SUPPORT FOR YOU PAGE
We all need help sometimes. We hope this page for parents and carers might be of use and we have included a range of services and contact numbers to support you.
We want you to be happy and healthy in all areas of your life. We will always help you in school and we will always listen to you. This is a very different time in all of our lives and it is important now, more than ever, we support each other and do what we can to stay positive and look after our mental health and well-being.
Click on the link below for latest information provided by Lancashire:
Our School Nursing team are always available for advice and support:
The school nursing team will continue to operate whilst schools are closed. Please do not hesitate in getting in touch.
Should you or your child need to access the school nurse then please telephone 0300 247 0040
This service is available Monday to Friday 9-5
Nicola Pearson (Lancs 0-19)
School Nurse (Preston Central)
Virgin Care Limited
Lancashire Healthy Young People and Families Service
M: 07816334762
E: VCL.019.SinglePointofAccess@nhs.net
T: 0300 2470040
vcl.019.Prestoncentralcfhteam@nhs.net
Other sources of information, advice and support
Advocacy focus – provide advocacy services in Lancashire and can help you be your own advocate.
The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) – independent advice around education for parents/carers of children aged 5-16 in state schools in England.
Carers UK – a charity set up to help people who care for family and friends in the UK.
Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS) provides impartial advice about the education of service children.
The Children’s Society in Lancashire – advocacy for young people who are approaching 18 years and undergoing an assessment to access support from adult services. You can ask your social worker or carer or contact the service on:
- Freephone 0800 0856 324
- Tel 01772 759 233
Civil Legal Advice (CLA) – you might be able to get free and confidential advice from CLA as part of legal aid. This includes advice on education law matters, SEN, discrimination and judicial review (for example for children not receiving education or unlawful exclusions).
Contact – supports families with disabled children with advice and information to get the right support. Brings families together to support each other, and helps families to campaign, volunteer, and fundraise. In addition, offers face-to-face support, workshops and training in some regions.
Down’s Syndrome Association – information, support and advice related to Down’s syndrome. Includes education, health, social care, benefits and housing.
Guide Dogs – early diagnosis family support – information, advice and guidance from the early stages following diagnosis. Further help can include health and welfare advice, practical and emotional support and signposting to other organisations and services.
IPSEA – Independent Parental Special Education Advice, a charity that offers legal advice, support and training to ensure children and young people with SEND access the right education. They also offer tribunal representation.
National Autistic Society – a charity for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and their families. They provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism. Includes education, health, social care, benefits, housing and transition support (school to adult life).
National Deaf Children’s Society – information and support for deaf children and young people and families. They can provide advice and support on a range of issues including benefits, education, technology, health, social care, discrimination and communication. They provide face-to-face support and tribunal representation.
National Organisation for FASD – for adults with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), parents and carers, and professionals supporting those with FASD.
Me and my FASD – a website for children and young people with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) packed full of ideas to help sufferers understand and own their diagnosis.
Sense – for deafblind individuals or their family members and supporters. Information and advice on a range of issues, such as health, social care, benefits and education. They also offer support around communication, your legal rights and entitlements, Sense services and technology.
SOS SEN – A national charity aiming to empower parents and carers of children and young people with SEN and disabilities to access the help they are entitled to, particularly in the education system. They offer face-to-face support, tribunal representation and parent workshops.
Online safety
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) help children stay safe online. During this time of online learning, we must keep online safety awareness at the forefront of our minds. You can report it and find useful information here. https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Mindsmatter:
Contact number:01254 226037
Who we are
Welcome to Mindsmatter – we are the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service part of Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. We are a wellbeing service offering a range of free psychological therapies to people aged 16 and over in Lancashire.
1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. Many of us go through difficult times in our lives, which can leave us feeling worried, anxious or depressed and feeling unable to cope.
Mindsmatter offer access to a range of brief therapeutic interventions, including online programmes and one-to-one therapy, across our localities to support people’s differing emotional needs.
The Mindsmatter team is made up of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP), Cognitive Behavioural Therapists (CBT), Counsellors, and our supportive admin staff. Please see our FAQ section for further information.
Giving people the right information and help to develop skills and gain tools to overcome stress, anxiety and depression is at the heart of what we do.
What we aim to do
We aim to provide people who experience difficulties such as stress, anxiety and depression with access to our service. We aim to empower people to make informed choices and changes to improve well-being and live fulfilled lives by offering a range of talking therapies and self help to meet your needs.
Please take some time to look through the different sections on our website, which we hope will help find out more about how we may help you. You will find information on the range of support available from Mindsmatter in your local area, as well as some information about other local services and advice lines you may find helpful and some recommended reading.
You can self-refer to our services either via this website by completing a registration form or telephoning your local Mindsmatter team. The details can be found under our ‘Contact us and self referral’ section.
Welcome to Mindsmatter – We are a wellbeing service offering a range of free psychological therapies to people aged 16 and over in Lancashire. Mindsmatter offer access to a range of brief therapeutic interventions, including online programmes and one-to-one therapy, across our localities to support people’s differing emotional needs. This service is run by the NHS and operates a self-referral service, please click on the link: Mindsmatter
Useful contacts
- Lancashire Care Wellbeing & Mental Health Helpline – 0300 222 5931 Monday – Friday 7pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 midday to 12 midnight
- The Samaritans – 0845 7909 090 24 hours a day Texting Service: 07725 90 90 90
- Help Direct – The service is aimed at people who need more practical, everyday support 0303 333 1111
Useful Websites
- Centre for Clinical Interventions
- Getselfhelp
- Mood Gym – A free self -help program to teach cognitive behaviour therapy skills to people vulnerable to depression and anxiety
- Books on Prescription – a range of self -help books which are available on the books on prescription scheme
Every Mind Matters – Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and well-being.
Domestic Abuse Support:
During this time, you may need additional support and we are always here to listen and to help you. For Domestic abuse situations, this information may also be helpful.