07534 568 020 | info@lewishamparentcarer.org.uk

Health

HomeHealth

Health Services available to Lewisham families

 

Mental Health

Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

Our vision is a world where children and families are supported effectively to build on their strengths and to achieve their goals in life.

https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/

https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/

 

NHS MeeTwo

The MeeTwo app provides a safe and secure forum for teenagers wanting to discuss any issue affecting their lives.

https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/meetwo/

 

South London and Maudsley Resources for Young People

We support children, young people and their parents or carers in Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Croydon. We also operate specialist outpatient and inpatient services that are available to people living in London, and across the UK.

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/our-services/camhs/young-people/resources/

 

Young Minds

Leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.

https://youngminds.org.uk/

 

Kooth

The Kooth team are here to provide free, safe and anonymous online support and counselling. The whole team are made up of friendly and experienced individuals who want to help you.

https://www.kooth.com/

 

Qwell

NHS South East London CCG has commissioned Qwell, a free, anonymous online counselling and emotional wellbeing service for adults from digital mental health pioneers Kooth. The site is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and offers early preventative care and support.

https://www.lewishamlocal.com/qwell-free-online-counselling-and-emotional-wellbeing-service-for-adults-in-lewisham/

 

Resources from Lewisham Speaking Up 

Report of the Lewisham People’s Parliament May 18th 2021 – Mental Health Day

https://lewishamparentcarer.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peoples-Parliament-report-Mental-Health-Day-May-2021.pdf

Introduction to Mental Health Day

https://lewishamparentcarer.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Mental-health-and-Physical-health-presentation-handout-version.pdf

Anxiety Workshop Handouts

https://lewishamparentcarer.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Anxiety-Workshop-Handouts.pdf

Low Mood Workshop Handout

https://lewishamparentcarer.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/LSUP-Low-Mood-Workshop-handout-v3.pdf

Help with Mental Health

https://lewishamparentcarer.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/LSUP-Where-can-I-get-help-v2.pdf

 

CiC

Mental Health Webinars

https://www.cicwellbeing.com/

Strengthening London communities through early mental health support

Strengthening London communities through early mental health support

Free Community Event – Understanding and Managing High Blood Pressure

Wavelengths Leisure Centre, Deptford – Tuesday 21 January, 12pm to 5pm
Lewisham residents are invited to a free event to learn more about high blood pressure – what it means, how to measure it, and practical steps to keep it under control.
At the event you can:
  • Have your blood pressure checked
  • Learn how to measure your blood pressure
  • Understand what is normal and what is not
  • Receive dietary and exercise advice
  • Meet others with high blood pressure
  • Speak to the experts
Lunch will be provided and everyone is welcome!
At the last event in Forest Hill, one attendee fed back that it “far exceeded expectations – whole event, well informative, well presented, questions answered, learnt a lot”. Another attendee said “It was a really good morning spent. Presentations clear and informative. Questions were answered. They signpost to where to get help if needed, it was interactive.”

This Jan you can: stop smoking with free support

As we start 2026 we are encouraging smokers across Lewisham to make January the month they quit for good, and to do it with support.
Evidence shows that people are three times more likely to stop smoking successfully when they receive help from a trained professional or a dedicated stop-smoking programme, compared with going it alone.
That’s why our new year message is clear. With our free quit support this Jan you can.
Support that can triple your odds of quitting successfully 
You can access a range of free, effective support options, including:
  • Get help from a friendly expert at your local stop smoking service, they offer personalised advice, one-to-one sessions, and access to stop-smoking aids.
  • Sign up for email advice and support to help you prepare to quit and deal with those difficult cravings. Available for smokers and their friends and family because quitting is easier when you have the support of someone close to you.
  • Get the SmokeFree app, for around-the-clock support to help you quit. Order free nicotine replacement therapy or a vape starter kit, chat with expert advisors 24/7, and access powerful tools to help you prepare, stay motivated, and beat cravings. Complete your registration and switch on notifications to get full access.
Whether you have tried to quit before or are thinking about it for the first time, this Jan you can take the first step towards a healthier, smoke-free future.

