No help for smokers
Apparently this organisation offers a stop smoking service. Looks good on paper, but in reality it is less useful than the proverbial chocolate teapot.
Contact them from Essex and get referred to the 'essex wellbeing service'. The use of the word 'wellbeing' should be warning enough but anyway..
This is an NHS stop smoking service which sends anyone asking for the most effective drug known for smoking cessation (currently and for the past 10 years, varenicline or the former brandname 'champix') to pharmacies where they can obtain the drugs (which are listed as being available on the NHS) on a private prescription.
Despite Varenicline (previously supplied under the brand name 'Champix') being tested and demonstrated to be the most effective method of stopping smoking this service "doesn't have it and we tell anyone who wants it to go to a pharmacy and ask for it there".
So instead of the drug rated around the world as the most effective aid to smoking cessation, you will be obliged to listen to happy-clappy non-smoking 'advisors' who can apparently help you with 'behavioural issues' instead of actually helping you stop smoking. Plainly, this is a service which is contracted out by the NHS to a group that wants to make a profit. Chatting on the phone costs next to nothing, whereas prescribing drugs reduces their profits. Einstein-level IQ not required to see what that means.
This is a stop smoking service which refuses to prescribe NHS prescribable drugs on NHS prescriptions. An effort to look busy whilst providing no real help at all.
Worse, after explaining needs and reason for calling in a 20 minute initial call, you will then need to wait 3 weeks to speak to the 'specialist' who will excitedly tell you that in her 8 week 'course' she will be phoning you regularly. So, it even takes them 3 weeks to tell you that what you need, they don't offer.
That's enough to make anyone pick up a cigarette.