Family Support Information

Bereavement Support

The death of a loved one can be devastating. Grief and bereavement are common experiences after losing someone close. It can affect people in different ways and there is no right or wrong way to feel.

The following organsiations offer support, advice and counselling services for children or adults, dealing with bereavement:

Domestic Abuse

For anyone who feels they are at risk of abuse, it is important to remember that there is help and support available to you, including police response, online support, helplines, refuges and other services. You are not alone.

Domestic abuse: how to get help - GOV.UK

Call 999

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police - the police will continue to respond to emergency calls.

If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, dial 999, listen to the questions from the operator and respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can. Then follow the instructions depending on whether you are calling from a mobile or a landline.

If you call from a mobile

If prompted, press 55 - this will transfer your call to the police.

Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.

If you call 999 from a landline

If only background noise can be heard and BT operators cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, then you will be connected to a police call handler.

If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick up again.

When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about your location should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.

 

Other Domestic Abuse Support

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Refuge runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which you can call for free, and in confidence, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. Its website provides guidance and support for potential victims, as well as those who are worried about friends and loved ones. It also has a form through which you can book a safe time for a call from the team.

Women’s Aid https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/ has a range of direct services for survivors, including a live chat service and an online Survivors’ Forum. They have developed additional advice specifically designed for the current coronavirus outbreak. You can also find your local domestic abuse service on their website. They also provide information on the support helplines available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Your Sanctuary https://www.yoursanctuary.org.uk/ offer support and empowerment to anyone affected by Domestic Abuse and enable children to be seen, heard and validated. We challenge mind sets to change attitudes and facilitate informed choices

Hestia

Hestia https://www.hestia.org/domestic-abuse provides a free mobile app, Bright Sky, which provides support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.

Men’s Advice Line

The Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.

Telephone: 0808 801 0327

Galop - for members of the LGBT+ community

http://www.galop.org.uk/ runs the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse specialist helpline.

Telephone: 0800 999 5428  Email: help@galop.org.uk

Chayn

Chayn https://chayn.co/ provides online help and resources in a number of languages about identifying manipulative situations and how friends can support those being abused.

‘Honour’-based abuse

If you are suffering abuse from your family or community because they say that you have compromised their ‘honour’, or if they are trying to force you into marriage, you can get help. Karma Nirvana runs the national honour-based abuse helpline.

Telephone: 0800 5999 247

Email: support@karmanirvana.org.uk

BME specialist services

Imkaan https://www.imkaan.org.uk/ is a women’s organisation addressing violence against black and minority women and girls.

Disability specialist services

These services are run by deaf and/or disabled people.

Stay Safe East http://staysafe-east.org.uk/ provides specialist and holistic advocacy and support services to disabled victims and survivors of abuse.

SignHealth https://signhealth.org.uk/ provides domestic abuse service support for deaf people in British Sign Language (BSL).

WhatsApp or Facetime: 07970 350366

Telephone: 020 3947 2601

Email: da@signhealth.org.uk

Economic abuse

If you are experiencing financial control or economic abuse the charity Surviving Economic Abuse can provide guidance and support.

Support if you are worried about hurting someone else

If you are worried about hurting the ones you love, call the Respect Phoneline for support and help to manage your behaviour. This is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who are harming their partners and families. It takes calls from partners or ex-partners, friends, and relatives who are concerned about perpetrators.

Telephone: 0808 802 4040

We know that people all across Surrey are feeling the impact of increasing costs and pressure on household budgets. If you are struggling to meet the needs of your family, due to finanacial hardship, please take a look at the below for support:

Sythwood Primary & Nursery School

We don't believe that anyone in our school community should struggle to provide a warm and safe environment for their children.

We are able to signpost families to other external support services as well as provide help with school uniform and accessing the local Foodbank agencies.  We also work with a local charity 'Foodwise' who provide us with free frozen meals for families in need.  

Local support:

Surrey County Council

It is recognised that people all across Surrey are feeling the impact of increasing costs and pressure on household budgets.  You can access financial, health and welfare advice at the below link:

Health and welfare support - Surrey County Council

Woking Foodbank

"We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK".

Woking Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

Citizen's Advice

If you don’t have enough money to live on, you might be able to get help to afford essentials like bills and food. This includes the Household Support Fund and cost of living payments.

Get help with the cost of living - Citizens Advice

If you are struggling with financial hardship please contact the main school office on 01483 770063 and ask for Mrs Jolly or Mrs Matheson to talk about how we, or another local agency, may be able to help you.

 

What is 'mental health'?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as:

'a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in.'

Parenting with mental health problems

Parenting comes with lots of challenges, which can be even more difficult if you're dealing with your own mental health or wellbeing problem.

What are mental health problems?

When we talk about mental health problems we mean conditions like:

• anxiety disorders
• bipolar disorder
• depression
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• personality disorders
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• schizophrenia.

This is not a complete list. There are many types of mental health problems, and if yours isn't listed, you can still find support.

How can mental health problems affect parenting?

Sometimes these conditions can affect a parent's ability to provide the care that children need. Parents or carers may:

• have mood swings
• find it difficult to recognise their children's needs
• or struggle with keeping routines such as mealtimes, bedtimes and taking their children to school.

If you, or someone you know is struggling, there is help available:

Your GP may be the best place to start. Make an appointment with your GP and talk to them about what you are going through

Mind - information and support as well as helplines for people experiencing mental health problems and their friends and families.

Samaritans - If you're having a difficult time or worried about someone else. Call for free on: 116 123
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

SHOUT

Text SHOUT to 85258 from anywhere in the UK, 24/7. Shout is the UK's first free 24/7 crisis text line available for anyone, anytime, anywhere. The service is anonymous and off bill. It is powered by a nationwide team of Crisis Volunteers, supported by expert Clinical Supervisors. This is a place to go if you're experiencing a personal crisis, unable to cope and need immediate help. https://www.giveusashout.org/

Mental Health Crisis Helpline (SABP) 
Emergency support for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Tel: 0300 456 8342 or SMS: 07717 9898342

Combat Stress: 
24-hour helpline providing confidential mental health advice. Open to veterans and those currently servicing as well as families, friends and carers. Call: 0800 138 1619 or email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk

Mental Health Crisis Helpline - 24 hour support for people in Surrey and North East Hampshire experiencing a mental health crisis
0800 915 4644

Support for parents, children and young people

Register for FREE online parenting courses.

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/families/support-and-advice/parenting-courses-and-advice/online-guides 

Topics include:

Understanding your pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby

Understanding your baby

Understanding your child 0 to 19 years

Understanding your teenagers brain

The online guides contain advice relevant to expectant parents, parents, grandparents and carers of children of all ages including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Family Links https://www.familylinks.org.uk/free-downloads-for-parents have a selection of free downloads with practical tips and advice for parents. They also have a free online parenting course hosted by Netmums. Although it is hosted by Netmums, it is perfect for Dads too.

Surrey Parenting Handbook

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/families/publications/the-parent-handbook

This is a reference book for parents and carers of 11 to 19 year olds in Surrey. It includes information and contacts on 20 topics, ranging from alcohol, drugs and substance misuse to support for young carers.