Health and Wellbeing

The formation of this group was driven by the intention to provide support and assistance for challenges such as loneliness and depression. Although our weekly get-togethers can be beneficial in addressing these concerns, it's important to note that none of us are medically qualified to provide advice on health-related matters.

That said, here are a few online resources that may be able to help.

NB: The Neilston Men's Group has no connection with any of the services listed and their inclusion here implies no endorsement from us.

There are some useful online and app resources to help during extreme weather and other emergency situations.

• MeteoAlarm - this site will provide you with the most relevant information needed to prepare for extreme weather expected to occur somewhere over Europe. It will alert you to the possible occurrence of severe weather, such as heavy rain with risk of flooding, severe thunderstorms, gale-force winds, heat waves, forest fires, fog, snow or extreme cold with blizzards, avalanches or severe coastal tides.

• Met Office UK Weather Warnings - a web and mobile app that offers extreme weather warnings for such as rain, snow and ice, wind, etc.

• Ready Scotland - a Scottish Government site aiming to make you more resilient to emergencies like floods, storms, wildfires, terrorist events, etc.

• Ventusky - a web and mobile weather app that has an animated weather map showing temperature, rain, clouds, wind speed and gusts, air pressure and quality, snow cover, humidity, thunderstorms, temperature, etc.

• VeryWeather UK Severe Weather - a web site with a series of weather trackers for severe weather, wind, temperature, ice and frost, fog, cloud and storms.

• Windy.com - a web and mobile multi-layered weather app that has an animated weather map showing the usual suspects of temperature, rain, thunder, clouds, wind speed and gusts, fog, air pressure, icing, etc.

• https://www.gov.uk/alerts - the UK government operate an emergency alert service that will warn you, through your mobile phone or tablet, if there’s a danger to life nearby such as severe flooding, fires or extreme weather.

Eating healthily is something we really should do as often as possible and there are a few resources out there that can help if you're diet-conscious or have a condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol:

• Diabetes UK - useful information about diabetes and managing the condition along with some tasty recipes.

• myfitnesspal - a free mobile app for Android and iOS that can help track your food, exercise and calorie intake. It has data on over 18 million foods.

• MyNetDiary - a free mobile app for Android and iOS that can help you manage your weight loss and diet.

• Food Hygiene Ratings - covers all UK food-related businesses covered by The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) in England, Northern Ireland and Wales the and the Food Hygiene Information Scheme (FHIS) in Scotland.

• Food Standards Scotland - the public sector food body for Scotland, which was created to protect the public from risks to health which may arise in connection with the consumption of food. You can view and subscribe to food recall alerts here.

• NHS Weight Loss - a free mobile app for Android and iOS with information to help you lose weight.

• Scores on the Doors - discover the food hygiene ratings of your favourite pubs, clubs, cafés, take-aways, deliveries and restaurants. It has all over 500,000 food establishments listed in the UK.

• Alzheimer Scotland - Scotland’s national dementia charity, who's provide support and information to people with dementia, their carers and families, campaign for the rights of people with dementia and fund vital dementia research. They also run a 24-hour helpline have numerous support centres.

• Aware - a free mobile app for Android and iOS, developed by psychologists, with open or private, hosted live sessions for mental health, wellbeing and inner development.

• anxietycentre.com - has information on anxiety symptoms and some free online tests on anxiety, stress and depression.

• Breathe Machine - A free, online app for anyone feeling nervous, restless or tense. Whenever you feel like you need to catch your breath, push the button, relax, follow the bubble and breathe. Just that. Breathe.

• Breathing Space - A free, confidential, phone and webchat service operated by NHS 24 for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.

• Dementia UK - a UK charity, providing information and support for anyone living with dementia. Also has a helpline and offers face to face appointments.

• HelpGuide.org - a guide to mental health and wellbeing that hopes to empower you with the knowledge and skills you need to strengthen your mental health & well-being.

• Mental Health Foundation - a mental wellbeing charity aiming to improve your mental health.

• Mind - a UK mental health support charity.

• Mindful - an online mindfulness and meditation magazine that offers courses, personal stories, news-you-can-use, practical advice, resources and insights.

• Mindfulness Scotland - a Scottish charity promoting mindfulness, which is described as paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgementally. It's focus is for people with long term health issues.

• MoodMission - a free, evidence-based mobile app for Android and iOS, designed to empower you to overcome feelings of depression and anxiety by discovering new and better ways of coping.

• MoodTools - a mobile app for Android and iOS, to help track depression and mood issues.

• Opera Air - a free web browser with mindfulness at its core by reducing distractions and helping you focus. It integrates features that support relaxation and well-being, such as meditation and breathing practices, binaural beats, and neck stretches.

• Pocket Mindfulness - a blog about mindfulness, about stopping still for a moment and taking stock of what's really going on around you.

• RAMH - Recovery Across Mental Health, a charity based in Paisley, supporting approximately 7,000 people a year across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire in their recovery from mental ill health.

• SAMH - Scottish Action for Mental Health, a charity that provides over 70 services in Scotland for people with mental health problems. Services include therapeutic horticulture, peer support, employability, community engagement, homelessness, addictions, suicide prevention and supported accommodation.

• Smiling Mind - Australia’s leading digital-led, prevention focussed mental health not-for-profit and are the innovators behind Australia’s most trusted mental wellbeing app.

• TalkLife - a free mobile app for Android and iOS, that provides a safe place where you can talk about anything: mental health, depression, self harm, eating disorders, and more.

