Healthy At Home

Healthy at home for children and families.

Healthy at home for adults.

Healthy at home for older adults.

The Health and Wellbeing team have been working hard to create some new videos to support our local residents to stay active. Each week we will be releasing new video workouts for all age ranges and abilities through our Facebook page and YouTube channel. So take a look at what we have released above.

We know together we are currently experiencing some of the most challenging life circumstances. But we want to help you during these hard times to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, from home...

Current government guidance urges us to stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. If you have any concerns regarding these guidelines, or would like more information, please visit the government website for more details. This inevitability means we are all spending a lot more time at home and now more than ever it is important we stay active for health! So to help we have complied some of the most useful tips, hints and links that we can find to help you stay active at home. There is so much to try so we challenge you to, have a read, have a go and let us know what you think.

If you require any additional support, including food shopping, telephone support, picking up medicine, dog walking, social isolation, or other, please visit our support for communities and residents page.

Do you require any additional support to improve mental and emotional wellbeing? Hospice Hope have a new long covid support group for people who are struggling with Long-Term Covid 19 symptoms, please visit Hospice Hope webpage for more information.

Fake NHS Vaccination Texts Leicestershire Police is warning about a new type of scam message circulating. Fake text messages claiming to be from the NHS to inform people they are eligible for the vaccine are being sent in an attempt to harvest details. Please delete these messages and DO NOT visit the website. 

Keep in touch

Don't forget the team are here for you and trying to support our residents through a number of channels. So please visit and follow our pages on Facebook and Twitter for further daily tips, ideas and updates. Why not drop us a message or tag us?

And if you would like any more advice, guidance, support or resources, either over the phone, by post or email from the Health and Wellbeing team, please contact us on: 01530 454755 or ext 735 (phones are open) or by emailing Emily Rodbourne on emily.rodbourne@nwleicestershire.gov.uk or Georgia James on georgia.james@nwleicestershire.gov.uk

NWL Keeping active

It’s great that so many people are staying active at home during these challenging times. It is so important, now more than ever, to stay fit and healthy so we want to share with you some of the video clips and comments that our residents have shared with us of them keeping active at home.

Here is a great clip of one of our older residents, Victoria, taking part in our staying mobile classes. Watch now here. 

One of our regular easy movers participants said: "Did my exercise with you today (Danny's staying mobile workouts). Thought you did very well. It was like being back at our classes".

Freda, who normally attends our weekly steady steps classes said about our videos; “I’m really enjoying doing the exercise videos. It stops me from stiffening up while I’m stuck in doors".

One regular steady steps participant said: "Thank you Danny, this (staying mobile workout) has been a great help".

Chris Crockett, 86, who attends steady steps and online classes said: "I can’t recommend the classes enough. The improvement to my life has been tremendous. Because of the steady steps classes and homework exercise, I feel better than I have in years. I have improved energy, strength, balance and a big increase in confidence. I am constantly recommending the steady steps classes to friends and family. I feel absolutely wonderful".

If you would like to let us know what you have been up to email emily.rodbourne@nwleicestershire.gov.uk or message us on Facebook.

Returning to sport and physical activity

As Government guidance and lock down restrictions change we are very excited about a return to face-to-face sport and exercise. However we know that after the times that we have faced together returning to activities may be daunting and stressful. Feelings of anxiety or concern over taking part once again are normal so to support you as you return to being active in groups here are some tips and advice;

The Government’s guidance to the public on the phased return of outdoor sport and recreation, and the return to recreational team sport framework may be a useful reads to better understand what is happening and how leisure facilities and clubs will be working to ensure that they are compliant with guidelines to make your visit as safe as possible. 

Mind have developed some tips for managing difficult thoughts and feelings, alongside some practical steps you could take to help.

The We Are Undefeatable campaign provides some support on getting started. 

Staying physically active at home

Schedule

The Health and Wellbeing team are creating new workout videos for you to try every week! Take a look at our schedule now to see exactly what videos we are creating for you and when they will be available - Weekly Healthy At Home video schedule (PDF Document, 0.65 Mb)

Before you start...

We want to make sure that you exercise and have fun at safely at home. So before undertaking any exercise in your house please make sure that you;

• Feel physically able to do so (consider any illness, injuries, disabilities and long term health conditions)
• Build up the intensity gradually at your own speed - only do what is right for you
• Take part in a 5-10 minute warm-up before a workout - a typical warm-up includes a pulse raiser (like jogging or marching on the spot) and stretches/mobility exercises (stretch the muscles you will use like your legs). Completing a warm-up will help to increase your heart rate, increase blood flow warming up your muscles and loosen your joints. For examples of a warm up visit the NHS how to warm-up page or watch the NHS Body warm-up video.
• If at any point during exercise you feel sick, light headed, short of breath, or chest pain please stop immediately. Please consider how you would get help from others in case of an emergency
• Make sure you have enough space to exercise. Think about trip hazards
• Ensure that you have a drink available
• Always concentrate on your technique and ensure exercises are executed well. If you become tired and your technique becomes poor please reduce the levels appropriately or take some active rest
• Take part in a 5-10 minute cool down after a workout - a typical cool down includes a pulse reducer (this will lower your heart rate gradually and an example is jogging on the spot/marching on the spot and gradually slowing down the pace until you come to a stop) and stretches (pick stretches for the muscles that you have used the most during your work out). For examples of a cool down visit the NHS how to stretch after exercising and NHS cool-down video. *this is particularly important if your virtual class ends unexpectedly.

