free, confidential and non-judgmental sexual health services for everyone in Essex, regardless of age, gender or sexuality.

Anyone in Essex can access their services directly; you do not need a referral from your GP or any other healthcare professional.

Website
askingforafriend.org.uk

What services are available?

There are a number of services available, including:

• In-clinic and self-testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Examination, diagnosis and treatment of STIs
• Self-HIV testing
• eC-Card scheme distributing free condoms to young people
• Pregnancy tests
• Assessment for and access to most forms of contraception
• Emergency contraception (morning after pill)
• General sexual health advice, counselling and support
• Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and HPV vaccinations

How do I access the service?

There are three main ways of accessing Essex Sexual Health services:

• Visit the online portal
• Call the helpline on 0300 003 1212
• Text SHINE to 80202

Depending on your needs, if a clinic or telephone review is required, you will be invited to arrange an appointment to ensure people see the most appropriate person for their needs without a significant wait.

Further information

For further information regarding sexual health and services available in Essex, including those specific to Southend and Thurrock, visit the Mid & South Essex ICS Sexual Health page.

What is eating well?

Having a healthy and balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best. By eating a wide range of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the correct amounts of food and drink for your height and weight you can maintain a healthy body weight.

Throughout this page find the services and information for maintaining a healthy body through food consumption.

Changing your diet

People with special dietary needs or a medical condition should ask their doctor or a registered dietitian for advice before making changes to their diet.

People with special dietary needs or a medical condition should ask their doctor or a registered dietitian for advice before making changes to their diet.

Healthy eating support

Essex Wellbeing service

The Essex Wellbeing service offers one to one healthy eating and lifestyle support for anyone aged 16 plus.

Website
www.essexwellbeingservice.co.uk/lifestyle/healthy-eating

NHS Eat well

The NHS eat well hub hosts a number of great resources and tips about maintaining and managing your weight.

Website
www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/

Better Health

Better Health is a collection of resources by the NHS and their partners aimed at helping people achieve a healthy body and healthy mind.

Visit better health for advice from:

• Man V Fat
• Slimming world
• Weight Watchers (WW)
• Get Slim
• Noom
• Second nature
• Healthier for life