This week is Alcohol Awareness Week, an annual campaign by Alcohol Change UK. The theme this year is ‘Alcohol and me’ encouraging us to reflect on the role alcohol plays in our lives.

It isn’t always easy to open up about our alcohol use. Finding out more about alcohol harm, how it affects us and those around us, can help us take better control. Cutting down even a little can improve sleep, mood, energy, fertility, relationships, and overall wellbeing, with the positive effects reaching far beyond ourselves.

To check your drinking and find out more about alcohol, use these interactive tools (Alcohol Change UK)

If you’d like to talk to someone, free, local support is available from Change Grow Live in Nottinghamshire.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an Amber Heat-Health Alert across the Midlands until Sunday 12 July. Here’s a quick reminder of their advice on how to keep yourself and others safe and well:

• drink plenty of fluids
• keep out of the sun in the hottest parts of the day
• when outside, cover up with suitable clothing, wear a sun hat and at least SPF 30 sunscreen
• take regular breaks if you’re working and do any physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog) during times of the day when it is cooler
• keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• check on others who might be at higher risk of becoming unwell
• keep pets safe with plenty of fresh drinking water and shaded from direct sunlight
• know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and what to do if you or someone else has them.

Carers’ roadshows take place across the county and city throughout the year, organised and led by local partner organisations with support from Nottinghamshire Carers Association.

The roadshows bring together local organisations, talent, community groups, and activities, for a fun, family-friendly day out for carers.

Upcoming dates are:

• Friday 10 July at New Houghton Community Centre NG19 8TE
• Thursday 23 July at Retford Market DN22 6DR
• Monday 27 July at Eagle Market Square, Arnold NG5 7EY
• Friday 31 July at Kirkby Plaza Popup Market NG17 1BE
• Tuesday 4 August City Central Library NG1 7FH
• Thursday 13 August at Hucknall Market NG15 7AX

Most events run from 10am to 2pm and there’s no need to book, just come along.

For details on further roadshows taking place until the end of the year and to check for updates, visit the Carers Space Notts website.

The school-aged immunisation service (SAIS) runs community clinics in the school holidays for secondary school children who have missed a vaccination in school or are home educated.

Vaccinations offered at the clinics are:

• MenACWY vaccine protects against meningitis and septicaemia caused by four groups of meningococcal bacteria – A, C, W and Y
• MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella
• Td/IPV vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and polio
• HPV vaccine protects against some cancers and genital warts linked to the HPV virus.

If your child has missed one of these vaccinations, book an appointment at a catch-up clinic in the summer holidays today.

Following feedback from people who used specialist mental health services, Healthwatch Nottingham and Nottinghamshire made recommendations to the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for improvements. They now want to know if people are experiencing any difference in care.

Specialist mental health services are adult mental health services provided by specialist teams such as community mental health teams, crisis services, and mental health inpatient wards.

The survey is open to:

• people aged 18 or over who have used, or been waiting to access, specialist mental health services since January 2025
• carers, family members, or supporters of someone in this situation.

The short survey closes on 31 July 2026 and all response are anonymous. Your views will help improve services for local people.

The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a one-off meningococcal B disease (MenB) vaccination programme to protect young people most at risk.

The vaccine will be available to:

• current year 13 students
• people under 25 starting university or moving into further education accommodation for the first time in autumn 2026.

Two doses are needed for full protection, with the first being offered from late July and the second dose from August.

From Monday 13 July 2026, people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 will be able to book an appointment online (NHS).

Older students can get vaccinated at walk-in sites.

Anyone who is eligible is encouraged to get both doses of the vaccine as soon as they can. You should also make sure you are up to date with your other vaccines.

The Nottinghamshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner recently reported that incidents of domestic abuse spike during men's football tournaments and reports increase by up to 38% when England play.

Anyone can experience domestic abuse regardless of their age, race, sex, gender identity, religion, or ethnicity. There are support services available to all victims of domestic abuse during the World Cup and at any time.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. To speak to the police in confidence call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. All are available 24 hours a day, 7 days week.