Our guide to winter health & wellbeing for carers in Tower Hamlets

January 16th, 2026

Winter demands a lot from unpaid carers. You are often so busy monitoring the health of the person you care for – checking the thermostat, managing prescriptions, watching for winter illnesses – that your own wellbeing falls to the bottom of the list. This is especially important for carers who may need a little more support over the winter months due to the effects of the cold weather, such as people who are 65 or older, or those who have an ongoing health condition such as heart or kidney disease, COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma or diabetes.

At Carers Centre Tower Hamlets (CCTH), we want to help you stay well this winter. Here is your essential guide to local health services, warm spaces, and emergency planning for the 2025/26 season.

Get the vaccinations that you are entitled to
It is vital to know your eligibility this year. As an unpaid carer, you are considered a priority for the free flu jab. If you receive Carer’s Allowance or are the main carer for an older or disabled person, you are eligible. Contact your GP or a local pharmacy in Tower Hamlets today.

For Autumn/Winter 2025, unpaid carers are not automatically eligible for the Covid booster based on carer status alone. You will likely only be offered one if you are aged 75+, or if you (or the person you care for) have a specific weakened immune system.

Check your medicine cabinet
In the case of an emergency should you or the person you are caring for become ill, make sure you have enough prescriptions and basics (paracetamol, thermometer) to last through a cold snap.

It is also helpful register for repeat prescriptions if required. Ask your pharmacy if they can manage repeat prescriptions so you don’t have to visit the surgery as often.

Stay warm – Tower Hamlets “Warm Hubs”
If you are worried about heating costs, or just need to get out of the house, Tower Hamlets Council and partners are running Warm Hubs this winter. These are safe spaces to sit, stay warm, and have a hot drink.

Where are the Warm Hubs located?

• Idea Stores: Open at Whitechapel, Bow, and Chrisp Street (Mon–Fri, 10am–12pm & 4pm–5pm).
• Libraries: Cubitt Town and Bethnal Green libraries also offer warm sessions.
• Tip: These hubs often have staff on hand who can signpost you to further cost-of-living support.

The Carers Emergency Card
The biggest worry for many carers is: “What happens if I get ill?” If you haven’t done so yet, register for the Tower Hamlets Carers Emergency Card.

• How it works: You carry a card with a unique reference number. If you are taken ill or have an emergency, you (or a medic) call the number.
• The Safety Net: This triggers a pre-agreed plan to ensure the person you care for is looked after—giving you 24/7 peace of mind.
• Action: Call us at CCTH on 020 7790 1765 to help you set this up.

Stay active indoors or outdoors
It is tempting to stay indoors at winter, but staying active boosts your immune system. If you can’t get out to our walking groups, try to move every hour. Simple seated exercises can keep circulation flowing and keep you warmer than sitting still.

If you’d rather take some time to leave the house, the Carers Centre has a schedule activities scheduled over the winter months, designed specifically to support carers’ health and wellbeing. View the Events Calendar.

The Carers Centre is here to support carers over the winter
If you need support or advice, please contact us.

Call us: 020 7790 1765
Email: enquiries@ccth.org.uk
Visit us: 21 Brayford Square, London, E1 0SG