Health and wellbeing advice

By making a few small changes to the way you live, you can make big changes to your health and wellbeing. This can also have a beneficial impact on the wellbeing of your family members and those you care for. There’s lots of information and support available across Hampshire to help you stay healthy and well. For more information, visit www.

connecttosupporthampshire.org.uk/healthadvice

Drink and drugs

To keep your risk of alcohol related harm low, men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week on a regular basis. It’s good to spread your drinking evenly over three or more days. If you’re trying to cut down on the amount you drink, it’s a good idea to have several alcohol-free days each week.

The Better Health website offers free information and advice on easy ways to gradually drink less. Visit

www.nhs.uk/better-health

Drink Coach offers a free, quick and confidential test to find out how risky your drinking is. Visit

www.drinkcoach.org.uk

It’s important to seek medical advice before you stop drinking if you have physical withdrawal symptoms (like shaking, sweating or feeling anxious until you have your first drink of the day). It can be dangerous to stop drinking too quickly without proper help.

Drug use has very clear effects on health and wellbeing. FRANK’s A to Z (www.talktofrank.com/ drugs-a-z ) gives information about the effects and impact of different drugs. The NHS website also has comprehensive information about drinking and alcohol (www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support ) as well as drugs and drug abuse. Visit www.nhs.uk and search ‘drug addiction’.

To find out more about treatment services in Hampshire, visit the Inclusion Recovery Hampshire website at www.inclusionhants.org or call 0300 124 0103.

You may want to talk to your GP about your drinking or drug taking. Your GP will listen to you and assess the nature of your problems. They will help you choose suitable treatment and support options which are available. They might offer to treat you or refer you to your local specialist alcohol and drug service.

Useful contacts

Adfam

Provides support for families affected by drugs or alcohol. Web: www.adfam.org.uk

Al-Anon

Provides support and advice for those affected by someone else’s drinking. Tel: 0800 008 6811

Alcoholics Anonymous

Tel: 0800 917 7650

Drinkline

Tel: 0300 123 1110

Narcotics Anonymous

Tel: 0300 999 1212

Parent Support Link

Offers information and advice as well as support groups across Hampshire for anyone affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use. Tel: 023 8039 9764

Talk to FRANK

For information, support and live chat about drug use. Tel: 0300 123 6600

NHS website, The

Information for families of drug users. Web: www.nhs.uk (search ‘families of drug users’).

Smoking

Now is the right time to quit. Every cigarette causes you real harm and quitting smoking is healthier for you and your family. Smokefree Hampshire is committed to helping smokers who live or work in Hampshire who want to quit. Tailored support is provided to help you quit – including access to free Nicotine Replacement Therapy.

Visit the Smoke free Hampshire website (www.smokefreehampshire.co.uk ), call 01264 563039, 0800 772 3649, text ‘Quit’ to 66777 or email smokefree.hampshire@nhs.net

Weight management

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your overall health. Becoming overweight or obese increases your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Find information and advice to help you lose weight from the NHS at

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

Hampshire County Council is working with ShapeUp4Life to provide support for adults over the age of 18 who want to lose weight.

If you’re an adult living in Hampshire and your body mass index (BMI) is above average, you may qualify for free support. (This service is not available to residents living in areas covered by Portsmouth or Southampton City Councils). For more information, visit www.shapeup4lifehampshire.co.uk

If you are a man living in the Hampshire County Council area who wants to lose weight, improve your fitness and play football, then you could join your local MAN v FAT Football club. Play smallsided football games against other men who also want to improve their health. You can join if you’re 18 or over and have a BMI of 27.5+. For more information, visit www.manvfatfootball.org or call 0345 163 0042. If football isn’t your thing, you could try the online MAN v FAT Challenge. Visit www.manvfatchallenge.co.uk or call 0345 163 0042.

Incontinence

Incontinence can be very distressing. However, there is a lot of information available to support you. Refer to the resources below to find out more.

NHS website, The

Web:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence

Web:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-incontinence

Web: www.nhs.uk (search ‘incontinence products’).

Age UK

Information and advice about incontinence. Tel: 0800 678 1602 Web: www.ageuk.org.uk (search ‘incontinence’).

Bladder & Bowel UK

Offers online information as well as a national helpline offering advice about a range of bladder and bowel conditions. Tel: 0161 214 4591 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.30pm). Web: www.bbuk.org.uk

Bladder Health UK

Offer support and advice including a confidential advice line. Tel: 0121 702 0820 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 2.30pm). Web: www.bladderhealthuk.org (search ‘continence support’).

Changing Places – Toilet Map

An online directory of publicly available disabled friendly toilets and changing facilities across the UK. Web: http://changingplaces.uktoiletmap.org

Community Bladder and Bowel Service Southampton

The service promotes continence and the management of incontinence. Tel: 0300 123 3795 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm). Email: SNHS.bladderandbowelwest@nhs.net

Disability Rights UK – The RADAR National Key Scheme (NKS)

(NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country. Tel: 0203 687 0790 (shop). Web: www.disabilityrightsuk.org (select ‘Order your Radar Key’).

Incontinence UK

Offers advice, product guides and an interactive forum offering advice from experts and members of the public. Tel: 0800 068 3625 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm). Web: www.incontinence.co.uk