Stay well this winter

Covid-19 and flu vaccinations

Both the flu and Covid-19 viruses will be in circulation this winter. Vaccination provides the best possible protection against both illnesses for you, the people you care for and your loved ones.

Visit the vaccination section of our website for information about vaccination in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, including how to get vaccinated and eligibility.

Video: Do you know how vaccines work?

Keeping warm and get help with heating

Make sure you’re getting all the help that you’re entitled to. There are grants, benefits and advice available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills.

Your local authority has lots of  information about how to access financial help and support through the winter months:

There are a number of venues set up in the local community which offer a place for people to keep warm, socialise with others and access support related to the cost of living. You can find information about these spaces on your local authority website:

When you’re feeling unwell or need medical help

When you feel unwell or need medical help, using the right service can help you get the right care in the quickest way.

The local NHS website for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire has information about NHS services, how they can help and how to contact them.

Winter illnesses

Visit the NHS website for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire for information and advice on common winter illnesses, including what you can do to feel better and when to see a GP. There is also lots of information and advice about self-care.

If your condition is something you will be able to treat at home, there are many apps available to help:

• The local NHS health and care apps library features thousands of apps to help you manage a wide range of long-term conditions
• The NHS HANDi app is designed by paediatric specialists and provides simple, straightforward advice for a range of common conditions.

Video: Helpful things to have in your medicine cabinet

Mental health support

If you need urgent help for mental health but it’s not an emergency, call 111 or your local NHS mental health helpline.

If you need help with mental health but don’t know where to start, the NHS website for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire has information about mental health services, how they can help you and how to contact them.

Holiday service closures

Over the festive period, there will be a change in opening times for some NHS services, such as pharmacies and GP surgeries, with some closures on the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

Make sure you get your prescription medicines in good time to avoid any last-minute panics. You can order a repeat prescription by logging into your NHS account using the NHS app or NHS website, or by contacting your GP surgery.

Visit the NHS website for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to find your nearest pharmacy and opening times over the bank holidays.

If you need help over the holiday period when the GP practice or pharmacy is closed or you’re not sure what to do, NHS 111 can help.

Video: Community pharmacies are here for you

Looking out for other people

Look out for other people who may need a bit of extra help over the winter.

Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family and ask if they need any practical help, or if they’re feeling under the weather.

Age UK has lots of advice on staying warm and healthy throughout the winter months, including things you can do to help someone else.