Get Your Free Flu Vaccine

If you’re eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine, it’s one of the best ways to protect yourself and others this winter. Flu can be serious, and the vaccine helps reduce the risk of spreading it to those who may be more vulnerable.
To find out if you are eligible and where to get your vaccine in Lewisham, visit www.selondonics.org/Lewisham-vaccines
We’ve shared a series of short videos from local doctors and healthcare professionals explaining flu symptoms, who is most at risk and why getting vaccinated matters.
Watch the videos below to learn more and find out where to get your flu jab:
Councilor Carol Webley-Brown
Dr Aaminah Verity
Dr Tom Simpson

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Cervical cancer is largely preventable and two of the most effective protections are cervical screening and the HPV vaccine. If you’re invited for an NHS cervical screening test, please book an appointment, even if you missed a previous one.
Parents and carers are encouraged to sign HPV vaccine consent forms when they arrive. Girls under 25 and boys born after 1 September 2006 who missed their school vaccination can also catch up through their GP.

CareDogs Befriending Service

CareDogs offers a free befriending and walking service for older residents who may feel isolated or would like support to get more active. Volunteers and their dogs provide weekly one‑to‑one walks, helping improve confidence, mobility and social connection.
You may be eligible if you are over 55, like dogs but don’t have one, and live in Croydon, Bromley, Lewisham, Southwark or Lambeth.
To find out more or make a referral:

Testing what we have Learned about Care Transitions – involvement opportunity

Over the past few months, the Health Innovation Network South London (HIN) been gathering feedback from patients, carers and healthcare staff about how GP and hospital services work together in south east London.
People have told them about their experiences, with key themes around prescribing, communications and advice and guidance. Building on this, they are now running two in person workshops on 29 January and 24 February 2026 to bring south east London residents and service users together to co-design a document that:
  • Explains what patients can expect when moving between services.
  • Sets out what NHS staff promise to provide in terms of communication and transparency.
  • Defines what is reasonable for patients to ask for.
  • Establishes a “psychological contract” between staff and patients – how we treat each other and what behaviours we owe each other.
If you would like to take part please complete this short expression of interest form by 14 January to ensure we hear from a range of voices: Testing what we have Learned about Care Transitions –  Workshop Expression of Interest. If selected, you will be paid £60 (via voucher or bank transfer), to cover your time and travel expenses.
If you have any questions at all please contact Sophie Lowry, HIN Involvement Manager on Sophie.lowry2@nhs.net

Do you or someone you care for have kidney concerns, diabetes or high blood pressure?

Mabadiliko CIC is working with Lewisham GPs on a new community health project focused on supporting Black African and Caribbean residents in Lewisham who are living with or at risk of kidney disease, and we would love to hear from you.
Your experiences and insights will help to shape the kinds of events, information, and support that would be most useful for you and/or the communities you work with or are part of.
Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LWHK
This survey will close by 31st January 2026.
If you are connected to wider community organisations or networks in Lewisham, please feel free to pass this information on, as well as completing the survey yourself.
Your contribution will play a vital role in helping build culturally appropriate kidney health support for local residents.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the team at: teammabadiliko@mabadiliko.org.

Children are now offered protection against chickenpox, with the launch of the MMRV vaccine

For most children chickenpox can be mild, but for others it can be serious and lead to complications and hospitalisation. So, from 1st January 2026 children will now be offered protection against chickenpox in the NHS routine childhood vaccine schedule from 12 months old.
The chickenpox protection will be given in an MMRV vaccine, which also protects against measles, mumps and rubella, giving protection against 4 diseases in one. The first dose of the vaccine will be given children’s routine 12 month appointment and replaces the MMR vaccine. The second dose will be routinely given at a new 18 month appointment for children born on or before 31st July 2024, with those born before this date getting their scheduled dose at their 3 years 4 month scheduled appointment.
These changes are taking place in line with clinical advice on the best way to protect children and babies from infectious diseases.
Please continue to book your child’s vaccination appointments when you receive your invite from your child’s GP practice. If you would like any further information, please speak to your GP Practice.

Your GP Team: More Ways to Get the Care You Need

Accessing your GP practice is becoming more flexible to help you get the right care, at the right time. Many GP teams now offer appointments outside traditional hours – including early mornings, evenings and Saturdays – so you can get support when it best fits your routine.

You can also contact your GP team online through your practice website for medical advice, appointment requests, or updates about your care. This can save you time and may mean you get the help you need more quickly.

When you get in touch, a trained member of the team will ask you a few questions about your symptoms or concerns. This helps make sure you are directed to the most appropriate clinician or service, whether that’s a GP, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist or another specialist within the practice team. Appointments may take place face‑to‑face, on the phone or online, depending on what’s most suitable for you.

To understand more about these changes and how they may help you access support more easily, speak to your GP practice or visit: www.selondonics.org/lewisham-access  

Help us shape the Lewisham Wellbeing Hub

The Lewisham Wellbeing Hub is a community-based mental health support service for adults in Lewisham. The hub provides one-to-one support, peer-led groups and culturally specific support. The Hub’s services are free and open to anyone who lives in Lewisham or is registered with a Lewisham GP.

