Help to stay well

Flu vaccination is an important priority this coming winter to reduce serious illness and death associated with influenza, and to reduce hospitalisations. You can get a flu jab this year if you:

• Are 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2024).
• Have a certain long term health condition.
• 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, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
• A frontline health and social care worker.

Ask your pharmacist or GP if you are eligible for a free flu vaccine. It is one of the most important things you can do to prevent yourself from becoming ill this winter.

As we head into winter, we should remember that Covid continues to circulate in Solihull.

For those who have not had all of their vaccinations (first, second, or booster dose), it is never too late – to book an appointment at a vaccine centre or find out where your local walk in clinics are visit: www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/

You can get the autumn Covid booster if you:

• Are in long-stay residential care.
• Are aged 65 years and over.
• Are pregnant.
• Are aged 6 months to 64 years and at high risk due to a health condition or because of a weakened immune system.
• Are a carer and aged 16 to 64 years.
• Aged 12 to 64 years and are household contacts of people with immunosuppression.
• A front-line health and social care worker.

If it is difficult to get out, ask your pharmacy about signing up for a delivery service. You can also get help with collecting medicines and attending medical appointments by calling the NHS Volunteer Responders on 0808 196 3646 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week.

Mental health is important because it’s a vital part of your life and impacts your thoughts, behaviours, and emotions.

The Mental Health Helpline offers mental health support for all Solihull residents. The service is open 24hrs a day 7 days a week. Call 0121 262 3555 or 0800 915 9292.

Samaritans

When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year.

Call: 116 123 (free)

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Website: www.samaritans.org/

Visit our mental health support pages to see the range of easily accessible mental health support that is now available.

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults aged 40 to 74, who do not have a pre-existing health condition. It’s designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.

As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk. You are invited for a check every 5 years. If you think you are due a health check, book with your GP. For more information visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check

Do you want to…

• Eat more healthily?
• Manage your weight?
• Reduce stress?
• Be more active?
• Stop or reduce smoking?
• Learn about activities in your area?

The Solihull Lifestyle Service can help with all of these. This is a free service offering a range of health and wellbeing advice and support to help you make positive lifestyle changes.

For more information call 0121 456 7820 or visit: www.gatewayfs.org/what-we-do/solihull-lifestyle-service/

There are a range of targeted services supported by the Solihull Active team for families, older people, people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.

For more information call 0121 704 8207 or visit: solihullonthemove.co.uk

Do you or someone you care about need support with an addiction? Whether that addiction is alcohol, drugs or gambling, Solihull Integrated Addiction Service (SIAS) can help with support. Whether it’s for intervention, treatment, recovery, support for your family or help with housing, they can help.

For more information call 0121 301 4141 or visit: www.sias-solihull.org.uk/

Visit our bereavement support services page to find services to help.

While anyone can be affected by loneliness, some groups are more at risk such as teenagers, young adults, single parents, people with a disability and older people.

Many people often find it difficult to ask for help and support, or struggle with finding connections. Here are some ways to manage loneliness, connect with others or simply change our own outlook and behaviours.

If you are feeling lonely or isolated, this can also lead to low mood, but there are services that can offer regular chats on the telephone. One of these is the Chatterbox Action Against Loneliness, a free telephone befriending for older people who enjoy a chat.

Consider joining a group or class that focuses on something you enjoy; you could ask to go along and just watch first if you're feeling nervous

Find out what support is available in your neighbourhood

Our Community Hubs can connect you with a range of services, groups and activities to meet your needs.

Community Connectors and Social Prescribers can also help to connect you with opportunities to improve your health and wellbeing more broadly. You can talk to your GP, or any healthcare professional about how to access these services in your local area.  If you are a Solihull resident, you can self refer here.

My Solihull map includes:

• community activities, groups, organisations and meeting places
• local charities (at their registered charity address, not at the location where the charity’s activities may take place)
• places you can go for help to find work, training or education
• places or organisations that can provide help and support for anyone affected by exploitation
• community safety and local policing information
• faith groups
• sports and physical activities in Solihull

Visit our My Solihull maps webpage to find the support you need.