Medical Costs

Health and Wellbeing support

UK Healthcare

UK Healthcare provide affordable low cost leading healthcare cash plan schemes. For a small premium which is deducted from your salary, you can help meet expenses like visiting the dentist, optician or even treatment by a physiotherapist.

They give you cash back for your everyday healthcare expenses within policy limits. There is no minimum claim and payments do not increase because of age or by claiming.

In order to take out a policy:

  1. Take a look at the benefits table Uk Healthcare Benefits Table
  2. Choose the level of cover that best suits your needs
  3. Apply online

Are you one of one million people overpaying for prescriptions?

Over one million people in England from April 2020 to April 2021 would have been better off using an NHS prescription prepayment certificate, a kind of season ticket. They allow you to pay a one-off fee that covers the costs of all prescriptions for a period of three months or one year.

Find out more on Money Saving Expert Money Saving Expert - Prescriptions and apply online here NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate

Mental and Physical Health

Let’s Keep Bolton Moving Website  

‘Let’s Keep Bolton Moving’ hosts a wide variety of free and low cost activity options by local area.

Designed and set up by Public Health Bolton (Bolton Council), it’s the go-to website for the joint promotion of physical activity, health and wellbeing specifically in Bolton. It is also a single point of access to the 5 Ways to Wellbeing – ‘Connect with Others. Be Active. Take Notice. Keep Learning. Give’.  

Have a look at hundreds of physical activity options in the borough via the search tool or the interactive map. You can also find information around mental health support/groups, smoking cessation, alcohol awareness, healthy eating and also volunteering opportunities across Bolton.  

Take a look at this fantastic website to see what’s happening locally and get involved!

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Staff have access to a free confidential advice and information service delivered by Vivup which focuses on proactive wellbeing advice on a wide range of home and work-related issues. This is delivered online, by telephone, live web chat and when appropriate via formal counselling, including online CBT.  

You can access a range of wellbeing support tools including podcasts and self-help books.  Telephone support is available 24/7, 365 days a year.   Simply call 0800 023 9324 free from any standard UK landline or mobile phone. 

1point

1point believe in giving people choice and increased access to psychological therapies in their communities.  We work in partnership with members and partners who share our values and deliver a wide range of services in warm, safe and confidential locations.

We know how confusing it can be finding a helping service that meets your needs.  Taking the first step is difficult, so let us take it with you!  We’ve built on our personal and professional experiences to create the ‘1point way’ – delivered by local people who want to help you live a more fulfilling life now.

You can hear more about what 1point can offer at their webinars during Talk Money week, or visit them in person at their drop-in day:

Money – The Last Taboo

Tuesday 8th November 13:00 – 14:30

Friday 11th November 16:00 – 17:30

1point Drop-In

Friday 11th November 10:00 – 15:00

Mental Health First Aiders

Need to talk? With everyday stresses it’s understandable that sometimes we don’t feel ok.

Speak in confidence to a trained colleague who can help. Mental Health First Aiders are available for all Council staff five days a week, during usual working hours.

They’re council colleagues who have been trained to listen to you in confidence and signpost you to the right support.

You can contact via email, phone or face to face:

Find out more on the Staff Wellbeing page of the Intranet.

Bolton Mental Health

Don’t let money worries take over…

Bolton Mental health provides useful contacts to provide mental health and wellbeing support as well as details community drop in centres

Relaxation and meditation

Tips, organisations and resources available via Vivup -

Better Sleep

Tips, organisations and resources available via Vivup, our staff benefits provider -

Gym Membership

Get access to reduced membership rates at both local and national gyms via Vivup, our staff benefits provider –

Money Saving Expert Guide - Mental Health & Debt

Access a free 44-page PDF booklet supported by Mind, Rethink, CAP UK and others, for people with mental health problems and those caring for them.

It covers how to handle debts when unwell, work with banks, free debt counselling, specific tips for bipolar disorder or depression sufferers, whether to declare a condition and more.

Mental Health Foundation

They offer mental health information and advice based on evidence and the lived experiences of real people. Find out how to look after your mental health and help prevent mental ill health from developing.

Stress Management and Staff Wellbeing

If you have access to the Intranet, head over to the Stress Management and Staff Wellbeing pages for more information

Mental Health and Wellbeing Training

The Council also offers a range of training around wellbeing including:

  • Stress awareness for staff
  • Focus on your finances
  • Five ways to wellbeing
  • Living life to the full
  • Connect 5

The ‘Me learning’ platform is available to all staff and offers a wide range of free training courses:

  • Mental health awareness
  • Effective time management
  • Head in the sand? Tackling difficult conversations
  • Managing change
  • Resilience
  • Setting objectives
  • Solving problems
  • Stress in the workplace

Find out more information on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Training page of the Intranet and the ME Learning platform.