Health and Wellbeing

Get Active 

Physical activity

If you’re new to getting active it can feel a bit daunting! These resources can help you to get started and feel the physical and mental benefits that even small increases in physical activity can bring. 

Step one:

Find out how to get started!

Step two:

Let’s go, find ideas and free resources from the list below!

Find out how to exercise and have fun safely

Getting active in Sutton

Getting active with a disability

Whatever your level of physical ability, there are lots of ways to get active. The important thing is to get moving in a way that works for you. Take a look at the free tips, resources and tools from  Activity Alliance  and  We Are Undefeatable  to help you get started. In Sutton,  inclusive cycling sessions  are held weekly at the David Weir Leisure Centre.

 

Healthy diet, healthy weight

Eating a healthy balanced diet can help to prevent diet-related illness and will give you all of the energy and nutrients you need keep active and maintain a healthy weight. 

Step one:

Find out how more about a healthy diet  and the different food groups you should eat to benefit your health

Step two:

Why not try some of these ideas to help you eat a healthier diet 

  • the NHS Easy Meals app for delicious, easy meal ideas. 
  • the  NHS ‘food scanner’ to help you make healthier swaps 
  • Joining the free  Cook Together programme. This gives you healthy family recipes with videos, easy to follow instructions and a shopping list to your inbox every week for 4 weeks.
  • The BBC Food website for recipe ideas if you’re cooking on a budget

How can I find out if I’m a healthy weight?

Calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI),  using the BMI calculator on the NHS website, will provide a good guide as to whether your weight is within the healthy range. The site also has lots of information to help you understand your BMI result, whether you are underweight, a healthy weight or overweight.

Making a weight loss plan

If you're overweight, losing weight has many health benefits.  Making small, simple changes to what and how much you are eating and drinking can really help you lose the pounds.

 

Free NHS Health Checks

The NHS Health Check is a free check-up for people aged 40 - 74.

You'll usually get a letter from your GP or local authority inviting you for a  free NHS health check. 

During the appointment you can expect your blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI to be checked.

You’ll also find out if you’re at higher risk of health problems such as

  • heart disease
  • diabetes
  • kidney disease
  • stroke

NHS Health Check results

Find out what your health check results mean on the NHS website.

 

Quit Smoking

Find support to help you quit!

Giving up smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health, your wallet, and your overall quality of life.

  • Health Benefits: Quitting significantly reduces your risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, leading to improved overall health.
  • Financial Savings: Smoking is costly. By quitting, you can save hundreds, even thousands, of pounds annually.
  • Enhanced Quality of Life: You'll experience increased energy, easier breathing, and an improved sense of smell.

Willpower alone is often not enough. There are numerous support options available to help you on your journey to becoming smoke-free.

Stop Smoking Support in Community Pharmacies 

The smoking cessation service in community pharmacies offers 4 weeks of behavioural support with face-to-face or telephone support and access to up to 12 weeks of free nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help you quit the habit for good. 

Support is available to anyone who lives or works in Sutton. 

You can drop into your local pharmacy at any time for support and advice.   

Pharmacies offering Stop Smoking Advice

Google map of pharmacies

SmokeFree app

For additional support with quitting smoking, download the Smoke Free app on your smartphone. It offers 24/7 real-time support and provides 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or vapes, delivered to your door within 48 hours of your request, at no extra cost.

Scan the QR code or  download the app.

QR code for quit smoking app

 

Rethink your drink

Work out how many units you drink

It's recommended to drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread across 3 days or more. That's around 6 medium (175ml) glasses of wine, or 6 pints of 4% beer. There's no completely safe level of drinking, but sticking within these guidelines lowers your risk of harming your health. Try using  Alcohol Change UK's unit calculator  to work out how many units you drink.

Download the Drink Free Days app

One simple way to cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink is to have at least a few drink-free days every week, so choose yours and get practical support to stick with it.  Download the Drink Free Days app.

Have drink-free days

One way to cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink is to have a few drink-free days every week,  download the Drink Free Days app.

What to do if you need more help

Realising you have a problem with alcohol is the first big step. You may need help if:

  • you often feel the need to have a drink
  • you get into trouble because of your drinking
  • other people warn you about how much you're drinking
  • you think your drinking is causing you problems

Ask a GP or  Inspire, Sutton’s local community alcohol service, about what support is available.

Useful contacts

  • Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.
  • Find out about the support you can get if you're caring for someone using drugs or alcohol:  support for carers.
  • Ex-Military Veterans Support

 

Services for children and young people

There are services for children's and young people's mental health in Sutton.

Samaritans

Childline

Shout

  • Free text messaging service for anyone in crisis
  • Text YM to 85258

Super Saturday Support 

  • talk to a counsellor on 0800 980 7475
  • no appointment necessary
  • open between 10 am and 1pm

Off the Record

The Mix

  • call on 0808 808 4994 
  • chat and crisis text messenger service via  The Mix website
  • support for young people under 25

Young Minds

Get help if you're a parent or carer

If you're concerned about your child or a young person, contact the Sutton Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) on 020 3513 3800 (option 1).

You can ask to speak to the duty clinician, between 9am and 5pm.