Sleep is something we can't avoid and getting a decent night's rest is good for your health. Sleep is essential for our health and wellbeing yet it is estimated that 40% of the population suffer with sleep issues and many don't get the support that they need so here are some resources that might help:

• NHS Inform: Sleep - a collection of tips, help and advice about sleeping better.

• The Sleep Charity - a UK charity that provides sleep advice and support. It has a telephone helpline.

• Sleep Matters: The Impact Of Sleep On Health And Wellbeing - a report on raising awareness about the importance of sleep and its crucial role for our health, both physical and mental.

• Sleepio - a six-week clinically proven programme used to treat insomnia and available free on the NHS.

• CDC: About Sleep - Information about sleep, the health benefits of sleep and how to fall asleep. 

Sleep can be aided by setting a sleep schedule on your mobile phone. This filters out notifications and phone calls, other than those you set as important. Here are the guides to set it up for Android and iPhone:

• • https://support.google.com/android/answer/9887159?hl=en-GB

  • https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iphaf56dceb4/ios

Walking is good for your health and for your mental wellbeing and it's usually free. You don't need to go all in and think "marathon" or "kilt walk" but a short, brisk walk a day keeps the gears turning. If you're not convinced, then here's some information and guidelines:

• NHS: Walking for Health

• NHS: Physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64

• NHS: Physical activity guidelines for older adults

• NHS Inform: Benefits of being active

• Arthritis Foundation: 12 Benefits of walking

• Paths for All: Walking for Health

Local walking routes and groups:

• Neilston Walks - some local walking routes around Neilston.

• Neilston Well Walks - a local walking group that meets a few times a week, weather allowing.

• GO Neilston! - a downloadable guide, originally published as part of NDT’s GO Neilston! Walking and Cycling Project, to some local walks around Neilston.

• Walking in East Renfrewshire - a downloadable guide, originally published by East Renfrewshire Council, with 10 walks in East Renfrewshire.

• Walk ER - a collection of walking groups from East Renfrewshire.

There are also some useful mobile apps that can help:

• Active 10 - an app for Android and iOS from the NHS that anonymously records every minute of walking you do and tracks your steps, helps you set goals, shows you your achievements, and gives you tips to boost your activity.

• Google Fit - a free app for Android and iOS that can track steps and Heart Points, an activity goal developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization.

• Samsung Health - a free app for Android and iOS that can track steps, sleep, etc.

• Strolly - an app for iOS that generates unique, random looping walks in your area, bringing fresh experiences to your routine.

• Age Scotland - a national charity with lots of health, wellbeing and dementia support information and advice. Also has a helpline.

• AllergyUK - a national charity whose aim is to raise the profile of allergy at all levels, with a vision for everyone affected by allergy to receive the best possible care and support. They cover allergies such as respiratory, skin, venom, food, and drugs . They have a helpline and offer allergy alerts and lots of downloadable resources.

• British Heart Foundation - a UK charity with information about heart health and on managing a condition.

• Change Mental Health - a Scottish mental health charity delivering non-clinical, person-centred support to people affected by mental illness in communities across the country.

• Community Transport East Renfrewshire - a Scottish charity that offer a range of transport services to the community such as attending medical appointments at GP surgeries, clinics and hospitals.

• Cruse Scotland - provides compassionate bereavement support across Scotland. Services include a free helpline and Grief Chat, a free support service that enables you to type to talk to a professional counsellor.

• The Death Notification Service -  a free service that allows you to notify a number of member organisations of a person's death, at the same time.

• East Renfrewshire Citizen's Advice Centre - offers support and advice on a number of different topics. Whether you need advice about your money situation, want to make a complaint about faulty goods, or would like to talk to someone about tax credits, they’re here to give you clarity and a positive way to move forward.

• East Renfrewshire Wellbeing Services - a very useful set of resources from our local council.

• Euan's Guide -  a disabled access charity providing information that will give confidence and choices for getting out and about.

• Get Free Books Glasgow - run by the Global Education Trust, this is a store in Buchanan Galleries that basically gives out free books. Obviously they'll take donations as well.

• Independent Age - a UK charity with lots of information and advice on health-related topics, including health and wellbeing.

• Mearns Kirk Helping Hands - A local charity based in Newton Mearns and offering a free befriending service and support for people living with dementia in East Renfrewshire.

• Men Matter Scotland - a men's support charity, based in Drumchapel, that aims to improve men's quality of life, and expand and enrich men’s connections. They facilitate activities that support positive mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing for men.

• mygov.scot Benefits - Scottish Government's benefits portal where you can get information on a range of benefits.

• Paths for All - a Scottish charity whose aim is to support people in Scotland to be active every day. Walking is the easiest and most accessible way to do this.

• Samaritans Scotland - with 19 branches stretching from Scottish Borders to the Highlands and Islands, Samaritans Scotland provides a vital lifeline for people and communities across the country.

• Snowball - a disability accessibility mobile app for Android and iOS, integrated with Google Maps, that allows users to rate and review businesses and services based on their disability-friendliness, covering everything from restaurants, tourist attractions, and supermarkets to coffee shops and more. Users can instantly search for accessible venues anywhere in the world, add new locations not yet listed, and leave detailed reviews contributing to a database that already includes tens of thousands of entries, from Changing Places facilities to accessible toilets.

Lastly, the UK government operate an emergency alert service that will warn you, through your mobile phone tablet, if there’s a danger to life nearby such as severe flooding, fires or extreme weather. You can find out more about this here:

• https://www.gov.uk/alerts

If you know of any similar health and wellbeing-oriented sites or apps not shown here, then please e-mail the details to neilstonmensgroup@gmail.com