Coronavirus

Health and wellbeing

1. Your physical health and wellbeing: . 

Below are some useful resources that can help us build indoor activities into our daily routine:

2. Mental health support

There are a range of digital services and online support for children and adults across Greater Manchester. These services can be accessed by anyone and include the following:

  • Shout crisis service – a 24/7 text service (with trained crisis volunteers who will chat using trained techniques via text responses) – Bolton residents should text GMBolton to 85258
  • Kooth – an online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform is available to any young person who may be struggling with their mental health. Kooth is for young people aged 11-18 and offers a variety of resources, including: a live chat function that allows young people to contact a qualified counsellor, chat forums with other young people, crisis information and self help resources.
  • BlueIce – an evidenced-based app to help young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm. This is only available on ‘prescription’ from a clinician working in child and adolescent mental health services.
  • SilverCloud – an online therapy programme for adults proven to help with stress, anxiety, low-mood and depression.
  • Time2Talk – Family Mediation Service: If you are having family disagreements or disputes during this difficult time, Time2Talk offers free, confidential and impartial mediation interventions to Bolton residents to improve relationships and to stop situations reaching crisis point. Contact 01204 331965 or to time2talk@bolton.gov.uk
  • Beelieve campaign to provide mental health support - Mental health charities across Greater Manchester have teamed up in a new campaign, Beelieve, to support individuals, families and communities affected by Covid-19. Charities are seeing new issues emerge as people try to cope with the social and psychological distress that Covid-19 and isolation caused. Beelieve will support individuals by providing resources and equipment which will allow them to access emotional and practical help now and into the future. Band 'The Lottery Winners' has offered its support and is donating profit from the sale of its new single ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’ to support the campaign.
  • Greater Manchester Bereavement Service - If you’ve been bereaved and need support or advice, call the Greater Manchester Bereavement Service on 0161 983 0902 or visit www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk

3. Other relevant advice

  • Chat Health

Are you a young person aged between 11-19 needing bit more help and support during lockdown?  
Through Chat Health you can text a specialist nurse on 07507 331753 for confidential support and advice on a range of topics including emotional wellbeing, relationships, sexual health, alcohol and drugs and much more

  • Don’t delay in seeking medical care

It is really important that you know the NHS is here for you should you need medical help. You can still contact your GP by phone or you can use NHS 111 online or by calling 111.
If you are injured or seriously ill it is important that you should come to hospital. We have all the usual treatments available in Accident & Emergency (A&E). 
We don’t want anyone to avoid coming to hospital if they need urgent medical treatment. If you have any of the following come and see us:
      - Chest pain
      - Stroke symptoms,
      - Heavy bleeding
      - Severe tummy pain or headache
      - Mental health concerns
      - You have a child who is very unwell 
We’ll give you the care you need. 

  • Health advice for people with asthma

The Government has released guidelines for people who would be at very high risk if they caught coronavirus because they have a severe respiratory condition, including severe asthma. 
Leading charity Asthma UK has been working with the NHS to provide further information and useful resources for people living with asthma on their website. This includes guidance on shielding for very high risk groups. 
People are advised to speak to 111 or their GP practice for specific questions around their own, or family members, condition and needing to shield.  Remember to follow the social distancing guidelines and use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services. 
If your asthma is getting worse and you have symptoms of COVID-19 use the 111 online service or call 111. 

  • Diabetes and coronavirus (Covid-19)

The vast majority of people who contract coronavirus (Covid-19) will experience only mild symptoms and make a full recovery. However, people with diabetes or other long-term conditions are more likely to experience symptoms of greater severity. Diabetes UK has created some helpful guidance and advice for people living with diabetes and their families.

  • Eating and drinking well

The Greater Manchester Nutrition and Hydration programme aims to make sure older people in Bolton and other areas are eating and drinking well enough to stay healthy and independent.
Bolton Age UK has provided some helpful tips for eating and drinking well. There is also advice available if you are shopping on behalf of an older friend or relative. 

  • You Can Stop – a new smoking campaign to help you quit 

The You Can Stop smoking campaign has been launched. The campaign, by the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, aims to help smokers to quit.  
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, and there has never been a more important time to quit. You are more likely to succeed in quitting smoking with advice, support and stop smoking medication. 
Pharmacies across the borough will be supporting the ‘You Can Stop’ campaign, and are able to provide you with advice, information and guide you on the best nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for you eg patches, gum and inhalers to help you quit. Please remember that pharmacists are busy at this time so please phone ahead to check.
For further help and support:
      - GM Health Hub
      - Greater Manchester Stop Smoking helpline- 0300 123 1044

  • Stop Smoking Support for Pregnant Women

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do to stay safe and healthy and give your baby the best start in life.  In addition to following government guidelines around social distancing, pregnant women are encouraged now more than ever to start their journey to becoming smoke free, to protect themselves and their families during this critical time. 
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to offer a range of excellent stop smoking support to local pregnant women and their families through the Smoking in Pregnancy scheme.  Midwife support workers provide telephone and online advice and support to discuss your pregnancy health issues and options for quitting. The service offer includes behavioural support and access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products to pregnant women and their partners.  After you have signed up to the scheme you will be encouraged to track your progress and success which will be recognised through a voucher reward scheme. 
You can contact the Bolton Stop Smoking in Pregnancy service by telephone 07827 992883 or by speaking to your local community midwife.

  • Don’t miss the signs for cancer

We’re all staying at home to protect our NHS. But some appointments shouldn’t be missed.
If you notice changes to a mole on your skin; blood when you go to the loo, when you cough or where you wouldn’t expect, or lumps, or rashes you should get checked out by your GP.

Practices are still operating, but phone first. Don’t put it off. It’s important you get new and unusual symptoms checked out.
If you’ve had a letter about a smear test, phone your GP. Routine smear test are on hold, but if your last results were abnormal then you shouldn’t wait.

  • Stopping drinking for people dependent on alcohol

This advice sets out information about alcohol units and related risks; practical steps for cutting down and when and where to seek professional help and advice. Remember there are still services available to help you or help others and most are operating telephone or online support.
Further help and advice is available from:

  • ACHIEVE (Bolton’s substance misuse service) 01204 483090
  • Alcoholics Anonymous 0300 123 1110
  • Drinkline 0300 123 1110