Hop on the Bus for Alcohol, Smoking and Getting Active Advice this January

The First Stop Bus will be out and about in the community this month encouraging people to take part in Dry January.

Dry January is a national campaign from Alcohol Concern and Public Health England that encourages people to take a month off from alcohol and enjoy the many benefits of having a break from the booze.

Dry January participants often report losing weight, sleeping better, having more energy and clearer skin, plus the benefit of significant savings. Support will be in the form of regular emails with tips, help and advice, and people can share their experience and ideas via social media.

People can participate in Dry January without any need to fundraise, although they are welcome to raise sponsorship money. Sign up to the challenge at www.dryjanuary.org.uk

The First Stop Bus will be stationed at various locations around the town, including:

•             Royal Berkshire Hospital, 5th January, near the A&E entrance from 10am to 4pm

•             Broad Street, 6th January, outside the Oracle entrance from 10am to 4pm

•             Reading University Campus, 11th January, by the Drama Department from 11am to 2pm

Experts will be on hand to offer help and advice on alcohol consumption and motivation for getting through Dry January.

If residents are looking for help to get active in the New Year, the council’s Healthy Walks Programme Co-ordinator will be on the bus offering information on the programme of walks available in 2016.

An advisor from Smokefreelife Berkshire will also be aboard the bus offering advice to people on quitting smoking. This free service, which has already helped 480 smokers to quit in Reading this year, provides 12 weeks support, 1:1 motivational and group work support with a professionally qualified smoking cessation advisor, and free nicotine replacement therapy. People can also contact the service on free phone: 0800 622 6360, text QUIT 66777 or visit: www.smokefreelifeberkshire.com

People who are worried about their drinking or smoking habits can also get support from their GP surgery.

Reading’s Mayor, Cllr Sarah Hacker is taking the Dry January Challenge. She said:

“I’m taking the challenge to help raise awareness of the health benefits of taking a break from alcohol. Most people enjoy a social drink or two but it can be all too easy to slip into the habit of regularly drinking more than the recommended safe amount. Stopping for a while can help you re-evaluate your drinking habits.

“I encourage people to join me and sign up at www.dryjanuary.org.uk, potentially loose a few excess pounds and make a saving into the bargain. You won’t be alone – last year over 2 million people in the UK took part, and there is plenty of support and advice available. There is even a Dry January App available at www.dryjanuary.org.uk/app.”

Dr Helen George, a GP from Melrose Surgery, Reading, said:

“The health benefits of cutting out (or cutting down) on alcohol, are immense. As well as improving your general health in the short term, longer term, re-evaluating your alcohol consumption can have a far reaching effect, helping to avoid serious health conditions, such as cancer, coronary heart disease and liver disease.”

People can find advice and a helpful unit calculator at www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

Watch a video of Dr George talking about the benefits of Dry January here: https://youtu.be/wM8ZXQut-yA