Useful Information For Parents/Carers
Family Information Network Directory-The Special Educational Needs And Disability Newsletter For Lancashire Families.
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| SEND_Newsletter_Spring_2024.pdf | Download |
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| SEND_Newsletter_Winter_2023.pdf | Download |
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| SEND Newsletter Autumn 2023.pdf | Download |
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| SEND Newsletter Summer 2023.pdf | Download |
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| FIND Newsletter Spring 2023 (2).pdf | Download |
Family Support Agencies and Local Services.
Gingerbread:
Gingerbread is a family support and information service base. Gingerbread provides advice on welfare benefits, relationship breakdowns and co-parenting difficulties. Single parents in the northwest can access the following support from Gingerbread:
Enrolling in the Make it Work pre-employment scheme, which offers a specialist self-employment advice service.
Signing up for Marks & Start programme. Gingerbread continues to seek referrals and partnerships from Job Centre Plus across the north west to delivery Marks and Start programmes.
Call free helpline and speak to a specialist single parent adviser. Support on child maintenance, benefit, tax issues or going back to work.
Accessing extensive single parent information content online covering topics from separation and bereavement to childcare and managing holidays as a single parent.
Joining in the discussion with other single parents on the online single parent forum.
Website: gingerbread.org.uk/information/
Make it work Pre-employment scheme/Marks & Start programme. Contact: 0808 802 0925 yvonne.smith@gingerbread.org.uk
Home Start Central Lancs:
This service is provided by volunteers, who have been parents themselves, who give regular support, friendship and practical help to families who are struggling whilst raising their own families. The type of services on offer include:
Home Visits – offering tailored support around Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire area for parents with children aged between 0- 19 years. Volunteers are able to support parents to grow in confidence, strengthen relationships with children and widen links with the local community. Self-referrals can be made, as well as referrals from professionals.
Family Groups - There are 2 family groups currently being delivered in the South Ribble and West Lancashire area. Penguin: Every Monday Tel: 01257 241636 (Term time only) from 10:00am till 12:00pm at Broadoaks Child Development Centre. Support is offered and stimulating play sessions to families who may find it difficult to access generic groups due to their situation and their child’s condition. Mum to Mum Group & Toddler Group: Mum to Mum meets weekly on Wednesday’s 10:30am until 12:00pm at The Grove, Station Approach, Burscough L40 0RZ. Support and help for Mother's with Post Natal Depression, as well as reducing isolation, promoting friendships and well-being. Big Hopes, Big Future Programmes: work directly with parents and children, helping them to build the skills they need to be ready for the first day of school.
The Children and Family Well-being Service:
Provides services to help with parenting as well as additional support that may be needed. Families of children and young people from 0-19 years and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities up to 25 are supported. Both individual and group-based services are provided. Type of service provided includes:
Bump, birth and beyond: Antenatal courses.
Info shop: Information, advice and guidance drop-in session with support to access education and apprenticeships for children aged 16- 18 years old.
School Nurse drop in: Opportunity for young people to access confidential health advice.
Youth council: Opportunity for young people to have a voice and be able to influence decisions made locally and nationally.
Unite: Providing safe and welcoming environment for young people aged 12-15 years with special educational needs and disabilities.
Parenting courses: A range of parenting courses are provided. Please contact the centre for more information.
Health visitors: 2 year developmental checks and weigh sessions, interactive play.
Freedom programme: A supportive course for females only to increase their self-confidence, to feel empowered and make positive changes in their lives and relationships.
Girls Group: An opportunity to meet with other girls in a safe and welcoming environment. To help increase confidence and support health and well-being (aged 13- 19 up to 25 with SEND.).
Risk taking group: A short course for young people to help them manage risk.
Rap and Rhyme: 5 week course for 0-5 years. Encourages children to develop their communication and social skills. Parents/carers will be given support by singing lots of songs and rhymes.
Speech and Language: This group supports and encourages children aged 2-3 years to develop their speech, language and communication skills using rhymes, games and other activities.
Sensory Play: 5 week course aimed at parents/carers with babies aged 0-12 months. 1:1 time with your baby to support bonding and attachment.
Tuesday Evening social group: For adults with autism and/or adults who have children with autism.
