We can all go through difficult times in our life and that is ok, but winter can be especially challenging for our mental health – it’s cold, the days are shorter and darker.

Our mental health is really important for our overall well-being, physical health, resilience, relationships, productivity, and quality of life. It affects how we think, feel, and act and influences our ability to handle stress and make decisions. Taking care of our mental health is as important as physical health.

If you’re struggling with your mental health this winter, please seek help as soon as possible. There are lots of ways to support yourself or a loved one – from self-care to talking therapies to urgent crisis support.

Ways to mental wellbeing

Reach out for help

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed or down in the dumps during the winter months but admitting things feel tough and talking about it can help. If you are struggling, there’s lots of wellbeing and mental health support available across our local communities.

This summer you will be able to get free schools uniform from our pop-up at:

Rummage Rescuers, Thomas Street, Blackburn, BB2 1NR

Saturday 9th August 10am-2pm

Pick up what you need and drop off what you can. If you are dropping uniform off, please make sure that it is clean and not damaged.

Uniform can also be dropped off at our Family Hubs.

People struggling to manage their money this Christmas have been urged to reach out by health leaders in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The festive period can be stressful for families at the best of times, but potentially even more so this year with the rising cost of living.

People often feel pressured to spend more money than they can afford on elaborate gifts and food during the festive period.

Neil Smith, the mental health multi-agency strategic lead for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “The rising cost of living is hitting so many people hard right now. We don’t want people to find themselves in a difficult situation after Christmas if they’re spending money they just don’t have.

“Don’t be tempted to buy now and pay later. You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a Christmas to remember.

“We know that being in debt can have a negative effect on people’s mental health and we want to make sure people are seeking help before they reach that point.”

Dealing with money issues can sometimes be off-putting, and many people can feel ashamed. But most money and debt issues can easily be sorted through the help of organisations such as Citizens Advice.

Emma Sylvester, debt services manager at Lancashire West Citizens Advice, said: “If you’re struggling with debt and being able to manage your money, we want to reassure you: you’re not alone and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. You just need to reach out for help.

“In my role as a debt services manager, I have never said to anyone ‘we can’t help you with that’, there’s always a way.”

Local authorities across Lancashire and South Cumbria are also offering cost of living support to residents. Visit Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board :: Cost of living support (healthierlsc.co.uk) for more information.

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is on Friday 2^nd December this year and to raise awareness during Fuel Poverty Awareness Week, there are a series of roadshows planned for the week commencing 28^th November. The sessions are supported by the council and our partners: BwD Adult Learning, BwD Food Alliance, Care Network, Cosy Homes in Lancashire, Healthy Living, The Oaks and Shelter.

Fuel Poverty Toolkit

Household Support Scheme

The Household Support Scheme is currently focusing on those who are not entitled to any other cost of living support (apart from the universal £400 fuel payment).  Full details are available via this link and applications can be made online Household Support Scheme | Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Rummage Rescuers are offering families free preloved, school uniforms from Canterbury Street Project, based in Blackburn. See further information below. Uniform donations are welcome throughout the year!

Residents from across East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen who need to access mental health help and support are now able to via one number, 24 hours a day, from today.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust has launched a new service that can be accessed through  a new freephone number – 0800 013 0707 – so that everyone will be able to easily access urgent or general mental health support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The new approach to accessing mental health services is managed within a call centre setting, based at The Mount, Accrington and is made up of a team of Call Handlers and Mental Health Practitioners who take calls and manage referrals from patients, service users, families, carer’s and professionals, aiming to ensure callers are connected to the right professional in a timely manner.

The team may arrange for you to receive support over the phone or for a mental health practitioner to see you at home, at a GP practice or another mutually agreed place to allow further information about current mental health needs. Information about other services that could assist will also be shared, if appropriate.

This new approach will help improve access to mental health services – particularly during evenings and weekends – across East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen where there are over half a million residents, and is part of a wider programme of work across the health system, to transform access to mental health services for local people and their carers who have a mental health need or are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Caroline Donovan, Chief Executive at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust said: “This is a major improvement for the residents of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen who need to access help and support from our mental health services.

“This new freephone number means people will be able to access practical advice and emotional support from qualified nursing staff and where appropriate, access to the right services in a more timely way.”

The Trust has worked with GPs, MPs, representatives from the voluntary sector, as well as other key stakeholders across the health system to develop this approach to make sure it meets the needs of patients and service users.

Caroline continued: “This approach will mean we are better able to meet the varied needs of anyone trying to access mental health support. Whether it be an immediate response, routine appointment booking or even advice on how to access additional information, people will be able to call one phone number and receive the response they need.”

In addition, a partnership between Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust and SignVideo, the leading British Sign Language (BSL) Video Remote Interpreting and BSL Video Relay Service Provider in the UK, means that people from the deaf community living across East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen are able to access the Trust’s mental health services whether for urgent or general mental health care, via the support of an interpreter by visiting the Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust website here

For further information about Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust please visit the website here www.lscft.nhs.uk 

One of our Mental Health Services, Togetherall, has written this blog post to help you manage feelings of loneliness and isolation. Visit our Mental Health page for more information.

