Be Winter Wise

Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and others against ill health. They prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year.

Keeping up to date with vaccinations can protect you against seasonal respiratory infections, particularly during winter months. It's important to take up the offer of a vaccine when you receive an invitation.

Flu vaccine

One of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others safe this winter is to have the seasonal flu vaccination if you’re eligible. 

Getting your flu vaccine every year is important as it reduces your risk of getting severe symptoms. It also helps to protect others who are at a higher risk of getting ill from flu, such as babies, anyone who’s pregnant, older people, and those with long-term health conditions.

You can check your eligibility on the NHS website.

How to get the flu vaccine

If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you can:

• Contact your GP surgery to book an appointment.
• Book a flu vaccination appointment online or on the NHS app.
• Find a pharmacy that offers the free NHS flu vaccination where you can get vaccinated without an appointment (walk-in).

Other seasonal vaccinations

You may also be eligible for other vaccinations, including the:

• COVID-19 vaccine – if you’re aged 75 or over, are aged six months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment, live in a care home for older adults.
• Pneumococcal vaccine – if you're aged 65 or over.
• RSV vaccine – if you are pregnant, aged 75 or over, aged 65 to 74 and have a weakened immune system or a long-term lung condition (this does not include asthma that is under control) or live in a care home for older adults.

If you become unwell this winter, you can manage symptoms by staying warm, resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating at least one hot meal a day to keep your energy levels up. 

Many over-the-counter medicines, including paracetamol and ibuprofen, can relieve symptoms of common winter illnesses such as colds and earaches.  

You can get help and advice from:

• A pharmacy – pharmacists can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses (such as coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections, and aches and pains) and can tell you if you need to see a doctor.
• Your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone or go in for an appointment if they think you need to.
• NHS 111 – go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do.

In an emergency call 999.

Winter brings an increase in colds, flu and stomach bugs.

Taking simple steps to reduce the spread of illnesses can help to protect yourself and others from infectious diseases.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water, especially before and after preparing or handling food, after using the toilet, after coming into contact with animals or animal waste, and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. 
• If you do not have immediate access to soap and water, hand sanitiser can be used to clean hands that are not visibly dirty. However, hand sanitiser does not effectively remove all types of disease-causing organisms (e.g., norovirus), so soap and water should be used to wash hands wherever possible.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze - if you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow, not into your hand.
• Clean surfaces that people touch a lot (e.g. door handles), and regularly clean and disinfect all areas in contact with food.
• Ensure occupied spaces are well ventilated and let fresh air in.
• If you are unwell, try to stay home or avoid contact with other people. Some diseases have specific exclusion periods: read more about these on the NHS website.

The NHS website has helpful information and advice on effective hand washing, including pictures and videos.

Winter can be a challenging time for a lot of us – financial concerns, family pressures, and feelings of isolation can all take a toll on mental health.

If you are struggling with your mental health this winter, or you’re worried about someone you know, support is available to help you.

• Visit Keep Your Head for information on mental health support and services available in Cambridgeshire.
• Text the word HEAR to 85258 for real-time confidential support. Texts are free and available 24/7 for anyone who lives, works, or studies in Cambridgeshire.
• Call Lifeline (run by local charity Lifecraft) on 0808 808 2121 to talk to a friendly member of the team who can help you explore options and signpost you to other organisations. Calls are free and available 11am to 11pm to those aged 17 or older living in Cambridgeshire.
• Create a personalised Mind Plan just for you, with tips from mental health experts and small, achievable actions you can take.
• Visit How Are You Cambridgeshire for a range of activities, local groups and support services near you.

For urgent mental health concerns, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option.

Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, and pneumonia.

Heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. Low indoor temperatures can have a serious impact on your health.

Simple changes can help to keep you and your home warm. These include:

• Try to heat rooms you spend a lot of time in, such as the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C.
• Try to reduce draughts; you can fit draft excluders around doors cheaply.
• Keep your bedroom windows closed at night.
• Wear several layers of thinner clothing; this could keep you warmer than one thicker layer.
• If you have an electric blanket, use it as instructed and get it tested every three years. Never use a hot water bottle with an electric blanket. 

It is important to make sure that your heating and cooking appliances are safe. Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure they’re working properly. You can find an engineer from the Gas Safe Register website.

When a house is damp as well as cold, mould is more likely to occur. This can increase the risk of illness, especially from breathing difficulties or asthma.

If your house struggles with condensation and mould, recognise the signs and make small changes to reduce the amount of moisture in your home. Simple things like opening windows when showering and cooking and keeping lids on pots and pans when cooking can make a difference.

Visit GOV.UK to learn how mould can affect your home. It covers your landlord's responsibilities (if you rent) and what you can do in your own home. 

• Prepare for cold weather - stock up on essential foods and medication to reduce trips out or in case it is harder than usual to leave the house. 
• Exercise and eating healthy - taking part in exercise and eating healthy is good for you all year round and can help you keep warm in winter. Find tasty and affordable meals with easy step-by-step recipes from the Better Health website.
• If you need to go out in cold weather, wear shoes with slip resistant, good grip soles. Make sure you are not caught out by snow and ice by planning ahead. 
• In periods of severe weather such as snow and ice, do not travel unless necessary. Get up to date traffic information by following Cambs Traffic on Facebook or X. 

