Help to Quit Smoking

Have you ever wished you could adopt a healthier lifestyle, but don't know where to start? Would you like to lose weight, be more active, or stop smoking?

NHS Norfolk and Waveney health trainers are the people who can help. Based in Norwich and Thetford, they work hard to support people across the county lead healthier lives.

 

Health trainers work on a one-to-one basis with their clients to help them set and achieve their own personal health improvement goals, such as reducing their alcohol consumption, stopping smoking, adopting a healthy diet or increasing the amount of exercise they take.

 

Becky Mazzei, health trainer co-ordinator for the Norwich area, said: "We work with people who wish to make healthy lifestyle changes and need a little extra support to make it happen. Making small changes to your lifestyle can be very rewarding, can help to reduce stress and anxiety, increase self confidence and empower individuals to make further changes."

 

The Health Trainer Service is free, and aimed at anyone aged over 16 who is looking to make a healthier start in 2012. It is funded by NHS Norfolk and Waveney and is staffed by Health Trainers who are recruited from the local community.

 

While they are not personal trainers or physical instructors and do not give medical advice, the trainers provide free motivation, encouragement and bespoke support to people who want to make changes to their lifestyle.

 

Sarah Lynam, health trainer co-ordinator for the Thetford area, said: "The service could help you to make a significant lifestyle change and is here for anyone who is keen to change an aspect of their life, and is looking for support.

 

"The new year is the perfect time to work towards a healthier lifestyle, and our health trainers are keen to do what they can to help."

 

The health training service in Great Yarmouth and Waveney is provided by Community Connections and funded by the PCT.

 

Uju Okereke, who commissions the service for NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: “Our health trainers offer free, one-to-one support to help people make positive changes to their lifestyle. They will give advice on everything from sexual health, stopping smoking, mental health and exercise to weight management, and will help people make small changes which can have a big impact on their health.

 

“We’d encourage anyone who wants to find out more to get in touch.”

 

For the Health Trainer Service People living in Norwich can call 01603 638064 and in Thetford call 01842 757341. In Great Yarmouth and Waveney, please call Community Connections on 01493 656372 or email healthtrainers@communityconnections.org.uk
A new Health Trainer service is now starting in North Norfolk, for more information call John Russell on 01263 516310.

 

To find out more about the Health Trainer Service, visit www.norfolk.nhs.uk click on "Your Services".