ABL Health

19/06/2026

“From that moment, it was my mission to actually try and do something about it.”

Earlier this year, Liz Woodworth was recognised in the New Year Honours List. And this week, she was formally presented with her British Empire Medal at a ceremony in Derbyshire. 💜

Liz has helped over 35,000 people quit smoking - inspired by the loss of a close friend and seeing first-hand the impact smoking can have on people and their families.

If you’re thinking about quitting, support is here for you. To see our list of local services, from Sunderland to Torbay, visit: ablhealth.co.uk/services/stop-smoking

17/06/2026

These powerful words were shared by LGBTQIA+ young people during a co-production workshop, reflecting the importance of acceptance, identity and hope.

At BeU Support, we know that feeling able to be yourself can have a positive impact on your wellbeing. That's why we're committed to listening to young people and ensuring their voices help shape the support we provide.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and contributed to these important conversations. 🌈

15/06/2026

Everyone deserves to feel accepted, valued and empowered to be themselves.

This quote was shared during a co-production workshop with LGBTQIA+ individuals, where participants spoke openly about their experiences and what support, understanding and acceptance mean to them.

At ABL Health, we're proud to listen to and learn from the communities we work alongside. By understanding and amplifying lived experiences, we can help create spaces where people feel seen, heard and empowered to thrive.

🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🤎🖤🩶🤍

🌈

03/06/2026

We understand the importance of meeting people exactly where they are. So our HLS Gloucestershire team has been out doing just that – on the airwaves and in local communities across and .

Recently, the team featured twice on BBC Gloucestershire ‘Wake Up Call’ with Jon Smith whilst out attending local community events in support of and .

Across both events, attendees had the chance to speak with local organisations, access advice, have their blood pressure checked, and receive guidance on using the NHS App - helping people take simple, practical steps towards better health.

A huge thank you to Zoe Hopkins, Joe Greedy and Liam Sweeney for joining the show to talk about the support we offer across Gloucestershire, and how we encourage people to change their lives for the better.

You can listen back to the conversations on BBC Sounds via the links below. 🎧👇

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w7z6 - 3:08.45

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002wk9m - 3:36.21

For those based in Gloucestershire, free, friendly support is available. Visit hlsglos.org to learn more.

NHS Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust Forest Voluntary Action Forum - FVAF Springbank Community Group CiC Active Gloucestershire GlosDigi Gloucestershire County Council

29/05/2026

A record number of children and young people are now waiting for mental health support, while urgent referrals remain alarmingly high.

The latest NHS data, analysed by YoungMinds, show a system under unprecedented strain – and reveal the cost of intervening too late.

Across our Be U services at ABL Health, our teams see the human reality behind these statistics every day. We know that early intervention is a lifeline. Giving young people early, trusted and local access to emotional and mental health support and strategies is key to breaking this cycle and preventing distress from becoming entrenched.

Read the full analysis in this article by Storm Newton for The Independent:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/mental-health-children-youngminds-march-data-b2984602.html

27/05/2026

"Up to 2 in 3 smokers will die too soon, unless they stop."

is a powerful campaign from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside's All Together Smokefree programme led by Champs Public Health Collaborative.

When you stop smoking, it's not just your life that's changed for the better. You also protect the health and wellbeing of those who you care about the most.

For more information on free support available, visit smokingendshere.com. If you're based in or , you can also access completely free stop smoking support with our local services ABL Wirral and Smokefree Sefton.

22/05/2026

📻 ☀️ Friday morning with BBC Radio Gloucestershire ☀️ 📻

This morning, our Area Lead Zoe and Head of Service Joe had the pleasure of speaking to Jon on BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Wake Up Call show.

The show is happening over the next couple of weeks across different areas of the county, providing information to listeners about the different support available.

If you missed us on the show this morning, don't worry! Just head to BBC Sounds to catch up on Jon Smith's show 👍 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w7z6

30/04/2026

The To***co and Vapes Bill has officially become law! This means that children growing up today will never legally be sold ci******es, protecting them from a lifetime of addiction and health risks.

At ABL Health, we know that stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health and your family. We have already helped over 37,000 people across our communities quit for good - and we aren't stopping there!

While this law protects the next generation, we are still right here to support you. Whether you’re ready to quit today or just thinking about it, our friendly, expert teams provide the support you need to succeed.

Find your local ABL stop smoking service by visiting ablhealth.co.uk/services/stop-smoking. 💜

14/04/2026

Are we really listening to what "accessible" means? 👂

At ABL, we believe that everyone deserves an equal chance to live a healthier, smoke-free life. But we also know that a "one-size-fits-all" approach doesn’t work. To truly bridge the gap in smoking cessation, we have to listen and understand the people who use our services.

For those with visual impairments, the path to quitting smoking often comes with unique barriers. That’s why our Sunderland Specialist Stop Smoking Service has partnered with Thomas Pocklington Trust’s Sight Loss Councils to run co-production workshops with visually impaired adults - helping us to make real, practical changes to ensure our support is genuinely inclusive for everyone.

Sarah Lever and Jack Moffat sat down with RNIB Connect Radio to reflect on the findings from these workshops. Listen to the full discussion via the link below.

https://audioboom.com/posts/8884117-improving-accessibility-of-smoking-cessation-services-in-sunderland

08/04/2026

In this month's issue of the Bolton Post, our smoking cessation expert Liz Woodworth shares seven practical, supportive tips to help residents take that first step towards quitting.

No matter how long you’ve smoked, stopping can bring immediate and long‑lasting benefits - and you don’t have to quit alone. If you’re based in Bolton and looking for expert support to quit smoking, get in touch with our Your Health Bolton team today.

Read the full article here: https://www.flipsnack.com/BD9B78BBDC9/bolton-post-april-2026-issue-01/full-view.html?p=9

Post Community News GM

Smoking remains one of the biggest causes of preventable illness and death. But the good news is clear – no matter how long you’ve smoked, stopping brings immediate and long-lasting benefits. 💜

In this article published by the Bolton Post, our smoking cessation expert Liz Woodworth shares seven practical tips for any Bolton resident thinking about quitting smoking.

Find out more via: https://www.flipsnack.com/BD9B78BBDC9/bolton-post-april-2026-issue-01/full-view.html?p=9

Post Community News GM Let's Keep Bolton Moving