Midwife Clinic: Appointments with midwife ante and post-natal. Staff from neighbourhood centre will be on hand to give practical advice and support on a range of topics, whilst being able to signpost to support.
Find your nearest service: https://www.lancashire.go v.uk/children-educationfamilies/early-yearschildcare-and-familysupport/familysupport/children-andfamily-wellbeing-service/ 10 For families with younger children – access advice and guidance on a full range of child care services, resources and issues from the children and family wellbeing service.
Barnardo's Family Support: Barnardo’s support parents, carers and families in the community and in diverse cultural circumstances. Guidance and advice are aimed at supporting vulnerable children and their families. Services include:
Lancashire Young Carers: Deliver support to young carers aged up to 18 across Lancashire. Once assessed, the young carer will have a named worker who will be there to support them and provide information and advice. A support plan will be developed with the young carer and their family which will outline what is needed to support the whole family and reduce the impact of caring on the young carer. This can be one to one support, group work, signposting to other services, advocacy and support at meetings. Telephone: 01772 641002
Include Me 2 service: A short break, providing sitter services, befriending and individual support. Emphasis on building confidence and independence through inclusive play, play/holiday schemes and enabling social inclusion and skills. Telephone: 01772 629470
Lancashire Independent Supporters: Providing Independent Supporters advice and support for parents of children with special educational needs (SEN), and young people with SEN. A range of time limited support is available, tailored to the needs of individual families and young people. Telephone: 01772 629470
Lancashire CYP participation: This service provides: Disability advocacy: Engaging and including those with disabilities in community activities and decisions about themselves. Opportunities for carers to increase their confidence and develop the skills needed to ensure that individual voices are heard. Advocacy and participation: Supporting the right of a looked after child to be heard and involved in decisions through 1:1 support and independent visitors. Telephone: 01772 629470
Preston Foyer: Housing and homelessness: Housing support to assist and sustain independent living on leaving care. Providing access to supported accommodation, emergency short term or more long-term bond schemes. Raising awareness through educational visits and improving the understanding of risks. Leaving care: Supporting the transition from care to independent living, with follow on services providing skills, knowledge and access to 1:1 advice. Including access to supported lodgings, help getting a job and on the Job Training.
Website: https://b.barnardos.org.uk
The Incredible Years: Articles and handouts (i.e., tips for parenting, teaching children emotional regulation skills) The site offers parent, children and teachers training programs focused on particular needs (Autism, Speech And Language)
Website: https://www.incredibleyears.com/parents-teachers/articles-for-parents/
Family Links: Free downloadable guides, practice sheets, kindness charts for parents/carers. Tips for internet safety and parenting tips are also included. The site offers parents signposting information to other services in the UK.
Website: https://www.familylinks.org.uk/parents#free-downloads-for-parents
Family Rights Group: Provides advice and support for families whose children are involved with social services. Helpline: 0808 8010366
Family Lives: Family Lives provides help and support on all aspects of parenting and family life and runs Parent line. Helpline: 0808 800 2222
Housing Support.
South Ribble Council Housing: Offer free, impartial and confidential advice and assistance to all residents of the borough on matters relating to housing. This includes advice to private tenants, leaseholders, owner-occupiers or housing association tenants.
Address: Civic Centre West Paddock Leyland Lancashire PR25 1DH. Tel: 01772 421491
Katrina Coates: Housing liaison at Preston City Council: Support people with general enquiries, aiming to prevent homelessness wherever possible, or provide options for rehousing. They offer housing advice and appropriate referrals to support where required. They may also be able to prevent people potentially becoming homeless. Tel: 01772 906836
Preston City Council – Housing Advisory Service: Help you with a range of housing related information from advice for landlords and affordable housing options to homeless help. Drop-in service is available with no appointment needed if answers cannot be obtained online.
Opening Hours
- Monday: 9am-4pm
- Tuesday: 9am-3pm
- Wednesday: 9am-4pm
- Thursday: 9am-4pm
- Friday: 9am-4pm
Address: Town Hall Lancaster Road Preston PR1 2RL. Tel: 01772 906412
Chorley Council Housing: The services provided includes:
- Access to social housing via the Select Move Choice Based Lettings System
- Housing options advice including homelessness, help to access private sector housing, help with mortgage advice, and also help to access to housing related support including accommodation-based service and also floating support.
