To help children have the best start in life, eligible families with young children aged 0 to 4 and women who are more than 10 weeks pregnant can apply for NHS Healthy Start, which helps them to buy healthy food and milk. Expectant parents can also benefit from the Health in Pregnancy and the Stop Smoking in Pregnancy service at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, both of which offer specialist maternity support.
Through the ongoing Healthy Child Programme 0-19, families can get support for their child’s health and wellbeing through the Health Visiting service, and older children can contact the School Nursing service for support with a range of health issues.
Programmes that help with eating well and moving more are available through HENRY (for younger children) and GroHealth (for teenagers).
Adults looking to improve their health can access Be Well Walsall. They provide stop smoking support, help to be a healthier weight, overall wellbeing support and NHS Health Checks for eligible residents. Quit with Bella is also available as a digital option for residents to quit smoking with the support of AI-robo coach Bella and from a trained advisor. Individuals affected by alcohol or drug use can access confidential support through The Beacon – Change Grow Live.
Residents wanting confidential and anonymous sexual and reproductive health advice can contact Walsall Integrated Sexual Health (WiSH) for testing, treatment and contraception. Many pharmacies across Walsall also now offer oral contraception and emergency contraception without the need for an appointment.
Meanwhile, those experiencing loneliness or isolation can be referred to Making Connections Walsall that links people to social support and community groups.
Residents who need support with their mental wellbeing can download a personalised 8 Steps to Wellbeing Plan. Support is also available for gambling related harms, as well as the NHS and Rethink.
“ In Walsall, a wide range of local, free services are available to support residents at every stage of life, including help with stopping smoking, maternity and early years support, sexual health services, and programmes that promote mental and physical health and wellbeing. I encourage anyone who needs advice or support to make use of these services and to seek information from trusted, evidence-based sources. “
Nadia Inglis, Director of Public Health
Walsall Council
Residents can find further details about local health and wellbeing services on the Walsall Wellbeing Directory or the Walsall Council website.
The Walsall support services: a lifecourse guide on the Walsall Insights website is also available, providing an overview of services available across the borough.
