This information has been compiled taking every care to ensure its accuracy. If you find that any of this information is incorrect or out of date, please contact the Guildford and Waverley Integrated Care Partnership, Independence and Prevention Team within Surrey Heartlands CCG (details below) or visit our Contact Us page.

• phone: 0300 561 1555
• email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• SMS text: 07799 750 889

On this page:

Staying fit and well during COVID-19		Let's Get Steady videos
Reconnections		Health and Wellbeing pack
Handy person scheme		Careline Community Alarm		Safe and Well Home Visits
Keeping well		Local Car Schemes		Local Borough Council Transport

Staying fit and well during COVID-19

We are now finding ourselves in a time where we are having to make a conscious effort to ensure that we are social distancing when seeing friends and family or going to the supermarket. Such changes to our day-to-day life can be unsettling. It is normal to feel anxious and more than ever, we need to take good care of ourselves, physically and mentally.

It is important to talk about how you are feeling. Befriending groups are available if you need someone to talk to. Please see a list of organisations below that could offer you support:

• Reconnections by Independent Age is a volunteer-led service that supports over-65s in rediscovering their love of life in the communities where they live. If you, or someone you know, is over 65 years of age and would like some companionship, encouragement and ideas to help you rediscover old interests and make new friends.
  
  
  • phone: 01483 654 422
  • email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    
    
• Social Prescribing supports people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs. Life events such as bereavement, an illness or a fall, can all trigger a downward spiral in our personal well-being. Social Prescribing can help to address these things by putting you in touch with people and activities that might help you to feel better. Please ask your GP or healthcare professional for a referral in to this service.
  
  
• Community Angels are volunteer befrienders offering telephone befriending to anyone who might need a chat during these difficult times. Trained local volunteers support adults of all ages across Guildford Borough.
  
  
  • phone: 07825 799 309
  • email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
    Monday to Friday 12:00 - 14:00
    
    
• Age UK Surrey provide a ‘Check in and Chat’ service, where they will match their volunteer with an individual who would like a chat.
  
  
  • phone: 01483 503 414
  • email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
  • web: www.ageuk.org.uk/surrey

Tips to help you stay well

• Eat as healthy as possible. The Eatwell Guide, shows how much of what we eat overall, should come from each food group to achieve a healthy, balanced diet.
  
  
• Stay hydrated. Drink at least six to eight cups of fluid a day.
  
  
• Stay active. There are various exercise classes available that you can follow on line to help you build and maintain strength and balance. Active Surrey have some very useful links on their website with various exercises that you can follow at home. Please visit www.activesurrey.com for more details.
  
  
• Maintain your health and wellbeing. Supported by the Health and Wellbeing Board, www.healthysurrey.org.uk helps you find self-care information, as well as signposting to local services available to you as a Surrey resident.

Are you worried about falling? Or have you had a fall that has knocked your confidence, which is now preventing you from doing the things you enjoy?

Let’s Get Steady offers practical advice and guidance to help reduce the risks of falls for individuals who have had a fall, are at risk of falling due to a long-term condition or are worried about falling.

Due to Covid-19, we are currently unable to run face to face sessions, so we have produced a series of Let’s Get Steady film clips which aim to raise awareness of falls prevention, support with wellbeing and empower people to make positive changes to their lifestyle, to enable them to live independent lives.

Let's Get Steady - An overview		Introduction
An overview of the Let's Get Steady videos.		An introduction to Let's Get Steady from Jane Todd, Community Partnerships Officer at Waverley Borough Council.
The film clips below will provide you with useful advice on:
What to do if you have a fall		Careline Community Alarm
You will find a demonstration on how to get up from a fall, which will enable you to practice and be prepared, should you have a fall.		This film will provide you with more information on the benefits of a 24 hour emergency call system, that helps people to live independently in their own home.
‘I wasn’t aware there were so many services available from the council’ ‘Thank you – as a result of Let’s Get Steady, the safety bars in our shower are due to be fitted today and we are having a survey for handrails up the stairs’
Home Environment		Safe and Well Visits
Often, we do not notice risks within our own environment. This film will point out some potential falls risks around the home that you may not have thought about before.		Here, you will find out more information about the free home safety checks offered by the fire service that help to reduce the risk of fire in the home.
Hydration		The Balance Triangle
This film will provide you with some key facts around the importance of hydration and how being dehydrated could contribute to a fall.		This film highlights how our sense work together to keep us safe.
‘I am managing very well since the session and I am no longer worried about going to the shops and walking around the neighbourhood’ ‘I am generally more aware of trip hazards’
Medication, Healthy Bones and Nutrition		Social Prescribing
Find out how these all play a role in helping to prevent falls in this film.		If you are lonely, isolated or you are feeling anxious, you may find your usual enjoyment of life takes a knock. Here you will find out more about a service that supports with your well-being, recognising that many things affect the way we feel.
The Importance of Exercise		Close
Keeping and staying active is important for many reasons, both physically and mentally. Here, you can watch two local firefighters demonstrating strength and balance exercises from the Get Up and Go booklet, which is produced by Saga and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.		We hoped you enjoyed Let's Get Steady and now feel empowered to maintain your independence and wellbeing.

Before doing any of the exercises demonstrated in this film, please take note of the following safety points:

• Seek medical advice for guidance regarding appropriate exercise levels and precautions after surgery such as hip replacements, or if you suffer from ongoing medical conditions.
• REMEMBER - Exercise is not without its risks.
• Do not exercise on an empty stomach or after a big meal
• Ensure your environment is safe to partake in exercise i.e. free of trip hazards
• Wear suitable, comfortable clothes
• Wear comfortable flat, non-slip shoes with supportive backs
• Make sure you have water near by
• Exercise within your limitations; stop if you experience pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea or chest pain

If you have any concerns, contact your GP.

Some of the films refer to documents contained in the Guildford and Waverley Falls Prevention Pack.

The full length Let’s Get Steady film is also available on DVD for those who do not have access to the internet. To request a DVD or if you have any questions regarding the information contained in the films, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Guildford and Waverley Reconnections

As we transition out of lockdown it’s good to know that help is available.

Reconnections works with over 65s to help people connect to what’s important to them.

Every journey is different, and the team recognise that people want to connect in a variety of ways. They listen to each individual and work together with local businesses and community partners to create a range of opportunities which enable people to rekindle their love of life. Residents in Guildford and Waverley can access this free service, which provides support for up to six months.                                   

It’s not always fun or easy to go it alone so Reconnections will work with local partners to bring together a network of people who want to support each other. From ten-pin bowling to a meal out; forming a new band; sharing a trip to the cinema or a walk with the dog - everyone enjoys something different, and the Reconnections team will help match people to what will be fun for them and help them feel better connected. It can be hard to find that motivation or confidence, so the service offers one-to-one support along the way, usually starting with a cup of tea.

The team are supported by local volunteers who work alongside residents to understand what matters to them, helping them rebuild their confidence. It’s easy to volunteer and just an hour a week could make a huge difference. It’s very flexible and can be planned around other commitments.

For more information about Reconnections, to sign up to participate in the service or become a volunteer, visit www.ReconnectionsLocal.org or call 01483 65 44 22.

Check out the opinions of service user Shelley and volunteer Leanna in this video below, which helps to show what reconnections can offer.