Family Wellbeing
Support for young people and their family
Scroll down for Young Carers, Bereavement Support, Household Support, Relationships, Internet Safety and more
Family Hubs
The charity, Action for Children, has been managing Children’s Centres in Devon on DCC’s behalf, and is now helping to prepare for the change to Family Hubs.
• Family Hubs will provide help and support to families of children aged from zero to 19, or up to 25 years old for young people with special educational needs or disabilities
• The support available from Family Hubs will be accessible to all families with children in that age range. There will be no assessment or eligibility criteria, and no need to be referred by a professional
• Family Hubs will work more closely with existing care and support providers in local communities, so there will be a wider range of help and advice available to families
To find out more, please visit the Devon Family Hubs page
Stormbreak Activities
Through their digital platform supported by BBC Children in Need; A Million and Me, Stormbreak offers a free of charge remote digital participation tool for trusted adults to help children to participate in stormbreak activities. Find out more on the Stormbreak webpage. Click here to download Stormbreaks nature’s pathway activity sheet .
Thrive Directory – Local Mental Health Support in Devon for Children & Young People
Parental Minds and the Parent+ Support Hub have produced a list of mental health services for children and young people in Devon, called the Thrive Directory, which will be updated regularly.
Mind – Mental Health Support for Young People
Please visit the Mind webpage for information for young people aged 11-18 from Mind. Mind understand mental health and wellbeing and are there for you if you’re finding things hard. They help everyone understand mental health problems, so no one has to feel alone.
You will also find advice for parents and carers too.
Ethnically Diverse Communities Directory of Services (Devon, Plymouth and Torbay)
This updated directory contains details of the many organisations and agencies, from all sectors, that offer support services for people from Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse communities in Devon. Visit the Directory webpage to find out more and download the 2023 edition.
BBC Children in Need Mental Heath & Wellbeing Resource Hub
A special collection of fun wellbeing activities, handy resources and further support for families and schools to explore at home. Including Mindfulness, Joe Wicks, top tips, resources and so much more.
Visit the BBC Children in Need Resource Hub to find all that is on offer.
Lumi Nova
Lumi Nova is a new service designed to support young people aged 7-12 (years 3-7) who are experiencing fears or worries; funded by Children and Family Health Devon.
What is Lumi Nova?
Lumi Nova: Tales of courage is an intergalactic adventure game where players step into the shoes of a newly recruited Luminaut and start an exciting adventure through space – travelling to different planets, meeting new characters, solving puzzles and attempting challenges. Lumi Nova supports young people to fight fears & manage worries. Whilst exploring planets, customising characters and earning treasure your child breaks their fears and worries down into manageable steps, learning life-long skills and building resilience.
Lumi Nova is designed for 7 – 12 year olds (school years 3 – 7) who are having difficulties with fears and worries related to social situations, separation or phobias, but may also be helpful for young people outside this age range.
Designed by BFB Labs, Lumi Nova was developed with NHS clinicians and leading academics. It is based upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Exposure Therapy which are proven to be effective. Lumi Nova is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health & Care Excellence) and adheres to strict standards of clinical safety.
How to Access Lumi Nova
To use Lumi Nova you must first register to get a game key by visiting https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/lumi-nova/ and completing a short registration form. You will then receive an SMS message that will guide you through getting started.
Lumi Nova is free to download from the Apple and Google Play Stores and is compatible with iPhones, iPads and most Android smartphones and tablets.
Where can I find out more about Lumi Nova?
• More information about Lumi Nova including FAQs and case studies can be found at luminova.app
• If you have any questions please reach out to the lumi nova team: luminova@bfb-labs.com
• To listen to a short presentation about Lumi Nova you can attend a 30 minute Parent Lumi Nova Discovery Session
Books That Help
Books That Help is a place for grownups to find picture books that offer support through life’s ups and downs, covering subjects that include family separations, illness, grief, anxiety, well-being, moving house and more.
FFLAG
FFLAG are a national voluntary organisation and charity dedicated to supporting families and their LGBT+ loved ones. Their website is filled with resources offering information and support.
