Your health

We want you to be happy and healthy. Our leaving care team and your personal adviser will support you to stay healthy and look after your physical and mental health.

This page gives you information on the following areas:

• Your health needs
• Support to be happy and healthy
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Substance misuse and sexual health services
• Exercise (passport to leisure)
• Emergency information
• Staying healthy and well-Top health tips

If you would like support to access health services or need someone to go with you, speak to your personal advisor (PA).

Don't forget, you have the Right to Choose. 

Right to Choose is an NHS right in England that means people (including children, young people and families) can choose where they go for certain health or mental health support when a GP refers them. Instead of only going to the local service, they can ask to be referred to a different NHS‑funded provider—sometimes one with shorter waiting times or a service that better fits their needs. 

In simple terms, it’s about giving people more choice and control over their care, helping them find the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

There is a range of support available if you need support with your emotional or mental health. Speak to your PA for more information. If you are struggling with your mental health, we are here to help and support you, please just ask for help…don’t bottle it up.

These are some of the options:

The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can assist with all of life's ups and downs, and it is not just counselling for use in a crisis. The telephone helpline can help with any non-work-related issues. This service is provided by a company completely independent to the council called Health Assured.

Contact can be made:

• By Phone: 0800 028 0199 (or add prefix 0044 to call from outside UK – stating they are a UK based employee, calls will be charged) Access to Mincom is arranged via scheduling a consultation using the email address or contact facility on the webpage. You just need to mention they are a Blackpool care leaver. 
• By App : Download the Health Assured Wisdom app via Google play or Apple store using the code MH A051861 – Here you can access “live chat” facility or request a call back

Did you know, the Wisdom App has a range of self-help tools for things like breathing exercises, meditation and support with anxiety.

Options4CYP in Blackpool is a friendly service that supports children and young people with their emotional wellbeing and mental health. It gives them a safe place to talk to caring adults about worries, feelings, or challenges at home, school, or with friends, and helps them find ways to cope and feel better. The team’s aim is to make sure every young person feels listened to, supported, and more confident, knowing they’re not alone and that there are people ready to help them through tough times.

Who can get help

• Children and young people up to 18 years old
• Up to 25 years old for some services
• Parents and carers can also ask for support

Support available for you

Primary mental health workers (PMHW)

Primary mental health workers support young people early when things start to feel tough.
They can:

• Offer advice and guidance
• Help you understand what support might help
• Help with referrals
• Link with your school or college

Children and young people’s wellbeing practitioners (CYWP)

Children and young people’s wellbeing practitioners offer short term support in the community.

They can help with:

• Feeling low or sad
• Worry and anxiety
• Changes and transitions
• One to one support or group sessions

They also support parents and carers with helpful programmes.

SHINE mental health support team

SHINE supports students aged 11 to 18 in schools and colleges.

They can help with:

• Low mood
• Anxiety
• Adjusting to change
• Talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy

Referrals are usually made through school, but you can also self-refer by phone

YoutherapY

YoutherapY offers talking therapies for young people aged 11 to 25.

You can have:

• Face to face sessions
• Phone or video appointments
• Support in community venues

There is also a weekly drop in every Wednesday from 3.00pm to 5.00pm at Connect.

You do not need an appointment.

Blackpool Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Blackpool Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services support young people with more serious mental health needs.

They offer assessments and ongoing support when things feel very overwhelming.

Response and Intensive Support Team (RAIS)

RAIS offers urgent, short term mental health support.

This is for young people already using Options4CYP services who need help straight away.

Support usually lasts up to two weeks.

One phone number for all support

You can contact all Options4CYP services using one free number

0800 121 7762

Choose the option that fits your need or ask for help deciding.

You can refer yourself

You do not have to wait for someone else to help you.
You can self refer online if you want support.

Search online for
Blackpool Options4CYP self referral

24 hour help if things feel really hard

If you or someone you know is struggling right now, support is always available

• Text YM to 85258 for Young Minds Crisis Messenger
• Call 116 123 to speak to Samaritans
• Call 0800 111 or visit Childline
• Visit www.kooth.com for free online chat support
• Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039 967 for HOPELINE247
• Call NHS 111 and press 2 for urgent mental health help

Options4CYP Children and Young People's Mental Health Services Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

Kooth provides online mental wellbeing support

Check out the useful contacts section of our offer for more services that can provide help and support. 

After your last health assessment and before you leave care, you will be given a ‘health summary’, which is your personal health record. It includes information about your medical history, facts about your health and contact details for other services you might need.

You will receive this from the enhance children in care and care leavers team. A copy will be shared with your GP and personal advisor unless you have confirmed that you do not give your consent for this.

Should you misplace the copy provided by the enhanced children in care and care leavers team, you can access it via your GP online service or request via your GP directly. If you need support with this, speak to your PA who will be able to support.

