The winter season means some big changes for everyone. The days get shorter, the temperature drops and pressures across the healthcare system increase. However for many it’s also a time of joy, a chance to visit family and friends and to begin a new year with clear goals.

Bay Health and Care Partners have been promoting local support throughout the winter period, to ensure that our local population can get the help needed closer to home. Unfortunately pressures continue to grow, both within the hospitals and also in individual families, so we are sharing our top five ways to look after yourselves and your loved ones.

Heating:

As the temperature drops it’s very important to keep warm at home. Unfortunately, this has its own challenges this year, but help is available. Green Rose in North Lancashire and The Green Doctor in South Cumbria are organisations that can help you keep your home warm.

They can arrange a free visit to your home and help you make it more energy efficient, including applying for grants to help with the financial costs.

Warm Spaces:

Morecambe Bay has a number of warm spaces available where people can get a hot drink and some food, as well as a place to simply warm up. Local councils have lists of places available and you can search online to find your nearest one. Warm spaces are free for the public to use and are run by local organisations and councils.

Financial Support:

Costs are going up and incomes are often not keeping pace, pressures to provide for friends and family, increased heating bills; all of these problems can combine to cause significant difficulty for people.

Local support is available for those struggling financially, Citizen’s Advice services are able to work with everyone to help balance the books, or assist with managing debts which feel out of control. Their specialist teams can help ensure all eligible benefits are claimed.

Staying Safe:

As days are shorter and the temperature drops, there is an increased risk of accidents. Wearing appropriate footwear is one of the best ways to avoid slips and falls, a very common cause of injury during winter. In addition bright clothing can help to be seen in the dark, especially for people who enjoy jogging.

Food:

Foodbanks across Morecambe Bay are able to provide basic essential meals to those who need them, however referrals need to be made from organisations such as homeless charities, Citizens Advice or the local council.

Looking after our own health can help ensure the NHS is able to help those who really need it.

Useful links:

Green Rose - https://greenrose.org.uk/

Green Doctor - https://www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor/

Lancashire: https://news.lancashire.gov.uk/news/county-council-launches-lancashire-warm-spaces-grant-scheme

Cumbria: https://new.cumbria.gov.uk/warm-spots

South Lakes: https://www.southlakescab.org.uk/

Barrow and Furness: https://www.barrowcitizensadvice.org.uk/

North Lancashire: https://www.northlancashirecab.org.uk/

NHS 111: https://111.nhs.uk/

North Lancashire: https://morecambebay.foodbank.org.uk/

South Lakeland: https://kingsfoodbank.org.uk/

Barrow and Furness: https://barrow.foodbank.org.uk/