- Cotswold Supported Accommodation for homeless families
- Home Improvement Agency for help with adaptations and energy efficiency
- Help and support to access affordable housing to part share or buy
- Support and advice for Private Landlords In Chorley
Address: Civic Offices Union Street Chorley PR7 1AL. Tel: 01257 515151.
Merriweather Home: Young single homeless people aged 16-25, including ex-offenders and young people leaving local authority care.
Tel: 01772 253480. Website: movingonpreston@barnardos.org.uk
Shelter: Website provides housing option guidance information for young people. Advice and guidance may include, help paying rent, finding private rented housing and homelessness.
Homelessness for 16-17 Website: https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/your_situation/homeless_help_your_situation_-_16_and_17_year_olds
Key: Information, advocacy, counselling and practical assistance for young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or who have housing problem.
Food Banks.
St. Mary’s Church, Leyland: Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00am-12:00pm – Anyone can go to the presbytery building (walk past the front of the round church) at St. Mary’s Leyland (on Broadfield Drive) and just ring the bell on the front door. No Vouchers needed.
Penwortham Community Centre: Opening hours: Fridays: 9.30am to 12:00pm. Drop in service operating. No vouchers needed.
Living waters Store House (food bank) Opening hours: Tuesday & Friday 10:00am-2.00pm.
Please ask for a referral voucher from Chorley office. Phone: 07889 757045 Email:storehouse@lwchurch.co.uk
Chorley Help the Homeless: The service provides:
Emergency Food Bank and toiletries parcels. Sleeping bags, clothes, bedding and start up household supplies.
Information on housing and benefits related issues, advocacy and representation.
Talk therapy counselling.
Coffee in Kind scheme, in partnership with Woodchats Coffee Shop.
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (9.30am – 2.00pm) Friday (9.30am – 1.00pm) Phone: 01257 273 320 Email: reception@chth.org.uk
Carer’s Support.
N-Compass Preston: N-compass operates across the North West of England to make a positive difference and enhance life opportunities for adults and young people disadvantaged by disability, physical / mental illness, age or social exclusion through providing advocacy, carers, health & well-being, and counselling services. Lancashire Carers Service: support carers to reduce the impact of their caring role through providing information along with specialist 1-2-1 and group support. Service includes:
Regular Coffee and Chat support groups in locations across North and Central Lancashire.
Carers Assessments and reviews
Support with planning for contingency or an emergency.
Support to access community and Health and Well-being services.
Access to a 24-hour CHAT Line.
Access to our Volunteer Befriending and Sitting-In services
Support for former carers.
Volunteering opportunities for carers
Carers Awareness Briefings for professionals to help identify unpaid carers.
Butterfly project and Phoenix Project: Delivered in Fylde and Wyre and Preston, Chorley and South Ribble. Butterfly & Phoenix Project supports children and young people to improve their emotional health & well-being and reduce the risks of engaging in self-harming and/or self-destructive behaviours. Lancashire Carers Service Telephone: 0345 688 7113 option 2
Text: 07786201226 General Email: enquiries@lancscarers.co.uk
Website: https://www.ncompassnorthwest.co.uk/services/carers-support/lancashire-carers-service
The CHAT Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Contact: 0333 103 9747
Butterfly and Phoenix Project Contact: 03450 138 208
Email: admin@ncompassnorthwest.co.uk
Website: https://www.ncompassnorthwest.co.uk/services/young-peoples-self-harm-support/what-self-harm
Family Fund: Provides digital skills programme to support families raising disabled children with their digital needs. Programmes include relevant signposting, details of useful apps for children with additional needs, training and network event, links to useful resources and step by step guide to use tablet in a way that works for you and your family. Also a free tablet workshop and looking at how you can get the best from your device. Website: www.familyfund.org.uk Email: digitalskills@familyfund.org.uk
Incredible Years Parenting: Free Incredible Years Parenting Courses are for parents and carers of children between the ages of 3-14.
