British Heart Foundation

Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your blood.If you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it can increase your risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. To find out more about cholesterol and how to lower yours visit the British Heart Foundation website.

Website: British Heart Foundation

Diabetes UK

Diabetes is a serious life-long health condition that occurs when the amount of sugar in the blood is too high because the body can’t use it properly. If left untreated, high blood sugar levels can cause serious health complications.

The leading UK charity for people affected by diabetes. View information on preventing, living with diabetes and how they can help.

Website: www.diabetes.org.uk

Cervical Screening

The NHS offers a national screening programme open to all women from the age of 25. During screening, a small sample of cells is taken from the cervix and checked under a microscope for abnormalities. This test is commonly referred to as a cervical smear test.

www.leedsccg.nhs.ukWebsite:

Breast Screening

About 1 in 8 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. If it’s detected early, treatment is more successful and there’s a good chance of recovery.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening

The service is based at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds and is a joint venture between the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Website: www.leedsth.nhs.uk

Bowel Screening

Take the test! These 3 items could save your life.

Everyone aged 60–74 will receive a pack through the post.

Telephone: 0800 707 6060

Making sense of Allergies

What allergies are (and aren’t) and the evidence for causes and treatments.
Allergies are frustrating and sometimes frightening conditions and they seem to be on the rise in developed countries. View information with some of the scientific evidence that we know about allergies.

Website: Sense about Science

North West Allergy Network

The Doctor’s, Nurses and other health care professionals of the North West Allergy Network have worked together to produce a series of documents for patients with advice and guidance on the management of allergies. All of the documents have been reviewed by specialist doctors and nurses and approved for use.

Website: allergynorthwest.nhs.uk

Carers Leeds

Carers Leeds is an independent charity that gives support, advice and information to unpaid carers aged 16 and over. Established in 1996, our team of expert support workers are dedicated to improving the lives of the 72,000 carers in Leeds.

Telephone: 0113 380 4300

Website: www.carersleeds.org.uk

Email: advice@carersleeds.org.uk

Willow Young Carers Service

Support for young people who have a close relationship with a person who has mental health needs, a serious illness or a learning disability.

Telephone: 0113 249 1634

Website: barnardos.org.uk

Email: willowyoungcarers@barnardos.org.uk

Carers UK

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

Health Visiting (Early Start Service)

Health Visitors are all trained nurses and have an additional qualification as a specialist practitioner. They all have extensive knowledge about child development and child health, parenting strategies, breast feeding, nutrition, maternal mood, and community support. They offer support with social, emotional and environmental issues that affect families.

Telephone: 0113 8435683

Website: www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk

Seacroft Childrens Centre

The Children’s Centre offers Day Care and Early Learning for children from 3 months to 5 years and is registered with Ofsted. Seacroft Childrens Centre offers family support, aimed at helping parents to promote the development of their children and babies.

Telephone: 0113 378 2681

Website: familyinformation.leeds.gov.uk

Email: isabelle.jones@leeds.gov.uk

Childhood illness visual guide

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Vaccination planner

Download a personalised vaccination calendar, which highlights the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by.

Download from: www.nhs.uk

Bee Together Time to Shine ProjectCitywide

Combating loneliness and social isolation in Older People with a Learning Disability. Signposting, support and The Bee Friends Cafe.

Telephone: 0113 276 2720

Website: www.healthforall.org.uk

Email: anna-marie.garbutt@healthforall.org.uk

Outdoor, Active & WellCitywide

Community Gardening and Wellness Groups Meeting every week across Leeds. Practical activities which include tree planting, meadow cutting, tree felling, footpath, raised bed, creating and maintaining wildlife gardens, food growing areas and etc.

Telephone: 0113 226 2623

Website: www.outdoorsactivewell.org

Pyramid of Arts

Supporting artists with learning disabilities one to one. Providing creative arts group activities for people with learning disabilities, including PMLD.

Telephone: 0113 234 6040

Website: www.pyramid-of-arts.org.uk

Email: info@pyramid-of-arts.org.uk

Forward Leeds

Forward Leeds support people to achieve and sustain recovery from alcohol and drug misuse through a range of treatments. As Forward Leeds is a single organisation offering a complete choice of services we are able to provide help to anyone no matter how simple or complex their needs.

Telephone: 0113 887 2477

Website: www.forwardleeds.co.uk

Drinkline

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.

Telephone: 0300 123 1110

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Telephone: 0800 917 7650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: help@aamail.org

Talk to Frank

If you have a problem with drugs Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs advice.

