Live Well Aware

29/09/2025

23/09/2025

🌸 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥 🌸

October is . For many women, alcohol can become a way of coping with menopause symptoms like hot flushes, low mood, or difficulty sleeping. But drinking can sometimes make these symptoms worse and have a bigger impact on your health than you might realise.

At Live Well Aware, we know this stage of life can feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer flexible support. If you’ve noticed your drinking changing and want to explore healthier ways of managing, why not get in touch? We are here to offer support at your pace.

💡 Even small changes can make a big difference to how you feel.

👉 Drop us a DM if you would like a chat
📧 Livewellaware@middlesbrough.gov.uk

11/08/2025

Using at Work: Closer Than You Think

A Personnel Today article found that a third of people have seen it or lived it themselves.
It may not always be obvious, but it’s always worth talking about.

Live Well Aware offers confidential, flexible support for people who work. We offer evening and weekend, in person and digital options.

No judgement, just a safe space to explore what’s going on and what could change.

📩 Message us to start the conversation.

One in three employees (34%) admit either to using or witnessing substance use or addictive behaviours during work hours.

16/07/2025

📍 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞

Live Well Aware joined today’s Wellbeing and Inclusion Day at Middlesbrough Town Hall, hosted by Middlesbrough Council 💬

Rich had some meaningful conversations about the importance of looking after ourselves, not just outside of work, but during it too. Because when life’s busy, support needs to make sense.

Live Well Aware helps working people explore their relationship with alcohol or other substances, offering flexible support that fits around you.

🕓 Support outside the 9–5
💬 Real conversations, no judgement
🎓 Free training for workplaces

📩 DM us to find out more or have a chat.

13/07/2025

🎥15-Minute Sunday afternoon watch 🧠

Alcohol Awareness Week might be nearly over, but the reflection and conversations don't have to be.

In her TEDx talk, “The Surprising Stigma of Sobriety,” Gill McKay shares what many people feel, but don’t say: that not drinking, can make you feel like the odd one out.

And she’s not alone.
📊 A 2019 report by the Institute of Alcohol Studies estimated that up to 89,000 people in the UK may turn up to work hungover or under the influence on any given day.

📊 More recently, Alcohol Change UK found that 64% of people say they drink more because of work-related stress or pressure.

If you want to have a conversation and explore your alcohol use, why not get in touch with us. We offer flexible options that fit around your worklife.

We also offer free workplace training to help teams build sober-supportive, stigma-free environments.

Stigmas are silencing, and lead us to disconnection from ourselves and others. Gill was shocked when she became alcohol-free that, in moving away from the st...

10/07/2025

𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 | 𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤

From scaffolding sites to staff rooms, kitchens to classrooms, alcohol can show up where we least expect it.

🗣️👂“Would you listen or talk to someone if alcohol was a problem?”
👉 What would you say?
👉 What would you do?

This Alcohol Awareness Week, we’re encouraging honest conversations, no shame, no judgment.

💬 Live Well Aware supports people who are working and want to explore their relationship with alcohol. It’s confidential, flexible, and tailored to you.

We also offer free workplace training in Screening, Identification and Brief Advice (IBA), helping staff, managers and team leads feel confident starting conversations and creating sober-supportive environments.

📩 DM us or email 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚@𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝.𝙜𝙤𝙫.𝙪𝙠 to start the conversation or book training.

08/07/2025

"𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠?”

It might seem like a harmless question, but for many people, it can feel uncomfortable, isolating, or even unsafe.

In this short video, Susan from Alcohol Change UK shares how alcohol can impact our wellbeing at work, and why we all have a role to play in creating workplaces where people don’t feel pressure to drink, or to hide their struggles.

At 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 we offer free, confidential support for people who are working and want to explore their relationship with alcohol or other substances, whether that means cutting down, taking a break, or just having a conversation.

We also work with employers offering 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 designed to help build inclusive, sober-supportive environments. Our training supports colleagues to look out for one another and equips managers and leaders with the tools to respond with empathy and confidence.

