A message from Helen Charles (she/her) – Community Health Trainer & Stop Smoking specialist:
Brighton and Hove City Council’s Stop Smoking service is still very much active and receiving regular referrals from people looking for support to stop smoking, to just ask questions or to be signposted to appropriate services.
Stopping smoking is one of the best things you’ll ever do for your health. When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you’ll be able to breathe easier. There are lots of other benefits too – and they start almost immediately.
Our Community Health Trainers work with adults (18+) over the telephone or face-to-face video calls and offer free, regular and flexible appointments to support clients to set a quit date to stop smoking. Using a mixture of behaviour change and motivational interviewing techniques; ways to manage cravings and looking at smoking differently, Community Health Trainers can help people to stop in a way that works for them. You can also access nicotine replacement medications such as patches and gum. (This is for the cost of a prescription or free, if exempt from charges). After the quit Community Health Trainers continue to offer regular maintenance sessions for 12 weeks and 3, 6 and 12 month follow up sessions too, to help you stay quit for good.
Here’s how to refer:
Fill in the online form, for yourself or on behalf of someone else, or just give us a call on 01273 294589. We aim to have the first session within two weeks of first contact with our service.
https://new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/support-improve-your-health/help-stop-smoking
As well as our service, this year Stoptober has lots of online support, such as apps, Facebook groups and general info:
Get daily email support: If you would like some extra support, you can sign up for 28 days of stop smoking advice and tips – delivered straight to your inbox.
· Find your online community – You do not have to do it alone – join others going through the same thing in a friendly and supportive environment.
Join the Quit Smoking Support Group on Facebook
· Want to talk to someone? – Call the free National Smoke-free Helpline on 0300 123 1044 (England only). Talk to a trained adviser for advice and support.
It’s never too late to quit!
Let’s do this! www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking