Case studies

Norfolk mum-of-four quits smoking - thanks to NHS Norfolk Health Trainer Service

A Norfolk mum-of-four has spoken of her joy at giving up smoking - which she attributes to willpower and the support of NHS Norfolk's Health Trainer Service.

Kerry Kearvell, 33, who lives in King's Lynn, had stopped smoking each time she was pregnant, but then started again. She last gave up when she was pregnant with her daughter Libby, who is now almost two years old.

"After having Libby I started smoking again," she recalled. "I regretted it."

But when Lynn Cook, a NHS Norfolk Health Trainer at King's Lynn, explained to Kerry about the amount of toxins found in cigarette smoke, and the effect these toxins have on the body, she was determined to quit for good.

Lynn told Kerry how the toxins in cigarette smoke can cling to clothes, meaning that even if you smoke outside these toxins are present on your clothes for two hours after you've stubbed out your cigarette.

Thanks to Lynn's support, Kerry has not smoked since November 15, 2010.

Kerry said: "Lynn has been brilliant. If I want her, she is there. I saw her once a week when I first gave up smoking and I know that I can call her now if I need to."

"I look at my kids - and that's what stops me smoking again. I feel emotionally better for giving up, and I don't seem to suffer so long with illnesses.

"I feel healthier when I'm dealing with the kids, and I'm not so breathless as I would have been in the past."

NHS Norfolk Health Trainers help Ewa quit smoking... and save more than £600

A Norfolk woman has praised the county's Health Trainer Service, after its support helped her quit her 30-a-day smoking habit.

Ewa Wilson, who lives in King's Lynn, had been smoking for more than 35 years until she gave up in November 2010. She estimates that she has saved £630 so far, thanks to her healthier lifestyle.

She had tried stopping smoking before, but her attempts had only lasted a few days. Now, thanks to the Health Trainer Service, she has managed to quit for good.

Ewa said: "I contacted the service as I wanted to stop smoking but knew I needed support to do this.

"When I had my first meeting, John made me realise that I did really want to quit smoking. We had a good talk, and he gave me lots of information and support. He explained the service to me really well.

"I feel good now I have stopped smoking. I can taste food better now, it has lots of flavours and I just feel healthier in myself.”

Ewa's lifestyle is now healthier in other ways too. She is going to join a gym and she is also eating more healthily following advice from the Health Trainers.
 

NHS Norfolk health trainers help Siobhan turn her life around

Norfolk mum Siobhan Yates is looking forward to a healthier and happier new year, after losing nearly a stone in weight and getting a taste for healthier foods.

It's all thanks to the King's Lynn health trainer service, which has offered her one-to-one support for the past six months.

Siobhan nearly 14.5 stone - before she began working with the health trainers.

"I just didn't want to do anything. I knew I was eating the wrong food" she said.

"I tried a diet club to help me lose weight, but had no success. Then I heard about the health trainer service, via a leaflet put through my door. I phoned them to find out more and was put in touch with my health trainer, Lucille Omurcan.

"She showed me how to lose weight by eating healthier foods. She also taught me the importance of doing more exercise."

Siobhan has three children and says that her healthy eating has had a positive impact on the whole family, encouraging them to eat more fruit and vegetables too.

Today she tips the scales at just 86kg - that's 13.5 stone - and feels much better for it.
 

Sophy quits smoking and gets fit

Mother of two Sophy Tarsey says her life has been changed by NHS Health Trainers who helped her quit smoking, take more exercise and eat better.

As a result she feels healthier, has taken up running and is also saving as much as £40 per week which she used to spend on cigarettes.

Sophie said: "It has made a huge amount of difference to my life. I gave up smoking in February and haven't touched cigarettes since.

"I have more energy, I have fewer colds, I can taste food better and I have a better sense of smell and I've got a bit more money for the things I want to buy.

"The support I got from James Yallop my Health Trainer, was really important. He supported me all the way."

James met regularly with Sophy to offer support because she has tried and failed to quit before. He is one of a team of Health Trainers who have been recruited from communities in King's Lynn, Norwich and Thetford. They work one-to-one with clients, supporting them to make the lifestyle changes they want. Some people want to quit smoking, some want to lose weight and others may want to change their exercise and diet to give themselves a new lease of life.

Sophy signed up to the King's Lynn Health Trainers scheme in February specifically to give up smoking. However, she was also supported to improve her diet and exercise. As a result she is a regular runner - she completed a 5k run for charity in July and is planning to run 10k to raise money for the RNLI in December.
"Give it a go," she said. "I found the Health Trainers very helpful. For me it was life changing, that sounds dramatic but it is true."