As the colder weather sets in, we look at the support available to help us stay well.
Help with health costs
If you’re on low income, you may be able to get help with certain health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. The scheme covers prescriptions, dental and eyecare costs, healthcare travel costs, and wigs and fabric supports
Depending on your circumstances, you can receive full help (HC2 certificate) or partial help (HC3 certificate). Find information on how apply here.
Free flu vaccines
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:
- are aged 65 and over
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are in long-stay residential care
- receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system
If you're eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, contact your GP to book an appointment. Or you can find a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccinations here.
Your employer may also offer a free flu jab. They’ll usually give you a voucher which you can show at your local pharmacy.
Staying warm
Cold weather can affect your body’s ability to fight off viruses and infections, so it’s important to stay warm. If you’re worried about how you’ll afford to heat your home this winter, please get in touch with our Money Advice service. They can offer financial support and have access to grants and funds that you may not know about. Call them on 01225 366000, or email customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk.
There’s more information on staying warm here.
Healthy Start scheme
If you’re on a low income and pregnant or have children under the age of four, you could be eligible for the NHS Healthy Start scheme. Under the scheme, recipients get payments on a prepaid card every four weeks to spend on: cow’s milk; fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables; infant formula milk; fresh, dried, and tinned pulses. They could also get free Healthy Start vitamins.
People who are eligible get:
• £4.25 each week of pregnancy (from the 10th week of pregnancy)
• £8.50 each week for children from birth to one year old
• £4.25 each week for children between one and four years old
Apply for the NHS Healthy Start scheme here.
Mental health
During the shorter, colder days of winter, many people experience lower moods. Family and financial pressures in the run-up to Christmas can cause added stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, counselling could help. Through our collaboration with Bath College, our Work Wise team have secured access to a free confidential counselling service for any Curo customers who feel they would benefit from this support. Bath College-trained counsellors offer a private, confidential counselling service tailored to the individual. There’s more information here.
Local resources
People living in B&NES can access free support on staying well from the Community Wellbeing Hub. The team is based in the atrium of the Royal United Hospital, Bath, Monday to Friday, 10am-12pm. Residents can drop in to get advice on local support services. Or if you’d prefer to speak to a member of the team, call 0300 247 0050.
They offer a range of services to help with everything from stopping smoking and mental health, to staying active and cooking skills. For example, the Cook it and HENRY courses are group cookery sessions for parents and children to support healthy lifestyles.
Five ways to wellbeing
Curo’s Community Connect and social prescribing services are based around the ‘Five ways to Wellbeing’. These are simple, effective actions we can all take to boost our wellbeing and to feel healthier and happier. They are:
- Connecting: Meet people at groups and activities
- Being active: Join a group or take up a new activity
- Taking notice: Get involved in local issues
- Keeping on learning: Take up a new hobby or craft
- Giving: Volunteer your time with Community Connect
Community Connect is a free service for people aged over 50. It gives people the chance to offer their time and skills at events and groups in local communities. Find out more here.
We also provide a social prescribing service on behalf of the NHS across the Gordano Valley Primary Care Network. The idea behind social prescribing is to help you to have more control over your own health and find ways to improve how you feel in a way that suits you. You need to be referred to this service by your GP, a nurse or other health professional. You can ask them about a social prescription, or contact Curo’s Community Connect Team for an informal chat about the service and other ways we might be able to help: communityconnect@curo-group.co.uk