Giving up the smoke in Leicester

Advertisement

The Smoking Diaries: Serina's story

Community boxing trainer Serina Leeanne from New Parks has been documenting her fight to give up smoking in a series of online video diaries.

Around 40% of adults on the Leicester estate are smokers, almost twice the national average.

Social enterprise, Commonunity Arts is working in partnership with Leicester City NHS STOP! Smoking to target smokers through the short films.

Serina says she hopes to inspire others to quit by being a positive role model.

The mother of two was still a child herself when she picked up her first cigarette, and was smoking 20 a day before deciding to become part of the stop smoking project.

I've always used smoking as a stress release, so I think it will he hard when I get stressed out finding other strategies to cope. Serina Leanne, video diarist

Throughout the quitting process Serina will be provided with necessary preventatives, such as nicotine patches and inhalers.

And an NHS adviser who will chart her progress and provide an ear for any concerns.

"I have tried to stop smoking in the past but it's been very difficult. I feel confident because I've now got a stop smoking adviser to support me."

Serina runs the New Parks Community Boxing Gym with her partner Stuart Phillips.

"It was set up in April 2008 to help curb antisocial behaviour and crime in the local area.

It is now one of the driving forces in her decision to ditch the cigarettes.

"The young people are aware that I'm trying to stop smoking so I think if they could see my journey of trying to quit they might take that on board and try and quit themselves."

The highs and lows

Stopping smoking can often make people eat much more food, so Serina is keen to get back into boxing training for herself to stay in shape.

This has provided a welcome distraction from her cravings, as has taking her dog Max for long walks.

"I've always used smoking as a stress release, so I think it will he hard when I get stressed out finding other strategies to cope."

Serina's video diary is part of a wider project called Smokescreens.

Serina is tested to find out how much carbon monoxide is in her system

The organisations involved hope it will motivate other people to get in contact with the Leicester City NHS Stop Smoking Service, dispelling any misconceptions of the process and giving people an insight into what to expect.

So far the diary entries have charted Serina's successes and difficulties on her quitting quest.

She struggled with her cravings, had few sleepless nights and suffered increasing agitation.

"There has been occasions where I thought it might be easier to just go to the shop and get some cigarettes to try and help my irritability, but I just keep persevering really."

Her main smoking adviser Qasim Chowdary assured her that she was doing very well, and during the second week she took part in the launch of the Lose the Smoker in You campaign in New Parks where she swapped tips with TV's Dr Jonty Heaversedge.

You can continue to follow the highs and lows of Serina's diary online on Commonunity's YouTube page

To hear more about the stop smoking scheme in New Parks, and wider Leicester, listen to BBC Leicester's Breakfast Show with Ben Jackson, from 06:00-09:00 on Monday 23 November.