The start of a new year is a great time to think about changes that can support your health and wellbeing. If quitting smoking is on your list, you’re not alone – and support is available.

A new South East campaign is encouraging people to quit by challenging the myth that smoking relieves stress. Evidence shows that stopping smoking can
improve both your physical health and your mental wellbeing.

Within weeks of quitting, your brain starts to rebalance dopamine – sometimes called the “happy hormone” – which nicotine can interfere with. Many people find they feel calmer, more in control, and better able to cope day-to-day.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve smoked, or how many times you’ve tried. Support works, and local stop smoking services across Sussex can help you every step of the way.

Find free support near you

The start of a new year is a great time to think about changes that can support your health and wellbeing. If quitting smoking is on your list, you’re not alone – and support is available.

A new South East campaign is encouraging people to quit by challenging the myth that smoking relieves stress. Evidence shows that stopping smoking can
improve both your physical health and your mental wellbeing.

Within weeks of quitting, your brain starts to rebalance dopamine – sometimes called the “happy hormone” – which nicotine can interfere with. Many people find they feel calmer, more in control, and better able to cope day-to-day.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve smoked, or how many times you’ve tried. Support works, and local stop smoking services across Sussex can help you every step of the way.

Find free support near you

The new year can be stressful, and many of us notice changes in our mood,
including increased anxiety and stress. But did you know alcohol can often make those effects worse over time?

Taking breaks from drinking alcohol can improve your memory, coordination, mood and sleep – all of which can have a positive impact on your mental health. Alcohol can also interfere with deep, restorative sleep, leaving you feeling more tired the next day. And many drinks contain more calories than people realise, sometimes similar to fast-food portions, even before mixers and added sugars.

As Dry January comes to an end, many people will be starting to feel the benefits of taking part. But you don’t have to wait until January to make a change – any time of year is a good time to cut down, take a break, or build healthier habits around drinking. Small steps can help, such as trying alcohol-free alternatives you enjoy or planning routines to avoid temptation.

Our article Taking back control: don’t let alcohol run your life has more advice, and information on drug and alcohol support services.

Find advice and support to cut down or take a break from alcohol

The new year can be stressful, and many of us notice changes in our mood,
including increased anxiety and stress. But did you know alcohol can often make those effects worse over time?

Taking breaks from drinking alcohol can improve your memory, coordination, mood and sleep – all of which can have a positive impact on your mental health. Alcohol can also interfere with deep, restorative sleep, leaving you feeling more tired the next day. And many drinks contain more calories than people realise, sometimes similar to fast-food portions, even before mixers and added sugars.

As Dry January comes to an end, many people will be starting to feel the benefits of taking part. But you don’t have to wait until January to make a change – any time of year is a good time to cut down, take a break, or build healthier habits around drinking. Small steps can help, such as trying alcohol-free alternatives you enjoy or planning routines to avoid temptation.

Our article Taking back control: don’t let alcohol run your life has more advice, and information on drug and alcohol support services.

Find advice and support to cut down or take a break from alcohol

New year can feel like a fresh start – but it can also bring pressure, worry or low mood for some people. We all have days when we feel sad, anxious or
overwhelmed, but if how you’re feeling is affecting your day-to-day life, it’s
important to know that help is available.

There are local online resources across Sussex to support your mental health and wellbeing, whether you’re looking for advice for yourself, your child, or
someone you care about.

If you’re aged 18 and over, visit How Are You Really Feeling? for helpful
resources and contact details for people you can speak with.

Printed translated versions of the signposting information are also available in Arabic, Farsi, Bengali, Polish and Ukrainian.  

For children and young people, eWellbeing offers support, information and tips for managing stress, anxiety and low mood.

Visit the ‘How are you feeling’ website

New year can feel like a fresh start – but it can also bring pressure, worry or low mood for some people. We all have days when we feel sad, anxious or
overwhelmed, but if how you’re feeling is affecting your day-to-day life, it’s
important to know that help is available.

There are local online resources across Sussex to support your mental health and wellbeing, whether you’re looking for advice for yourself, your child, or
someone you care about.

If you’re aged 18 and over, visit How Are You Really Feeling? for helpful
resources and contact details for people you can speak with.

Printed translated versions of the signposting information are also available in Arabic, Farsi, Bengali, Polish and Ukrainian.  

For children and young people, eWellbeing offers support, information and tips for managing stress, anxiety and low mood.

Visit the ‘How are you feeling’ website

A new year is a great time to reset, refocus and prioritise your health and
wellbeing. Small changes can make a big difference, and you don’t have to do
everything at once. In 2026, why not say “yes” to healthier habits that support both your body and mind?

