October is Stoptober, a health campaign that encourages people to stop smoking. This month, we want to highlight some of the fantastic work our QUIT team does.
The QUIT team offers our service users and people who work for us help to stop smoking or vaping. The QUIT programme recognises that smoking is an addiction, that often starts in childhood – not a lifestyle choice. Tobacco addiction is a preventable illness and there are very effective treatments for it.
Developed in partnership with Yorkshire Cancer Research, the QUIT team ensures that treatment for tobacco addiction is built into the routine care offered to every service user in our care. The service is also offered to people who work for us.
Service users and staff who take part in the QUIT programme are offered:
- 12 weeks of one to one behavioural support
- 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
- Free vapes
- Tools to support an individual manage withdrawals and maintain motivation
Kathleen's journey to a smokefree life:
Kathleen had been a smoker for 24 years, starting at the young age of 10. Smoking had become deeply ingrained in her daily routine. She had made numerous attempts to stop smoking, using nicotine patches. However, struggled with the withdrawal and urges to smoke.
There were several reasons that kept Kathleen motivated through out her journey to becoming smokefree. Kathleen has asthma and other long term health conditions which require healthcare input, she knew that continuing to smoke, could potentially worsen these conditions.
She reported using cigarettes as a coping mechanism in managing her mental health particularly during more anxiety and stress inducing situations. Kathleen was aware there were healthier alternatives to managing her mental wellbeing and being more financially stable was another motivation,
Lastly and most importantly to Kathleen, was to set a positive example for her daughter, to demonstrate that smoking didn’t have to be the normal in their family.
Kathleen first encountered the QUIT programme during a hospital admission, however, was a little resistant to the smokefree ward environment and the smokefree policy, she was however compliant and accepting of a Trust provided vape. Upon returning home, she experienced strong cravings but was surprised to find the taste and smell of cigarettes unpleasant. This marked a turning point in her journey.
“I know I didn't like been told I couldn't smoke on the ward but looking back I can see why you don't let anyone smoke. It helped when I got home. The taste and the smell was horrible”.
Kathleen
“I felt heard and never judged, even when struggling, I felt like I could tell you (Debs) anything and you let me guide myself and encouraged my self learning books”.
Kathleen
Kathleen credits the QUIT team, especially her advisor Debs, with helping her navigate the emotional and physical challenges of quitting. Kathleen appreciated being treated as the expert in her own journey, with Debs acting as a guide, providing support and encouragement.
Kathleen has remained smoke-free and now actively encourages others to quit. She finds joy in surrounding herself with non-smokers and promoting healthier lifestyles. Kathleen’s success has been the driver to her making positive changes in other areas of her life, for example, she has enrolled in parenting classes to strengthen her role as a mother.
Advisor reflection
Debs describe Kathleen as a resilient and inspiring individual who has made remarkable progress. Her journey reflects not only physical recovery but emotional growth and renewed purpose.
“Kathleen has come a long way. She’s not just smoke-free, she’s thriving. I can’t wait to see what’s next for her and her daughter.”
More information
If you're not a SHSC staff member or service user but want to quit, you can find more information here. If you're a service user, please speak to your key worker to request a referral to the QUIT service.