If you have any questions or queries please contact us: activetogether@nwleicestershire.gov.uk  

For everyone

Our partners, Leicestershire and Rutland Sport have pulled together some great guidance suitable for all ages to help you to stay #HealthyAtHome and you can find all the content by visiting their webpage Healthy At Home now. On this page you can find lots of fun workouts for Children and Families including Disney dance workouts, as well as loads of video workouts for adults, and some super tips for older adults including the ‘we are undefeatable campaign’.

Our partners, Everyone Active, are offering on demand workouts for their members, find more information on their home workout page.

Also check out the Sport England - Join the movement campaign! On here there is loads of on demand content and apps for all ages and abilities, supporting everyone to keep active at home. Why not get involved too and if you find a workout you like online, share it on social media using #StayInWorkOut.

Mind have also pulled together their page, 'Get acive, feel good', which gives more ideas and some of their new activity resources.

There is also the Activity Alliance's being active at home page which provides a fantastic range of resources, workouts and advice from a range of organisations to help keep disabled people active at home.

5 Ways To Kick Start & Maintain An Active Lifestyle- Thank you to our colleagues at Melton Sport and HA. Read their blog here.

Help , support and resourses

• The Covid Winter Support Grant - supporting families (with or without children) or individuals. For more information and to apply please vist here.

• Trussell trust foodbank services -

• Coalville Area Food Forum- Access to food and meals in and around Coalville during Covid lockdown restrictions. Coalville Food Leaflet (PDF Document, 0.47 Mb) 

• Severn Trent Trust - Big Difference Scheme. The scheme is open to all Severn Trent Water customers who are in receipt of a low income.  Seven Trent (PDF Document, 0.1 Mb)

• Enrych offer a range of online support groups to adults in the community living with a disability, poor mental health and those who are socially isolated. Online group booklet (PDF Document, 1.12 Mb). Visit thier website here.

• Leicestershire Warm Homes Fund Project - Difficult to keep warm with your current heating system? Grants are available to provide free connections to gas & first-time central heating to eligible homes in Leicestershire.Find out if you could benefit.

Keeping your body healthy at home

During these challenging times it is really important that you look after your health, not just by keeping active, but also by taking care of what you eat, drink and how you care for your body.

Also, if you’re concerned about the impact smoking could be having on your health during COVID-19, take action by checking out QuitforCovid now from Quit Ready, or for help quitting in Leicestershire visit the Quit Ready webiste, or call Quit Ready on 0345 646 66 66.

To find out more information on healthy eating, maintaining a healthy immune system and advice on stopping smoking, visit our healthy lifestyle page.

Supporting your wellbeing at home 

Being physically active is linked to improved mental health, including better sleep and happier moods plus more. If you would like to know more about physical activity and your mental health visit mind's page and take a look at their 5 ways to get moving more and feel better video.

It is very important to take care of your overall wellbeing whilst at home, so you can find more tips to help on our mental wellbeing page and our healthy lifestyle page. Here you will find guidance on supporting healthy eating and positive mental health. 

Enrych PA services- Do you know an disabled adults who would benefiting from knowing more about one to one volunteer partnerships to social events and even mini breaks? … check out this information booklet Enrych PA service (PDF Document, 26.89 Mb)

Age UK- The befriending services offer companionship and support to older people who are lonely or isolated, provide a link to the outside world, and can act as a gateway to other services and support. For more information visit Age UK berfriending service.

Good Sam app-NHS volunteer responders. Submit a referral for support.

Household Support Fund

In October 2021, the Government announced £3.6 million of further funding to support vulnerable children and families. The new household support fund has replaced last winter's Covid Local Grant Scheme (CLGS).  

The main objective is to support families and individuals with food, energy and utility costs over the winter.  This includes provision for other vulnerable families, not just those eligible for free school meals.

The fund runs until 31 March 2022 with referrals open until 14 March 2022. 

Vouchers and financial support from the fund can be used to help with food or energy bills and any of the following:

• Support with gas, electricity and water bills
• Supermarket vouchers which can be used for food, essential kitchen equipment like cookers or fridges or other necessary essentials such as warm clothing and bedding. 

To find out more about the scheme please visit Leicestershire County Council-Household Support Fund