📧 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐭, livewellaware@middlesbrough.gov.uk
or send us a message to find out more.

This Alcohol Awareness Week, we’re opening a conversation about the relationship between alcohol and work to help us understand it better, sharing some helpf...

07/07/2025

🍺 Alcohol Awareness Week | Alcohol and Work 🍺

Have you ever noticed how work stress changes your drinking habits?

Long hours, rising pressure, and after-work drinks can all add up, often without realising the impact.

Here are some things to think about:

🔸️64% of people say they drink more because of work
🔸️40% drink more due to work-related anxiety
🔸️Around 10 million people in the UK are drinking in ways that could be harmful to their health and wellbeing

You don’t need to have a “problem” to explore your drinking. If you're feeling unsure, or just want a safe space to talk, Live Well Aware is here.

We offer one-to-one support that works around your life, including evenings and weekends. Speak to us in person, over the phone or online—whatever feels most comfortable for you.

📩 No pressure. Just a chance to explore things and find what’s right for you.
DM us or
email: livewellaware@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Around 10 million of us are regularly drinking alcohol in ways that can harm our health and wellbeing. From headaches, hangovers and sleepless nights to lowe...

23/04/2025

𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

Not all struggles are visible. If you’re working hard, showing up, but finding yourself using alcohol or other things to cope, you’re not alone.

Live Well Aware offers private, non-judgemental support at a time that suits you. No pressure. Just real help when you're ready.

12/03/2025

🚭 No Smoking Day - 12th March 🚭

Ready to quit smoking? The first step can be the hardest, but you don’t have to do it alone. With expert support and resources available, you can quit for good! 🌟

Visit FreshQuit.co.uk for helpful tips, advice, and local support. You can also get free, expert help from South Tees Stop Smoking Service to guide you through the process.

Start your journey to a healthier future today! 💜

🌍 Find out more: www.stopsmokingsouthtees.co.uk
📞 Call: 01642 727579

11/03/2025

🚀 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐁𝐀 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐕𝐃𝐀’𝐬 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦!

Drew was delighted to deliver Identification & Brief Advice (IBA) training at Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency Volunteering Academy during their first Volunteer Coordinators Forum of the year at The Community Hub in Easterside.

The forum is a valuable space for those who support volunteers, providing an opportunity to share best practice, learn from each other, and network. It was great to be part of these discussions and equip organisations with practical tools to support both their volunteers and the wider community effectively.

📢 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
We offer 𝗜𝗕𝗔 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 as well as 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 to help create a healthier, more supportive workplace.

Get in touch to find out more:
📩 Facebook Messenger
📞 01642 727017
📧 Livewellaware@middlesbrough.gov.uk

10/03/2025

🛌💤 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 🩺

We know that working in healthcare is demanding. Long shifts, high-pressure environments, and disrupted sleep can take a serious toll. Studies show that chronic sleep deprivation increases stress, burnout, and the risk of substance use, as many turn to alcohol or medication just to cope. You're not alone in this.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬:
🔬 One in three NHS doctors report being so fatigued that it affects their ability to work (The Guardian).
😴 Sleep problems are strongly linked to increased stress and hazardous drinking behaviours, with studies showing that 11% of doctors experience insomnia and 27%–53% engage in risky alcohol use (BMJ Open).
🍷 Alcohol and medication use among healthcare workers is often linked to workplace stress and sleep disturbance, as highlighted in a recent study (Oxford Academic).

💙 We’re here for you. We understand the high-stress nature of your role. If you're using alcohol or self-medicating in other ways due to sleep issues or other pressures, we offer free, confidential support—on your schedule.

📞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 ‘𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥’ 𝐚𝐭 𝟎𝟕𝟕𝟏𝟔 𝟏𝟐𝟗 𝟑𝟗𝟓
🕕 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝟔𝐩𝐦 - 𝟏𝟎𝐩𝐦 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 | 𝟏𝟏𝐚𝐦 - 𝟓𝐩𝐦 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬
📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞@𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐮𝐤

You dedicate your life to caring for others—let us help you care for yourself. 💙