The courses are designed to strengthen parenting skills by encouraging co-operation between parents and children. Parents will gain behavioural management strategies for dealing with difficult behaviour. To Book a place or for more information, contact: The Parenting Team on: 03002470040
Information, advice and support (IAS) team for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). IAS: Information, advice and support (IAS) team for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). IAS are able to assist you with SEND paperwork, discuss concerns re SEND, explain local SEND policies and procedures in Lancashire, liaise between nursery, school or colleges and other professionals, support with relevant meetings, explain the legal processes around SEND, signpost to other sources of support about SEND. IAS can help parents and carers of children and young people with SEND. Tel: 03001236706 Email: information.lineteam@lancashire.gov.uk Website: www.lancashire.gov.uk/SEND
Bereavement:
Cruse Bereavement Care & Hope again: Cruse services are provided at free of charge.
•Cruse offers a range of services, including support face to face and in groups, as well as telephone and email support. Contact your local service to find out what’s on offer where you live.
•Cruse services are provided by dedicated and skilled volunteers in local communities who support children, young people and adults through grief.
•Offer advice, support and information for everyone and awareness-raising training days for teachers, parents, carers, social workers, and other professionals working with bereaved children and young people.
•Cruse also has a national website www.cruse.org.uk that provides information for young people and adults about our services and information on how to help those dealing with grief.
Offer a safe, youth friendly space where young people can work through their grief in their own time and own way accompanied by a trained and experienced volunteer who will work individually with the young person over a period of 6-8 weekly sessions.
The Cruse Bereavement Care Freephone National Helpline is staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement. The helpline offers a signposting service to local Cruse services and/or other services in the locality.
Cruse provides information on traumatic bereavement. For example, those affected by: natural disaster, terrorist attack, suicide and other traumatic losses. Sources of support is given to each those sections.
Hope Again: Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone.
National Helpline:
Website:
Lancashire Cruse Bereavement service
Hope Again:
STRIDE Bereavement Support:
Stride bereavement is a specialist Children and Young Person’s Bereavement Service based under the umbrella of services offered by Cancer Help (Preston) Ltd.
Support, therapy and education to children, young people, families, school communities and professionals affected by ANY type of bereavement are offered. The type of services STRIDE offers include:
Therapy, counselling and debriefing:
1:1 therapy or support for children and young people provided by fully qualified counselling staff.
Staff in service training: Flexible Learning and support packages offering advice and guidance on how best to support either a child or a young person going through a bereavement. This is a paid for service.
Pupil Workshops: Workshops to help educate and support children and young people about the importance of taking care of their emotional and mental health. This acts as an early intervention packages to allow pupils to explore their personal well-being and to be signposted to additional support if required. This service helps to educate and prevent escalation of mental health issues, thus reducing the risk of non-attendance, self-harm and depression.
STRIDE consultancy service: The work provides personalised support that enables both the families and professionals to access appropriate strategies whilst also offering resources that may be helpful in supporting the child and young person. Support is provided through helpline support, guidance and signposting. Tel: 01772 798746
Children Young People Bereavement support group:
The service supports children, young people and adults. The service aims to:
-Support children and young people develop the confidence and skills to consider their emotions and express themselves
-Help them understand and express their grief and loss in practical and creative ways
-Encourage children and young people to respect and learn from others with similar experiences without judgement.
-Encourage them to talk openly about their thoughts, feelings and behaviour
-Support them to work through painful issues
Groups:
•Preston group (for adults, children and young people)
•Chorley group (just for adults).
The group meets on the same night in separate rooms of the same venue. Individual bereavement support sessions and telephone support are also available by arrangement. Phone: 01772 523730
Email: bereavement@lthtr.nhs.uk
Preston Group: is held at The Bereavement Centre, Royal Preston Hospital, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9HT (6:00pm-7:30pm on the first Thursday of every month)
Chorley Group: is held at Woodchats Coffee Shop, Clifford Street, Chorley, PR7 1AQ
Family Support: Cancer Help provides a range of services to support families affected by cancer and bereavement. Support is available to cancer patients and their families in a variety of ways by our trained counsellors and through network of external partners.
Support also includes parents and “any significant others” such as teachers and social workers. Children and young people are offered creative ways of working through grief and loss associated with a cancer diagnosis in the family, allowing them to express feelings and thoughts.
Grief Encounter: A useful resources for those supporting bereaved children and young people both professionally and personally. Grief Encounter offers a wide range of helpful advice and information for children and young people, parents, grandparents and schools or institutions. Website: https://www.griefencounter.org.uk/
E-counselling
E-counselling: is a new service being offered by Grief Encounter so that bereaved young people aged fourteen or over, who aren’t situated within our local area, can receive support when they need it most. The service offers six counselling support sessions with an experienced counsellor at a mutually convenient time conducted via webcam through Skype.