In a time when we can instantly be connected to anyone in the world, why is loneliness and isolation at the forefront of our mental health conversations? Covid-19 isolation mandates, polarizing politics, and societal injustices have all caused feelings of uncertainty, anger, sadness and isolation.

When our means of connection have changed so much in three years, we can feel whiplash at the thought of how and when to socialize. The 2020s have highlighted the question: what does it mean to be connected to others and are we really feeling lonely?

Are we lonely or does everyone else look like they’re having more fun?

It can feel odd talking about loneliness when it’s easier for us to connect with others now than at any other time in history. However, the means of connecting have changed, and some of the most popular options are designed to encourage comparison to others. As a result, while we might enjoy a quiet night at home if we then see others socializing (or having different experiences) we may then question our choices or things about ourselves and our relationships that we otherwise wouldn’t have.

In fact, research has shown that if we think our relationships should be or feel a certain way because of a standard we’ve set, we may feel even more lonely. So, even if we do have friends we regularly see or talk with, we may still feel lonely because we are comparing our relationships to a standard that we saw on social media and incorporated into our thinking.

Because of the design of social media, we also know it’s hard to avoid comparing ourselves to others on social media, and that experience further amplifies feelings of loneliness. It doesn’t actually matter what we do on social media, just being exposed to the content on the platform contributes to feelings of loneliness.

We’re not saying that you should never go on social media again, but it’s important to know that doing so can cause our feelings and behaviors to be hijacked without us realizing it.

Chief Clinical Officer of Togetherall, Dr. Ben Locke wants us to know “loneliness is a real feeling, regardless of what prompted it, but there are a lot of ways to manage it.”

We are social creatures but also creatures of habit. Combine that with digital tools that can put us on autopilot, and we may be actively worsening our own feelings without realizing it.

How do we get off autopilot? Dr. Locke emphasizes that it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it, and the more you do it, the better you’ll become.

“Intention setting is one of the best ways we can combat loneliness. Our typical go-to move when feeling lonely or bored (or even uncomfortable) is to pick up our phone and scroll. The problem is that not only does this automatic behavior not fix our lonely experience but what you see suggests everyone else is not lonely and having a better time. To feel less lonely or isolated, we have to challenge ourselves to not do the easy and automatic thing. Instead, set an intention to connect with others or do something that makes us feel better.”

People are drawn to social media because of new information and novelty. If this can lead us to feel lonely and isolated, it can also have the power to do the opposite if you are intentional about which services you use.

To feel connected and supported by others, do we have to know who is giving us the support?

Actually, research has shown that a greater number of weaker ties (people you may have casual conversations with but not consider a friend) someone has, the happier they feel and the fewer depressed feelings they have. So, to have a happy and satisfied life, it doesn’t necessarily have to be filled with best friends or super close ties.

Sometimes it can even feel easier to open up to someone who is not our closest confidant. While our closest friends and family may know the most intimate details of our life, it doesn’t mean that we always want them to be involved in difficult or private problems. Sometimes we just want someone to listen to us. Period.

If we find ourselves dealing with a difficult situation or difficult emotions, we typically prefer to talk with someone who has experienced something similar. This allows us to feel that we have a shared experience and that this will lead to greater understanding. In addition, sometimes it is just easier to share difficult details with people who are not a close friend or family member.

Feeling better even if we’re feeling lonely

As the past few years have presented numerous physical, mental and emotional challenges for the world, it’s easy to understand how loneliness and isolation have kept people from feeling well.

How can we feel better if, and when we feel lonely?

Recognizing when we start to feel lonely can be a big step to helping us feel more connected.

1. Set an intention each day to feel better. If you find yourself feeling lonely, try setting an intention to cut down on screen time or maybe actively disengage from social media accounts that invite you to compare yourself to others. Simple strategies like setting a time- limit, scheduling your social media time for the day, or creating a daily reminder of the link between social media and well-being can be surprisingly effective.

1. Engage with loose ties, meaning connect with others who may not be your best friend or family member. Not every person can give us every type of support we may need, so widening your support network can help you feel understood with a greater sense of belonging. Allow yourself to open up and engage with a broader range of people and experiences.

1. Connect with others who have had similar experiences, even if you don’t know them, that sense of support and empathy can make us feel like we are part of a community who understands.

If you find yourself wanting to widen your network and sense of belonging, try Togetherall—a free 24/7 anonymous online mental health community that is monitored 24/7 by trained clinicians. When we’re experiencing difficult feelings, it can be helpful to talk to others who have experienced similar situations. You can get support and give support to others anytime from anywhere.

Air pollution dirties every organ in the body. It is the biggest environmental threat to our health, no matter who you are or where you live. Air pollution can harm every organ in your body and can shorten our lives, contribute towards chronic illness and put us more at risk from #COVID19.

This #CleanAirDay there are simple steps we can all take to cut down on the #airpollution we cause and use our voices to fight for a cleaner air future.

