dog walking

Get Active

Physical activity

These resources will help you start enjoying the physical and mental benefits of even small increases in movement.

Getting active with a disability

There are lots of ways to get active. 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.

Steps you can take to get more active

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

healthy eating

Healthy diet, healthy weight

Eating a healthy, balanced diet helps prevent illness, provides energy, and supports maintaining a healthy weight and staying active.

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.

Steps you can take to get healthier

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

Step three:

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 health checks

More information on free NHS health checks

Who is the NHS Health Check for?

The check is for people who are aged 40 to 74 who do not have any of the following pre-existing conditions:

  • heart disease
  • chronic kidney disease
  • diabetes
  • high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • atrial fibrillation
  • transient ischaemic attack
  • inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia)
  • heart failure
  • peripheral arterial disease
  • stroke
  • currently being prescribed statins to lower cholesterol
  • previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years

You should have regular check-ups if you have one of these conditions. Your care team will be able to give you more information about this.

How do I get an NHS Health Check?

If you’re aged 40 to 74 and do not have a pre-existing health condition, you should be invited to an NHS Health Check by your GP or local council every 5 years.

If you think you are eligible but have not been invited, contact your GP surgery to find out if they offer NHS Health Checks or contact your local council to find out where you can get an NHS Health Check in your area.

Some pharmacies also offer NHS Health Checks.

What happens at an NHS Health Check?

Your NHS Health Check will be done by a healthcare professional. This will usually be a nurse, but it could also be a doctor, pharmacist or healthcare assistant.

The check takes about 20 to 30 minutes and usually includes:

  • measuring your height and weight
  • measuring your waist
  • a  blood pressure test
  • a  cholesterol test, and possibly a blood sugar level test, which is usually a finger-prick blood test. You may be asked to have a blood test at or before the NHS Health Check

You’ll also be asked some questions about your health including:

  • whether any of your close relatives have had any medical conditions
  • if you smoke, and how much
  • if you drink alcohol, and how much
  • how much physical activity you do

Your age, gender and ethnicity will also be recorded.

quit smoking

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 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 of pounds annually.
  • Enhanced Quality of Life: You'll experience increased energy, easier breathing, and an improved sense of smell.

More information on quitting smoking

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

stop drinking

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 glasses of wine, or 6 pints of 4% beer. Use  Alcohol Change UK's unit calculator  to work out how many units you drink.

Download the Drink Free Days app

Cut back on alcohol by aiming for several drink-free days each week and get support to stick with it. Download the Drink Free Days app.

Need more help?

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

child having counselling

Services for children and young people

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.

More 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