Did you know you can get free contraception and STI tests posted to you?
There’s nothing to be ashamed of, but many people feel embarrassed and anxious seeking out sexual health services in person. This can mean they avoid testing for sexually transmitted infections, ignore symptoms and have sex without using protection.

This Christmas and New Year, we’re urging people to stock up on free contraception and STI tests. Don’t forget, the most common month for babies to be born is September, nine months after Christmas!

Order online from the comfort of your home and have the discreet parcel delivered to your front door. You can also collect condoms locally if you prefer.

Take control of your sexual health. There are 15 contraception options.

Order FREE contraception, condoms, or a STI test kit today

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, learn new skills and meet people. It can even be a stepping stone to a new career – and it’s good for your wellbeing too.

With the festive season approaching, volunteering can be a meaningful way to give back and spread a little kindness in your community.

Gabby is a young volunteer at St Michael’s Hospice in St Leonards and shared: “The things you will gain are exponential. It will improve your self-esteem and be extremely beneficial for your career goals and ambitions.”

Across East Sussex there are lots of different organisations and services looking to recruit new volunteers. There is often flexibility in the hours, location, length and frequency of positions, and industry.

Whether you want to work with animals, adults, children or computers, there’s a role for you! Become a volunteer and help make East Sussex a great place to live!

Find a volunteering role that suits you on Tribe

Free winter resilience training

Citizens Advice 1066 free winter resilience training is available again.

In an hour’s online webinar you’ll cover:

• The health risks of cold weather, and how to stay healthy, including avoiding damp and mould formation
• Support for energy bills and staying warm
• How to safely reduce energy use
• Help people avoid scams
• Identifying ways to boost household income

When: 4, 10 and 15 December. The training lasts an hour, including a 45-minute presentation and 15 minutes for questions.

Book your free winter session now

Have you used the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) in Sussex? Healthwatch in Sussex wants to hear from you.

The service helps eligible people travel safely to and from medical appointments. Your feedback will help improve how the service works – from applying and
booking, to whether it meets your needs on the day.

All responses are anonymous, and you could win one of five £25 gift vouchers for taking part.

Take part in the survey before 30 Nov

We would like to hear from East Sussex residents aged 60 and over – or from those who support someone in this age group – about experiences of mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Your feedback will help us understand what support works well and where
improvements are needed.

Responses are anonymous and will help improve future services.

Printed surveys are available on request – see our survey webpage for contact details.

Take part in the survey before 07 Dec

As winter approaches, viruses like flu and COVID-19 spread more easily and can lead to serious illness, especially for people with long-term health conditions such as heart, kidney or lung disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems.

This year’s national campaign uses the theme of “protection like a suit of
armour” – reminding us that vaccines help shield us from the worst effects of
winter viruses.

The flu vaccine helps prevent severe illness, hospitalisation and complications like pneumonia.

A seasonal COVID-19 vaccine is also being offered to people at higher risk of
serious illness.

If you’re eligible, getting vaccinated is the best way to stay strong and well this winter.

Visit the NHS website for booking guidance on winter vaccinations

If you, or someone you know are over the age of 60, have health or care needs, young children, or rely on medical equipment – you should be eligible for during a power or water outage.

The Priority Services Register lets utility companies know you may need extra help, such as priority updates, doorstep checks and bottled water supplies. It’s free to join, so find out more and check if you are eligible by calling on 0800 9987103 or visiting our website.

Learn more and sign up for the priority services register

The Pension Credit Week of Action took place from 27 October to 2 November, shining a light on the financial help and support available to older residents on lower incomes.

Throughout the campaign, residents were reminded of the many ways in which  Pension Credit can make a real difference – not only by topping up income, but by unlocking access to other important benefits:

• Housing costs: Pension Credit can help reduce housing expenses.
  Eligible pensioners may also qualify for Council Tax Reduction, Housing
  Benefit if renting, or Support for Mortgage Interest if they own their home.
• Energy bills: Those receiving Pension Credit may be entitled to the
  Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments to help with energy costs.
• Health and wellbeing: Pension Credit can open access to free NHS
  dental treatment and help with travel costs for hospital appointments.
• TV Licence: Pensioners aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit
  qualify for a free TV licence.

It’s never too late to check if you’re eligible. You can also contact your local citizens advice office if you need support to complete an application. A small top-up could make a big difference this winter.

Find out more about pension credit on gov.uk

Professionals across Sussex have been working together and consulting with young people and their parents, to ensure a clear and more consistent signposting to information on mental health and wellbeing.

In East Sussex, our approach is to adopt the Thrive framework on guidance and support, which is designed to offer the right help at the right time, as well as
enabling services to manage resources more efficiently.

The East Sussex County Council webpage shows all services that provide support to young people and parents and carers via a link to the East Sussex 1space directory.

Explore local mental health support for young people and families

Many of us are feeling the pressure of rising costs, and knowing where to turn for help can make a real difference.

East Sussex County Council has created useful resources via which bring together up-to-date national and local support in one place – from help with household bills, benefits and food, to advice on travel costs, wellbeing and community support.

You will also find links to trusted resources like MoneyHelper’s Family and Care pages, which offer guides, tools and calculators to help you plan ahead and make confident financial decisions.

Whatever your situation is, there is support available – and it’s just a click away.

Find information and advice on the cost of living