Self Care Week 2021

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Self Care Week helps to raise awareness of what we can all do to improve our physical health and mental wellbeing. Incorporating the practice of self-care into our everyday lives can help us to live as healthily as possible.

Self care week collage of illustrations showing people exercising, meditating and eating well

The week is a perfect time to think about how we live our lives and maybe make some small changes that will help us take better care of ourselves and our families, especially as winter approaches. Those changes could mean looking at what we eat or drink, how much exercise we do or how much sleep we are getting. Or they could be about our work life balance, because staying connected to our friends and family is also vital to our wellbeing, and theirs.

Photo of pharmacist talking to a customer with the caption 'your local pharmacy can help'

Knowing where to get health advice

Knowing what to do and where to go for advice is an important part of practicing self care for life. Remember, it isn’t just the GP practice that can help. Pharmacies are also health experts. They are on most high streets and can help with all sorts of common ailments. Pharmacists are clinically trained and experts in medicines and can advise on which over the counter treatments will work best for your symptoms. They can also signpost you to the right place for additional health advice or treatment if they think you need it.

NHS 111 can also be a good resource for health advice for things that are not life-threatening. And the NHS website has lots of information on what steps to take to look after you and your family: www.nhs.uk

The Self Care Forum also has some useful fact sheets you might like to download to help you manage things like back pain, eczema, headaches, sore throats and common colds: www.selfcareforum.org/fact-sheets

Lambeth pharmacist, Christopher Arafiena, comments:

“It is important to look after your health before you feel unwell, a healthy diet and an active lifestyle is a great place to start.”

Lambeth Together Health and Wellbeing Express

Self Care Week on the Health & Wellbeing Bus

Throughout Self Care Week the Health & Wellbeing Bus will be stationed across the borough offering special advice sessions including:

Mental health and wellbeing one-to-one support

  • Where: Buckner Road, Brixton 
  • When: Wednesday 17 November 10am to 4pm
  • Details: Do you feel your mental wellbeing has been affected by the stresses of modern life or by the pandemic? You’re certainly not alone. Jazz Abimuheal, mental health and wellbeing outreach worker, is here to help. Come and talk to him about what matters to you. He’s here to listen and give advice and support on what steps you can take towards better mental wellbeing.
  • Also available on the bus: Pfizer vaccines for people aged 16+, flu jabs for 50-64 year olds, home covid tests.

“Ask me anything” – pharmacist advice session

  • Where: Tunstall Rd, SW9 8BN (outside Morley’s and the Body Shop)
  • When: Tuesday 16  November, 10am to 4pm
  • Details: Come and meet local pharmacist, Ash Soni, on the health and wellbeing bus. Speak to him for advice about flu jabs, minor illnesses, advice to maintain a healthy weight, how to quit smoking, the benefits of taking Vitamin D supplements over the winter… and lots more!
  • Also available on the bus: vaccines for 16+ and home covid tests

Mental health and wellbeing one-to-one support

  • Where: Gipsy Hill Emmanuel Hub, 96 Clive Road, SE21 8BU
  • When: Thursday 18 November, 10am to 4pm
  • Details: Do you feel your mental wellbeing has been affected by the stresses of modern life or by the pandemic? You’re certainly not alone. Jazz Abimuheal, mental health and wellbeing outreach worker, is here to help. Come and talk to him about what matters to you. He’s here to listen and give advice and support on what steps you can take towards better mental wellbeing.
  • Also available on the bus: vaccines for 16+ and home covid tests

Find out more more Health & Wellbeing Bus times and locations.

Staying well through the winter

Winter can be a challenging time for many. Viruses spread more easily and it’s really important to keep our bodies moving and homes warm. Across Lambeth, there’s lots of support. For lots of tips on what you can do to look after yourself and others, visit our staying well through winter pages.

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