Keep warm and well this winter
Paying the food and fuel bills, coping with young children, or looking after an elderly relative – a few of the challenges people face throughout the year. But as the days get colder and the nights get darker, it’s more important than ever we take steps to take care of ourselves and the people we care about. Be prepared this winter and follow our top tips to stay warm, well and connected.
Keep warm
There are small changes you can make to help keep you and your home warm. These include:
- Wear extra layers if you’re heading out
- Keep your windows and curtains closed at night
- If you have a heating boiler, consider getting it serviced before the cold weather arrives
- Try to heat rooms you spend a lot of time in to a steady temperature (at least 18°C)
- Try to reduce draughts: you can fit draft excluders around doors cheaply
Warm spaces
The cold snaps between now and the spring can be difficult, due to increased cost of food, utilities and more. Our partners at Sector Support have put together a list of warm spaces in North East Lincolnshire. Scattered across the Borough, these places offer those in need a warm space with refreshments, activities, and some company. Visit ConnectNEL for more details.
If your organisation is missing from the map or you have plans to support the community and offer a warm space, please let us know by completing the Warm Spaces survey.
Health and wellbeing
Check in on your neighbours
If you are aware of a neighbour, friend, or relative who is over 65 or has a long-term condition and may find it difficult to get out, check that they are warm, well and their medicine cabinet and food supplies are stocked up. Having some company may also reduce social isolation.
Stay well
It’s important to take care of ourselves all year round, but the cold weather can make this difficult. Here are some tips to make it a little easier:
- Moving around and keeping active will help you to stay warm and fit. Whether you go for a walk, or take part in an activity, it’s good to keep moving
- Eat well and stay hydrated. It can sometimes be difficult to keep up the motivation to prepare meals in winter, but our diet, including how much we eat, is an important part of staying healthy and well
- During autumn and winter, the risk of falling increases. Follow advice from Age.UK to reduce your risk of a fall
- Pharmacists provide good health advice on a range of minor ailments, if you need to see a GP, tips on keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet, and information about getting your flu jabs, for example, if you are entitled to a free NHS flu jab
- The Covid Booster Programme opened in autumn and is still available in North East Lincolnshire. Please check if you are eligible
- For urgent healthcare needs, the NHS 111 service is a free number to call or access at NHS 111 online, and will direct you to the right local service
Low mood, stress, and worry
Winter can be a hard time for some people. Cold weather and dark nights can leave people feeling isolated, and the run up to Christmas can be overwhelming. Managing these feelings can feel impossible, but there are small steps we can take to make a difference to our mental health.
The five ways to wellbeing
- Connect – Talk and listen, be there, feel connected
- Be active – Do what you can, enjoy what you do, move your mood
- Take notice – Remember the simple things that give you joy
- Keep learning – Embrace new experiences, see opportunities, surprise yourself
- Give – Your time, your words, your presence
More about the five ways to wellbeing can be found on Mind – 5 ways to wellbeing and NHS Choices – 5 ways to wellbeing.
There are a range of support services in North East Lincolnshire available all year round, to help you manage your mental health and emotional wellbeing. Find a service that’s suitable for you:
| Service | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Wellbeing service | Group sessions, phone calls or 1-2-1 support. Go to LiveWell or call 01472 325500. |
| Families First Information Service | A free information service for families with children aged 0-19 years. Visit FIS, call our helpline on 01472 326292 (option 1) or email [email protected]. |
| ConnectNEL | A free, 24/7 telephone or online service to help you find the local services you need. Call 01472 403403 or go to ConnectNEL. |
| Priority Service Register | A free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations. Find out more at Priority Services Register | Ofgem. |
Related content
Financial support, advice and guidance
Alcohol, drugs and substance misuse
Related websites
Get Help: NAViGO (navigocare.co.uk)
National Grid – Power Cut in Your Area?
Carbon monoxide | Humberside Fire
Get vaccinated – Let’s Get Better
Help with money
Things to do
Holiday Activities and Food Programme
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme provides holiday activities in North East Lincolnshire to those families that are eligible for benefit-related Free School Meals.
Stay safe
Rough sleepers
If you need support, please get in touch with the homeless prevention team on 01472 326296 option 1.
As the weather gets colder, the risk to rough sleepers increases. Help people off the streets and into accommodation this winter by downloading StreetLink. StreetLink offers an easy way for the public to let the council know about people who are rough sleeping, by asking for information about the individual and where you saw them.
The StreetLink app can be downloaded by visiting your usual app store, or to find more information visit StreetLink – Connecting people sleeping rough to local services (thestreetlink.org.uk)
Domestic Abuse
If you are concerned about the safety of yourself or someone else, please ring 999 and ask for the police. If you are unable to speak, when the operator is on the line, press 55 on the keypad. For non-emergency incidents, contact Humberside Police on 101. Alternatively, you can find local services and report an incident online at Advice about domestic abuse | Humberside Police.
Crime prevention
Make your home more secure by following these simple tips:
- Lock all doors and windows, and ensure any PVCu doors are locked properly by lifting the handle and using the key to double-lock them
- Keep keys and valuables secure and out of sight
- Consider installing a doorbell camera, internal camera and burglar alarm
- Install ‘dusk to dawn’ external lighting and use timer switches in your home to control internal lights, radios and a simulated TV
- Ensure boundary fences are secure with side gates locked. Keep tools and ladders in a locked shed
- Secure bins at night and put garden furniture away for the winter as these can be used by burglars as climbing aids to gain access to upper floor windows
- Ensure your vehicle is locked and remove all valuables as burglars often check to see if doors are left unlocked