Individuals need internet access, a webcam and a microphone (schools are often willing to provide these if you do not have access at home). Free service for young people.
Helpline: Support bereaved children or families with immediate advice and guidance.
Blue Cross: The service aims to support individuals to cope with the loss of pets whether it is from through death, parting or enforced separation. The pet bereavement support service offers a range of literature available to be downloaded.
Website: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-loss-support-children-missing-my-friend
Downloadable Literature
Helpline: 0800 096 6606
Rip Rap: Support for teenagers with parents diagnosed with cancer. The service offers:
Online forum: for young people to connect with others experiencing similar issues.
Advice Column: Young people are able to find support from reading the ‘Advice’ column where Rip Rap share some of the queries from other teenagers and the service’s replies to them.
Contacting the Rip Rap Team: If you have a query or need more personal advice, emotional support or just want to send us a message.
Online Forum
Advice Column
Contact: http://www.riprap.org.uk/contact.asp
Online support: Online support can be accessed through online community forums and Facebook groups. The Forum is only open to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. The services offer a range of private Facebook groups, whereby individuals can talk to other parents and siblings via posts.
Resources: The service provides a range of resources that can be accessible for bereaved parents and families.
National Line: 0845 120 3786
Facebook Groups:
Email Helpline: helpline@tcf.org.uk
Winston’s Wish: Helpline: Advice on supporting bereaved.
ASK email service: Our ASK email service is a UK-wide national email service, offering support, information and advice to anyone seeking it.
Online Chat: Our online chat is designed to help you talk about your grief and manage your grief when you do feel like you need help.
Support Information: Provide specialist bereavement support, including bereavement by accident or illness, suicide, homicide and the military.
Training for Professionals: training days are aimed at helping professionals better support bereaved children, young people and their families.
Publications and resources: offer a range of helpful and practical resources and publications for bereaved families and professionals.
Useful Links: A list of organisations and services that can help families after the death of an important person.
Bereavement services: Support for funeral directors and bereavement service professionals supporting bereaved families.
By using the helpline and the ASK email services, support is offered to those with the following experiences: adults bereaved as children, serious illness, death through suicide, death through homicide, military families, emergency services families and support for schools. Website:
Freephone National Helpline: on 08088 020 021. We are open between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
ASK email service:
Complete the form attached to this link:
or email:
Online Chat: every Friday from 10:00am – 1:00pm.
Help is at Hand-Bereavement: This guide has been designed to help the individual, families, friends or colleagues to look through this guide so that they can begin to try and understand a little of what you are going through and how to find the right help. Some sections focus on how you may be feeling; others on what may be happening. Throughout, and in more detail at the back are some suggestions for sources of further support. There are also quotes from people who have been bereaved and who have experienced some of what you may be going through. Link to the guide:
LGBTQI+ related services.
Power to be out – POUT: Support for young people aged 13 to 19 (or up to 25 if they have a disability) who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or are questioning their sexual identity (LGBTQ). The group meets weekly and offer a safe confidential space where LGBTQ young people can come together, share experiences, meet new friends and celebrate difference and diverse identities. Referral made on request. Tel: 01772 532930 Email: pout@lancashire.gov.uk Website: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/youthzone/things-to-do/groups/lgbt/
Arms OUT: Peer support group for the families of children and young people who identify as transgender. The young person can also attend the group. Parents can be put in touch with other parents for individual support. Referral made on request. Tel: 01772 717461
Website: https://lancslgbt.org.uk/event/arms-out-2/?instance_id=34763
Mermaids: Resources and information as a reference point for professionals supporting a gender non-conforming or transgender young person.
