NHS Cornwall shares tips to help people stay well this winter
The winter campaign aims to empower communities and individuals
A new campaign from NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly aims to help local people take practical steps to stay warm, healthy, and well this winter.
The campaign encourages communities and individuals to work together and share advice on boosting immunity, mental wellbeing, staying connected, eating well, and looking out for neighbours.
'Everyday champions' such as friends and family, healthcare professionals, and volunteers, are featured in the initiative to share their lived experience with long-term health conditions and help inspire individuals to manage their health effectively.
The campaign incorporates five films focused on living well with diabetes, heart, and lung conditions. These videos are available on NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s YouTube channel.
Aisling Crombie, NHS Cornwall’s director of nursing, said: "Last year healthcare professionals, alongside Cornwall Council Public Health and local health partners, worked together to develop our winter plan.
"For our 2025-26 campaign, we’re focusing on easy ways communities can share advice to help people remain warm and well over the colder months.
"We’re also thankful to members of our long-term health conditions lived experience group who have played a key role in creating the Stay Well films, empowering people to take steps to manage their wellbeing."
Practical tips for winter wellness
The campaign includes tips across seven key areas:
- Boost your immunity: Ensuring eligible individuals have access to winter vaccines such as flu, COVID-19, RSV, pneumococcal, and shingles.
- Stay warm and well: Ideas for keeping warm, including heated blankets and finding local warm spaces.
- Mental health: Maintaining connections and supporting emotional wellbeing during the darker months.
- Diet: Affordable recipes and batch-cooking ideas for staying nourished and energised.
- Connectivity: Suggestions for meeting people locally and accessing community activities.
- Staying active: Fun ways to keep moving despite shorter daylight hours.
- Supporting others: Checking in on neighbours, older people, and signposting to services like Age UK.
Dr Tom Hackett, GP partner at Penryn Surgery, highlighted the impact of community hubs like the Dracaena Centre, which provide activities and support to keep people informed and connected.
"Our community hubs play an essential role in wellbeing. They help prevent problems from escalating and complement NHS care by ensuring individuals feel supported and know where to turn for help,” Hackett said.
He also emphasised individual actions such as staying home when unwell, washing hands, and stocking up on medication to protect health during winter months.
One of the campaign’s everyday champions, Paul Sweet, shared his experience living well with diabetes:
“Being part of the lived experience group has taught me practical tips to stay healthy, particularly over the festive season. I hope the films we created will help others too.”
Clare Dawe, another champion, added: “Small acts of kindness, like checking in on neighbours or inviting someone for a chat, can make a huge difference during colder months.”
Accessing winter wellbeing resources
Winter Wellbeing guides for 2025-26 are being distributed to over 96 pharmacies, 52 GP practices, 50 community hubs, foodbanks, and libraries. An online version is also available.
Support materials, including communication toolkits and festive health information, can be accessed by system partners through NHS Cornwall’s communications team.
The Community Gateway helpline is open year-round from 8am to 8pm at 01872 266383, offering advice and connecting individuals to support services across Cornwall.
For more information, visit NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s website and social media pages.