Welcome
Welcome to our December SmokeFree Hull Newsletter, packed with lots of information and activities to help you through the winter period, including a success story, a recipe and a service update from our team.
Service update
Service Manager Tracy
This year, the service turned 4 years old. Over that time, we have had to be creative and innovative to allow us to continue to support the increasing number of people who want to stop smoking, with the number of referrals exceeding 3000 for the first time.
One of the new innovated projects that recently went live is our ‘workplace’ programme. We know how busy people are, which means that they can struggle to engage with the service no matter how motivated they are to stop smoking. The new project puts experienced stop smoking advisors in the work environment making the service available onsite. This project also supports managers, occupational health, and human resource teams, to understand the benefits of stopping smoking and create awareness amongst staff.
The project is in its early stages, but it has been well received and we are currently working with several businesses. If you think this is something that would benefit the company you work for, why not drop us an email [email protected]
Here at Smokefree Hull, we feel it’s important to give back to the community. October saw the team come together at Rooted in Hull and learn all about the valuable work that they do, and we spent some time weeding the grounds and making it all pretty for others to enjoy. We even made delicious pizza using homegrown produce. If you haven’t already been, I would highly recommend a visit.
Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2024!!
Rustic Christmas Tree Ornament
We know that Christmas can be quite hard when you’re stopping smoking, and you may need some more distractions to keep you on track.
SmokeFree Advisor Shaneen shares her thoughts on an activity you could try to keep your hands busy!
Why not spend some time in the fresh air collecting twigs and then make them into a decoration which could be used at Christmas or as a rustic ornament all year round. This is a great way to use natural materials and keep your hands and mind occupied.
Rustic ornaments add a home-spun touch to your tree. This Christmas tree ornament has a natural charm and is easy enough to make. All you have to do is find some twigs, cut them to size, and glue them, (a glue gun may be an option), onto a strip of cardboard or paper.
Then punch a hole in the top of the paper strip, then hang it. This ornament is fast, easy, and very thrifty.
Very cute, easy, and quite clever!
Success story
Debbie’s smokefree story
I needed to stop for my health, and I could no longer afford it either. I’m asthmatic and it was affecting my chest. The doctors finally referred me to SmokeFree Hull. I knew I could stop, as I’d stopped before, but I knew that I needed some extra support this time too.
I used nicotine patches which worked really well. It was itchy at first, but then I got used to them, and I would put them in different places on my skin. I’m a tea-acholic, so I would use this to help with my cravings. I would get a cup of tea whenever I had a craving, which would keep my hands busy. I also had a huge clear out of my garage, I’d piled up 7 years of rubbish, so I decided to get rid of things which kept me busy too.
My health has improved since stopping smoking, and I can taste things better again. I can breathe easier, and it’s also helped with my asthma as well. I get lots of compliments about my skin now too, that it’s cleared up, which makes me feel more confident as well.
I’ve been able to renew my kitchen and my bedroom with the money I’ve saved since stopping smoking. It feels nice to see what I’ve achieved and have a visual of what stopping smoking has helped me get. I also smell nice again now, and can wear perfume, the smell of smoke now makes me feel sick.
My Stop Smoking Advisor David was really patient with me and gave me lots of encouragement. He had lots of techniques to help with cravings and coping mechanisms, which I found really useful. I needed this extra level of support, and I needed a stranger to tell me to stop. He would ring once a week, and this kept me going, and I would look forward to our calls to tell him how well I’d done that week. He had such a calming voice!
I’m smokefree for 4 months now, and my life is so much better, I get emotional talking about it, but I’m so proud of myself. I stopped drinking as well 3 years ago, so I’m getting my life back now. I feel like I’m finally free of the chains of smoking.
To others wanting to quit, I would say to be kind to yourself, if you don’t quit the first time, don’t let this put you off, and try again. You can do it next time and focus on a date in mind when you want to quit, like anything it can take time.
If I can do it, anyone can, you just need perseverance, and with encouragement and patches you can do it too!
I would 100% recommend the SmokeFree Hull service, they have so many words of encouragement, and you know you’re getting a call each week, and these calls make you feel proud of your achievements. It’s a pat on the back, which really helps spur you on.
Thank you to David, my life has totally changed for the better!
Recipe
Having a drink over the festive period doesn’t always mean you have to have alcohol. There’s plenty of nice refreshing options to share with family and friends that are alcohol-free.
SmokeFree Advisor Chelsea shares her take on the classic Mojito, but with a mocktail twist! And it only takes 5 minutes to make too!
Ingredients (Serves 2)
- I tbsp sugar
- Small handful of fresh mint
- 3 limes juiced
- Soda water
Method
Step 1:
Muddle the sugar with the leaves from the mint using a pestle and mortar or use a small bowl and the end of a rolling pin.
Step 2:
Put a handful of crushed ice into two tall glasses, and divide the lime juice between the glasses with the mint mix. Then add a straw and top up with soda water.
And there you have it, an easy mocktail to have this Christmas to share with friends!
The Gift of experience
It’s traditional in many cultures to give gifts at Christmas, but this year at SmokeFree Hull we’re asking you to give a gift with a difference…
Your gift would be to share your experience of being a client of SmokeFree Hull and in return we’ll enter you into a prize draw with a chance to win a £10 Love to Shop Voucher!
You might be thinking that your story isn’t anything out of the ordinary, but that’s exactly what we want – everyday success stories of Hull ex-smokers to inspire others. We’re asked regularly by smokers what it’s REALLY like to use our service, and we’d love them to be able to hear this directly from you, our successful SmokeFree clients.
We’ll do this by making a short video of you talking about your stop-smoking experience and how it’s impacted your life, so that we’ll be able to show potential clients and healthcare professionals what to expect and what can be achieved with the right support and treatments.
If you’re interested and want to learn more, please contact our Marketing Lead Ali Truman: [email protected] for more information.
It might be the most important gift you could give to others this Christmas!
Christmas quiz
If you need another activity to distract you this Christmas, here’s fun for all the family, with Smokefree Advisor Mhairi’s festive quiz.
Keep moving this winter
Exercising can be a great way to take your mind off those cravings and keep busy, all while releasing endorphins that make you feel good too.
SmokeFree Advisor Emily has a few tips to get you moving this winter!
If you are new to running you could try the NHS couch to 5K, which allows you to slowly build up on your running, which can be spread out in-between periods of walking too depending on your fitness level.
Once you feel more confident in your ability you can then look into the many Park Runs that are happening all over the country/world. Locally we have park runs at the Humber Bridge, Peter Pan Park and East Park, which is a great way to socialise with other runners too.
If you’re looking for something you can do at home to stay healthy, you could try these home exercises and there’s also some great exercises to try on a budget if you’re worried about money too. Hull Culture and Leisure can help you to find indoor and outdoor activities you can take part in which are free or low cost, plus advice and links to websites to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
Useful links
We understand the festive period can be hard for some people. For information, wellbeing advice and support, see the following links.
Samaritans - www.samaritans.org/branches/hull/
Hull and East Riding Mind - www.heymind.org.uk/
NHS Mindfulness - www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/mindfulness/
Breathing Exercises - www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/breathing-exercises-for-stress/
NHS live well – www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/
Get Hull Active - https://gethullactive.co.uk/getting-hull-active
Get in touch
We’d love to hear from you!
The service is continuously adapting and developing, to make sure we’re providing the best service possible.
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