Mermaid’s help support the empowerment of families and young people with the tools they need to negotiate the education and health services. Furthermore, Mermaid helps to support in reducing loneliness, isolation, and self-harm, and improve self-esteem in the young people who contact Mermaids. Moreover, Mermaids equip parents to support their children to the same end. Mermaid aims to Improve awareness, understanding and practices of GP’s, CAMHS, Social Services and other professionals. Website: https://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/about-mermaids.html
Helpline: 0808 801 0400 Website: https://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/contact.html
GIDS – Gender Identity Development Service: Highly specialised clinic (based in London and Leeds) for young people presenting with difficulties with their gender identity. Aim of the service is to ease emotional, behavioural and relationship troubles associated with gender identity difficulties. GIDS usually work alongside local services such as CAMHS who can provide additional support. GIDS offer satellite clinics around the country.
Advice and guidance for young people, parents and professionals are also provided. Website: https://gids.nhs.uk/contact-us#satellite-clinics
Telephone: 020 8938 2030/1 Email: gids@tavi-port.nhs.uk
Lancashire LGBT: The service provides LGBT group meeting for children and young people. Lancashire LGBT provides a helpline and information service and delivers social and support opportunities for LGBT people. Support is also offered for school for LGBT awareness and support for schools with trans children and young people. Website: https://lancslgbt.org.uk/support-for-schools/
Helpline: 07788 295521 Mon-Wed: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Crisis Support.
Samaritans: Samaritans offer round the clock support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They provide crisis support to anyone suffering with mental health, loneliness, anything at all, they are just a safe and confidential listening ear. 1:1, telephone, email and letter type services are provided.
Tel: 116 123. Email: jo@samaritans.org Website: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you
SHOUT crisis text line: The service is free on most networks and available 24/7, and trained volunteers will listen to you, and work with to help you take the next steps towards feeling better.
If you need immediate support, you can text SHOUT to 85258 and chat by text.
The Wellbeing and Mental Heathline: Provides an information and listening service for people in Lancashire. It is available between 7:00pm and 11:00pm Monday - Friday, and between 12 noon and 12 midnight on Saturdays and Sundays. Support can be offered to people experiencing bullying, parental conflict, loneliness, mental health problems, sexuality changes, suicidal thoughts, abuse, self-image issues and self-harm.
Tel: 08009154640 Text Hello to 07860022846
Preston and Chorley South Ribble Home Treatment Team (HTT) HTT supports people living in the community, aged 16 years old or above who have moderate to complex or serious mental health problems Pan Lancs. The teams have various functions including assessment, gate keeping and a home treatment function as an alternative to admission. This also includes facilitating early discharge from hospital. HTT aim to provide a safe and effective alternative to in-patient care by helping people through times of mental health crisis in their own home environment. We operate a 24 hour service. Website: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/home-treatment-teams
Preston Tel: 01772 773433 Chorley and South Ribble Tel: 01772 773725
Referrals will go through START Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:30pm, unless a person is already under the care of a Mental Health Team, in which case their Care Co-ordinator will refer them directly. Outside of these hours referrals will be received from all sources.
Mental Health Access Line: Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust provides a Mental Health Access Line to support people’s mental health needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access Line is suitable if experiencing urgent care but not life threatening. Examples include:
- If you have an existing mental health problem and your symptoms get worse
- If you experience a mental health problem for the first time
- If someone has self-harmed but it does not appear to be life-threatening, or is talking about wanting to self-harm
- If a person shows signs of onset dementia
Tel: NHS 111
Child line: Child line is a free, private and confidential service, where thoughts and feelings can be disclosed by the young person and/or child. Support may include advice and guidance with relationships, body, bullying, abuse, academia and work. Support is provided through online and phone. Child line website includes message boards, whereby children of similar ages are able to share stories. There is advice and guidance around loneliness, mobile safety, emotional abuse, as well as the promotion of undertaking calming activities. Support and guidance are presented in the form of articles, games and videos. Child line offers 1:1 online conversations with counsellors.
Website: http://www.childline.org.uk 18 or under – 24/7 Tel: 0800 1111
Worried about a child Tel: 0808 800 5000 Email: help@nspcc.org.uk.
1:1 counsellor online: Free sign in and then enter the waiting room to talk to a counsellor.
Link: https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/
SaneLine: Provides out of hours mental health and emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental ill health, including family, friends and carers. Open every day of the year 4:30pm to 10:30pm. For individuals 16 and over.
Sane Line provides an online community in the form of an online forum, which is available 24/7. The forum is available for individuals above the age of 18. Phone: 0300 304 7000 Website: http://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline/
Mind Infoline: Information on types of mental health issues, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments and advocacy.