Kooth
Kooth is your online mental wellbeing community. Free, safe and anonymous support including ‘Articles’, ‘Discussion Boards’, and the chance to ‘Chat with the Team’. Find out more by watching the Kooth video.
NHS Children and Young People’s Emotional Health
When children and young people can recognise and talk about different feelings it can help them have a better understanding of how to deal with them. ‘Emotional Health Topics’, ‘Friends and Relationships’ and ‘Emotional Development’ are all covered here, offering resources, activities and signposting for support. Access these resources on the Norfolk NHS webpage
Intercom Trust LGBT+ Directory
Are you looking to make new friends? Want to widen your social circle? New to the area and looking to connect with others?
The Intercom Trust | LGBT+ Directory lists LGBT+ Community Groups throughout the south west and is a great way of finding out what is going on in your area. Select the category you are looking for and see what is available.
Talk to Frank
Visit the Talk to Frank website for honest information about drugs, including facts, advice and support
Y-Smart
Y-Smart provide support and advice for young people, parents, families and professionals and also deliver multi-agency training across the county. We provide targeted education in schools for those who are vulnerable to substance misuse; this may include children out of mainstream education, those receiving alternative education provision and other education centres such as secure units. We also provide support for young people whose lives have been impacted by parental, carer or sibling substance use.
Tel: 01392 385637 or email: y-smart@devon.gov.uk
Kinship Compass
Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. They work with all kinship carers – the grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and family friends – who are caring for children when their parents can’t.
They want to make sure every kinship family is recognised, valued and gets the support they need.
Kinship Compass is there to help all kinship carers to get expert advice and information. And to support them to access emotional support through peer support groups and connecting with other kinship carers.
Anna Freud ‘Let’s talk about anxiety’
Anxiety is a normal emotion – it’s one of our body’s natural reactions to stress. For young people, some level of anxiety is normal as they grow up and learn to navigate the world. However, it’s important that they have the tools to manage feelings of anxiety, and can tell the difference between normal emotions and more severe anxiety which is interfering with their everyday life.
The ‘Let’s talk about anxiety’ animation, and accompanying resources for educators, will help young people aged 11 to 13 to normalise, understand and manage anxious feelings.
NDCS The Buzz: Website for deaf young people
The National Deaf Children’s Society has re-designed its website for deaf young people. The Buzz is the only website for deaf young people aged 8 to 18 in the UK. It is a safe, online space created by deaf young people for deaf young people.
The new features mean that deaf young people now have a platform where they can read inspiring stories, connect with others like them, find the latest information and support, sign up to events, ask questions and get involved. Have a look at this YouTube clip or visit the NDCS website to find out more.
Shout
If you are a young person struggling to cope, Shout can provide 24/7 text support. For help, text SHOUT to 85258. Whatever you are going through, if it matters to you, it matters to us
Thrive – wellbeing toolkit resources
Thrive is a leading provider of support for children and young people’s social and emotional development. Tools and training grounded in established neuroscience, attachment theory, child development, and play and the creative arts.
They have recently produced a selection of free resources aimed at both primary and secondary-aged children. The resources include ‘Supporting children after lockdown’, a ‘Wellbeing Kit’ and even a ‘Survival kit for parents or carers’.
Youth Arts & Health Trust
Youth Arts & Health Trust are a registered charity based in Exeter, Devon who specialise in providing arts therapies for children and young people aged 5 to 25. They can offer face to face or online sessions and work across the South West. They work alongside young people and their families, to develop confidence and resilience through safe, inclusive and creative arts therapies.
For more information, check out the website, email youthartsandhealth@gmail.com or speak to the Elective Home Education Team on 01392 287230.
Action for Children – Parent Talk
Action for Children is offering online parenting support for families with children.
On hand to support parents, when needed. Browse the articles on the most common parenting questions from experts. Or talk one-to-one with a qualified parenting coach about anything that’s worrying you. It’s all free, and no topic is too big, small, or embarrassing.
Support includes 1:1 chats, emotional wellbeing, behaviour and learning, nutrition and healthy eating and sleep.