Remember that older neighbours, friends and family members may need some extra help over the winter.

There’s a lot of simple things you can do to help people who need support. Keep in touch with them and ask whether they need any help.

• Check their home is heated to a comfortable temperature.
• Prevent falls by making sure floors are free from clutter and trailing wires and move rugs away from the top or bottom of the stairs. Non-slip mats can prevent slipping at home.
• Make sure they have their prescription medicines and help them order repeat prescriptions via the NHS app.

Fallen leaves and icy pavements and roads can be very slippery, making falls more likely. Encourage older friends and family members to use our interactive risk checking tool to help them stay steady on their feet. It contains lots of simple tips to stay active, independent, and safe during everyday activities whilst reducing the risk of falls.

Make sure walking aids are in a good condition. Cambridgeshire Libraries can help you check the rubber feet (ferrules) of walking aids for wear and tear and replace them if necessary. This service is available at our 33 libraries and three mobile libraries.

Find out more about being a winter friend for older people. 

Warm and welcoming spaces are available within your local community, where you can find a safe and friendly environment to socialise and meet other people and share the company of others.

Sometimes refreshments (such as hot drinks) are available, as well as information and advice if you are struggling with the cost of living.

Warm hubs and spaces are free and open to everyone.

• Cambridge City warm spaces
• East Cambridgeshire community hubs
• Fenland community hubs
• Huntingdonshire community spaces
• South Cambridgeshire community hubs

You’ll also always find a warm welcome in libraries across Cambridgeshire. Our libraries provide a warm space for everyone during the colder months, with access to study spaces, free Wi-Fi, thousands of books, and more.

A number of our libraries also offer hot drinks during some parts of the day.

If you’re worried about heating your home this winter, support is available. There are grants, benefits, and sources of advice available to help you make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating, or help manage energy bills.

If you are finding it difficult financially to heat your home, you can seek financial support. There are also support measures in place to help with the cost of living, especially for those on low incomes. Ofgem has information about help that ould be available if you cannot afford your energy bills; as well as information for pre-payment meter users and information about getting a smart meter.

Local support to reduce your energy bills and heat your home

If you live in Cambridge City, Fenland, Huntingdonshire or East Cambridgeshire contact PECT on 0800 802 1773, email energyadvice@pect.org.uk, or visit https://www.pect.org.uk/energy-advice/.   

If you live in South Cambridgeshire contact LEAP on 0800 060 7560, email support@applyforleap.org.uk, or visit https://applyforleap.org.uk/apply/.  

Friendly advisors can provide free expert advice on cutting household bills and keeping your home warm for less.

Grants of up to £400 are available for individuals and families living in Cambridgeshire who rely on oil to heat their homes and water and are struggling to do so because of significant rises in oil costs.

Eligibility criteria and information on how to apply can be found on the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation website.

Simple changes to the way you use your energy can make a big difference, helping you to bring down your costs and comfort during the colder months.

• Turn off lights when you leave a room. Consider switching to LED lightbulbs as these use less energy than traditional lightbulbs.
• Switch off applicants when they’re not in use rather than leaving them on standby.
• Run the washing machine at a lower temperature – you can often do everyday washes at 30°C. This uses around 40% less electricity over a year than washing at higher temperatures.
• Keep radiators clear from furniture and bleed them regularly so that warm air can circulate through rooms more efficiently. If your radiators are hot at the bottom but cold at the top, they probably need bleeding.
• Draught proof windows and doors to stop heat escaping.
• Keep lids on pots and pans when cooking to reduce heat loss.

In Cambridgeshire, up to one in three people who are eligible for Pension Credit are not claiming it. The average household could get around £186 per month.

Pension Credit is extra money to help with living costs if you're over State Pension age and on a low income.

Some other benefits are dependent on receiving Pension Credit, such as:

• The Winter Fuel Payment.
• A free TV licence if you're aged 75 or over.
• Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and hospital transport costs.
• Other benefits depending on your circumstances.

Check if you’re eligible and how much you might get on GOV.UK.

You can claim for Pension Credit on the GOV.UK website.

The Cambridgeshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme provides fully funded holiday scheme places during the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays for eligible primary and secondary school children.

The next HAF Programme operates over Christmas from 21 to 31 December 2026. The Provider Directory will be available from 9 November 2026.

Each eligible child can book up to 16 hours, with fun activities, a healthy meal and snacks included.

Best Start Family Hubs

Best Start Family Hubs, network sites and outreach offer groups, events, activities, courses and support for families with children aged 0-19, and children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).

You can find details of groups, activities, events and courses on Cambridgeshire Online Directory.

• You can filter the events by postcode.
• Alternatively you can choose a Family Hub or network site in the directory and see the events at this site under 'Related services' at the bottom of the page.

