The rising cost of living can have an affect people’s health. There are lots of local and national services and support residents can access to help their overall mental and physical wellbeing.
Money worries
There's lots of advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money.
You can also see if you're eligible for the Blackpool discretionary support scheme. It can provide assistance to vulnerable people who need:
- Short term emergency support
- Help to become established or maintain independence in the community
If you are struggling to make ends meet, many organisations provide free confidential support and advice.
Active Lives
Active Lives gives Blackpool Residents free or low cost access to a number of schemes and programmes that can help you make healthy life changes, including weight management, exercise referrals and active travel schemes. For more information call Active Blackpool on 01253 478474
Mental health support
Having good mental wellbeing isn’t about never experiencing hard times, it means you feel you have the resilience to be able to cope with the ups and downs of everyday life - whatever that brings. If you are struggling with your mental health, there are a number of services that can help you:
Blackpool Football Club Community Trust - Turn up and talk sessions
Join Blackpool FC Community Trust on Monday evenings at the Get VOCAL Turn Up & Talk session. Just head to the North Stand Community Hub at the Blackpool Football Club Stadium.
Starting at 6.00pm, the 2 hour session helps bring men together to talk and enjoy each other's company. For more information please contact info@bfcct.co.uk or call 01253 348691.
Blackpool Football Club Community Trust – Walk and talk
Blackpool FC Community Trust hold walks every Tuesday 1.30pm to 3.30pm around Stanley Park to allow local people to come together for a moderate paced walk and a chat.
It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy some light exercise. For ages 18 and over. The walk starts at the cricket club.
Blackpool Talking Therapies
Blackpool Talking Therapies service, (formerly known as Supporting Minds), offers a range of free psychological therapies to people aged 16 and over.
To register by telephone or for general enquiries please call: 01253 955700 or email: bfwh.healthierminds@nhs.net
GP
Visit your GP who may refer you to a more specialist service. For more information on how to register with a GP sugery, visit the NHS website.
Lancashire Wellbeing, Mental Health Service
A wellbeing helpline and texting service, available Monday to Friday 7.00pm to 11.00pm and Saturday to Sunday 12noon to midnight staffed by volunteers and those with lived experience, who can offer emotional support - ring if you want to chat about your mental health or are lonely, Contact the helpline on 0800 915 4640
You can also text Hello to 07860 022 846 for support via text message. Text service is available Monday to Friday 10.00am to 11.00pm and weekends 12noon to midnight.
Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They're availble 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 116 123 the Samaritan will listen to you and help you talk through your concerns, worries and troubles.
Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org - it may take several days to get an email response.
Togetherall - support for those aged 16 and over
For people aged 16 or over offers a range of help, including talk therapy in community, groups and on a one-to-one basis and is free to use for Blackpool residents. Togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing. Join the community online today.
Layton Community House
Layton Community House hold a variety of sessions throughout the week to help combat loneliness and improve wellbeing. For more information call 01253 391811 or email 5laytoncommunityhouse@gmail.com
Healthwatch
Healthwatch have a webpage page featuring advice and information on looking after your health and wellbeing during the cost of living crisis, including advice on looking after your mental health and links to services and organisations that can help.
Please note: Any sessions advertised and service information shared is correct at time of writing. Please double check and event times, availability and eligibility directly with the provider.