From where to go for help, to coping with challenging behaviours, to how to keep your children entertained at home – find advice and practical help.
Have a question about parenting? Action for Children’s online coaches are available for free, confidential 1:1 live chat.
Space Youth Services
Stepping Stones, a 12-week support programme, designed to build on confidence, social skills, health & well-being and connect young people. Set in a small group setting, the programme is jam packed with lots of opportunities to help gain the tools to build on those challenges young people may be facing. To find out more visit Space Youth services website or for a referral form email Sophie Stevens at sophie.stevens@spacepsm.org
Space Youth Services – support for young people with SEND
Space, which delivers our youth services, provides specialist support sessions for young people in Devon with SEND.
YMCA Exeter – Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Service
Visit the YMCA Exeter website to find free resources posted by the Wellbeing Team offering support with ‘Worry’, ‘Anxiety’, ‘Low Mood’ and Lifestyle Management’ along with numerous links to useful websites.
HappyMaps
HappyMaps is a charity developed by GPs and CAMHS professionals with help from parents and young people.
On the HappyMaps website you can find mental health resources for parents and carers, and for young people and children, all in one place. HappyMaps now also has a new ‘Body Image’ section. Click on the relevant age group and scroll down to the bottom of the topic sections.
Find out more by going to the HappyMaps website
Headlight support sessions – Action East Devon Service
Headlight provides a friendly, non-clinical space for young people who are experiencing emotional and mental health issues, and also support for their families.
Headlight delivers peer support through:
- fortnightly facilitated sessions for young people aged between 13 to 24 years in Axminster, Ottery St Mary and Sidmouth
- access to one-to-one support and guidance during sessions
- a monthly support group in Axminster for parents and carers of young people affected by mental health issues from across the south west
- information, signposting, advice and advocacy on mental health and wellbeing-related issues to young people and their families by telephone, email and online
Find out more on the Action East Devon website.
Every Mind Matters – NHS
There are little things we can all do to help look after our mental health. Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more.
Every Mind Matters give expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing, so discover what works for you.
They offer information and videos to help young people look after their own mental wellbeing and dedicated support to help parents and guardians look after the mental wellbeing of the children and young people they care for.
The AFC Crisis Messenger
The AFC Crisis Messenger text service is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. The service is staffed by trained volunteers who will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better.
We can help with issues such as anxiety, worry, panic attacks, bullying and depression and are here to talk at any time of day or night.
Anna Freud’s ‘On My Mind’ for young people
‘On My Mind’ aims to empower young people to make informed choices about the mental health support they want, the treatments they receive and the outcomes they desire.
The free digital resources are designed for use by children and young people between the ages of 10 – 25 who are thinking about looking for support, who may be receiving or waiting to receive support, or for those who want help and information about self-managing their own mental health and wellbeing.
Anna Freud – parents and carers
The parents and carers resources on the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and their Families website offer advice and guidance to help support children and young people who may be struggling with poor mental health.
The aim is to offer support to parents and carers who are trying to navigate the mental health system on behalf of or in support of a child or young person and to highlight the importance of looking after yourself as a parent or care, among many other things.
How to sleep better
Good sleep doesn’t just mean lots of sleep: it means the right kind of sleep. Sleep affects our ability to use language, sustain attention, understand what we are reading, and summarise what we are hearing; if we compromise on our sleep, we compromise on our performance, our mood, and our interpersonal relationships.
This guide from the Mental Health Foundation shares information, tips and useful resources on how to get a better night’s sleep.
The Children’s Society
Young people know it’s good to talk about their feelings, but The Children’s Society recognise that talking to your children about their wellbeing isn’t always easy, so let them help you start the conversation. Find out how to support your child through self-esteem, stress and anxiety issues.
The Children’s Society website is full of information for young people and their parents or carers on subjects including body image, anger, emotional resilience, bullying, stress and much more.
ChatHealth messaging service for young people aged 11-19
Young people can text ChatHealth for confidential advice and support on a wide range of issues.
