June 2024 Patient Newsletter




🛀🏽 Find your little big thing
As a patient at Apex, you’ve probably heard our GPs say there are little things we can all do to look after our mental wellbeing that can make a huge difference to how we feel at some point during your care.
They don’t have to cost money or take up a lot of your time, but small things like having a bubble bath, watching a funny film, grabbing a cuppa with a friend (preferably with cake) or going for a long walk are all small things that really add up to make a big difference.
If you’re stuck for ideas, search Every Mind Matters online for free, NHS-approved advice and simple tips to help you look after your mental wellbeing.


🎖️Say you Served
If you’ve left the UK Armed Forces, it’s important to tell the surgery you served. This means that as GPs, we can better understand your health, particularly any health problems relating to your time in service. To find out more about the ways GP practices like Apex supports veterans, visit www.nhs.uk/veterans.


🟥 Domestic Abuse One-Stop Shops in Kent & Medway
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, please know there is safe, one-stop help and support available in Kent and Medway. Domestic Abuse One Stop Shops provide free and confidential advice, as well as information and support, from a range of agencies to help anyone who’s a victim of domestic abuse. These include physical and virtual drop-ins.
This support can be accessed by contacting Victim Support for assessment and referral to your local service by calling 0808 168 9111 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), using SignLive or the Live Chat facility. (Don’t worry, you can cover your tracks online and leave the website quickly if you need to. Just know you are not alone).

🥗 Bite into Healthy Habits: Healthy Eating Week
We all want to lead healthier lives and one way we can do this is by ensuring our diet is healthy and varied. It’s Healthy Eating Week 10 – 14 June 2024 and a great chance to look for healthy eating tips and recipes. Remember, healthy eating doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some simple tips for eating healthy and staying on budget:
- Embrace seasonal produce.
- Plan your meals to avoid waste.
- Look up “budget-friendly recipes” online.
- Use frozen fruit and vegetables – just as tasty and a fraction of the price!
- Batch cook – this helps you to use all the ingredients in your fridge and cupboards.
The British Heart Foundation has put together 25 healthy recipes you can cook in 5 minutes or less to get you started! If you are partial to a cheeky Chinese at the weekend, try their Special Stir Fried Rice that you can whip up quickly!

Heat a teaspoon of oil in a frying pan. Using a high heat, fry thinly sliced peppers or mushrooms, frozen peas, beansprouts, and sliced spring onions for 2-3 minutes. Stir in some leftover or ready-cooked rice and stir fry for a couple of minutes longer or until the rice is piping hot. Add sesame seeds and hot chilli sauce, if you want to liven it up a bit.

🫱🏽🫲🏽 Access instant mental health support
Mental health services are never far away from the front page of the news and we all know someone going through a tough time. That’s why we wanted to remind you about Kooth (for children and young people) and Qwell (for adults); tools which offer 24/7 instant access to mental health support. They’re free, anonymous services for people who:
- Are waiting for access to mental health services but need support now.
- Would like to access other mental health support besides their current care pathways.
- Do not meet thresholds or are on a waiting list for other services.
Do take a look at these services or book an appointment with the GP if you’re struggling. It’s really important to remember that you are not alone and that your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

🏳️🌈 BeYou – a safe welcoming space for LGBTQ+ young people
The BeYou project offers a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where LGBTQ+ young people can meet, socialise and find the support they need. They run weekly meet-ups where everyone is listened to and respected equally. You can chat, make new friends and share experiences, or just hang out in a safe space.
The Strood Meet Up takes place on Wednesdays at 5.30pm to 6.30pm. For information on services and groups that meet across the county, please visit The BeYou Project – Porchlight.
Parent or carer of a LGBTQ+ young person? BeYou have a support group for you too where you can share experiences, connect with new people and get help and advice.


📈 Multiply
Kids are doing their exams at the moment but if you’re one of those parents who feel like they’ve been left behind on maths or you want to improve your numeracy skills to support with bills and cooking on a budget, these free sessions are brilliant and well worth a look: https://www.medwayadulteducation.co.uk/info/55/multiply-courses


💟 SANDS Awareness Week
SANDS (stillbirth and neonatal deaths) Awareness Week is 17 – 23 June 2024. Every year, SANDS helps thousands of families who have experienced the death of a baby. If you have lost a baby, whether it was a long time ago, or are recently bereaved, there is help and support available to you.
The SANDS website has a lot of information that you might find helpful and over the years, the Apex team has supported a number of families who have lost babies. We know how painful it is for everyone concerned so please get in touch with us if you need help.
SANDS have also produced this infographic about how you can do your bit to support someone you know going through the heartbreaking pain of losing a child.

