Click to quit with Yorkshire Smokefree
Smokers in Yorkshire now have a new way to quit with an innovative online support programme which allows quitters to create personal plans, receive motivational emails, and chat online with qualified advisors.
Yorkshire Smokefree is run by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and allows smokers in South Yorkshire, Calderdale and Wakefield to pick and mix their support to increase their chances of quitting.
As well as the online support programme, which is available 24/7 from mobiles, tablets and computers, quitters can also choose telephone and face to face support.
Telephone support is available 7 days a week from qualified advisors who are on hand through extended opening hours to provide motivation and support either by phone or text.
More traditional face to face support is available in convenient locations across the region.
The innovative online quit programme enables people looking to kick the habit to set personal goals which are rewarded with online ‘badges’ to celebrate reaching significant quit milestones which can be easily shared via social media. The tool also provides smokers with motivational information on the benefits of quitting smoking based on their personal reason for quitting.
Dave Ramsay, deputy director of operations, said: “Our new Yorkshire Smokefree service unites our local services and allows us to offer an even broader range of support and expertise than before, including our unique online quit tool, videos and live chat.
We’re one of the largest NHS stop smoking services in the country and wanted to be able to offer our thousands of quitter a new way to quit, making the best use of new technology. In so many other areas of our life we are used to receiving online support – so why not in health services too?
We have listened carefully to what quitters have told us about their experiences and also responded to market trends in online communications – for example, our extensive range of new videos includes a series of instructional videos that show how to use nicotine replacement therapies. Many people prefer this method to written communication and studies show that information is easier to recall and aids greater understanding.
We’re looking forward to monitoring the take-up of our new online offering, alongside our more traditional routes, to help reach a new audience and improve their experience with our service.”
To find out more about Yorkshire Smokefree, visit www.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk or call 0800 6120011.