Young people aged 11-19 years old can send a text to 07520631722
They can help young people with all kinds of things like:
Emotional health
Relationships
Self-harm
Bullying
Alcohol
Healthy eating
Drugs
Smoking
Your ChatHealth messaging service is run by School Nurses in Devon County Council Public Health Nursing and is available from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
YoungMinds
How to make a worry box: A guide for parents
If your child often feels worried or anxious, and it’s upsetting them or making it difficult for them to do other things, creating a worry box together may help.
Discover a step-by-step guide on how to explain, create and use a worry box with your child.
Parenting Smart (Place2Be)
The children’s mental health charity, Place2Be, has launched a new website aimed at helping parents with typical situations they can find themselves in with their children.
Advice can be found on over 40 topics including:
- Understanding sibling rivalry
- My child is lying, what does it mean, what should I do?
- My child has trouble going to sleep
- My child says ‘I hate you!’
- Cultural identity: who am I?
These can be found on the Parenting Smart website.
YoungMinds – parents helpline
Worried about a child or young person? Contact the parents helpline on 0808 802 55444 for free, confidential advice via the phone, email or webchat. Their normal opening hours are 9.30 am – 4.00 pm, Monday – Friday (excluding bank holidays).
They offer three different services to parents and carers who are concerned about their child’s mental health, up to the age of 25. Call the helpline for detailed advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25.
Wellbeing Exeter – Community Connecting
Wellbeing Exeter will work with you via your GP to enable you to improve and promote your own health and wellbeing.
Find out more about Community Connecting.
Better Health – Every Mind Matters
Looking after a child or young person’s mental health.
There are times when we all feel the strain. As parents and carers, there are ways we can support children and young people to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy. Check out the Better Health Every Mind Matters website for tips and advice.
Exeter Chances
The Exeter Chances programme uses sport and physical activity to empower young people throughout Exeter to improve their physical, personal, and social development.
It is primarily aimed at young people aged 13 – 17 who are excluded or not attending school, have offended in the last 12 months, or are not in education, employment or training.
The programme involves a combination of mentoring, physical activity, hard-hitting workshops, volunteering opportunities and accredited qualifications.
We work with young people who are facing challenges to change, not manage, their lives and help them to engage with physical activity, education, and their local communities.
We encourage schools, organisations, and agencies in Exeter to discuss this opportunity with young people that would benefit from the programme, and to refer to us any young person who is interested.
Hikmat Devon CIC
Hikmat Devon CIC, is a user-led co-operative that works with members of the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities across Devon, working to reduce isolation and improve health and well-being outcomes.
This is done through activity and interest groups, 1 to 1 mentoring, training, signposting, counselling, and person-centred goal planning.
Find out more about Hikmat Devon.
Young Carers
TTVS Young Carers Connected
The new Young Carers Connected (YCC) Project funds specialist support workers in Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge to offer carer-specific support to young carers between the ages of 8 to 25 years. From individual support and family support, to advocacy and outdoor trips and much more.
Sense – support for young carers and siblings of disabled people
This free, flexible service is open to anyone aged 5-18 living in the UK who has caring responsibilities for a sibling or parent with a disability.
Sometimes, it’s nice to be able to chat or do activities with people your own age, who have had similar experiences and understand what life is like.
Find out more on the Sense website.
Young carers
The aim is to ensure that young carers are aware of their rights and have a right to an assessment of their own needs. In Devon, that is undertaken by Devon Young Carers (Westbank), who, after receiving a referral for an assessment, will consider:
- whether it is appropriate for the young carer to provide, or continue to provide, care
- the young carer’s needs for support, their other needs and wishes
- if any of the young carer’s needs for support could be prevented by providing services to the person cared for, or another member of the young carer’s family
Find out more about the services for young carers.
Bereavement Support
Bereavement and Pupils with SEND – London Grid for Learning
The death of a loved one is difficult for every young person. Whether the deceased was somebody close to them, or only an acquaintance, its occurrence can often be the first encounter with death. For children and young people at the start of their lives, bereavement can bring up questions they’ve never had to deal with. This can have a profound effect on their educational and personal lives. This can be particularly hard for young people with SEND, and their particular requirements will often need a different approach.
