Support for families: Mental health, wellbeing, money, sports, online safety

Free School Meal voucher guide here!
 
There are a number of helpful resources below, often copied and pasted from other sources.  They are not exhaustive so we would encourage you to contact your daughter's head of year if you are struggling or your circumstances change because we can often help or have access to people who can.
 
If you ever become concerned about the safety of a St Anne’s student (online or offline), you are welcome to email safe@st-annes.uk.com but that this is only for use for non-urgent situations – the police are the first port of call for these on 999 (immediate emergency) or 101.
 
 

Wellbeing and mental health

 
The NHS has put together videos for all sorts of tips on exercise, sleep and how to take care of yourself on social media. You will also find links to help for groups of people who may be finding things particularly tough, or have additional needs, and support with some of the issues you may be facing. https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/youth-mental-health/

 

Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you.  https://www.childline.org.uk/

 

ThinkNinja is an app specifically designed to educate 10-18 year olds about mental health, emotional wellbeing and to provide skills young people can use to build resilience and stay well. https://www.healios.org.uk/services/thinkninja1

 

No Limits is a charity offering free and confidential information, advice, counselling, advocacy and support to children and young people. Support is offered at the No Limits Advice Centre in Central Southampton. No Limits also runs a number of free support groups for young people in Southampton. https://nolimitshelp.org.uk/

 

Beat Eating Disorders: Coronavirus is understandably causing a lot of stress and anxiety, and we know that things may feel very uncertain right now. We’ve listened to the issues you’ve raised and, with the help of eating disorder clinicians, put together the guidance below to try to respond to the most common ones. https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/coronavirus

 

Welcome to The Mix Life’s tough, we know that. It can throw a lot your way and make it hard to know what the hell to do with it all. So, welcome to The Mix. Whether you’re 13, 25, or any age in between, we’re here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts you have. We give you the information and support you need to deal with it all. Because you can. Because you’re awesome. We’ll connect you to experts and your peers who’ll give you the support and tools you need to take on any challenge you’re facing – for everything from homelessness to finding a job, from money to mental health, from break-ups to drugs. https://www.themix.org.uk/get-support

 

At Youngminds we will make sure all young people get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life's challenges. https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/

 

The Samaritans: Whatever you're going through, call us free any time, from any phone, on 116 123. There is also a free self-help app for when you don’t want to talk. https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/talk-us-phone/

 

Shout is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s the first free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Text SHOUT to 85258 from anywhere in the UK, anytime, about any type of crisis.  https://www.crisistextline.uk/

 

STAR works with children and young people on what healthy relationships look like, as well as how to recognise and get help with unhealthy relationships or situations. https://www.yellowdoor.org.uk/the-star-project

Re:Minds is a parent-led support group for families who have children/young people with autism or mental health issues and is based in Southampton. Lots of useful resources, book recommendations and notes from talks with CAMHS. https://www.reminds.org.uk/

 

Southampton Family Trust provides support, information and courses for families in Southampton.

http://www.sftrust.org.uk/

 

Links to organisations offering bereavement support

https://sid.southampton.gov.uk/kb5/southampton/directory/results.page?familychannel=8-1

 

Free Sports Activities

Saints Foundation Book free Saints Kicks football in Southampton (Saints Kicks also runs at St Anne’s and no need to book-only open to St Anne’s pupils) https://bookings.saintsfoundation.co.uk/soccerschools/index.htm

 

Hampshire Cricket Wicketz, free weekly Wicketz activity takes place at Oasis Academy and Cantell School. 

https://www.lordstaverners.org/programme-information/southampton-wicketz/

 

Money

Free and impartial money advice

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

 

Use this link to check your eligibility for Free School Meals for your child.

http://www.southampton.gov.uk/schools-learning/in-school/school-meals/free-school-meals.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0eBS_r9B2EvDvVJWSJS2K2lWv_dC4chRAGeJPOC1NupHZyOXsE3dkw6tE

 

CAP runs life skills groups for that help give people the confidence and decision making skills to survive on a low income. https://capuk.org/i-want-help

 

Information from the Council:

 

Advice on heating your home: https://environmentcentre.com/support-and-guidance/

 

Help with Debt: Please see link for local and national debt advice services. http://www.southampton.gov.uk/benefits-welfare/money-advice/useful-contacts.aspx

 

Help with Water Bills:

Essentials tariff  You may qualify for a minimum 20% discount if your household income is less than £16,105 per year (not including Personal Independence Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance). Plus, if someone at your address receives Pension Credit, you’ll automatically be accepted onto the Essentials tariff and receive a 20% discount on your water bill. 

