City of York Council’s Health Trainer team have launched new weekly drop-ins at 3 Explore libraries across the city.
They're offering help and advice for anyone wanting to stop smoking, lose weight, lower their drinking or get more active.
The team already provide residents with programmes of one-to-one confidential support, as well as working with groups in the community, providing training and attending events. Residents can self-refer for the CYC Health Trainers service online, or by calling telephone: 01904 553377.
Now they hope the weekly face-to-face drop-ins at Explore libraries will enable people to find out more about the service at easy-to-reach locations:
- York Explore: Mondays 9.30am to midday
- Acomb Explore Reading Café: Thursdays 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Tang Hall Explore: Thursdays 9.30am to midday
Visitors to the drop-ins can find out York’s Swap2Stop offer, and smokers can try a simple breath test to find out how much carbon monoxide is in their blood.
The Swap2Stop offer provides York residents aged over 18 with either:
- a free, 4-week vape starter kit that will be posted out to them
- or a 10-week programme of one-to-one support with free vapes or nicotine replacement products
Recent figures showed the team were providing the most effective stop smoking service in the country, with 82% of people who set a quit date with the service having successfully stopped smoking 4 weeks after that date.
Since the Swap2Stop offer was launched, aimed at encouraging smokers to make the switch from smoking to vaping to improve their health, referrals to the service have more than doubled.
Glyn Newberry, Health Trainer Service Manager, at City of York Council, said:
Anyone interested in finding out more about our service or who needs general advice about improving their health can now drop in and speak to one of our friendly and experienced health trainers in an informal setting.
“Hundreds of clients across the city have already benefited from the service we provide and we want to reach even more people to help them live healthier lives. Come and find out about our Swap2Stop offer and all the other ways in which we can support you - for free!”
Jenny Layfield, Chief Executive of York Libraries and Archives, said:
We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the Health Trainer team. We hope that by offering these drop-ins in our busy and welcoming spaces, even more York residents will take advantage of this supportive and valuable free service.
Residents can find out more about the CYC Health Trainers service online, or by calling telephone: 01904 553377.
Find out more about the Swap2Stop offer.