To find out more about how to approach this issue, the London Grid for Learning (LGfL) has published a package of Bereavement and young people with SEND resources.
Winstons Wish – Free grief activities and resources
Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief. They offer information, on-demand services, bereavement support and counselling to support young people to understand their feelings and to process their grief. They also help adults supporting young grieving people. Download these free Winston’s Wish bereavement activities and resources to use with children, teens and young people.
At a Loss
At a Loss is a national signposting website that has been designed to help bereaved people find the support they need to navigate through grief. Find local support and groups by simply entering a few details in boxes, including the age of the person needing support and your location. This will then bring up what is available in your area. You are also able to purchase Tough Stuff Journals (‘Parent’s splitting up’ and ‘Someone has died’) through the shop on the website, which have proved very helpful for younger children as a means of expressing their thoughts and feelings.
Families in Grief (North Devon and Torridge)
Families in Grief supports children, young people and their families living in North Devon and Torridge who are coming to terms with the death of someone close to them.
Support is provided by running a series of groups throughout the year which brings a number of bereaved families together to help them with their grief. They feel that meeting together in this way will open up communication within the family, reduce their sense of isolation and help to understand and normalise their feelings by meeting others who are experiencing similar situations.
They also run groups for bereaved teenagers which introduce them to other young people who are facing similar challenges. The sessions involve physical activities such as the climbing wall and numerous craft activities.
Balloons bereavement support
Balloons support bereaved children and young people, aged 5-25, in Exeter, Mid and East Devon when someone significant in their lives dies. They work alongside their families and the professionals who care for them to further enhance the support they receive.
Children and Families in Grief
Children and Families in Grief is a charitable organisation that provides practical, emotional and creative support for children and their families in South Devon following bereavement.
Child Bereavement UK – how children grieve
Child Bereavement UK helps children, parents and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. They support children and young people up to the age of 25 who are facing bereavement, and anyone impacted by the death of a child of any age.
Read about how children cope with grief at different ages and stages of life and common responses, feelings and behaviours that may be experienced when dealing with loss. Online support and resources are available on the website or you can call the Child Bereavement UK Helpline on 0800 02 888 40.
Pete’s Dragons
Pete’s Dragons has a passion for making sure those impacted by suicide are supported. The Dragons are a team that have experienced the aftermath first-hand and worked together to ensure that all those impacted by suicide in Devon and North Somerset have access to timely and appropriate support.
To find out more, visit the Pete’s Dragon’s Website
If you are looking for advice or you were going to complete this form on behalf of somebody else, please use their website enquiry form or telephone the office on 01395 277780.
Books Beyond Words
Books Beyond Words has produced a range of free picture stories and illustrated guides to support people with learning disabilities and autism through difficult times and situations, including the coronavirus pandemic and the Ukraine war, for example.
Household Support
Turntable
Turntable is an Exeter-based charitable organisation that collects donated furniture, electrical items, and housewares, that are in good, clean condition, free of charge, to pass on to families and individuals on very low incomes.
All the items that are collected are put on show to allow people to choose what they need. Turntable doesn’t sell items but makes a charge as a contribution towards its costs.
Anyone wishing to get items from Turntable must: a) be in receipt of one or more means-tested benefits, b) be referred by an approved referrer, and c) be within our coverage area.
Turntable Furniture
The Warehouse
Swan Yard
Okehampton Street
Exeter EX4 1DS
Tel: 01392 202032
Email: office@turntable.org.uk
Contact the Elective Home Education Team’s Family Support Adviser to complete a referral.
Citizens Advice South Hams
You could get help worth £300 towards the cost of your energy bills by talking to Citizens Advice South Hams.
They can help with complex energy billing issues, resolving matters directly with energy providers; help you deal with energy supplier issues, including billing and meter problems; help you understand how to make your home more energy efficient and look at fuel bills and household finances to help save money.
All support from Citizens Advice is free, independent and confidential.
