West Lancashire residents urged to get winter ready

As winter approaches, West Lancashire residents are being encouraged to get Winter Ready.

With the night’s drawing in and as the winter months approach, West Lancashire Partnership is encouraging local residents to make small changes to their lives to help protect themselves and their loved ones from many common illnesses such as coughs, colds, flu and now Coronavirus (COVID-19) with the new Winter Ready initiative.

Winter Ready aims to offer people opportunities to take care of themselves and each other over winter, whether that is moving more, eating more healthily, connecting with others, quitting smoking or drinking less alcohol.

Dr Rakesh Jaidka, a local GP and Clinical Director for the Skelmersdale Primary Care Network (PCN), said:

“The Winter Ready initiative has one aim, which is to help mobilise and support the local communities of West Lancashire to get fitter, healthier and ready for winter.

During these winter months and with COVID-19 so prevalent, we can all do our bit to look after ourselves, to stay well and help to reduce the risk of becoming ill this winter."

Winter Ready provides the opportunity for residents to talk with a qualified member of staff who can offer support, ideas and inspiration on how to make small consistent changes that will make a big difference. If residents would like to find out more about the Winter Ready programme, they can visit the West Lancashire Borough Council website (opens in new window) or call the team on 0800 616 667.

Dr Amit Sharma, a local GP in Skelmersdale, said:

“It’s really important that we each find that change that is right for us, something that is achievable, that we enjoy and can stick to. It’s also really useful to have a support network, be it friends, family or work colleagues who can support and encourage you, or even join you on your journey, as this support network is vital in helping us to remain motivated.

This doesn’t mean having to join a gym, or adopting an expensive lifestyle, but more the little things we can do in our day to day lives, such as drinking less alcohol, eating more healthily, cutting sugar out of our tea and coffee and trying to get a little more active can all have a significant impact on our health not just this winter, but in the long-term.”

Councilor Vickie Cummins, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“Working with local GP practices, there will be a further offer of support extended to an identified group of individuals with long term medical conditions who are at risk of serious illness if they contract Covid-19. 

The Winter Ready Programme takes a very personal approach, working alongside residents our team will offer advice and guidance shaped on what each individual enjoys and needs to live a happy and healthy lifestyle."

The Winter Ready team can be contacted via WinterReady@westlancs.gov.uk or 0800 616 667. The team are keen to hear from any member of the public who would like to share their stories, journey or progress.

As part of the initiative West Lancashire Partnership is encouraging people to make a pledge and share what they are planning to do to help get themselves winter ready, by using the hashtag #WestLancsWinterReady on social media.