That could mean moving a little more each day, choosing balanced meals more
often, improving your sleep routine, or taking time to look after your mental
wellbeing. If you smoke, vape or drink alcohol, cutting down even slightly can also benefit your health. The most important thing is to start with one change that feels realistic and achievable for you.

If you’re not sure where to begin, the NHS Healthy Choices Quiz is a quick and easy way to check in on your lifestyle. It takes 5 minutes, is completely free, and offers NHS apps and advice to help you make changes where they matter most. The quiz asks about eating, alcohol, movement, smoking and vaping, mental health and sleep. It’s not a medical assessment and won’t ask for personal health details or medical history.

The quiz is for adults aged 18+. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are worried about your health, speak to a GP or midwife first.

Take the NHS health choices quiz

A new year is a great time to reset, refocus and prioritise your health and
wellbeing. Small changes can make a big difference, and you don’t have to do
everything at once. In 2026, why not say “yes” to healthier habits that support both your body and mind?

That could mean moving a little more each day, choosing balanced meals more
often, improving your sleep routine, or taking time to look after your mental
wellbeing. If you smoke, vape or drink alcohol, cutting down even slightly can also benefit your health. The most important thing is to start with one change that feels realistic and achievable for you.

If you’re not sure where to begin, the NHS Healthy Choices Quiz is a quick and easy way to check in on your lifestyle. It takes 5 minutes, is completely free, and offers NHS apps and advice to help you make changes where they matter most. The quiz asks about eating, alcohol, movement, smoking and vaping, mental health and sleep. It’s not a medical assessment and won’t ask for personal health details or medical history.

The quiz is for adults aged 18+. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are worried about your health, speak to a GP or midwife first.

Take the NHS health choices quiz

Winter weather can worsen existing health conditions, especially for older people or those with heart or kidney disease, COPD, asthma or diabetes. Being cold
increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes – so if you start to feel unwell, seek help early.

You can get quick health advice from:
• Pharmacists – can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses.
• Your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment if they think you need to.
• NHS 111 – call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for urgent concerns or if you are not sure what to do.

The sooner you get advice, the sooner you’re likely to recover – and early action can prevent problems getting worse. Staying well this winter means knowing help is always close by.

Visit the 111 website to get help with your symptoms

Winter weather can worsen existing health conditions, especially for older people or those with heart or kidney disease, COPD, asthma or diabetes. Being cold
increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes – so if you start to feel unwell, seek help early.

You can get quick health advice from:
• Pharmacists – can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses.
• Your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment if they think you need to.
• NHS 111 – call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for urgent concerns or if you are not sure what to do.

The sooner you get advice, the sooner you’re likely to recover – and early action can prevent problems getting worse. Staying well this winter means knowing help is always close by.

Visit the 111 website to get help with your symptoms

With GP practices and pharmacies closing or offering reduced hours over the
festive period, make sure you have all your medication in advance. Find out which pharmacies are open in Sussex over Christmas and New Year.

If you take regular prescriptions, order them early – and if you’ve been prescribed antibiotics or other medicines this winter, please take them exactly as advised by your clinician. 

You can order repeat prescriptions online through your GP or pharmacy
website, by phone, or through the NHS App, where you can also manage
appointments. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or need to isolate, please don’t go to the pharmacy – ask a friend, neighbour or volunteer to collect your medicines for you to keep everyone safe.

Order your prescriptions online

With GP practices and pharmacies closing or offering reduced hours over the
festive period, make sure you have all your medication in advance. Find out which pharmacies are open in Sussex over Christmas and New Year.

If you take regular prescriptions, order them early – and if you’ve been prescribed antibiotics or other medicines this winter, please take them exactly as advised by your clinician. 

You can order repeat prescriptions online through your GP or pharmacy
website, by phone, or through the NHS App, where you can also manage
appointments. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or need to isolate, please don’t go to the pharmacy – ask a friend, neighbour or volunteer to collect your medicines for you to keep everyone safe.

Order your prescriptions online

We know the festive season can bring extra financial pressures – on top of bills, shopping, heating and travel costs that many of us are already finding challenging. It can be difficult to know where to find help, especially during winter.

If you’re looking for support, the East Sussex Cost of Living webpages bring
together national and local help all in one place. You can find advice and links
to services that can help with:
• Household bills and energy costs
• Benefits and financial support
• Food support and essentials
• Transport and local services

If things feel tougher this Christmas – you’re not alone.
Free, confidential help is available whenever you are ready to reach out.