This service is being recommissioned and we want to hear from residents what they think is important, to ensure the new service meets the local demand and needs.

Find out more and complete the survey before the 8 March 2026 at https://letstalkhealthandcareselondon.org/help-us-shape-the-lewisham-wellbeing-hub

24 hours NOT in A&E

When you need help, A&E might seem like the obvious choice. But there are many ways to get NHS help for non-emergencies that work around your life.

Get the right care, in the right place, at the right time – and help free-up emergency services for those who need them most this winter.

Follow four people with four different health concerns as they get the NHS care they need – quickly and easily, without needing to go to A&E: 24 Hours NOT in A&E on Vimeo 

Manage your health easily with the NHS App

You can do so much more with the NHS App than you realise. You can quickly and easily request your repeat prescription. And if you turn on notifications, you’ll get messages and appointment reminders as soon as they’re sent.

You can also view your GP health record in record time, get your test results faster, before they arrive in the post and more. All when it suits you.

If you’re aged 13 or over and are registered with an NHS GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man, you’re eligible to use the NHS App. You can download the NHS App onto your phone or tablet from the App store on Apple devices, or the Google Play Store on Android devices.

Once you’ve set up the NHS App, you can order repeat prescriptions, view your health record and test results securely, book and manage appointments, manage your organ donation decision, view your NHS number and use NHS 111 online. Also, you can search conditions and treatments and find NHS services near you on the NHS App. Discover what you can do in the NHS App today, visit www.nhs.uk/nhsapp.

Understand High Blood Pressure – Free Session in Lewisham

Following two successful events in Forest Hill and Deptford, the third Understand High Blood Pressure session will take place at Glass Mill Leisure Centre on Tuesday 11 March, 12pm–5pm.

Come along to learn more about high blood pressure and how to manage it. You can:

  • Get your blood pressure checked
  • Learn how to measure it at home
  • Understand what healthy ranges look like
  • Receive diet and exercise advice
  • Speak to clinical experts
  • Meet others with similar experiences

Lunch is provided, and everyone is welcome.

Feedback from previous sessions has praised the workshops as “well informative, well presented… learnt a lot” and “clear, interactive and supportive.”

Book your free ticket at: tinyurl.com/glassmill-high-bp-event

Free Loss & Legacy Workshops – February in Sydenham

St Christopher’s CARE is running three free Loss & Legacy Workshops this February for anyone who has experienced bereavement or wants to better understand grief and loss. These supportive group sessions offer space to share experiences, learn coping strategies, and reflect on the meaning of legacy.

Dates and times (10am–12pm):

  • 12 February – Living with Loss
  • 19 February – Recognising Legacy
  • 26 February – Understanding Loss

Location: St Christopher’s CARE, SE26 6DZ

Each session includes guided discussions and interactive exercises in a warm, welcoming environment.

To join, simply complete the registration form and you’ll receive details of your session: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=1tvOp_OO-UK6acKwZlpREv_sP1Bz5JtHq7RHnCBp2R5UNE80VFNaQTVOVEczUjhRQU1RUVk0NDQ4QS4u

Contact:

  • Communityaid@stchristophers.org.uk
  • 020 8768 4330

Vaccination Clinics for Children & Young People

If your child missed their school vaccinations, they can catch up at upcoming CYPCIS community clinics in Lewisham. Eligible young people can receive the MMRV, HPV, 3‑in‑1 teenage booster, MenACWY, and winter flu vaccines.

Evelyn Family Hub – 231 Grove Street, SE8 3PZ

  • Saturday 14 February, 10am–2pm

Bellingham Family Hub – 109 Randlesdown Road, SE6 3HB

  • Saturday 28 February, 10am–2pm
  • Saturday 14 March, 10am–2pm
  • Saturday 28 March, 10am–2pm

To find out more or book an appointment, call 020 3903 3635.

Don’t Miss Your Cancer Screening

It is so important to attend routine cancer screenings. Early detection saves lives. In Lewisham, you may be invited for:

  • >Breast screening: women aged 50 to 71 are invited every 3 years. You’ll be invited by your GP. Contact your GP if you are transgender or non-binary.
  • Cervical screening: anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 64 is invited every 2 to 5 years. 99.8% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection.
  • Bowel screening: anyone aged 50 to 74 is invited every 2 years. You’ll be sent a home testing kit in the post if you’re registered with a GP.

If you’ve missed an appointment or misplaced your letter, contact your GP practice or visit nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-screening