Spring 2021 - Wellbeing information, health services and activities that might help.
Health & Care Services
NHS
The NHS is providing a new and more convenient way for you to access urgent care. Find out what this means for you and your loved ones. The NHS wants to make it easier and safer for patients to get the right treatment when they need it, without waiting a long time to be seen in A&E. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, crowded waiting rooms are also putting patients and hospital staff at risk of catching COVID-19.
Read the article here Think you need to go to A&E? Call NHS 111 first
Darlington Pharmacy Easter Bank Holiday opening times
Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group have shared a list for the region including Darlington (which can be found at the top of the list).
GOV.UK
From 8th March, people in England will see restrictions start to lift and the government's four-step roadmap offer a route back to a more normal life. You can read the full response for Spring 2021 here.
During the Easter half term (29th March 2021) more changes are set to be made to the restrictions, in particular social contact.
Social contact
The evidence shows that it is safer for people to meet outdoors rather than indoors. And this is why from 29th March, when most schools start to break up for the Easter holidays, outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either 6 people (the Rule of 6) or 2 households will also be allowed, making it easier for friends and families to meet outside.
Every Mind Matters
If you need support or someone to talk to visit Every Mind Matters for a range of mental health & wellbeing information.
Samaritans
Open 24/7 Samaritans are there to listen and offer support.
116 123
Wellbeing Information
Spring Forward with Thrive
Improve your mental health & wellbeing this Spring with Thrive's 28 day journey of gardening & nature based activities. For more information visit Thrive.
Mental Health Foundation
From lockdown to relaxation of covid restrictions: tips on looking after your mental health can be found here.
Alcohol Change
Sober Spring is three month long alcohol break which starts on March 20th (don't worry you can start late). This is a perfect follow on from Dry January encouraging us to try a longer alcohol-free break. You can find out more including tools to get you started at Alcohol Change.
April - Stress Awareness Month
‘The 30 Day Challenge’ shared by the Stress Management Society encourages you to pick one action each for your Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing to carry out every day. You could even add actions for your social and spiritual wellness too.
ELSA Support
Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) Support share a handy April wellbeing calendar which offers parents of children 30 activities to do at home which helps to promote positive wellbeing and ways to share emotions.
World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) & Mental Health Foundation
Thriving with nature - a guide for everyone offers us useful information about the benefits of nature.
"We want you to thrive and for nature to thrive around you. We think the two are mutually supportive. From forests and rivers, to parks and gardens, to window boxes or even house plants, we can find nature wherever we are. Interacting with nature can be not just enjoyable, but also beneficial to our mental health and wellbeing, aspects of our health that are particularly important to look after."
Kick-start your health & wellbeing event
On Thursday 29th April a free training event takes place online offering individuals with the opportunity to improve their general knowledge of health & wellbeing. This is a free online event but tickets will be limited. (Please note this is an event organised by external organisation and Healthwatch Darlington does not have contact details)
Foodbanks & deliveries
The Bread and Butter Thing
The scheme provides groceries at a fraction of the high street prices. For £7.50 you receive three bags of food. They try and always give you some fruit and vegetables and something for your cupboards and fridge. More information here.
NQA Foodbank
01325 978848
Salvation Army Foodbank
170 Thompson Street East, Darlington DL1 3EW
St Andrew’s Haughton Foodbank
St Andrew's Church Hall off Haughton Green, Darlington DL1 2DD
King’s Church Foodbank
01325 469884
The King's Centre, Prospect Place, Whessoe Road, Darlington DL3 0QT
St Columba's
St Columba's Church, Clifton Avenue, Darlington DL1 5EE
Darlington Support
The purpose of the group is to support residents requiring help across our town by organising the efforts of volunteers who can provide assistance.
01325 978897
Online & Offline Activities
North East Family Fun
North East Family Fun share a list of the latest activity ideas for the region during Easter 2021. Find out about free walks, picnic areas and trails, as well as online cinema ideas.
Youthwatch Darlington 'Healthy Food' Competition
Get creative with Youthwatch Darlington and share your healthy meal or recipes with us to be in with a chance to win a £50 shopping voucher!
Family households in Darlington with children aged 4 to 16 years of age are invited to send us a photo or video of a healthy meal, snack or recipe you have created that you love to eat at home!
Darlington Hippodrome
For those rainy days during the Easter holiday - activities that can be done at home shared by Darlington Hippodrome might be perfect for your family.
Little Learners In the Park
Join Little Learners for their Easter Eggstravagansa event in South Park on 3rd April 2021. This event is suitable for children aged 5 months to 5 years but older siblings are welcome too at a small charge. The is a ticketed event so subject to availability. The event is being shared on Facebook.
International Kids Yoga Day
Celebrated at the beginning of April to promote yoga amongst younger age groups. Join a free online event on Facebook on 9th April at 9am to explore standing and sitting yoga postures.
The Big Neighbourhood Easter Egg Hunt
The Big Neighbourhood Easter Egg Hunt is back again for 2021 with the safe and colourful Easter activity everyone can enjoy!
The idea is a super simple one - just pop an Easter Egg in your window! It could be a paper one, a plastic one, a painted one....get as big and creative as you like!
Then over Easter weekend 2021, children and their families can go out for a walk and see how many Easter eggs they can spot in their local area.
Join the Facebook group to find out more and be involved.
