Five ways to winter wellness
Vaccinations
Getting vaccinated against flu and Covid helps protect yourself, your family and friends and your community.
Covid-19 vaccinations
NHS information - Booster vaccination Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
NHS information – Covid-19 vaccination Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
NHS information – COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, when breastfeeding and fertility Pregnancy, breastfeeding, fertility and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Flu vaccination
For a full list of Pharmacies offering a free NHS flu vaccination please click here. Please call 119 if you need help.
For adults
The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. It's offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
Flu vaccine and coronavirus (COVID-19)
Flu vaccination is important because:
- More people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
- If you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill
- Getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both of these serious illnesses
If you've had COVID-19, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu.
More NHS information: Flu vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
For children
The children's nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year to children to help protect them against flu.
Flu is caused by the influenza virus. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people.
More information from the NHS: Child flu vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Pregnant women
Pregnant women are being urged to have both their flu and COVID-19 autumn booster to get the best protection from the viruses for themselves and their baby.
For women who become pregnant it gets harder to fight off infections and this means they are at greater risk from becoming seriously ill with covid – especially in their third trimester – and from flu, with both capable of causing complications for mother and baby.
Being vaccinated is still the best way of getting protected against the virus. Most pregnant women with Covid-19 who need hospital treatment or intensive care in the UK have not been vaccinated.
Pregnant women can get their vaccinations at any point during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding.
For a COVID-19 vaccine you can book an appointment with the National Booking System or walk-in (no appointment needed) to one of the drop in clinics. Further advice for all women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding, can be found here.
For more information on the flu vaccination visit The flu jab in pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Self care
Keep protecting yourself and others from flu
Flu is unpredictable. You can prevent the spread of the virus by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and you can wash your hands frequently or use hand gels to reduce the risk of picking up the virus.
But the best way to avoid catching and spreading flu is by having the vaccination before the flu season starts, which will provide you with the best protection.
Staying well in winter
How to stay well in winter - Information from the NHS – visit: How to stay well in winter - NHS (www.nhs.uk) This includes tips for self-care and contains information in other formats: large print, audio, British Sign Language (BSL) and easy read.
Help from your pharmacy
Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns.
Take a look at how your pharmacy can help here: How your pharmacy can help - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
NHS 111
NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. Find out more here: When to use NHS 111 - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Life threatening emergencies
Call 999 in a medical emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. Read more here: When to call 999 - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Live well with your library
Visit your library today and find new ways to relax and enjoy life. Take a look at this flyer for more information.
Welfare and wellbeing
Cost of living help
Many people in Shropshire are worried about rising costs. Lots of information has been brought together by Shropshire Council with its partners, to support our residents at this challenging and worrying time.
Please visit our cost of living help pages to find out more.
Local information during bad weather
Visit the adverse weather section on our website.
Mental health
Please take a look at our mental health and wellbeing resources webpage, which provides helpful information for people of all ages.
Mental health and wellbeing
We have provided some mental health and wellbeing resources on our website for people of all ages.
TogetherAll
TogetherAll is an online community for any Shropshire resident aged 16 or above and is for people who are stressed, anxious or feeling low. The service has an active forum with round-the-clock support from trained professionals. You can talk anonymously and confidentially to other members.
Bereavement support
Call 0345 678 9028 or visit our bereavement support pages.
Parents, carers, children and young people
Sources of information for parents, carers, children and young people
Young Minds: Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People
Every Mind Matters
Get active
As the cold weather creeps in, and the nights shorten, it is natural to want to stay in and try to keep warm. Keeping active within your own capability during winter though is important and will help to keep you well.
Why it’s good to keep moving - and in winter!
Exercise has a:
- Long-term positive impact on our physical health. People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing many long-term (chronic) conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.
- Positive effect on mental health by helping to reduce stress and improve sleep and mood. Benefits of exercise - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
What can help?
- Find something to do that you will enjoy, start at your own pace and build up.
- Keeping active can be fun and sociable - whether as part of a structured group and/or in an informal group with friends.
Look at the ‘Getting active’ section below for links to ideas. Some of these can be done indoors or in groups or on your own. If you do exercise alone, please be aware of your personal safety.
Getting active - useful national and local information
Get active - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk) – Some tips of getting active including at home workouts
Join the Movement | Sport England provides links to free (and some paid-for) on-line exercise programmes for everyone including for older adults, pregnant women, people with a disability or long-term health condition/s.
Find a leisure centre or activity in Shropshire. Find local leisure centre facilities, including swimming and Skate parks/BMX facilities.
Find your nearest Fitness and wellbeing exercise classes around Shropshire.
Parkrun UK runs are a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event, which take place every Saturday at 9:00am. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!
Runs take place locally at Alderford Lake (Whitchurch), Shrewsbury (The Quarry), Telford (Telford Town Park), Ludlow (Mortimer Forest), Alveley (Severn Valley Country Park) and Oswestry (Henley Lane). Visit the Parkrun UK website to find out more information and see other Park Run locations. You will need to register just once, before attending.
This Girl Can is an initiative to help celebrate active women no matter how they do it, the school run, home work outs or participating in a team, there is no judgement.
Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin are a local charity and one of 42 organisations within the Active Partnerships network who work collaboratively with local and national partners to create the conditions for an active nation using the power of sport and physical activity to transform lives. They run ‘Elevate’ classes which are designed to improve strength and balance for local people aged 60+.
Shropshire Family Information Directory is an online directory of local and national organisations and services that exist to support children, young people and families. Take a look at the 'things to do' section for activities near you.
We Are Undefeatable – When you’re managing a long-term health condition, being active is about finding what works for you. This site provides great information about the campaign for adults with long-term health conditions including getting started, people’s stories and ways to move more.
Social Prescribing
Social Prescribing is available in all Shropshire GP Practices and can work with you to find a local voluntary and community-based activity which will best suit your needs.