Winter Wellness Plan

Staying Well - Get Vaccinated

• Flu - 65 +, pregnant, long-term conditions, children
   
• COVID 19 Booster - 75+ care home residents, immunosuppressed
   
• RSV - Pregnant women ( 28+ weeks), adults 75-79
   
• Pneumococcal - babies under 2, 65+, or those with serious long-term health conditions
   
• Shingles- adults turning 65, those 70-79 and 18+ with severely weakened immune systems
   
• Book early with your GP or pharmacist

Stay Stocked

Check your medicine cabinet & replace expired items:

• Pain & Fever- Paracetamol, Ibuprofen
   
• Cold & Flu- Decongestants, cough syrup, lozenges, vapour rub
   
• Digestive Health- Antacids, anti-diarrhoea, rehydration salts
   
• First Aid Supplies- Plasters, antiseptic, thermometer, tweezers
   
• Other essentials- Antihistamines, eyedrops, nasal sprays
   

Tips: Always check expiry dates, keep medicines safe and ask your pharmacist for advice.

Be Prepared for winter disruptions

• Create a grab bag with essentials
• Know how to turn off utilities 
• Keep emergency contacts handy 
• Know where your important documents are

Download the Emergency Plan Tool kit and other resources from the Cumbria Action website.

If you are concerned about flooding visit: thefloodhub.co.uk

‘Grab Bag’ essentials

​​​​​​​Know where your ‘grab bag’ essentials are to save time in an emergency:

• Torch with spare batteries 
• Emergency Contacts list
• Medication 
• Essential Toiletries
• Mobile phone charging cable & power bank
• Spare warm clothing and blankets
• Snacks & bottled water
• Small amount of cash

Stay Informed

• Tune into local radio (BBC Radio Cumbria 95- 105 FM)
   
• Sign up to severe weather warning through the Met office website
   
• Sign up for local flood warnings through the Gov.uk website.
   
• Check local social media

In an Emergency

Ensure you are not in danger. If people are injured or there is a threat to life, dial 999 and follow instructions:

If it is safe to do so:

• Go in a safe building 
• Stay in until your are advised to do otherwise
• Tune into local radio for more information

If the danger is inside:

• Get out, stay out and call emergency services

Staying Well

Keep Active, Keep Connected 
Find a warm welcoming space near you:

• Local Libraries 
• Churches/ Village halls 
• Food Pantries

If you prefer an online option:

• Virtual Village Hall
• NHS Get Active
• We are undefeatable
• Active Cumbria activity finder 

Pharmacy First

This service is for everyone!

Your pharmacists can provide treatments for allergies, colds, flu, aches, pains, ear care, head lice, mouth care and skin care.
Find out more.

If you don’t pay for prescriptions then you won’t be required to pay for any medication provided.

Text 64746 to locate your nearest pharmacy. Or visit here.

NHS App: Book appointments, manage prescriptions & view test results
NHS 111: Get help for your symptoms online or by phone for urgent advice

Digital Health Support:

• Ability Net / 0300 180 0028

• Local Libraries

• Healthier Together App
• Guidance for pregnant women, children & young people
• Online GP consultations available

Help with Energy and Heating

Citizens Advice - Free support with debt, benefits and budgeting
Cumbria website

Take Charge - Help with energy bills and home improvements 
takechargetoday.co.uk

Futureproof Cumbria - free home energy assessments to cut bills 
futureproofcumbria.org.uk

Register with the priority service register for your utilities
(water, gas & electricity) 
Thepsr.co.uk

Green Doctors - offer free impartial energy and heating advice find them here.

General Support

Age UK : 0800 169 65 65

Cumberland Family Hub offers services to families, parents, children and young people. There are hubs at Aspatria, Keswick, Silloth and Wigton. 

For more information visit: cumberlandfamilyhubs.org.uk

The Northern Fells Group is a community charity that can provide advice and support 07376211995 or find them on Facebook.

Work Well Project supports working-age people whose health puts them at risk of being out of work. You can self refer here. 

Cumbria Fire and Rescue can provide home fire safety assessment and fit smoke detectors (if applicable).

Complete the online home safety check here
or call 0800 3584 777

Mental Health Support

If you or someone you know is in crisis:

North Cumbria crisis team :
Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option

Samaritans :
116 123 (24/7)

Andy’s Man Club :
Peer support for men of all ages

Further mental health support contacts detailed here.

Stop and Watch

Stop and Watch is a tool that everyone can use to help spot the warning signs that a person's condition is deteriorating. By recognising these signs you can reduce a person’s risk of morbidity, further disability, organ failure, or sometimes even death.

Seems different to usual
Talks or communicates less.
Overall - needs more help​​​​​​​
Pain - new or worsening / Participating less in activities​​​​​​​
Ate less - lack of appetite​​​​​​​
No bowel movement in 3 days or diarrhoea​​​​​​​
Drank less - monitor using hydration chart​​​​​​​
Weight change - losing weight without trying​​​​​​​
Agitated or more nervous than usual​​​​​​​
Tired, weak, confused or drowsy​​​​​​​
Change in skin colour / condition​​​​​​​
Help with walking, transferring, or going to the toilet more than usual

A campaign was developed by staff at NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group in 2019 and these popular resources are still available to view and download here.