With December officially here, with a number of excellent community and third sector events coming up during the month, we are pleased to announce the launch of this year’s Wellness in Winter campaign!
Each year, the campaign focuses on people’s health and wellbeing throughout the winter – everything from physical health (including the local winter vaccinations programme) and mental health, to how to keep spirits up during the festive period (and beyond, into January), and financial worries.
There is also information on support available, including around reducing energy costs, and other support available through the ongoing cost of living crisis.
We hope you find this page useful, and that you stay safe and well this winter, and beyond. Please also feel free to share these details with anyone and anywhere you think people may need it this winter.
Maintained and updated by Falkirk Council’s Fairer Falkirk team, the Support Services Map lists a number of community food providers, warm spaces, and those providing access to free period products in different communities across Falkirk District.
You can also get in touch with specific groups in your area via their contact details on our members directory, which is organised alphabetically by group name.
Please share these details with anyone and anywhere you think people may need it this winter.
According to NHS Forth Valley:
“Experts are predicting the worst flu season in a decade with earlier and unusually high levels of flu activity, particularly among children and older people. Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to protect yourself, your family and friends this winter [2025/26].”
If you are eligible for this year’s winter vaccinations programme, you will receive a letter, email, or text message with details of your appointment or instructions on how to book. People are advised to please wait to be contacted.
Drop-in clinics are available for babies and children aged 2 – 5 years old who have not yet started school. Visit Baby & Children Vaccinations for details.
Further information about this year’s vaccines eligibility is available via NHS Inform.
For further information (including details of Forth Valley’s vaccination centre venues, pharmacies offering winter vaccines, and support attending your appointment), please visit the NHS Forth Valley winter vaccinations page.
NHS Forth Valley has launched its Winter Zone for 2025, which includes information on local pharmacies across the Forth Valley area (including those in more rural or widespread areas) and their opening hours during this period.
The list is organised by area and then holiday date; entries include the pharmacy’s hours that day, their address and contact details.
To access this list, please visit the NHS Winter Zone page, under the “Local Pharmacies: Festive Pharmacy Opening Times” (third section).
Please note, in Forth Valley there are 75 community pharmacies , which can be found via the Local Service Finder map.
It is recommended by Scottish Government that everyone (including children) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D (400 International Units), particularly during the winter months (October – March).
- Vitamin D for Pregnant People and Children
Breastfeeding parents, breast-fed babies and children under 3 years old can access free vitamin D supplements; in Forth Valley, these are available from your health visitors, breastfeeding groups run by NHS Forth Valley or the local council, and from Health Board Health Centre reception staff
Pregnant people are also entitled to free Healthy Start vitamins – you should ask your midwife how to get these free supplements.
- Resources
Scottish Government has advice for all age groups available on their website, as does Food Standards Scotland.
Vitamin D and You
The general information leaflet Vitamin D and You sets out the current advice on Vitamin D, and explains the benefits of getting enough Vitamin D as part of a healthy diet.
This leaflet is available in different languages and formats (including English, Arabic, Polish, Traditional Chinese, and Urdu, and can be requested in alternative formats such as large print, braille and audio versions).
Paper copies can be ordered from HPAC – Forth Valley. (You first need to register your organisation and then log in, to be able to place an order for resources.)
- Scottish Government
Scottish Government’s Cost of Living page (linked for your convenience) lists a number of support options for people living in Scotland, including help with energy bills (including the Winter Heating Payment), debts and money, urgent help with food or fuel, support for businesses, discounts, offers, and other help for households.
- Citizens Advice Scotland
For those worried about energy bills, tough choices and the cost of living this winter, Citizens Advice network in Scotland can provide free, impartial and confidential advice, via free support online from the public advice site, including information about grants and benefits to help pay energy bills.
Their Money Map tool provides online help finding ways to help people make the most of their money, decrease their bills and help meet the costs of daily living, while their Council Tax tool tells people quickly if they’re entitled to a discount, reduction or exemption.
Specialist services also include Help to Claim advisers, who are available Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm, by webchat or phone: 0800 023 2581. These advisors can guide people through the process of claiming Universal Credit for the first time, whether they are looking for answers to quick questions or step-by-step support to make a claim.
The Money Talk Team can help people maximise their income, look at options to reduce costs and offers specialist debt advice.
Citizens Advice Scotland also advises checking if you are eligible for the Priority Services Register for additional support from your energy supplier, especially if you are an older person, have certain health conditions, are pregnant or have young children.
For further information, visit the dedicated Citizens Advice Scotland website.
- Falkirk Council
Falkirk Council has various different support options for those concerned with the cost of living, including:
