Benfleet Primary Care Network

17/04/2026

If you're diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and you are seeking support and connection, drop in to one of our Benfleet Fibro Warrior meetings! 💚

📍The Burrell Wellbeing Centre (Thundersley Methodist Church, Kennington Avenue, Benfleet, SS7 4BS)
📆Fornightly on Thursdays
🕙10AM to 12PM

Contact Em for more details:
📱 07762 945 928
📧emma.holmes41@nhs.net

17/04/2026

🔥 Introducing: Warm Wednesdays 🧡
We’re super excited to launch Warm Wednesdays as part of our Centre of Warmth project with Cadent and SAVS
📅 Starting Wednesday 13th May – running monthly
🕥 10:30am – 12:30pm
📍 STRM HQ, Benfleet
A space for SEND parents and carers to connect, offload, and get real, practical support with the STRM team who get it.
Come in, have a warm drink, chat with others, get some practical support for your family, and have a bit of fun too.
👉 Get support with:
1. Benefits checks & financial support
2. DLA & Carer’s Allowance guidance
3. Energy bills & cost of living
4. SEND guidance
5. Priority Services Register (extra support during power cuts
6. Takeaway resources (meal planners, shopping lists, simple recipes)
7. Household Support Fund (subject to funding)
8. Activity tables
👉 No booking needed (optional booking available for reminders)
https://bookwhen.com/essex-community-sessions
💬 Tag or share with someone who might need this

10/04/2026

Anonymous patient data helps the NHS plan the right services for local communities 💙

When data is used in this way, information that could identify you is removed or replaced, meaning your privacy is protected while still helping the NHS improve care for everyone. You can opt out at any time, and it won’t affect your care.

Find out more and learn about your options: www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/health/rights/your-data/

02/04/2026

Healthy food, happy families!
If you’re pregnant or you have children under four, can help with the cost of healthy food and milk. Plus, you’ll get free Healthy Start vitamins. Check your eligibility:👩 🍼www.healthystart.nhs.uk

30/03/2026

30/03/2026

Don’t leave yourself short on medication this Easter. 💊

If you have a repeat prescription, make sure you order any medicines you need in advance, especially if you are going on holiday over the long weekend.

Download the NHS App and manage your prescriptions online: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/

27/03/2026

The government has published new, evidence‑informed guidance to help parents of under 5s navigate screen time, offering practical advice to support informed choices to help little brains develop healthy screen habits.

For babies and toddlers under 2, avoid screens, except for shared family activities that encourage bonding and interaction. For 2–5s, try to keep it to no more than an hour a day - less where possible.

Choose slow-paced content with simple stories and clear sp*ech, as fast-paced, over-stimulating social media-style videos may affect how young children learn to concentrate, so it’s best to avoid them.

Keep mealtimes and bedrooms screen-free, and try swapping screens for reading, play, and conversation. Young children copy your habits, so try to limit your own screen use around them. An important point to remember is that screens shouldn’t replace a young children’s sleep, physical activity, play or quality time.

For more advice on how to help little brains to develop healthy screen habits visit the Best Start in Life website: https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/screen-time-under-5s/

20/03/2026

Fake or Real? Know the Deal! A deepfake uses AI to change images, videos or voices, sometimes making it hard to tell what’s fake and what’s real.

They may be fake but their effects are not, start an open conversation with your child about the dangers of AI.

To help protect your family, start here: eephonesmart.co.uk/fake-or-real

18/03/2026

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Every breakthrough starts with a reason.

Knowing the four main signs of ovarian cancer can save lives:
🎈Bloating
💧Needing to p*e more
🍽 Feeling full
⚡Stomach pain

The symptoms can be easy to miss, so it is important to listen to your body and speak to your GP if something doesn’t feel right.

Find out more on the Ovarian Cancer Action website here: ovarian.org.uk

16/03/2026

This week, 16th-22nd March, is Neurodiversity Celebration Week. This week highlights and challenges stereotypes about neurological differences. It promotes recognition and respect for neurodiversity as another human variation in cognition, communication, and movement.

About 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference. When thinking and talking about neurodiversity it's important to emphasise strengths over deficits, and recognise that many challenges stem from environmental and systemic barriers created by the majority.

Learn more at neurodiversityweek.com/neurodiversity

13/03/2026

They’ve realised the damage they’ve caused.

If you have too, don’t stop at feeling guilty.

It’s time to on your behaviour and get help to change.

Support is available through Essex Compass, visit: essexcompass.org.uk/reflect-reset

11/03/2026

Happy No Smoking Day! If you're feeling daunted, why not download the free NHS Quit Smoking app? Remember: a smoke free life starts with a smoke free day.

Download the NHS Quit Smoking app here: https://shorturl.at/9TbEG