Making Self Care a Lifelong Habit

10th November 2021

This Self Care Week (15 – 21 November) Stockport Council, Viaduct Care and Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group are encouraging people to practice self care for a healthier and happier life.

This year’s theme is about how we practice self care for life.  Throughout the week there will be information and activities at the One Stockport Hub in Merseyway to help people understand how to take better care of their health and well-being.

Self Care Week is a perfect time to think about how we live our lives and maybe make some small changes that will help to prevent ill health in the long-term and keep us physically and mentally well. Those changes could mean looking at what we eat or drink, how much we exercise or stopping smoking. They could be about our work life balance and how we stay connected to our friends and family which is vital to our wellbeing, and theirs.

Self-care is also about having the knowledge and confidence to take care of minor illnesses and ailments without having to seek advice from GPs or A&E department. There are many websites and pharmacies, which can provide reliable information to help us identify and treat common symptoms by buying medicines over the counter or in a supermarket, or with the help of a pharmacist.

Stockport CCG has launched their self care website in line with this National Self Care Week, which can be found here:

If you are living with a long-term health condition, being good at self care will also enhance your quality of life. Being more confident about self care can significantly help you live as well and healthily as possible.

Councillor Jude Wells, Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health at Stockport Council said:

“The COVID pandemic has been a real wake up call for many of us and made us focus on what we can do ourselves to look after and protect our own and loved ones’ health and wellbeing.  Often though, it’s the small and simple things we can do each day that can make a real difference to our health.  A walk in the fresh air, drinking more water, eating a healthy and varied diet, and joining in with activities in your community can make such a big difference to your health and wellbeing.

I hope people will be able to call in to One Stockport Hub during Self Care Week to find out more about the things going on in Stockport and the support available to help you care for your health and wellbeing.  I also encourage you to have a look at the Healthy Stockport website  where you can find information, advice and support to help you make lifestyle choices to stay fit and well.”

Dr Cath Munro, Chair of NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are pleased to support organisations, such as Public Health Stockport, as they launch a number of great self care activities during the national awareness week. Understanding how our own decisions can significantly influence our physical and mental wellbeing is critical for everyone to understand and practise. We support work that helps to show, or teach, people how to do this.”

 Self Care Week Activities taking place at One Stockport Hub (formerly Argos), Merseyway 

Monday 15 November:

1pm – 3pm Keeping in Touch online – a drop-in session with our digital champions helping you to keep in touch online using Facebook, Zoom, WhatsApp.  As well as keeping in touch with friends and family social media is also used increasingly to access health and wellbeing information and support.

11pm-3pm It’s also Alcohol Awareness Week – come and have a chat to members of staff/volunteers from Change Grow Live (CGL) for information and advice for yourself or others on the impact and effects of alcohol use.

Tuesday 16 November:

11am – 11.30am Enjoy a 30 minute health walk in the town centre led by Life Leisure PARis coach. A great way to boost your activity levels for the day. Places are limited so you will need to call into the Hub to reserve your place

12.30pm – 3pm Come and chat to ABL Health for advice and information about support to quit smoking and/or lose weight and feel fitter, healthier and change lifestyles. ABL deliver the Tier 2 Family and Adult Weight Management and Smoking cessation programmes across Stockport.

Wednesday 17 November:

11am – 3pm Throughout the pandemic Stockport’s Community Champions have come together and done their bit and looked out for their friends, family, and neighbours.  Find out how you can help us extend that community spirit through Volunteering and the Community Champion programme.

11am – 3pm It’s also Alcohol Awareness Week – come and have a chat to members of staff/volunteers from Change Grow Live (CGL) for information and advice for yourself or others on the impact and effects of alcohol use.

Thursday 18 November:

11am – 3pm A showcase of local organisations that can help you connect with others in Stockport, get out and about and join in all kinds of activities that can boost your wellbeing. Come and talk to representatives from Age UK, Viaduct WBSC, WIN, TPA and Stockport Carscheme

Friday 19 November:

11am – 3pm It’s also Alcohol Awareness Week – come and have a chat to members of staff/volunteers from Change Grow Live (CGL) for information and advice for yourself or others on the impact and effects of alcohol use.