Healthwatch Worcestershire

15/09/2026

💙 Do you have a learning disability — or care for someone who does?

Did you know there is an NHS Learning Disability Register?

The register is for people of all ages with a learning disability and helps GP practices identify people who may need additional support when accessing healthcare.

Being on the register can help people get the right support, including:

✅ An Annual Health Check from age 14
✅ A Health Action Plan
✅ The NHS flu vaccination
✅ Reasonable adjustments to make appointments and healthcare easier to access
✅ Longer appointments where needed
✅ Easy-read information
✅ A quieter waiting area or other adjustments
✅ Support from a carer, family member or support worker during appointments

💡 Being on the register is not just about getting an Annual Health Check. It helps healthcare professionals understand that a person may need reasonable adjustments and additional support to access NHS services.

If you or someone you support has a learning disability, speak to your GP practice to find out whether they are on the Learning Disability Register and whether any reasonable adjustments could help.

👉 Find out more from NHS England:

 https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/find-out-about-the-learning-disability-register/

Please share — someone you know may not realise this support is available. 💙

Plain English version

15/09/2026

Living with hearing loss?

A new Beginners Lipreading and Managing Hearing Loss group is starting at Redditch Library.

This friendly group offers an opportunity to practise lipreading skills, improve confidence in everyday communication and connect with others who are living with hearing loss. Participants can share experiences, tips and support in a welcoming social environment.

📍 Redditch Library, Town Centre
📅 Starts Tuesday 7 October
⏰ 10.00am to 12.00pm

To find out more or join the group:

📞 07799 224361 (Sue)
📧 [email protected]

🔗 https://www.celst.org.uk/courses/face-to-face/8/

14/09/2026

Have you recently contacted Healthwatch Worcestershire for support, information, or to share your experience of health or social care services?

We'd love to hear how you found our service.

Your feedback helps us understand what we're doing well and where we can improve, so we can continue providing the best possible support to people across Worcestershire.

⭐ Was our team helpful?
⭐ Did you receive the information you needed?
⭐ Was it easy to get in touch with us?
⭐ Is there anything we could do better?

📝 Complete our short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CVB2CBV

Thank you for helping us improve our service and support more people in Worcestershire.

13/09/2026

🚭 Thinking about quitting smoking?

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and with the right support you're much more likely to quit for good.

Healthy Worcestershire offers free stop smoking support for adults and young people across Worcestershire. Support includes:

✅ Personalised quit plans
✅ Expert advice from trained stop smoking advisors
✅ Regular support to help keep you on track
✅ Free v**e starter kits for eligible participants

Whether you're ready to quit now or simply thinking about making a change, support is available every step of the way.

Find out more:

🔗https://healthyworcestershire.org.uk/stop-smoking/

12/09/2026

👨‍👩‍👧 Looking for support for your family?

Family Hubs across Worcestershire offer a wide range of support for parents, carers, children and young people, from pregnancy through to early childhood.

Support available includes:
✅ Parenting support
✅ SEND support
✅ Emotional wellbeing support
✅ Child development advice
✅ Groups, activities and local services

Whether you're looking for advice, support or information, your local Family Hub can help connect you with the right services.

Find your local Family Hub and learn more:

🔗 https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/familyhubs

11/09/2026

🧠 A PhD researcher at Royal Holloway, University of London is looking for participants to share their views on dementia in Occupational Therapy (OT) education.

The study would like to hear from:

✅ People living with dementia and carers who have or had contact with an Occupational Therapist in the UK
✅ Final-year Occupational Therapy students studying in the UK
✅ Occupational Therapists providing support to people living with dementia in the UK
✅ Occupational Therapy educators in the UK

For more information, contact:

📧 [email protected]

Please share with anyone who may be interested.

11/09/2026

🚶 This September, people around the world are taking part in the Move for Life Challenge.

The challenge encourages individuals, families, workplaces and community groups to get moving while raising awareness of su***de prevention and mental health.

Whether it's walking, running, cycling, swimming or another activity you enjoy, every step can help start conversations, build connections and show support for su***de prevention.

Find out more and get involved:

🔗 https://www.iasp.info/wspd/moveforlife/
***dePreventionDay ***dePrevention

10/09/2026

🏫 Going back to school can feel exciting, but it can also bring worries about new classes, making friends, trying new things or coping with change.

Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage is a free app for eligible families in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Designed for children aged 7-12, it uses fun, interactive adventures to help children build confidence, manage worries and develop resilience.

Whether your child is feeling nervous about starting a new school year or struggling with everyday worries, Lumi Nova can help them learn coping skills in a safe and engaging way.

✅ Build confidence
✅ Learn coping skills
✅ Manage worries
✅ Free for eligible families

Find out more and download the app:

🔗https://luminova.app/

Digital therapy game for childhood anxiety Lumi Nova is a therapeutic game that helps children aged 7-12 years self manage worries and build resilience. Get access Parents Practitioners Schools GPs Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage A therapeutic digital intervention (game) for childhood anxiety:For 7-12 y...

10/09/2026

💚 Today is World Su***de Prevention Day.

Talking openly about mental health can help reduce stigma, encourage understanding, and remind people that support is available.

This year's theme is Changing the Narrative on Su***de, encouraging open, honest and compassionate conversations about su***de and mental health.

Whether you're struggling yourself, supporting a loved one, or simply checking in with someone, starting a conversation could make a real difference.

Find out more about World Su***de Prevention Day and the support available:

🔗https://www.iasp.info/wspd/ #

For local mental health information and support in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, visit:

🔗https://www.talkingtherapies.hwhct.nhs.uk/nwt

If you need urgent help, please contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or call 999 in an emergency.

***dePreventionDay ***dePrevention

09/09/2026

We want to hear about your experiences of health and social care services in Worcestershire.

Whether you've used a GP, dentist, hospital, pharmacy, mental health service or social care support, your feedback can help improve services for local people.

Every story helps us understand what's working well and where improvements may be needed.

By sharing your experience anonymously, you're helping us highlight what matters most to local people and influence positive change in health and care services across Worcestershire.

💬 Share your experience:
https://www.healthwatchworcestershire.co.uk/share-your-views

Your voice matters and can help improve care for everyone.