Cambridgeshire social club hopes cold snap support can improve mental health
The colder weather's set to stay with us over the next few days
A social club volunteer in Cambridgeshire has told us being together during a cold snap can help with people's mental health.
It comes as the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) issued a yellow cold health alert for the East until next Thursday as colder air hits the region.
Temperatures in the UK are due to stay low heading into next week with the arrival of arctic air from the north.
Bernie Dennis is secretary at Haddenham Sports and Social Club:
"The cold weather doesn't affect me too badly but I do see that it does affect other people; they come in the club, it's nice and warm, they can sit down, have a drink and socialise for a little while," she said.
"We probably see a few more people when it's colder and I think they know it's warm in here, they get a nice hot drink, sit and talk to people and shortens their day.
"A lot of people that have come here have told us they've had mental health problems, and they've overcome a lot of these problems by just knowing they can come here, speak to other people and have made a lot of new friends."
Most vulnerable at increased risk in colder weather
The UKHSA says with a cold yellow health alert, "significant impacts are possible across the health and social care sector, including an increase in mortality particularly in the 65+ age group or those with certain underlying conditions".
It also said younger people could also be at risk of health issues.
These tips from the UKHSA are some ways to keep your home warm:
- heating rooms you spend more time in, such as the living room to at least 18 degrees;
- trying to reduce draughts, such as fitting draft excluders around doors;
- keeping your bedroom windows closed during the night;
- wearing several layers of thinner clothing rather than one thicker layer.