Mind information line will look for details of help and support in your own area. Phone: 0300 123 3393 Text: 86463 Website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/
Rethink Advice and Information Service: Practical help and information on issues such as the mental health act, community care, benefits, debt, criminal justice, and carers right. Offers a signposting service to other mental health related services. Phone: 0300 5000 927
Website: https://www.rethink.org/aboutus/what-we-do/advice-and-information-service/get-help-now/
Welfare Support.
Jobcentre Plus: The aim of Jobcentre Plus is to help people of working age find employment in the UK. The organisation offers information about training opportunities for the unemployed. Jobcentre Plus administers claims for benefits such as Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, and Jobseeker's Allowance. Support such as interview tips, CV tips and preparations and effective job searching are also provided within the website. Preston Tel: 0845 604 3719.
Website: https://www.jobcentreguide.co.uk/preston-jobcentre
Chorley & Leyland Tel:0800 169 0190 Text phone: 0800 169 0314
Citizens Advice: Advice and information on a range of issues, including benefits, work, debt and money, consumer, family, health, housing, immigration, and law and courts.
National phone line Advice line: 03444 111 444 Text relay: 03444 111 445 Chorley and South Ribble Landline: 0344 245 1294 Mobile: 0300 330 0650 Preston Advice Line: 0300 330 1172
Student Financial Team: Provides support to full time students who are: single parents, long term illness/disability etc. Advisors can offer help and advice on a variety of benefits including: housing benefits, council tax support, PIP, ESA, income support etc.
Tel: 01772 892583 Email: financialsupport@uclan.ac.uk
Turn2Us: Turn2Us is a charity which helps people in financial crisis gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services. The site provides a benefit calculator to find out which welfare benefits you may be entitled to. Use the Grant Search to find out what charitable funds you may be eligible for, as well as details about Turn2us' direct grant giving funds; and links to other sources of information and help. Website: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/ Helpline: 0808 802 2000
Step Change: Step Change offers advice and guidance for debt management and debt information. · You can get free, confidential, and expert debt advice online or over the phone. Recommend the best debt solutions for your individual circumstances.
- Support you while you deal with your debt problems, for as long as you need our help.
- Also, campaign on your behalf to reduce the risk of problem debt and the harm it causes.
Website: https://www.stepchange.org/
Welfare Rights: The site offers a benefit guide and provides information on: Attendance allowance, bereavement allowance, carers allowance, child benefit, child tax credit, council tax benefit, disability living allowance, employment support allowance, employment support for youths, guardians allowance, housing benefit, incapacity benefit, incapacity benefit for youths, income support, industrial injuries benefit (accident), industrial injuries benefit (diseases and deafness), jobseekers allowance, maternity allowance, pension credit, personal independence payment (PIP), retirement pension, severe disablement allowance, social fund, statutory adoption pay, statutory maternity pay, statutory paternity pay, statutory sick pay (SSP), sure start maternity grant, universal credit, war disablement allowance, war widows pension, widows benefits, working tax credits, and welcome to welfare rights on the net. Website: https://www.welfarerights.net/home.php
Public number: 01387 266 888 Email: info@welfarerights.net
Therapeutic Support:
Acute Therapy Service (A.T.S): ATS can be used as an alternative to being admitted to hospital. Based on psycho-education groups and encourages self-management and problem solving for 6 consecutive days. A.T.S introduces social inclusion, holistic therapies, community restart etc. ATS provides support to people 16+ who are experience mental health crisis difficulties. Skills group at ATS include Emotional regulation, mindfulness, how to get on with others, self-compassion, occupational balance, problems solving, sleep hygiene and more. Individuals will also be introduced to fitness/well-being and healthy living advice, social inclusion, and holistic therapies. Tel: 01695 684114 Located: The Platform Avondale Unit Royal Preston Hospital Website: https://www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/acute-therapy-service
Willow House: For individuals aged 16 and above. Willow House is a crisis house that provides a variety of low intensity therapeutic sessions for service users for up to seven days to de-escalate crisis. Individuals will work with recovery workers on a tailored support plan to help manage their mental health and develop effective coping strategies. Referrals are made to Chorley Home Treatment Team. Individuals are offered both one to one and group sessions to provide practical and emotional support, build resilience and promote self-help tools. Telephone: 0330 008 3677
Website: https://www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/willow-house-crisis-house
Minds Matter: Mind Matter aims to provide people who experience difficulties such as stress, anxiety, and depression with access to the service. Minds Matter provide psychological interventions such as self-help materials, groups, workshops and 1:1 therapy to people age 16 and above and registered with a G.P. Minds Matter offer access to a range of brief therapeutic interventions, including courses & workshops, online programmes and face to face therapy, across our localities to support people’s differing emotional needs. Tel: 01772 773437
Website: https://www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/Mindsmatter
Self-Referral link: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/mindsmatter2-self-referral
Self-referral is for anyone aged over 16 who is registered with a GP and covered by Mind Matters and first step.