South Hams Citizens Advice can be contacted on 0808 278 7948 Mon-Fri 10am -4pm or for more information visit southhamscab.org.uk
Citizens Advice are at:
- Follaton House, Totnes Monday – Friday 10am – 1pm, 2pm – 4pm
- Ivybridge -The Watermark, Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge, PL21 0SZ. Every Monday 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Dartmouth -The Flavel, Flavel Place, Dartmouth, TQ6 9ND. Every Tuesday 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Dartmouth -Health and Wellbeing Centre, Wessex Way, Dartmouth, TQ6 OJL. Every Tuesday 1pm to 4pm
- Kingsbridge – Quay House, Ilbert Road, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1DZ. Every Tuesday 9.30am to 12.30pm
- Totnes – St John’s Community Café, St Johns Church, Bridgetown, Totnes TQ9 5AD, every Wednesday from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
- Dartmouth – Yorkshire Building Society, South Embankment, TQ6 9BH. By appointment at branch
Kids Eat Free 2024
The Money Saving Central website advertises the Restaurants, Pubs and Cafes where kids can eat free during the various UK 2024 school holidays.
Supermarket cafes, chain restaurants and food venues all around the UK are offering the ‘Kids Eat Free’ or Kids eat for £1 deal during school holiday and some all year round. The Money Saving Central Kids Eat Free page is the place to visit to find out more, but below are a few examples of what is on offer:
- Travelodge and Premier Inn – Buy one adult breakfast from just £8.99 and up to two kids eat breakfast for free.
- Pausa Café @ Dunelm – Kids get 1 mini main, 2 snacks and a drink free with every £4 spend after 3pm.
- Future Inns – Under 5s eat for free with any adult meal.
- Bella Italia – Children (2-11 year olds) eat for £1 with any adult main. Offer valid between 4pm and 6pm Mon – Thurs.
- Asda – Kids eat for £1 All Day, every Day at Asda cafes, with no adult spend required.
- Sainsburys Cafés – Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of an adult hot main. From 11:30am every day.
- Beefeater and Brewers Fayre – Two children under 16 can get a free unlimited breakfast every day with one paying adult
- Morrisons – Spend £4.49 and get one kids meal free, every day.
- Tesco -Kids eat free with a purchase of 60p+ from Monday- Friday in school holidays 2024.
- IKEA Kids get a meal from 95p daily.
To find out more, visit Money Saving Central Kids Eat Free
Asda Café Offer
Asda is extending its ‘Kids Eat for £1’ meal deal to run all year long in more than 205 cafés, instead of just during the school holidays.
Morrisons Café Offer
Peckish shoppers can get some free crumpets at Morrisons Café over the Easter holidays – if you know to ask for a special person.
Families who ‘Ask for Ellen’ can secure two toasted Warbutons crumpets with butter and jam, with the free food on offer at all 397 Cafés.
Early Help
Early Help is the extra support your family can get if you need it. It may be that you want to prevent a problem, or change things for your family before the problem becomes more serious.
It is not a specific service or team, it’s an approach that brings together people from a range of services and teams who will work together with your whole family to help improve the situation for everyone.
It can offer support to families from pre-birth to adolescents with all sorts of issues from parenting, employment and school attendance to emotional wellbeing or anti-social behaviour.
MoneySavingExpert
The MoneySavingExpert, supported by Mind, Rethink, CAP UK and others have produced a free Mental Health & Debt 2023 leaflet that offers help, info, guidance and support for individuals and carers who are experiencing poor mental health and debt.
LEAP
LEAP is a free service that is helping people keep warm and reduce their energy bills without costing them any money. After they’ve received your referral, a member of their highly trained energy advisor team will contact you to discuss your situation. They will offer you tailored advice and support based on your needs, including any onwards referral or referral for a follow-up home visit when suitable.
Devon foodbanks and community larders
There are a number of foodbanks and community larders in Devon that provide emergency food and support to individuals and families. Enter your postcode in the search on the Food Support Pinpoint page to see what is available in your area.
There is also a Recycle Devon Community Groups Map showing the locations of Community Fridges/Larders, Repair Cafés, Borrow and Share and Scrapstores across Devon.