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Email: frank@talktofrank.com

Touchstone

Provides multiple mental health and wellbeing services across Leeds and West Yorkshire.

Telephone: 0113 271 8277

Website: www.touchstonesupport.org.uk

Email: bereketl@touchstonesupport.org.uk

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Telephone: 116 123

Website: www.samaritans.org

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Rethink

Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.

Telephone: 0300 5000 927

Website: www.rethink.org

Email: info@rethink.org

Mind

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Telephone: 0300 123 3393

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Dementia

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Age UK

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.

Telephone: 0800 169 2081

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Planning your Pregnancy

If you’re planning on getting pregnant, you can improve your chances of conceiving and having a successful pregnancy. By following the steps on the NHS website.

Website: www.nhs.uk/pregnancy-and-baby

Pregnancy Tests and Testing

Pregnancy testing kits can be bought at pharmacies and supermarkets or can be done for free at a Sexual Health Clinic.

GP surgeries do not offer a pregnancy testing service.

Vitamins in Pregnancy

All you need to know about vitamins during your pregnancy.

Website: www.healthystart.nhs.uk/vitamins

Postnatal Care

You should have your postnatal check about 6 weeks after your baby’s birth to make sure you feel well and you are recovering properly. For more information regarding Postnatal Care, please visit the NHS website.

Website: www.nhs.uk/postnatal-check

Maternity Action

Maternity Action provides information and advice to on employment and maternity rights both online and through an advice line.

Telephone: 0808 802 0029

Website: https://www.maternityaction.org.uk/

Email: info@maternityaction.org.uk

Further Infomation

Whatever you want to know about getting pregnant, being pregnant or caring for your new baby, you should find it here:

Website: NHS – Your Pregnancy & Baby Guide

Baby Buddy App

Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Vaginal Discharge

Common causes for vaginal discharge include bacterial vaginosis (BV) and thrush (candida). These are not sexually transmitted infections although it is recommended to have a sexual health screen if they keep coming back. Advice on BV and thrush as well as tips on how to treat any symptoms you have can be found on the links below.

Website: NHS – BV Page

Website: NHS – Vaginal thrush

Brook

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

Sexual Health Helpline

The National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England is open Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PublicHealthEngland

Further information

For more information about Sexual Health topics including a contraception guide visit

Website: NHS – Sexual Health

Family Planning Association

A sexual health charity, the Family Planning Association gives straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 020 7608 5240

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Get Support Now

Get support now from the NHS’ Smoke Free campaign. Choose from an app, Quit Kit, email, SMS and face-to-face guidance.

Website: www.nhs.uk/smokefree

Leeds NHS Stop Smoking Service

Specialist stop smoking advisors offer both daytime and evening. As well as phone and email you can text SMOKEFREE to 60066 (charges may apply).

Telephone: 0800 169 4219

Website: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/

Email:  stopsmokingleeds@nhs.net

NHS Smokefree - Mobile App

The Smokefree app can help you stop smoking by providing daily support and motivation. If you stay smokefree for the 4-week programme you’re up to five times more likely to stay quit for good.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Quit with help

Everyone has a different reason for quitting, get a personalised Quit Smoking Plan.

Website: www.quitwithhelp.co.uk

Further Information

For more information about the benefits of stopping smoking, top tips and more visit the following NHS pages.

NHS – Stop Smoking

One You – Thinking of quitting?

One You Leeds

The One You Leeds website (formerly Leeds let’s change) provides a range of healthy living information to improve your health and make health choices, as well as highlight what health living services are available across the city.

Website: http://www.oneyouleeds.org.uk/

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are nutrients your body needs in small amounts to work properly and stay healthy. Most people should get all the nutrients they need by having a varied and balanced diet, although some people may need to take extra supplements.

Website: www.nhs.uk/vitamins-and-minerals

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for keeping bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Current advice is that many people should consider taking a vitamin D supplement in the darker autumn and winter months although in most cases this is not available on prescription. Vitamin D is also particularly important for children under 5 years and pregnant women. There are some occasions when vitamin D supplements can be obtained on prescription or on the free Healthy Start scheme.

Website: www.nhs.uk/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

Get started on the NHS 12 Week Weight Loss Plan

The plan is designed to help you lose weight and keep it off.

Website: www.nhs.uk/Livewell

Am I a Healthy Weight?

Calculate your BMI here:

Website: NHS Healthly Weight Calculator

Weight Watchers

Meetings, Online or a little bit of both. We’ve got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.

Website: www.weightwatchers.com

Slimming World

You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.

Website: www.slimmingworld.co.uk