Happy, safe and warm this winter

Help and advice to keep you happy, safe and warm this winter.

Please contact 01772 625 625 or email communities@southribble.gov.uk

Your Pharmacy

To find information on local pharmacies on the NHS website.

What community pharmacies do:

Urgent medicine supply
Repeat prescriptions
Prescription delivery
Disposal of unwanted medicines
Promotion of healthy lifestyles
Signposting to other healthcare providers
Support for self-care
Flu and other vaccinations

Did you know?

There are over 11,700 community pharmacies in England
Pharmacies are open for longer than other NHS providers
Over 90% have private consultation areas
Pharmacists train for 5 years and are experts on the safe use of medicines

Keeping warm this winter

We're working with energy companies to assist local residents who may benefit from energy efficiency measures in their home.

If you own your own home, rent from a private landlord or live with someone who receives Universal Credit or Job Seeker's Allowance, or if you are classed as vulnerable, funding may be available to help you keep your home warm this winter. (Please note: tenants of housing associations are not eligible to benefit from this funding.)

Measures include:

Cavity wall insulation
External solid wall insulation
Loft insulation
A new boiler

To find out if you may be eligible for support, give us a call on 01772 625 625.

Free boiler services

If you own your own home you may also qualify for a free service for your gas boiler and/or gas fire. You may be eligible if you:

are aged 65 or over with a pre-existing medical condition
are living with a disability
have a child under the age of 5 in your household

Appliances must not have been serviced in the last two years and must not have any existing faults.

Call 01772 625 625 to check if you qualify.

Home improvements - Safe, happy, energy efficient homes

Preston Care and Repair is an independent registered charity that helps people who have trouble carrying out repairs or DIY jobs in their home. Their experienced, multi-skilled tradespeople have all been DBS checked and carry ID cards for your peace of mind.

Give them a call on 01722 204 096, email info@carerepair.org or visit the Care and Repair website.

Lancashire County Council's Safe Trader Scheme can help you find a reputable tradesperson to help with property repairs, home improvements, gardening services, mobility aids and other services around the home. You can call them on 0303 333 1111 or visit Safe Trader website.

If you have a disability and need adaptations to your home to allow you to move around more easily, you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant. Contact Lancashire County Council's Adult Social Services team on 0300 123 720 to find out more.

Air control

Over the winter months, people report to Environmental Health an increase in mould and condensation in their property and many become concerned about the health effects. A damp surface provides the ideal environment for mould growth.

The three main causes of condensation are:

Too much moisture in the air
Lack of good ventilation
Cool temperatures

To reduce the problem, you should increase ventilation and keep your home warm. For example:

1. Produce less moisture within the home. An average home can create an additional 26 pints of moisture a day and this moisture must go somewhere. In order to reduce the moisture in your home, use pan lids whilst cooking, run the cold water first then add the hot when filling your bath, and dry clothes outside or in a well-ventilated room with the door closed.

2. Ventilate by opening windows onto the first notch or security latch, at opposite points of the property. This will help remove the build-up of moisture. Doing this for half an hour in the morning will be beneficial. Ventilate your kitchen and bathroom when in use: open the windows and/or use an extractor fan, if you have one.

3. Improve the insulation and draught proofing of your home. This will also help keep the whole house warm and will cut your fuel bills. When the whole house is warm, condensation becomes less likely. You could be eligible for help with insulation (see 'Keeping warm this winter').

4. Use a thermostat to control the heating and keep the heating on at constant background temperature (minimum of 16oC), particularly in winter. Avoid swinging between hot and cold room temperatures and, when needed, programme the thermostat to a comfortable temperature (21oC). You want to heat up your walls, not the air.

Ventilation of your home is also advised to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Eat healthily ... and get plenty of Vitamin D!

It's so important we get all the vitamins and minerals our bodies need, and over the winter months it's especially important to make sure we're getting enough Vitamin D which helps to keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

This has been even more vital during Covid-19 as many of us have been indoors more than usual. Vitamin D supplements are available to buy from pharmacies and supermarkets, but you can also get the Vitamin D you need from your diet.

Food sources of Vitamin D include:

Oily fish - such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel
Red meat
Liver
Egg yolks
Fortified foods - such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals

Find out more about taking Vitamin D or speak to your pharmacist.

Social isolation and mental health

Winter can be a difficult time for many of us. If you are feeling isolated and alone, or are struggling with your mental health, help is out there...

Helplines

Age UK

Helping older people who are at home and need a little extra support with their wellbeing. Call 0800 678 1602 - 8am-7pm, daily.

Cedar House, Preston

A registered charity which has been providing counselling and psychotherapy to the people of the Preston and the surrounding area since 1998. Call 01772 880 909.

Cruse Bereavement Support

Grief can be overwhelming - you don't have to deal with it alone. Cruse Bereavement Support is here to help. Call 01772 433 645

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Mental Health Helpline

Wellbeing and mental health helpline supporting people in relation to their own mental health or someone they know. Call 0800 915 4640 - 24 hours a day, daily.

The Silver Line

A free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people. Call 0800 4 70 80 90 - 24 hours a day, daily.

Samaritans

A safe place for anyone struggling to cope. Call 116 123 - 24 hours a day, daily.

The Wellbeing Mental Health Texting Service

A confidential and anonymous service supporting wellbeing and mental health for people who prefer to communicate by text. Text HELLO to 07860 022846.