Devon Cost of Living Payments and Support Schemes
Help and advice for people living in Devon
Councils have released information for residents and businesses in Devon who are struggling to afford to pay for their energy, water, food or other essential items.
Devon County Council
https://www.devon.gov.uk/cost-of-living/
East Devon District Council
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/financial-support-and-advice/help-with-household-bills/
Mid Devon District Council
Residents’ Financial Support – MIDDEVON.GOV.UK
Torridge Council
https://www.torridge.gov.uk/costoflivinghelp
South Hams District Council
https://www.southhams.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help
Teignbridge District Council
https://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/cost-of-living-crisis/cost-of-living-help-and-support/
Exeter City Council
https://exeter.gov.uk/benefits-and-welfare/help-managing-your-money/cost-of-living-support/
North Devon District Council
https://northdevon.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help-and-advice/
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/get-help-with-the-cost-of-living/
• If you’re struggling to afford your gas and electricity bills, Citizens Advice recommends contacting your supplier directly and offering to come up with a payment plan.
• If you’re on a prepayment meter and you can’t afford to top up, you can get temporary credit from your supplier, but you’ll have to pay this back.
• You may also be able to repay your debt directly from your benefits through the Fuel Direct Scheme.
Help for Households
To help with the cost-of-living crisis the government has launched a website detailing a range of support for households including cost of living payments, help with childcare costs, support with energy bills and much more. This is available from the link: Help for Households – Get government cost of living support
Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service
- English as an additional language
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- Gypsy Roma Traveller
For support, answers to questions, advice or signposting or both to relevant support agencies or community home language support groups get in touch with the EMTAS Team.
Uplift Devon
Uplift is there to support local families with young children. A meeting place in Tiverton for families with children under 5 to meet and make connections. They can support with clothing, nappies, accessories, toys and books and offer signposting and family support advice if needed.
Relationships
FearFree
FearFree is a charity working to break the cycle of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking across the Southwest.
They support over 10,000 adults and children every year to not only keep them safe but help them to rebuild their lives free from fear and abuse.
Their support is tailored to the person’s needs and experiences, and they help them right from crisis intervention, through to 1-1 or group work recovery sessions, to specialised employment and education programmes.
To find out more, visit the FearFree website
Family Lives
A national charity, providing help and advice to families going through a difficult time.
Families can contact the Family Lives team about any aspect of family life, at all stages of a child’s development, for example, parenting or relationship support, bullying, teenage risky behaviour and mental health concerns of both parents and children.
Take a look at the Family Lives website or call the helpline on 0808 800 2222.
Kidscape Parent Advice Line – bullying
Kidscape offers friendly, impartial, non-judgemental information, advice and support to parents, carers and family members who are concerned about their child or young person being bullied. They offer a dedicated parent advice telephone and email contact.
Parents can call 020 7823 5430 or send an email to parentsupport@kidscape.org.uk.
If the telephone line is busy, please try again later or leave a clear message with your name and number and an advisor will call back.
The Happy Confident Company
The Happy Confident Company helps children and families thrive by developing their emotional intelligence and their confidence. Amongst other resources, you can print out The Bee Happy board game and playing cards at home, and get set on a journey of exercises that promote physical and mental wellbeing
Intercom Trust
Intercom Trust are an LGBT+ led charity, proudly working with 1000’s of people each year to improve wellbeing and inclusion across the region, offering support through 1:1 sessions, group sessions, youth groups, family days out and much more.
Family Pride South West
Intercom Trust are now taking referrals for this new project – Family Pride South West. It will be available throughout Devon and Cornwall, including Plymouth and Torbay.
The project has 4 components:
- Family Pride Events – fun family events for families where at least one member is LGBT+.
- Parenting Support – They will be delivering Group Triple P for LGBT+ parents/carers with children between the ages of 2 and 12. This will be an 8 week course focussing on parenting skills.
- Family Relationship Support– Their family practitioners can work with families where there is tension or communication problems between parents (together or apart). This can include disagreements on how best to support an LGBT+ child in the family, or where a parent has come out as LGBT+ and they are unsure what this means for their relationship.
- Couples/co-parent counselling – They will have counselling available for parents who wish to work through difficulties in a therapeutic setting.
