Riversdale Surgery

02/06/2026

01/06/2026

🧠 Mental Health Matters: Local Support, Right Here in Bridgend 💚
​We know that life can get overwhelming, and taking care of your mental well-being is just as important as looking after your physical health. If you or a loved one are going through a difficult time, you don’t have to face it alone.
​We want to remind our community about the fantastic, free, and confidential services available through Mental Health Matters Wales (MHM Wales) right here in the Bridgend area.
​Whether you are dealing with anxiety, stress, loneliness, or depression, MHM Wales offers a range of community-based support, including:
​Community Hubs & Drop-ins: Safe spaces to meet others, talk, and access peer support.
​Well-being Groups: Activities designed to help you build coping mechanisms and boost your mood.
​Information & Advocacy: Helping you navigate your options and ensuring your voice is heard.
​📍 How to Access Support
​You don’t always need to see a GP to get help. You can explore their local services and reach out directly:
​Phone: 01656 651405 or 01656 767045
​Website: mhmwales.org.uk
​Email: [email protected]
​🚨 Please Note: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent help, please call 111 to reach the NHS mental health services (available 24/7), or call 999 in an immediate emergency.
​Please share this post with friends and family in the Bridgend area—you never know who might need to see it today. 👇
​

29/05/2026

26/05/2026

☀️ Dealing with the heat? Keep this checklist in mind!
​There are heat health alerts across the country. To help stay safe and well, here is your quick daily checklist:
​🔲 Sunscreen & Hat – Protect yourself from UV rays.
🔲 Water – Stay hydrated throughout the day.
🔲 Check Neighbors – Keep an eye on vulnerable relatives or neighbors.
🔲 Stay in the Shade – Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
​For full, official advice on how to cope in hot weather, visit the NHS website:
➡️ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/
​If you feel unwell, contact NHS 111 or your local pharmacy. In an emergency, always call 999.
​

26/05/2026

Hayfever season is here.

Please visit nhs.uk/hayfever for tips on how to manage your hayfever.

Symptoms include:
-sneezing and coughing
-a runny or blocked nose
-itchy, red or watery eyes
-itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
-loss of smell
-pain around the sides of your head and your forehead
-headache
-feeling tired

To help prevent your symptoms, it is recommended to keep windows closed, not dry laundry outside and shower/change clothes when coming indoors from outside; wear sunglasses to prevent pollen getting in the eyes, and using vaseline around the nostrils to prevent pollen getting up the nose.

For treatments, your first port of call should be the pharmacy. We would recommend antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, nasal washouts such as sterimar, and eye drops. There is nothing we can prescribe that you can not get in the supermarket/chemist or on the pharmacy common ailments scheme.

24/05/2026

Exam Season Support: Helping Your Child Navigate Exam Stress 🧠✨

​With exam season well underw ay, we know it can be a highly stressful time—not just for the students, but for the whole family. A little bit of pressure can help us focus, but when it turns into overwhelming stress, it can impact a child's well-being.
​As a surgery, we want to remind you that you aren't alone, and there are practical steps you can take at home to support your child’s mental and physical health.

​🌟 How You Can Help at Home

• ​Watch Out for Stress: Stress doesn't always look like anxiety. Keep an eye out for irritability, sudden changes in behavior, or physical complaints like headaches and stomach aches.

• ​Help Your Child Get Enough Sleep: A tired brain struggles to focus. Encourage them to wind down without screens for an hour before bed to help them get the 8–10 hours of sleep they need.

• ​Encourage Exercise: Physical activity is a fantastic stress-buster. Even a quick 15-minute walk outside, a bike ride, or dancing to their favorite music can clear their mind and boost their mood.

• ​Make Sure Your Child Eats Well: High-sugar snacks can lead to energy crashes. Try to provide balanced meals and nutritious snacks to keep their energy levels and concentration steady.

• ​Talk About Exam Nerves: Remind them that feeling nervous is completely normal. Give them space to talk about their worries without judgment, and reassure them that exams do not define their worth.

• ​Get Help: You don't have to carry this alone. If your child is feeling overwhelmed, encourage them to talk to a teacher or yourself.

​🛑 When to Seek Professional Support
​It is entirely normal to feel nervous before an exam. However, if your child is experiencing prolonged anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, regular panic attacks, or is struggling to cope, please reach out.

​How you can get help. "Please reach out - schools provide counselling services, BCBC Early Help can provide support - https://www.bridgend.gov.uk/residents/children-and-young-people/early-help-services/ or contact your GP."

​🔗 Free, Trusted Resources
​If your child wants to talk to someone anonymously, or if you'd like more expert tips, we highly recommend:
• ​YoungMinds: (youngminds.org.uk) – Excellent guides for parents and trackable advice for youth.
• ​Childline: (Call 0800 1111) – Free, confidential support available 24/7.
• ​NHS Every Mind Matters: Practical digital tools for managing stress.
​Take a deep breath, parents. You're doing a great job. Please share this post with any local families who might need a little extra reassurance this month! 💙
​

20/05/2026

🛑 Surgery Notice: Bank Holiday Monday Closure 🛑
​We will be closed on Monday, 25th May 2026 for the Bank Holiday. We will reopen as normal at 8am on Tuesday, 26th May 2026
​If you need medical assistance while we are closed, please remember that regular emergency services and alternative care are still available:
​For life-threatening emergencies: Call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
​For urgent medical advice (non-life-threatening): Please use NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) or call 111. They can direct you to the best local service or arrange an out-of-hours appointment if necessary.
​For minor ailments: Check with your local pharmacy, as many keep holiday hours to help with allergies, minor cuts, or over-the-counter medicine.
​
​Thank you for your cooperation, and we hope you have a safe and healthy Bank Holiday weekend. ☀️

15/05/2026

Taking care of others? Let us take care of you. ☕

​Don’t forget our Bridgend Carers Drop-In Session is happening today at Riversdale Surgery! Whether you need a bit of advice, help navigating support services, or just a friendly chat with people who "get it," our doors are open.

13/05/2026

📢 Staff Training Closure: Thursday 21st May 2026​The surgery will be closed for Protected Learning Time on Thursday from 1:00 PM To 6.30pm
​To ensure we continue to provide the highest standard of care, our entire team—including doctors, nurses, and admin staff—will be participating in essential training sessions this afternoon.
​📍 Need medical help while we are closed?
• ​For urgent medical concerns that cannot wait until tomorrow, please call NHS 01443 444068 .
• ​In a life-threatening emergency, always dial 999.
• ​We will re-open as normal at 8:00 AM on Friday 22nd May 2026.
​Thank you for your support and understanding!