>October Events / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Health & Wellbeing September 21, 2013

Stoptober: October 1-28

Smokers from across Norfolk are being offered an innovative new way to kick the habit while gaining invaluable support from others.

Successfully trialled in north Norfolk earlier this year, the new ‘Quit Clubs’ are now being made available across the county. The clubs are led by expert advisors from Smokefree Norfolk, the stop smoking service provided by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C), and aim to create a social element from what is commonly considered an anti-social habit.

Smokers who joined Quit Clubs during the trial found the support they received invaluable. The sessions also helped foster a healthy sense of competition between some of the members, in turn giving them extra motivation to stay off the cigarettes.

James Wade, a Specialist Advisor from Smokefree Norfolk helped to develop the Quit Clubs. He said: “During the trial we saw people from all sorts of different backgrounds come along and they all found the Quit Club a really positive experience. Some even started competing to see whose carbon monoxide level was the lowest each week, which gave them great motivation to stay smokefree.

“The clubs inject a social element into quitting an anti-social habit and give people the chance to come together and share their experiences. Some of our members have even swapped mobile numbers so they can text each other with extra support during the week, which is really great news.”

The new clubs have been organised to coincide with the build up to this year’s Stoptober initiative, which launches on October 1. The national campaign encourages smokers to go smokefree for 28 days, which in turn makes them five times more likely to stay quit for good.

The six week Quit Club courses offer people the chance to pick up useful information about coping with stopping smoking and stress and a raft of information on addiction and behavioural change. Each individual will also receive a full assessment with an expert Smokefree Norfolk advisor along with access to stop smoking medication. The Quit Clubs also provide attendees with the chance to hear from some guest speakers, including experts on healthy eating, weight management and exercise.

Anyone who attends a Quit Club will be given a pack containing useful leaflets, a cost calculator and other gifts and guides to help them stay quit. The clubs are open to anyone, with referrals available through GPs, any other health professionals or by contacting Smokefree Norfolk.

People will be set an initial target to remain smokefree for four weeks and will receive a loyalty card and stickers to help motivate them as they progress towards their goal. After completing the course, members will be offered any additional support they may need until they have been smokefree for the recommended 12 weeks.

James commented: “The beauty of the Quit Club is that people can take what they like from the sessions and action the parts which apply to them. It may be that stopping smoking has given them more energy, for example, so they wish to take more exercise. We can help them meet that goal and improve their health even further.

“It’s a real holistic approach which looks at a variety of health factors while also tackling stress, boredom and weight gain, which are the main issues why people go back to smoking. The Quit Clubs give people another choice when they want to stop smoking. Easy to access, informal and friendly, they are designed to give smokers a wide variety of help and advice along with mutual support from others in the same boat.”

And while the Quit Clubs are open to everyone, a range of alternative support is available for anyone who wants to stop smoking but does not feel comfortable attending group sessions.

“Some of the people who have been to the clubs were very anxious about going to a group but have found they have really benefitted from the extra support it offers. A lot of people have certain expectations but start to relax when they get to the session and end up wanting to come back,” said James.

“But of course it’s entirely up to each individual. You can still be a member of Smokefree Norfolk’s Quit Club, even if a group isn’t for you. Just let us know and we can look at alternative ways we can help you. You’re all in the club!”

Katie McGoldrick, Smokefree Norfolk lead advisor, added: “Evidence shows that group sessions are one of the most successful ways to quit smoking. Those who attend often find the support and motivation they receive from others who are quitting at the same time really helpful.

“I’d encourage anyone who wants to find out more about how we can help to get in touch and take those first steps towards a smokefree future.”

Quit Clubs were originally developed to be held at workplaces so colleagues could quit smoking together, but the principal has been adapted for use in the community by Smokefree Norfolk. The 90-minute weekly sessions are now being delivered in health centres, clinics and community centres across the county. Find a quit club in your area:

North Norfolk
Acle Marches Surestart Centre, Bridewell Lane, NR13 3RA – September 25, 2pm
North Walsham Community Hospital, Yarmouth Road, NR28 9AP – October 18, 3.30pm
Cromer Surestart Children’s Centre, Mill Road, NR27 0AD – October 1, 10am

Norwich
Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, NR2 3TU – September 24, 5.15pm

South Norfolk
Thetford Healthy Living Centre, Croxton Road, IP24 1JD – September 24, 5.30pm
Harleston Memorial Leisure Centre, Wilderness Lane, IP20 9DD – September 25, 4pm

West Norfolk
Asda supermarket, Langley Road, South Wootton, PE30 3UG – October 3, 8pm
Gaywood Library, River Lane, PE30 4HD – September 25, 4pm