Starting Well: 5 to 18 years

Good health supports a child or young person’s ability to thrive, develop, stay safe and achieve as they grow up. This lays the foundation of a healthy and fulfilled adult life. This page includes information and resources to support and promote the health and wellbeing of children, young people and their families from 5 to 18 years.

Alcohol and responsible drinking

All the information and advice in this section is here to support and inform you on the how to drink responsibly and the impacts that harmful drinking can have.

Brain health

Our brain is a very important organ which is sensitive to its environment and therefore sensitive to how well we take care of it

Domestic abuse

Information and support to support people experiencing domestic abuse.

Financial wellbeing

Managing your finances is a key part of looking after your health and wellbeing. Money worries can affect anyone at anytime.

Growing your own produce

The content on this page gives you information, advice and support to help you think about and start growing your own fruit and vegetables at home or in the community.

Health checks

Checks your circulatory and vascular health and what your risk of getting a disabling vascular disease is

Healthy eating

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health and can help you feel your best

Healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight can bring a positive lifestyle; increasing confidence, health and happiness.

Heart health

Your heart has many different functions and is vital for keeping you alive and there is no magic age to start to think about your heart

High blood pressure

High blood pressure a fairly common but dangerous condition

Infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi

Libraries

Find out how your local library can support your health and wellbeing

Nature and wellbeing

There is growing evidence that spending time in green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both mental and physical wellbeing.

Orange Button – Community awareness scheme

Lets keep talking to prevent suicide

Oral health

Advice and support to help you to look after your teeth and oral health

Preventing falls

Deconditioning and a loss of our basic physical strength and balance is the main cause of falling.

Sexual health

Information and advice about your sexual health and wellbeing, including some of the services that are available in Somerset

Sleeping well

Sleep is essential for our health and wellbeing as it has a direct impact on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Staying safe

It is never too late to get help for people who are suffering from domestic abuse.

Support with your mental health

If you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling and get advice about local services that can help to support you call locally on 01823 276892 or freephone 0800 138 1692. 

Tobacco, smoking and vaping

Smoking is the leading cause of ill health and disease and over 60,000 people in Somerset are still smoking

Health and Wellbeing Toolkits

The Healthy Lifestyles Toolkit

The Healthy Lifestyles Toolkit provides information and resources for physical activity, food, long term health conditions and smoke-free settings.

The Mental Health Toolkit

The Mental Health Toolkit provides information and support about mental and emotional health and wellbeing. This includes self-injury guidance, trauma support, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and getting mental health support in Somerset.

The Parent and Carer Toolkit

The Parent and Carer Toolkit supports parents and carers to find the information they need including managing relationship conflict and wellbeing information resources and help for families.

The website also includes a Training Menu for schools staff and those working with children and young people and is home of the Somerset Schools Health and Wellbeing Survey

Wider Public Health services available

The Public Health Nursing Service

The Public Health Nursing Service works with children, young people and families to deliver the Healthy Child Programme.

The Health Visiting Service

The Health Visiting Service is led by health visitors who are public health nurses who work with 0 to 5 year olds.

The School Nursing Service

The School Nursing Service are public health and is led by school nurses who work with 5 to 19 year olds including children educated in school and those who are educated at home.