Health is not just about your body, it is also about your mind. Pathways are here to support you with both.
Your PA will work with you to think about the support you need and how this will look. Things we can offer include:
- Health registrations and appointments
- Drop-in clinic
- Access to leisure
- Health passports
- Support with health costs
- Dentists
- Walk and talk group
- 5-a-side football
- Links to key services
Health registrations and appointments
We can support you to:
- Find and register with a GP and dentist.
- Make phone calls for you or with you about your health.
- Get to appointments.
- Attend appointments with you.
- Practice the skills you will need as an adult to manage your health.
- Make referrals to wellbeing or mental health services.
Health appointments can cause us all worry or anxiety. Even if all you need is some encouragement, we will be there for you.
Care leaver health drop-in clinic
Do you have a health need or worry that is not an emergency? Are you are nervous about going to your GP?
- We have two nurses that offer monthly drop-in sessions for care leavers up to 25 years old.
- These are held at the Orange Box in a private room.
The sessions are run by the same nurses each month, so you can get to know them. They can offer advice and help to get the support you need. Most of all, they offer a friendly and familiar face if you are worried about your health.
To access drop-ins, speak with your PA.
Access to leisure facilities
As a care leaver aged up to 25, you get free swimming, fitness classes and gyms at all Council facilities.
For a list of venues and services, see: Sport and fitness.
We know that some care leavers do not live in Calderdale and do not have access to this. Instead, You can get a discount with Pure Gym via the Care Leaver covenant app.
For more details, visit: 50% Off Gym Memberships for Care Leavers.
Health passports
We can provide you with a 'health passport', which details your personal/family health history. This includes details of services you can access. It is really useful if you have or intend to move GPs.
Support with health costs
Your Pathway Adviser can help you to apply to the NHS Low Income Scheme to cover the cost of:
- prescriptions;
- dental care;
- and eye care.
Whether you get full help (HC2 certificate) or part help (HC3 certificate) will depend on your circumstances.
To apply yourself, download: HC1 form.
Dentists
Care leavers have access to flexible dental appointments at many dentists in West Yorkshire.
If you need any treatment, we can help you get it. This is even if you do not live in Calderdale or you are not registered with a dentist.
Walk and talk group
Our physical health is as important as our emotional well-being, so why not do both together?
It can be easy in the modern world to spend lots of time indoors on our own. Sometimes everyone just needs a walk and a talk.
- We meet monthly.
- It is open to all care leavers and pathways advisors.
- We pick a different walk each time and head out into the countryside for a few hours.
- We clear our heads, talk and walk a little, laugh lots and everyone feels a little lighter by the end.
- We sometimes have guest walkers from other services too, so you can get to know them.
Your pathways advisor can give you the details or you can ring the duty phone number for details.
5-a-side football
This takes place once a month at the Halifax Indoor Football Centre (HX3 9ET).
Do you enjoy football and want to meet other care leavers? This is a great chance to do something positive, improve your health and well-being and connect with others.
For more details, contact your pathways advisor or call the duty phone number.
Links to key services
Health services
- Our member GP practices (NHS).
- Calderdale Royal Hospital (NHS).
- Sexual Health Calderdale and Huddersfield (NHS).
Mental health services in Calderdale
- Phone NHS 111 (select the mental health option). This is a 24 hour and confidential service to help adults in a mental health crisis.
- Mental health services.
- Where to get urgent help for mental health (NHS).
- Invictus wellbeing.
- Unmasked Mental Health.
- Mind.