Families can book onto upcoming events via their Eventbrite page – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/intercom-trust-17691399947. Alternatively they can get in touch with the helpline to join the mailing list to be informed about upcoming events – 0800 612 3010 (9am – 4pm weekdays) or email helpline@intercomtrust.org.uk.
For parenting support, mediation or counselling, families can be referred, or can self-refer via the referral form on their website – https://www.intercomtrust.org.uk/referral-form/. Please select the Family Relationship Support option.
Proud2Be LGBTQ+
Proud2Be runs weekly youth groups for LGBTQ+ young people aged 13-18 where you’re able to meet with other young people in a comfortable and confidential setting, access information, and participate in fun activities.
X-Plore LGBTQ youth groups
X-Plore youth groups provide a safe and empowering developmental space for LGBTQ young people in Devon.
BullyingUK (part of Family Lives)
What to do if you’re being bullied on a social network.
Bullying on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok.
The Bullying on social networks – Family Lives page offers advice and guidance on what to do if you are being bullied on a social network, as well as safety tips. There are also links to guides for young people and adults on cyberbullying and harassment.
Child Mind Institute
44 Children’s Books About Mental Health.
The Child Mind Institute has researched and chosen what they believe are the best books for helping children understand emotional and learning challenges
The books, from picture books to be read with pre-schoolers to chapter books for independent reading by older children, are aimed at young people up to 12 years old, to help them to name and understand feelings and experiences they may be struggling with. They address mental health and learning disorders and other common challenges, like dealing with painful experiences and coping with strong emotions.
Internet Safety
Internet Watch Foundation
The internet is amazing but it has made us contactable at all times, in a manner that goes far beyond the voicemails that used to typify telephonic communications. Now photographs, voice notes, and videos can be exchanged to any device at will. This has made young people more vulnerable than ever to unwanted messages and images. Research done by the Internet Watch Foundation, shows that 1 in every 4 teens has received unwanted sexual messages online. Awareness of how to mitigate this issue is vital to securing the young people of tomorrow, and to help in that endeavour the Internet Watch Foundation has created a resource pack.
Visit the Internet Watch Foundation to find out more and follow the TALK checklist to help keep your child safe online.
NSPCC
Online safety -Understanding online safety is tricky for all ages. The NSPCC have advice to help you learn about staying safe online as a family.
The Online Safety Youth Taskforce will be a group of 15 young people from across the UK aged between 13-16 years old. The Youth Taskforce will be able to share their views and ideas on issues that young people face online today, and advise the NSPCC and wider online safety sector on what matters most to them.
This will involve lots of fun projects and experiences. There will be opportunities to travel across the country to take part in residentials, meetings, and workshops, all related to the online world and keeping young people safe.
SWGfL
Online safety resources including: Social Media Checklists, Instagram Checklist, So You Got Naked Online and many more.
Visit SWGfL Resources page
Childnet for parents
Supporting young people online.
Childnet has produced information leaflets for parents on how to support their children using the internet. The leaflets are available to download in a range of languages.
Internet Matters – free online advice
Heping parents keep their children safe online. Get expert support and practical tips to help children benefit from connected technology and the internet safely and smartly.
From age-specific online safety checklists to guides on how to set parental controls on a range of devices, you’ll find a host of practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world.
YoungMinds – supporting your child with gaming
Information and advice to help you and your family create a healthy culture around gaming, and to help you support your child if they’re struggling. Read the guide for parents.
ACT Early – radicalisation
Research shows that family and friends are best placed to spot the signs that someone might be vulnerable to radicalisation. If you’re worried someone close to you is being radicalised, act early and reach out for help.
The team give advice and guidance, and together with other organisations, can put the right support in place. Without it, your loved one could be drawn down a dangerous path, so they will work with you to help them escape it.
The ACT website is designed to increase awareness of the signs of radicalisation, where to go for help and support and to increase understanding and confidence in the referral process.
Call the ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764. This support line is available every day 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Calls outside of these hours will be transferred to specialist counter terrorism officers.
A campaign video can be seen here.