World Mental Health Day is a chance to pause and remind ourselves that looking after our mental wellbeing is just as important as caring for our physical health.

Good mental wellbeing helps you cope with life’s ups and downs, maintain healthy relationships, and feel more resilient when challenges arise. Poor mental health can also affect your sleep, energy, and even your physical health. By taking care of your mind and seeking support early, you give yourself the best chance to stay well and enjoy life to the fullest.

Mental health support at the health centre

We’re proud to have two dedicated Mental Health Practitioners as part of our team. They can support anyone over the age of 18. They are here to advise you on all things mental health and can be your first point of call when you need support. They can:

• Carry out assessments,
• Provide advice and practical support to help manage your condition,
• Support you in accessing specialist services and local community resources.

To help with practical and non-clinical mental health needs, we also have a team of Social Prescribers available to support with mental health and overall wellbeing. Social Prescribers provide personalised, non-clinical support by connecting people with community services and resources that address a wide range of practical and social needs.

From reducing isolation and improving access to mental health support, to assisting with housing, employment, or financial concerns, they help individuals navigate challenges that can significantly impact mental wellbeing.

• To speak to our mental health team or social prescribers please speak to our reception team.

Local organisations you can turn to

There are also many excellent local groups who can offer advice, guidance, and peer support:

Alabare – free short term mental health support for those aged 16+ across Wiltshire. Patients can self-refer.

Help Counselling Services - a charity offering a low cost confidential service to all adults and young persons over 16 in West Wiltshire.

Man Down Wiltshire – hold a fortnightly evening group meeting in Trowbridge. Group is for supporting men with mental health challenges.

NHS Talking Therapies - the service aims to help you manage a range of common mental health problems including anxiety, stress, depression and low mood.

Rethink's Wiltshire Wellbeing Cafes - a warm welcome for anyone feeling isolated, lonely or anxious about meeting others.

Trowbridge Service User Group - open to anyone with mental ill health living in and around Trowbridge.

Wiltshire Mind – 1-2-1 and group support for children and adults in Wiltshire.

Additional online resources

Rethink have created a booklet listing mental health and wellbeing support services across Wiltshire which is available from their website.

The Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust have a series of self-help booklets available on their website.

In a mental health emergency

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or there is a risk to life, always call 999.

For urgent but non-emergency support:

• Shout – text 85258 for free, confidential support
• Samaritans – call 116 123 any time, day or night

Remember: you are not alone, and support is always available.

Most eligible adults will be able to get their flu and COVID vaccines from 1 October 2025 until 31 March 2026.

Pregnant women and all eligible children will be able to receive their flu vaccine from 1 September 2025.

We will begin our autumn vaccination clinics from 1 October 2025 and, over the coming weeks, we will be contacting all eligible patients to book appointments for their winter vaccinations.

• Patients with a mobile number on record will receive a text message with a booking link.
• Patients without a mobile number will be contacted by a member of our team via telephone to arrange an appointment.

Who is eligible this year

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over
• have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system

You may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• are aged 75 or over
• are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
• live in a care home for older adults

Please note that some of the eligibility criteria have been changed by the NHS and some people who had been able to receive a COVID vaccination may no longer be eligible. This is unfortunately out of our control. 

Additional information about who is eligible for the flu and COVID vaccinations is available on the NHS website Winter vaccinations and winter health - NHS

As reported in the media, from Monday 23 June, a new weight loss drug called tirzepatide, sometimes referred to as Mounjaro®, became available for use in primary care settings.

In line with NHS England guidance, this treatment will only be available for patients whose body mass index is above 40 and have been diagnosed with four or more of the obesity-related health conditions below:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure (Hypertension)
• Heart disease
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Abnormal blood fats (Dyslipidaemia)

Patients are advised that, if eligible, their GP will be in contact to begin a discussion with them about using tirzepatide as part of their overall weight-loss journey.

Access will be prioritised for those with the greatest clinical need, as the treatment is intended to support people living with health conditions caused or made worse by obesity.

Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board is currently working with colleagues in primary care to ensure this new treatment is offered to those patients who fulfil these criteria.

At this time, patients are kindly asked not to contact their GP practice with requests for weight loss treatment.

All patients, including those who may be eligible for the new drug, are also encouraged to access NHS-supported healthy living initiatives, such as diet support and activity groups, as part of their overall weight loss journey.

Information for patients who have previously accessed self-funded weight-loss treatment

Information for patients who have previously accessed self-funded weight-loss treatment outside of the NHS can be found by following the link below:

Information for patients on NHS support following self-funded weight-loss treatment

Primary Care Networks are groups of GP practices that work together, alongside other health and care providers, to deliver a wider range of services to the local population that might not be possible within an indicidual practice.

Together, Trowbridge Health Centre and Roundstone surgery form the Trowbridge Primary Care Network.

Mandown provide informal peer-support talking groups for men (free of charge) with mental health concerns. They are confidential, supportive and do not judge. Together, we can end the mental health stigma and reduce the number of male suicides.

The first meeting is scheduled for 19:00 on Tuesday 3rd September in the meeting room at St Thomas' Church hall (York Buildings).

For further information, please visit the website here https://www.mandown-uk.co.uk 

The Trowbridge Group has not yet been added to the site, but it will be in the near future.

The group email address is; trowbridgemandown@gmail.com 

The facebook page can be accessed here:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563911642788

Please find attached our helpful guide to getting started with the NHS App. The NHS App is the quickest, safest and most reliable way of ordering your repeat medication. If you have any queries regarding setting up or using the app, you can contact the Patient Participation Group or come into the surgery and speak to one of our friendly members of the team.

To access the guide click here.

You can now register via RUH Maternity's website. Find out more at : 

ruh.nhs.uk/patients/services/maternity/

For more information please click on the link below: 

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/southwickcountrypark/