Winter Friend resources

It’s important to keep yourself and others safe and well this winter. We have a range of useful links and easy to download resources to help with winter wellness, physical health, mental wellbeing and children and families. You can explore what is available below.

Winter wellness

The following resources will help you and your neighbours stay safe and well this winter, from making your home winter-ready to assisting with independent living.

Fuel Bank Foundation

The Fuel Bank Foundation provides emergency fuel top-ups. Providing people with the financial support and practical advice that they need.

Winter Wellbeing in Leeds

Find information on how to protect yourself and family and friends this winter.

Keeping Warm and Well at Home

Easy tips for keeping warm and well at home from Together We Can.

Age UK: Keeping well this winter

Winter – it seems to draw in that bit quicker every year, doesn’t it? But the good news is that there are simple ways to help keep yourself warm and well during the colder months.

Home Plus (Leeds)

Information about Home Plus (Leeds) and their available services to improve health at home and independent living.

Help make your home winter-ready with Yorkshire Water

Useful video from Yorkshire Water to help get your home ready for those cold winter temperatures.

Keeping your home safe

Tips from the Met Office for how to keep your home safe during colder months.

Covid-19 safety advice

Downloadable easy read flyer with tips and advice on how to stay safe, specifically for people aged 60 and over.

Leeds Winter coat appeal

Donate, share or collect good quality second hand coats to keep warm during colder weather.

Physical health

The resources provided below can help you stay well this winter, whether it’s simple recipes, keeping kids active, or information about winter vaccinations.

Simple recipes for all the family

Delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make recipes for all the family from NHS Choices.

Keeping active in Leeds

Active Leeds provides various online resources such as activity tutorials, guidance and information, and fun challenges to try from home and in the great outdoors. We are sure there will be something that will work for you and allow you to be ‘Healthy at Home’.

Winter Vaccinations

For those eligible, getting a COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine is one of the most important things a person can do to protect their health.

Keeping active as you get older

Our bodies were made to move. It’s a myth that getting older means an end to being active. Age UK has some advice on keeping moving, whatever your age.

Seriously Resistant

Learn more about antibiotic resistance, download resources, or request education packs. 

Keeping the kids moving

Take part in home workout videos, take a stroll around your community or a spot of cycling! Keeping active as a family is a great way to encourage children to be active as well as great family time!

Vitamin D

Around 1 in 5 people in the UK have low levels of vitamin D, especially older adults, pregnant and breastfeeding people, infants, and people with darker skin. Watch this short video for information on the importance of vitamin D and how to get enough. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Find more information about where to get your COVID-19 vaccination, read about the vaccines and find out what happens when you have your vaccine.

Mental wellbeing

Help exercise your mind with our suggested craft or mindfulness activities, or just know where to turn when you, or someone you know, needs a listening ear.

MindWell Leeds - Support in Leeds

MindWell is the mental health website for people in Leeds. They can help you find information about support in the city and different ways to take care of your mental wellbeing.

#MindWellMOT checklist

Reflect on your personal wellbeing with the mental health MOT checklist from Mindwell.

Meditation (Every Mind Matters)

A short, guided meditation from the NHS to help when things feel overwhelming.

Every Mind Matters

Expert advice and practical tips from the NHS to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.

Leeds Directory calendar of activities

Leeds Directory can support you to live well by connecting you to checked and vetted local services and tradespeople as well as local activities and events.

The Silver Line

A free, confidential telephone service for the elderly, giving you ‘someone to talk to’ and have a conversation with.

Children and families

Here are some resources for the entire family, from a baby buddy app to free family activities to a survival guide for parents.

Parents Survival Guide

Young Minds provide a useful guide for helping parents on those days when everything feels too much.

Nature Treasure Hunt

A Winter Friends nature treasure hunt, fun for all the family. A great way to get outside and feel the benefits of being amongst nature.

Love Exploring

Love Exploring is a free fun way to encourage families to be active together and inspire people of all ages to explore their local parks and discover some of the city’s cultural treasures.

Baby Buddy App

The Baby Buddy app is your personal baby expert who will guide you through your pregnancy and the first six months of your baby’s life.

Healthier Together

Improving the health of babies, children and young people throughout West Yorkshire.

Routine Childhood Immunisation

Information about vaccinations and when to have them.

Children's Centres

Your local children’s centre can provide free advice and information. Find your local centre here.

School uniform exchange

Information on how to pass on, or receive, good quality used school uniform in Leeds.

Healthy Holidays

Provides free engaging and enrinching activities with a hot and healthy meal for children during school holidays.

We’d love to hear from you!

Don’t forget to share with us any of the amazing things you’ve been doing to be a Winter Friend. 

You can email us at hello@winterfriends.org, message @wntrfriends on Twitter, or join our Facebook Community Group Winter Friends Leeds Community