Find information and advice on the cost of living

We know the festive season can bring extra financial pressures – on top of bills, shopping, heating and travel costs that many of us are already finding challenging. It can be difficult to know where to find help, especially during winter.

If you’re looking for support, the East Sussex Cost of Living webpages bring
together national and local help all in one place. You can find advice and links
to services that can help with:
• Household bills and energy costs
• Benefits and financial support
• Food support and essentials
• Transport and local services

If things feel tougher this Christmas – you’re not alone.
Free, confidential help is available whenever you are ready to reach out.

Find information and advice on the cost of living

As the weather turns colder, a warm home is essential for your health. Keep living spaces heated to at least 18°C and wrap up in several light layers to keep warm; any excuse for a Christmas jumper. Hot drinks such as a seasonal
peppermint tea can help you stay comfortable, and gentle movement helps too, even a quick wiggle to a festive tune.

If temperatures drop, please check on neighbours or relatives who may need support; a Christmas card, a chat, or a little treat like a mince pie will most certainly brighten their day.

If you or someone you know needs help staying warm, the Warm Home Check can help: Call 0800 464 7307, text ‘WARM’ to 88440

Visit the warm home website

As the weather turns colder, a warm home is essential for your health. Keep living spaces heated to at least 18°C and wrap up in several light layers to keep warm; any excuse for a Christmas jumper. Hot drinks such as a seasonal
peppermint tea can help you stay comfortable, and gentle movement helps too, even a quick wiggle to a festive tune.

If temperatures drop, please check on neighbours or relatives who may need support; a Christmas card, a chat, or a little treat like a mince pie will most certainly brighten their day.

If you or someone you know needs help staying warm, the Warm Home Check can help: Call 0800 464 7307, text ‘WARM’ to 88440

Visit the warm home website

To support people who need urgent help with dental problems, NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) has worked with local dental practices to
increase the number of urgent care appointments available across the county.

If you don’t have a regular dentist – or your dentist can’t see you – the Sussex Dental Helpline can help put you in touch with NHS dentists in Sussex who have urgent appointments available.

The service is for urgent problems and does not cover routine check-ups. It can help with:
• Toothache that isn’t relieved by over-the-counter painkillers
• Dental abscesses causing swelling and pain
• Knocked-out or fractured teeth
• Broken teeth, lost fillings, or loose / lost crowns

Call the Sussex Dental Helpline
0300 123 1663 (Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm)

If the Helpline is closed and you have an urgent dental problem, call NHS 111 for advice and help to access care.

Prefer email?
kcht.dentalhelpdesk@nhs.net

Find out where the urgent dental care is available in your area

To support people who need urgent help with dental problems, NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) has worked with local dental practices to
increase the number of urgent care appointments available across the county.

If you don’t have a regular dentist – or your dentist can’t see you – the Sussex Dental Helpline can help put you in touch with NHS dentists in Sussex who have urgent appointments available.

The service is for urgent problems and does not cover routine check-ups. It can help with:
• Toothache that isn’t relieved by over-the-counter painkillers
• Dental abscesses causing swelling and pain
• Knocked-out or fractured teeth
• Broken teeth, lost fillings, or loose / lost crowns

Call the Sussex Dental Helpline
0300 123 1663 (Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm)

If the Helpline is closed and you have an urgent dental problem, call NHS 111 for advice and help to access care.

Prefer email?
kcht.dentalhelpdesk@nhs.net

Find out where the urgent dental care is available in your area

If you’re working with children and families and have concerns about how to help, you can now call the Consultation Advice Line for guidance.

The new phone line is part of our Family First programme which is changing the way services are delivered to children and families across the county.

The new approach is designed to ensure families get help earlier, before difficulties become baked in. If the conversation reveals that more help is needed from other professionals, you can be referred to the Team Around the Family Coordinator.  

Don’t forget, if a child is at immediate risk or in danger you should continue to call SPoA.

Call the Consultation Advice line on 01323 464655: Monday to Thursday: 8:30am – 5:00pm. Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm. The advice line is also available to families.

Find out more about the consultation advice line

If you’re working with children and families and have concerns about how to help, you can now call the Consultation Advice Line for guidance.

The new phone line is part of our Family First programme which is changing the way services are delivered to children and families across the county.

The new approach is designed to ensure families get help earlier, before difficulties become baked in. If the conversation reveals that more help is needed from other professionals, you can be referred to the Team Around the Family Coordinator.  

Don’t forget, if a child is at immediate risk or in danger you should continue to call SPoA.

Call the Consultation Advice line on 01323 464655: Monday to Thursday: 8:30am – 5:00pm. Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm. The advice line is also available to families.

Find out more about the consultation advice line