 

Water Sure tariff If you are on a water meter and use a lot of water due to a medical condition, or because there are three or more children under 19 living at home, you could benefit from a cap on your metered water bill.  You’ll need to be claiming benefits to be eligible for the WaterSure tariff.

 

NewStart  If you owe money to Southern Water for an outstanding debt and you haven’t been able to make a payment for a while you may be eligible to receive help to pay off the bill. Check online for more details.

 

Water Direct  Jobcentre Plus may be able to pay Southern Water directly from your benefits on your behalf.

To find out more about any of these schemes simply email or call Southern Water on 0800 027 0800.

 

Other

The Fresh Start group provides support for people wanting a fresh start and want to stop smoking, binge drinking, gambling or internet addiction.

https://capuk.org/i-want-help/our-services/fresh-start/find-your-local-fresh-start-group

 

 

Coronavirus/COVID-19

Information, resources & tools from Barnardos - from practical advice on how to talk to your children about the pandemic, to tips on managing anxiety specifically linked to the coronavirus.

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/support-hub

 

Advice and support for families during the coronavirus from the NSPCC

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/coronavirus-advice-suppport-children-families-parents

 

Multilingual information and support on Covid-19 and impact on health, work, benefits and visas.

https://covid19uk.iom.int/?fbclid=IwAR0sw5GM3Wsq3IlwSJyPVDQgF85cXeuOZb_n4M4yaeN3oNFK2fbt0tUtDkE

 

 

 

NHS 111:

Get advice from NHS 111 if you are worried about your child, or not sure what to do. NHS Link: https://digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/nhs-111-online-coronavirus-services

 

Support and advice from Southampton City Council during coronavirus:

https://www.southampton.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid19/help/

 

Information about Coronavirus in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Guajarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance#history

 

Self-isolating and need help:

This link puts you in touch with  Local Community Groups who can give you help and advice whilst you are self-isolating. It is funded by the NHS and Southampton City Council and is a free service.

 

https://www.solinked.org.uk/community-navigation#referral

 

Self-isolating and on a pre-payment meter:

If you are on a pre-payment gas/electricity meters and cannot leave home and do not have anyone who can do this for your, your energy company might be able to help.

 

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/#energy

 

 

 

Online Safety & Social Media

Thinkuknow websites provide advice about staying safe when you're online.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

 

Parent Info is a free service that shares articles, tips, expert advice and resources designed to help parents keep up with what their children are doing on-line.

https://parentinfo.org/articles/all

 

Please remember that the minimum age for most social media is 13 (including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok) and more for some (e.g. WhatsApp – which is far more than a messaging app).  This is also a useful opportunity to remind you that school does not routinely become involved if there have been disagreements between students over social media or text message outside of school.

 

Advice for parents: What to do if a child sees something which has/may upset them online –

 

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/advice-parents-what-do-if-your-child-sees-something-upsetting-online

 

Advice and checklists from social media: how to report content and manage security settings –

 

TikTok: https://swgfl.org.uk/resources/checklists/tiktok/

Snapchat: https://swgfl.org.uk/resources/checklists/snapchat/

Roblox: https://swgfl.org.uk/resources/checklists/roblox/

Instagram: https://swgfl.org.uk/resources/checklists/instagram/

Facebook: https://swgfl.org.uk/resources/checklists/facebook/

 

Useful guidance around apps and social media can be found on the NSPCC website, the safer internet site in the first link above, as well as www.net-aware.org.uk.

 

If you ever become concerned about the safety of a St Anne’s student (online or offline), you are welcome to email safe@st-annes.uk.com but that this is only for use for non-urgent situations – the police are the first port of call for these on 999 (immediate emergency) or 101.

 

 

Parenting Courses from Southampton City Council
The Local Authority are encouraging people to self-refer into their courses, details of which can be found in the two attachments below.

Telephone: 023 80328200 Email: info@st-annes.uk.com