Keys: Keys offer family mediation services to improve familial relationships. House training to increase independence A counselling service for people who are having a tough time Employment mentoring and training to build confidence and improve job prospects. Emotional, Health and Well-being support for young people and families, supporting positive changes for the whole family Critical Tenancy Support, supporting Progress tenants who are finding it difficult to maintain their tenancies. Tel: 01772 678979
Website – referral form: https://www.keycharity.org.uk/contact-us/referral-forms/
ABC Therapy for Young People: ABC Counselling aims to offer free person-centred counselling to young people aged between 16 and 25 who have been experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties. Tel: 01772 717597 Email: ABCouncelling@outlook.com
Relate: Children and Young People's Counselling is for any young person who's having problems (i.e., depression and mental health concerns or issues with parents or people at school) Other services with Relate include;
- Relationship Counselling for individuals and couples – open to anyone 16 and over
- Family Counselling
- Young People’s Counselling
- Lancashire Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Program
- Separated Parents Information Program
- Equal Partners Program
Tel: 01772 717 597 Lancashire Relate Centre in Preston. Location: Lancashire Relate Centre 16 Navigation Business Village, Navigation Way, Preston PR2 2YB Email:appointments@relatelancs.org.uk
Website: http://www.relatelancs.org.uk
Runshaw Counselling service: Offering a place to talk about any difficulties that you might be facing in your life, either at college or at home. Situated at the student services. The Counselling team is in Student Services which is upstairs in the Main Student Entrance. Appointments are also available at the Chorley Campus. Referral to counselling: Tel: 01772 642058
Email: studentcounsellor@runshaw.ac.uk
Drop into Student Services in Room M301 Ask a member of staff (e.g. personal tutor, mentor) to make an appointment for you.
CANW – Child Action North West: To relieve, support, assist, counsel or otherwise benefits children and young persons who: are in need of care and attention including (but not limited to) children and young persons involved in the provision of care for others; are disabled and in need of care and attention and the parents of such children and young persons, and have learning difficulties and the parents of such children and young persons. Furthermore, CANW aims to provide support, care and supervision for young persons and for mentally disordered or otherwise mentally vulnerable persons of any age arrested or being questioned by the police or any other prosecuting authority, remanded on bail by the police or a court or otherwise at risk of being remanded in custody including but not limited to the operation of a service providing appropriate adults to accompany such persons where provided for by law.
Website: http://canw.org.uk/leylandoffice/
Leyland office Tel: 01772 453145 Email: info@canw.org.uk
Chorley Women’s Centre: The aim of the centre is to "help women to help themselves" in areas affecting their physical and mental health, including their well-being. There are a wide range of services that can be accessed through the Women's Centre which include a free counselling service offered by a fully qualified Counsellor at the Centre. No appointments are needed. Support can be centred on: bereavement, loss of any kind, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, family issues, divorce or separation, past events and/or unemployment.
Release Counselling The service offers confidential counselling service for women and men who have been raped, sexually assaulted, or sexually abused. Counselling is also offered to their partners, family or friends, anyone affected by the issue. Whether it is recent or a long time ago, your feelings are important.
Circle Counselling If you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse and would like to talk to someone. Offer confidential person-centred counselling, sign posting and free legal advice. Tel: 01257 265342 Website: http://www.chorleywomenscentre.co.uk/
Release Counselling Tel: 01257 267776 Please note - This number is an answer phone. It may take a few days for someone to return your call. Circle Counselling: For more information or to book an appointment please telephone the counselling co-ordinator. Mobile: 07810308966