January often brings good intentions to move more. If you’re living with arthritis, starting gently really matters. Here are practical tips to help you move safely and build consistency.

Did you know that your local high street pharmacy can provide advice and information on minor illnesses and ailments? Pharmacists can work with other healthcare professionals to get you the best care. Find out how your pharmacy can help you - https://bit.ly/3JaANCR

At our February online event we'll hear from Healthworks about women's cancer awareness. Join us on Friday 13 February, 1pm-2pm via Zoom. Register for your free place: bit.ly/HWN-Healthworks-Feb26

When living with arthritis, what we eat can play a part in supporting our health and wellbeing. Find healthy eating tips and more information about diet and arthritis on our website: https://www.arthritisaction.org.uk/blog/can-i-lose-weight-without-going-on-a-diet

In autumn we asked for your views of the Pharmacy First service. Pharmacy First enables community pharmacies to provide treatment for 7 common conditions without patients needing to see a GP. Find out what you told us about your awareness of the service: bit.ly/PharmacyFirstNorthumberland

Thinking about death or end-of-life care can bring up difficult feelings. If you would like to talk to someone, there are organisations which offer kind, confidential support. Find a list of these organisations and share your thoughts about end-of-life care at our website: bit.ly/NHSEndOfLifeCare

Just three minutes of your time can make a huge difference to improving services in your area. Let us know what is or isn't working in our short confidential survey - https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/have-your-say

Would you like to help shape future palliative or end-of-life care in #Northumberland? We’re supporting the NHS in the region to hear how people feel about discussing death, dying and the care they would want for themselves or their loved ones. Share your thoughts: bit.ly/NHSEndOfLifeCare

The ‘Message in a Bottle’ scheme helps you to keep your personal and medical information in a place where it can easily be found in an emergency – your fridge. Read more: bit.ly/message-in-a-bottle-scheme

The Pharmacy First scheme means you can now get prescription only treatment for 7 conditions at your local pharmacy - rather than needing to see a GP. Find out more about the Pharmacy First scheme - https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information/2025-08-18/what-can-pharmacy-first-scheme-do-me

Come and speak to us in person at our #HereToHear drop-in sessions in #January. Tell us about #NHS or social care services you have used as a patient or carer, or pick up some information about local services and support - healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk/events#HereToHear#January#NHS#Northumberland #Healthwatch

At our January online event we'll hear from Sue Taylor, Chair of Vision Northumberland, about the range of services available for those with sight loss. Join us on Friday 9 January, 1pm-2pm via Zoom. Register for your free place: bit.ly/HWN-Vision-Northumberland-Jan26

What happens after an arthritis diagnosis? You Have Arthritis, So What’s Next? (Season 2, Episode 1) explores available therapies, how to speak to your GP, and where to find support. Listen now: www.arthritisaction.org.uk/arthritis-action-podcasts

Poorly little ones this festive season? The Little Orange Book has advice and tips on how to manage common illnesses and problems that babies and young children often experience in the first five years of their lives. View and download the Little Orange Book: bit.ly/LttleOrangeBook #Northumberland

Our office will close at 12.30pm on Wed 24 December, reopening at 9am on Fri 2 January. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year from Healthwatch Northumberland! While we are away you can find lots of information about local services at our website: healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk

Whatever you do over the festive period, we hope you find some time for the things that make you happy 💜 Our social media team are taking a break until 2 January now, and we won't be moderating our channels in that time. Here's how you can access support over the holidays if you need it.

We're working with the NHS locally to find out how well certain services are working. Whether you’ve recently: Had a GP out-of-hours appointment Used the NHS App Used the Pharmacy First service …we want to hear your story. Visit: bit.ly/YourViewsOnNewNHSServices2025 or call 03332 408468.

In November we heard negative feedback about hospital IT systems not being joined up with other parts of the NHS and that post-operation advice was not always provided to patients. However, several people did mention good quality service from GPs and hospitals. Read more: bit.ly/HWN-feedback-Nov25

If you need medical help but are not sure where to go - use NHS 111 to get assessed and directed to the right place for help. Call, go online or use the NHS app. www.111.nhs.uk

Over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays, some pharmacies will be closed. Visit our website to find a list of #Northumberland pharmacies which will be open over the bank holidays: bit.ly/pharmacies-Christmas-2025#Northumberland For out of hours advice please contact NHS 111.

December often comes with more plans and social pressure. If you live with arthritis, it’s okay to listen to your body and do things differently. Find supportive tips over on our website: www.arthritisaction.org.uk/young_adults/socialising-and-arthritis

Our office will close at 12.30pm on Wed 24 December, reopening at 9am on Fri 2 January. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year from Healthwatch Northumberland! While we are away you can find lots of information about local services at our website: healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk

At our January online event we'll hear from Sue Taylor, Chair of Vision Northumberland, about the range of services available for those with sight loss. Join us on Friday 9 January, 1pm-2pm via Zoom. Register for your free place: bit.ly/HWN-Vision-Northumberland-Jan26

To help you take care of yourself and your family this #Christmas season, we’ve pulled together some useful information and tips for health and wellbeing: bit.ly/Christmas-wellbeing-tips

Just three minutes of your time can make a huge difference to improving services in your area. Let us know what is or isn’t working in our short, confidential survey. https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/have-your-say

Our December newsletter is out now! This month’s edition is full of #Christmas tips and advice for health and wellbeing, plus #pharmacy opening hours over the bank holidays. There’s also information on where to access NHS dental care. Read more: bit.ly/HWNDec2025NewsOnline

Have you had an out of hours GP appointment or used the NHS App or the Pharmacy First Service? Please share your experiences with us and help the NHS in our area understand what is working well for people, and what could be better: bit.ly/YourViewsOnNewNHSServices2025 or call us on 03332 408468.

