Health and wellbeing

Staying at home might mean it is more difficult than usual to take care of both your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Here are some handy guides you can use to help you get started.

Keep active

It’s important for your mental wellbeing to keep active. Because of social distancing rules, many of us are now turning to at-home workouts to help us get moving.

Find out more about keeping active

Healthy eating

Eating a healthy balanced diet, making sure you have your 5-a-day of fruit and veg, can help you feel better both physically and mentally. Here are some great resources to eat well during these unprecedented times.

Mental health

If you need urgent help because you are worried that you might harm yourself or someone else, call the 24-hour City & Hackney crisis helpline on 020 8432 8020.

You can also:

text Shout, a 24/7 UK crisis text service available for times when people feel they need immediate support. Text the word ‘SHOUT’ to ‘85258’ and you will be put in touch with a trained Crisis Volunteer (CV). Watch their video: shout 85258 – sometimes it’s easier to text

or contact Samaritans – whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Tel: 116 123, or email: jo@samaritans.org

Breathingspace are launching their first 5 day toolkit to help people with low mood and anxiety that is no doubt increasing in the coronavirus crisis. They'll all be free to the public, and the first one is with their founder, former NHS consultant psychiatrist Dr Groves.

See our full list of mental health resources.

Bereavement support

Cruse has dedicated content about coronavirus: dealing with bereavement and grief
the NHS has general guidance about coping with bereavement
Age.UK has some information on coping with bereavement and arranging a funeral – coronavirus advice
the Childhood Bereavement Network has information on support for children during the coronavirus outbreak
The Good Grief Trust and At a Loss.org also have dedicated coronavirus bereavement support and advice

Dementia support

Find support services map

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Take a look at our find support services map for more activities, services and support happening across Hackney.

Older people’s voices

Hackney Social Radio have recorded a number of features with older Hackney residents about what living in Hackney is like.

There are a number of special intergenerational conversations recorded as well. First up is this one on the environment below, where residents had a few things to say about climate change and the COP26. Look out for future episodes on ageism and being African in Hackney.