Stop smoking service makes real difference for Dianne

Blackburn with Darwen’s Stop Smoking Service offers a range of personalised support to help you stop smoking.

Since coming under Council control in April 2013 the service has helped over 1,800 people to try and quit for good.

One person who did just that recently is Dianne Blackmore, from Blackburn, but for her accessing the smoking cessation clinic at her local Geloo Pharmacy, Wellington Street, Blackburn, became about more than just getting help to stop smoking but also getting help to improve her general wellbeing.

Dianne started attending the pharmacy in September 2013 and working with Val Bottomley, Stop Smoking Adviser and Healthy Living Champion there, was able to get support and advice to stop smoking but also have someone to talk to about other problems she was experiencing.

Val made extra time for Dianne at their weekly sessions, giving her advice based on her own life experiences and going above and beyond just smoking cessation to try and help Dianne.

So grateful was Dianne for all the help she received that she wrote a glowing letter of thanks. She said: “Val is an asset to the pharmacy and Blackburn with Darwen’s stop smoking service. She has supported me throughout. Since seeing Val I have not only stopped smoking but have found a chance at being happy on a regular basis. I have found that although many professionals offer advice etc, the ‘textbook’ approach does not work. It’s Val’s common sense combined with life experience that makes her so good at her job plus the fact that she personally seems to care about the individual’s welfare.”

Val said: “It’s so nice to hear Dianne appreciated the service we gave her and a real privilege to be able to help someone and impact on their life in this way. I couldn’t believe it when I first read the letter, I was absolutely stunned.  I love my job and always think giving help to someone to give up smoking is worthwhile but this feedback from Dianne was above and beyond. I’m so proud and in awe of her as she’s done so well.”

On top of clinics in pharmacies and GP surgeries the stop smoking service is expanding all the time with trained stop smoking advisers now able to provide support in communities where it is needed most.
Weekly clinics have so far been set up at Green Lane Community Centre on Thursdays 3-5.30pm and at Blackburn College for students and staff, Wednesdays 1.30-4pm.

These clinics offer one-to-one consultation with a trained stop smoking adviser, follow-up appointments, clinic times, quit kits and information and signposting support.

More advisers will soon be in place to offer even more help.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Executive Member for health and adult social care, said: “This is a really heart-warming story and I’m delighted that our stop smoking service is helping people in this way. Research shows you are four times more likely to quit with support than on your own and has been shown here the service’s help can make a big difference. If you want help to quit for good, get in touch today.”

For further information you can contact the Blackburn with Darwen Stop Smoking Service on (01254) 587999 or email: quitsmoking@blackburn.gov.uk.

For a list of local stop smoking clinics visit: http://refreshbwd.com/information/stop-smoking-service.html