🎄 A lighter take on a festive favourite... These Fruit-Packed Filo Mince Pies are a great arthritis-friendly option as they are easier to prepare, low in fat and full of flavour: www.arthritisaction.org.uk/recipes/tasty-desserts/fruit-packed-filo-mince-pies

Do you have a question for our board? Our next meeting is on Tuesday 16 December. Have a look at the agenda and send your question to [email protected] by 5pm on Monday 15 December. Agenda: bit.ly/HWNBoardAgendaDec25 #Northumberland #HealthAndSocialCareChampion

Over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays, some pharmacies will be closed. Visit our website to find a list of #Northumberland pharmacies which will be open over the bank holidays: bit.ly/pharmacies-Christmas-2025#Northumberland For out of hours advice please contact NHS 111.

One week to go! Join us on Friday 12 December at 1pm for a free online event with Tyneside and Northumberland Mind. We'll hear about the range of mental health and wellbeing support services in Northumberland and how to access them. Register for your free place: bit.ly/HWN-Mind-Dec-25

Poor sleep can be a common problem for people living with arthritis. Our Sleep Factsheet offers tips that may help: www.arthritisaction.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sleep-and-Arthritis.pdf

We can help you find reliable information that you can trust. Check out our website and let us help you find the support you need. https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information

Come and speak to us in person at our #HereToHear drop-in sessions in #December. Tell us about #NHS or social care services you have used as a patient or carer, or pick up some information about local services and support - healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk/events#HereToHear#December#NHS#Northumberland #Healthwatch

We're working with the NHS locally to find out how well certain services are working. Whether you’ve recently: Had a GP out-of-hours appointment Used the NHS App Used the Pharmacy First service …we want to hear your story. Visit: bit.ly/YourViewsOnNewNHSServices2025 or call 03332 408468.

Crammy Cafe Cuppa Club is a free weekly drop-in for older adults every Monday, 11am - 1pm, at The Launchpad in #Cramlington. Call 07944 061 331 for more information.

Join us on Friday 12 December at 1pm for a free online event with Steph Golder from Tyneside and Northumberland Mind. We'll hear about the range of mental health and wellbeing support services in Northumberland and how to access them. Register for your free place: bit.ly/HWN-Mind-Dec-25

Have you used NHS or social care services? Good or bad, we want to know how it went. If you want to see better local services, share your feedback today. We also have an easy read form available. https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/have-your-say

In October we heard mixed feedback about GP services with a few people saying the appointment booking process had improved. We also heard about long waiting times for audiology appointments and long distances to travel to hospital outpatients appointments. Read more here: bit.ly/HWNFeedbackOct25

It’s Self-Care Week 💚 Small daily habits can make a big difference when living with arthritis. Find practical support over on our website: www.arthritisaction.org.uk/living-with-arthritis/self-management #SelfCareWeek

Travelling to healthcare appointments is challenging for some people. Find out what people told us about their experiences the difficulties they face booking and using patient transport services https://bit.ly/4pmFwRh

Have you used the NHS App, Pharmacy First, or GP out of hours service? What worked well or could be better? The NHS is especially keen to hear how access to your GP practice feels right now & whether recent changes made a difference. Tell us: bit.ly/YourViewsOnNewNHSServices2025

Did you know you can leave feedback with us through BSL? We have our feedback survey translated with BSL videos, or you can leave feedback through the Sign Live service - talking directly to a sign language interpreter. https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/have-your-say-BSL/

Newly diagnosed with arthritis? You’re not alone. We’ve gathered answers to many of the common questions people ask, from managing symptoms to finding the right support. Read more 🔗 www.arthritisaction.org.uk/living-with-arthritis/frequently-asked-questions

Thank you to everyone who came along to our online talk with Dr Katrina Pears from @meassociation.org.uk last week. If you didn’t get the chance to join the session you can watch the recording of the presentation below. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eavW...

Come along to Berwick Sports & Leisure Centre on Thursday 20 November, 1.30pm to 4pm for Carers Northumberland's free Carers Rights Day event. Find out more about your rights as a carer and what support is available in #Northumberland.

It's the start of #SelfCareWeek but what is #selfcare? We practise it everyday, from brushing our teeth, to eating healthily, and exercising. It's what we do for our #MindBody every day. bit.ly/3HlxbJd @adewilliams.bsky.social @clivenicholson1.bsky.social @bromleywell.bsky.social

Winter comes with a higher risk of health issues, particularly for older people, those with long-term conditions or a compromised immune system. Check out recommendations from the NHS to look after yourself - https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information/2025-10-07/how-stay-well-winter

Please share with us your experiences the NHS App, out of hours GP appointments and the Pharmacy First Service. Your views will help the NHS in our area understand what is working well for people, and what could be better. Feedback online: bit.ly/YourViewsOnNewNHSServices2025 or call 03332 408468.

Check out our online events page to see what events are coming up and catch up with previous talks you might have missed. Topics include everything from asthma to mental health to diabetes and more! Take a look here: healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk/online-events #Northumberland #Health