• Talk to someone about the harms of air pollution.
• Walk those short distance trips and leave the car at home, where you can.
• Ask local and national decision makers for what would make it easier for you to walk more and have clean air in your community.

Visit www.cleanairday.org.uk for more information.

Within BwD, a Heritage Trail walk has been arranged for Clean Air Day. Leave your car at home and join us to learn about interesting people and places around the town.

Meet at 1:30pm at the Town Hall.

For more information, or to book a place, email cheryl.sandford@blackburn.gov.uk

To see what else the borough is doing to tackle Climate Change and air pollution, view our Climate Change Action plan on our page below.

View Page

Loneliness in Blackburn with Darwen

Between October 2020 and February 2021, the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, from the Office for National Statistics asked:

How to get involved

In Blackburn with Darwen, we will be promoting the 5 Ways to Wellbeing to:

• Help Individuals maintain positive mental wellbeing and prevent loneliness
• Bring communities together to help reduce loneliness by using the 5 ways to Wellbeing
• More information can be found on on Wellbeing page

Food Active, on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Council, are working with the Re:fresh team to develop a practical toolkit for care homes to support good nutrition, hydration and physical activity for their residents.

As part of the development we are conducting some brief consultation with key stakeholders across the care sector in Blackburn with Darwen to gather their views on what the current challenges are, what resources/support are currently available and ideas on what key messages and information to feature in the toolkit

If you are currently working or engaged with the care sector in Blackburn with Darwen, we would like to invite you to complete a short online survey to gather your views and help feed into the development of the toolkit

The survey will be open until Friday 8th April and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.

All responses will remain anonymous and data will be held securely by Food Active and in line with our privacy policy. Please email beth.bradshaw@foodactive.org.uk if you have any questions. Please complete the survey by clicking here.

Blackburn with Darwen Adult Learning are offering the opportunity to learn what you grow on your windowsill or in your garden. The event will be running on Saturday 2nd April from 10am to 1pm.

Community CVS are offering free staff development training to organisations contributing to positive health in Lancashire. Courses cover many areas as CVS Training Centre is accredited with three awarding bodies including the RSPH, NCFE & CMI (Chartered Management Institute.) The training might be workshop driven or lead to qualifications. Some examples of possible training include;

Organisations get a free diagnostic which ensures a bespoke training plan is tailored for your teams. This is for you if; you are based in Lancashire, employ 250 employees or less and have either an annual turnover that is equal to or less than 50 million Euros or a balance sheet total that is equal to or less than 43 million Euros

The individuals within these organisations must be employed (in Lancashire) and be Lancashire residents to be eligible.

There are no costs to organisations receiving the training as the project is part funded by ESF / The DWP and Community CVS.

Organisations wishing to access the project can call Chris Trickett on 07947 934509 or email chris.trickett@communitycvs.org.uk to find out how we can help you.

The Give Up Loving Pop (GULP) programme is currently being delivered to 40 Year 3 classes in Blackburn by coaches from Blackburn Rovers in the Community. The programme aims to reduce the amount of sugar children consume and high-sugar soft drinks make up a large portion of the added sugar in our diets.

· Blackburn Rovers Community Trust in collaboration with Healthy Stadia and Food Active will help children to cut back on sugary drinks

· Using the power of their club’s badge, coaches will encourage children to Give Up Loving Pop and drink more water and low-fat milk

· Community coaches are using classroom-based activities and playground games to raise awareness of the health harms of high-sugar and diet drinks

· Children and their parents challenged to Give Up Loving Pop for 21 days

In the North West, more than one in three children (31.7%) have at least one missing or filled tooth due to dental decay at age five, compared to the England average of 23.4%. However, in Blackburn with Darwen, this figure rises to 51% of children aged 5.

Read the full article here.

We have been working with our national team on their Renters Reform campaign. This campaign is based on gaining renters the rights they well and truly deserve. We are campaigning to abolish section 21, reform section 8 and have a national landlord registry. To support the national campaign Shelter Lancashire held a number of street stalls at events and in Blackburn Town Centre to hear the views of the public and to ask people to sign our petition. We met a lot of people who have had issues with renting rights or currently are struggling with this, one person stood out who was a local landlord and stated

“I will happily be on a national landlord register, as I care about my tenants and have nothing to hide. I think it’s a great idea”

Equally we have been working on more localised campaigns such as the My Home, My Voice campaign. This campaign is ongoing but we plan to highlight the issues with disrepair in private rented properties and take this to the people that can make a change, this campaign is service user led and we are there to facilitate but it is their voice and their campaign.

Another localised campaign we are working on is the Love Thyself Campaign this is a steppingstone campaign to a much bigger issue. In the Love Thyself Campaign we wanted to find out from service users and the local public what barriers and gaps are in mental health services in Blackburn with Darwen. Now we know what these are, we will build on a campaign to work on abolishing these barriers.

We will keep you all updated and if you want to get involved please email hope_barnes@shelter.org.uk for more information.