Winter wellness advice

NHS 111

If you need urgent medical attention, but it is not life threatening, visit NHS 111 online or call 111 first.

Seeing a doctor out of hours

Urgent doctor’s appointments are available seven days a week including in the evenings, weekends and on bank holidays. Call your practice or NHS 111 to book.

Pharmacy

Your local pharmacist can offer advice as well as medication. Many pharmacies are open late and over the weekends and you do not need an appointment to see a professional. Some offer free delivery services, so check with your local pharmacy.

Community pharmacists can also supply prescription medicines if you need them for seven different conditions without you needing to see a GP, under a new scheme called Pharmacy First. These conditions are:

• earache in children (aged 1 to 17 years)
• impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
• infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
• shingles (aged 18 years and over)
• sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
• sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
• urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women (aged 16 to 64 years)

Mental health crisis support

If you are feeling overwhelmed or you are struggling with your mental health, you can call the mental health crisis line for free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call NHS 111 and choose option 2.

Mind in City & Hackney

Mind can provide mental health support through a range of services.

Call 020 8985 4239 

City and Hackney Walk-in Crisis Café

Offers a welcome cuppa and a safe, supportive place for anyone struggling to cope. The café is open at The Raybould Centre in Homerton Row from 6pm to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm to 4pm on weekends.

Call 07393 762 366 for more details.

City Wellbeing Centre

The City Wellbeing Centre offers counselling and psychotherapy to workers and residents in the City of London and Hackney, included low or no fee options for low income households.

You can call 020 7380 1960 for more information.

Your nearest Samaritans

If you’re struggling speak to the Samaritans. Visit their walk-in centre at 46 Marshall Street, London open every day from 9am to 9pm, or ring 116 123 for free, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Talk Changes

Talk Changes provides support for many common mental health concerns such as anxiety, stress, phobias, bereavement and depression. Call 020 7683 4278 or email huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net

Dragon Café in the City

Dragon Café in the City is a space to release the pressure of work, home, or day-to-day life. Come along and take part in a range of free activities promoting mental wellbeing, or just to relax and meditate in the space. Every second Wednesday 12 to 7.30pm. 

Support services

If you’re feeling lonely and would like to get involved locally or just have someone to talk to, there are lots of organisations who can help.

Befriending service

Community Befrienders offer a crucial lifeline and confidence boost to people who are lonely or socially isolated in Hackney and the City. Call 0207 241 4443

The Silver Line by Age UK

The Silver Line is a free telephone support line for older people offering confidential support and friendly conversation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 0800 4 70 80 90

Age UK

Age UK in East London provides a range of support and advice for older people as well as befriending services, activities and events. 020 898 17124

Email: info@ageukeastlondon.org.uk

Help with the cost of living

General information and advice to help you through the cost of living crisis is available for Hackney and for the City of London.

Citizens Advice

Hackney Citizens Advice provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on a wide range of subjects. Appointments are available at their office in Mare Street Hackney. 020 3880 2023.

Support for carers

If you’re a carer and would like some support, help is available from Hackney Council.

Support with NHS costs

While NHS care is free, there are some things you need to pay for, like prescriptions and dental costs.

A range of financial support is available to eligible people to help with these costs. Even if you are not eligible for free prescriptions, there are ways to save money on them and you can talk to your local pharmacist about this.

Help keeping warm this winter

Guidance from Hackney council is available. You can also find libraries with warm spaces in the City of London.

Food banks

Hackney Foodbank provides emergency food parcels to anyone going through a temporary crisis or those trapped in poverty. They offer practical, immediate relief and can connect you with local organisations who can help with any wider issues you are facing.

0207 254 2464 – Monday to
Friday, 10am to 2pm.

Family Services Unit

Families can get a range of help and support via the family services unit in:

• Hackney
• City of London

Local Services

A range of local services offering support, advice and activities are available in Hackney.

• Heat your home to a temperature that's comfortable for you. If you can, this should be at least 18°C in the rooms that you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom.
• Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.
• If you are struggling to heat your home, you can visit a number of warm spaces in Barking and Dagenham, City & Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest.They include libraries and leisure centres and some offer hot drinks and wifi.

• Getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines ahead of winter are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe. You can get both for free if you are aged 65 and over, are pregnant or have a long-term health condition.
• Children can get a flu vaccine if they are aged 2 to 16, or aged 6 months to 17 years old with certain health conditions. It is important to make sure they are also up to date with their MMR, polio and other childhood vaccinations.
• If you are aged 70 to 79, or aged 50 or above and have a weakened immune system, you can get a free shingles vaccination from your GP. The shingles vaccine is now also being offered to people turning 65 on or after 1 September 2023.

• Make sure you have enough prescription medicines. Stock up early as your pharmacy or GP practice may be closed for the holidays.
• Make sure the medication that you do have is still in date.
• Stock up on essential over-the-counter medications for common winter illnesses like coughs, colds, sore throats and general aches and pains. Ask your pharmacist for advice.

• Try to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting down during the day and keep active. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s something you enjoy and keeps you moving.
• Eating a healthy balanced diet can help you to feel your best and keep your energy levels up.
• Wear shoes with good grip when you go outside to avoid slips and falls on slippery or icy surfaces.

• Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family.
• Speak to someone if you’re feeling under the weather, and don’t be afraid to ask if you or they need any help.