We want to make sure you get the help and support you need when you need or want it. Speak to your personal advisor (PA) about having access to the following:

• Accessing a GP- GPs and practice nurses treat all common medical conditions and can refer to specialist services if required. GP practices offer a range of services including immunisations and medication reviews. For more information on finding a local GP and how to register visit- Find a GP - NHS
• Free prescriptions - Our young people can also access free prescriptions (either with support to apply for exception or we will pay for an prepayment cert)
• Eye tests and glasses – Do you have ongoing issues or specific needs related to your eyesight? Speak to your PA, they will help and support you to get the help you need. Sometimes we can help with the cost of eye tests and glasses, your PA will support you.
• Dental treatment - If you currently don’t have access to a routine NHS dentist, please email Fylde Coast Medical Services (FCMS) dental.admin@nhs.net to request a return call referencing that is for access to ‘pathway 3 children in care and care leavers dental referral’ and only include your telephone contact details. If you are experiencing dental pain or require emergency treatment, please contact the dental helpline- 0300 1234 010 who will support in finding a local out of hours dentist. If you need support with either, please ask your PA.

Blackpool adolescent service provides free support for young people with drug, alcohol, and sexual health issues. You can refer yourself or ask your PA to refer on your behalf.

• Substance misuse and sexual health services
• Blackpool and Lancashire Sexual Health Services

You can also access ‘Drugs and ME’ Chatbot for help and support 24 hours per day- 24/7 expert drug information. (drugsand.me)

For support on stopping smoking visit- Smokefree Blackpool :: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals or call 0808 1964324

An active life and a healthy diet can reduce your risk of major illnesses. By doing regular exercise you can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, digestive/bowel problems, and mental health issues. It can also boost your confidence and self-esteem, sleep quality and mood and can make people feel less isolated and lonely.

The passport to leisure scheme provides free and reduced access to leisure provision for all ‘our’ children and young people up to the age of 25 years.

The scheme entitles the individual to free and reduced access to the activities outlined below at the following locations:

• Palatine Leisure Centre, 207 St Annes Road, Blackpool, FY4 2AP
• Blackpool Sports Centre, West Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9HQ
• Moor Park Health & Leisure Centre, Bristol Avenue, Blackpool, FY2 0JG

You can access the following at these sites:

Free activities:

• Casual swimming
• Badminton*
• Table tennis*
• Gym access
• Casual rock climbing and bouldering
• Athletics track
• Cycle track
• Exercise classes

*Free use of badminton and table tennis court, enables the individual to bring a friend to play with for free.

Half price instructor led activities, including:

• Gymnastics
• Rock climbing courses
• Swimming lessons
• Low/High ropes
• Outdoor revolution

The range of activities is growing all the time, so the above lists are not all inclusive – check out our website for an up to date list of activities on offer, for all ages: You can also download the Active Blackpool app from your app store.

If you live outside of Blackpool, your PA will support you to access community sports centres so that you can access similar activities that may be on offer where you live.

Call 999: Life threatening emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and life is at risk.

Call 111: NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do (Available 24 hours, 7 days a week).

NHS UK provides further information and advice. Local pharmacists are also available for advice.

Emergency dental 

If you need urgent help as you are in mental health distress, then there is always someone you can call.

Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 0800 953 0110. It is staffed by trained mental health professionals who can provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services.

You may be entitled to assistance from Healthy Start Get help to buy food and milk  and a one-off payment from Sure Start Maternity Grant: Overview.

If you are unsure how to access these, please speak with your PA who will be happy to support.

The Birth to Five book provides information on becoming a parent, taking care of yourself and your child, plus support in finding practical help and support. 

Within Blackpool, we offer a family centred health visiting service. We specialise in working with families with a child aged 0 to 5 years old to identify health needs as early as possible and improve health and wellbeing by promoting health, preventing ill health and reducing inequalities.

There is also ‘The Early Parenthood Service which provides support to families who identify as needing additional support. Or speak to your local Family Hub Blackpool Family Hub locations

Don’t worry about asking any questions if you need more information. If you feel that you need any support, advice, or guidance, talk to your PA or someone you trust.

To be healthy and to maintain your overall well-being is important Live Well - NHS

It is your responsibility to register with a GP: How to register with a GP surgery. Your PA can also support you. You can request a different doctor if you feel the need to

Look after your oral health – for more advice: Take care of your teeth and gums

See a dentist every six months: Find a dentist or see above on how to access the care levers dental pathway

See an optician every two years – unless you’re advised otherwise Opticians and sight tests

Recognise your feelings and if you feel low, it’s important to talk to someone Low mood - Every Mind Matters

Speak to your Personal Advisor about financial help with dental and optician costs Help with health costs

Further information about health and well-being can be found at- Life in Your Hands: Young health and well-being - taking care of your physical health - Coram Group