Each event will have contact details and venue information.

Cambridgeshire Libraries

Cambridgeshire libraries have 100s of free or low-cost events for families taking place in our 33 libraries this winter.

Get involved with LEGO clubs, indoor gardening, board and games mornings, and all sorts of craft activities.

• Find events on the Library.Live website.
• Search for activities taking place in Cambridgeshire Libraries.
• Cambridgeshire Libraries Families Facebook page.

How Are You Cambridgeshire

Wherever you live in Cambridgeshire, you can find a range of free and low-cost groups and activities to help boost your wellbeing this winter. 

Whether you’re looking for a safe and friendly space to meet new people, get active, or learn a new skill, How Are You Cambridgeshire brings you activities and support from across the county all in one place.   

50 Things to Do

Discover 50 fun and educational activities for children in Cambridgeshire.

From outdoor adventures to creative crafts, make memories as a family with these free or low-cost activities and events near you.

• 50 Things to Do activities.
• 50 Things to Do local events.
• Download the 50 Things mobile app.

• Check the weather forecasts or download the Met Office Weather Forecast app where you can create alerts for your area. Pay particular attention to any National Severe Weather Warnings covering your area, and act on any advice issued.
• Make sure you know who your power provider is and how to contact them if you have a power outage. Read advice on preparing for power cuts.
• Charge mobile phones, power banks and any back-up batteries for medical equipment in case there is a power cut.
• Secure loose objects such as ladders, trampolines, garden furniture, toys or play equipment, or anything else that could be blown around in high winds.
• Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those the side of the building facing the wind, and large doors such as those on garages.
• Park vehicles in a garage, if available – otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences.
• Check if schools and colleges are planning to close and make alternative childcare arrangements if necessary.
• Check on those in your community who might need extra help and offer practical support (e.g. help obtaining food or medication) if possible.

• Try not to go outside unless absolutely necessary. If you do go outside, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings, fences, boundary walls and trees. If possible, enter and leave your house through doors on the sheltered side, closing them behind you.
• Limit travel as much as you can. If you need to make a journey, allow extra time and check for the latest advice from your travel operator ahead of time, and adhere to ‘Do Not Travel’ notices.
• If you need to drive, take care on exposed routes such as bridges, or high open roads, delay your journey or find alternative routes if possible. Slow down and be aware of side winds, particularly if you are towing or are a high sided vehicle.
• Check on those in your community who might need extra help and offer practical support (e.g. help obtaining food or medication) if possible.
• Do not go outside to repair damage to your property while the storm is in progress.
• Storms can cause water outages by fallen trees or flooding damaging the water network. Check what to do in a water supply interruption or outage.

Flooding can happen anywhere and to anyone, not just to those who live near rivers. Heavy rain, surface water, overflowing drains, or groundwater can all cause flooding.

While it’s not always possible to stop flooding, we can always be prepared.

Knowing what to do before, during and after a flood can make a big difference. It can help protect your home, business and community and make it easier to recover if flooding happens.

• Sign up for flood warnings.
• Make a flood plan to help you act quickly if flooding is expected.
• Check if there is a local flood group in your area.
• Make sure your home insurance includes flood cover and check that your policy is up to date.
• Make your home more resilient to flooding by implementing practical changes that reduce damage, protect essential areas, and help your home dry out and recover quickly after a flood.

Anyone can check whether their property is at risk of flooding by visiting the GOV.UK website.

How to report flooding in a property, home or garden

This includes:

• Water in your house or business
• Flooded gardens, sheds, garages, or other outbuildings

Report flooding in a property, home or garden.

Report a flooding problem on roads and pavements

This includes:

• Flooded roads
• Blocked drains or gullies
• Water covering footpaths

The council assesses these road flooding reports within 10 working days.

Report a highways flooding problem.

Flooding can cause significant damage, and it may take several months to fully recover. You should:

• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible, keeping accurate records of all conversations.
• Only re-enter the property when it is safe to do so.
• Take photographs of any damage to show to your insurance company.
• Disinfect hard surfaces and belongings.
• Make sure the property is fully dried out and has been deemed safe.

For practical advice on what to do if your property floods, please visit our recovering from a flood webpage.

Our winter season lasts from 1 November to 15 April and throughout this time our fleet of gritters and drivers will be on standby.

We post regular updates on our Facebook channel, including when we will grit the roads and any weather warnings.

The Snow Code provides useful advice for residents and businesses on clearing snow and ice from pathways and driveways. 

See gritting routes and frequently asked questions. 

Winter is one of the toughest times of the year for our roads, but we're committed to getting ahead of the problem.

The council has invested an extra £5 million in our highways for winter readiness work. We have a total of 30 kilometres of preventative treatments planned across Cambridgeshire's roads, including general repairs, preventative and structural patching, and crack sealing.

By fixing roads early, we can help prevent potholes and other damage caused by cold weather, heavy rain, and tired road surfaces. This is part of our commitment to improve our roads, ensure safer journeys, and create a more resilient highway network for everyone.