# data[].attributes.body
'My Story' is a work booklet created for young people affected by imprisonment

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An educational video (1 minute long) which depicts the dangers of kids sharing on social media. It is aimed at parents of children aged 8- to 12-years-old to emphasise the importance of them having conversation with their children about who they are talking to and what they share when they socialise online.

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Muslim Scout Fellowship 4-25

The Muslim Scout Fellowship supports groups to inspire & empower the Muslim youth into becoming confident future change makers.

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The Muslim Scout Fellowship supports groups to inspire & empower the Muslim youth into becoming confident future change makers. Gain new skills while helping others All the latest news for you and your Scouts The Muslim Scouts Fellowship took a group of explorers to Türkiye at the end of August, to discover the rich Islamic history of this culturally diverse country.

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Opportunities for adventure 4-25

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We prepare young people with skills for life. Each year we help over 460,000 girls and boys enjoy fun and adventure while developing skills to succeed. Do more. Learn more. Be more.

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Locked out is a document for adults to help them support children with the imprisonment of a loved one.

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Respect | Home

Support for Domestic Abuse Perpetrators

Male Victims of Domestic Abuse

Young People's Violence in Close Relationships

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To help us keep this website secure, please wait while we verify you’re not a robot! It will only take a few seconds…

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The LGBT+ Anti Abuse Charity

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Galop works with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence in the UK

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Relationship breakdown

Homelessness

Domestic abuse

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Getting Help for Domestic Violence and Abuse

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Getting Help for Domestic Violence and Abuse

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Getting help for domestic violence and abuse – Rochdale Borough Council

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Getting help for domestic violence and abuse. Support and safe accommodation for victims and survivors of domestic abuse

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Victim Support: Rochdale Specialist Domestic Abuse Service

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Victim Support: Rochdale Specialist Domestic Abuse Service

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Rochdale Specialist Domestic Abuse Service - Victim Support

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If you’ve been affected by domestic abuse in the Greater Manchester area, call Rochdale Specialist Domestic Abuse Service.

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The Talk About Trust is a youth charity that works accross the UK to ensure young people have the knowledge, skills and resilience to make safer choices around alcohol and other substances such as vaping and cannabis.

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Together we will end homelessness and create safe places where all people can flourish.

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Jason Manford to headline charity comedy gig at Middleton Arena

Fresh from the West End, Jason Manford will bring his unique blend of upbeat observational comedy to Rochdale, in his only stand-up show of 2023....

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Jason Manford to headline charity comedy gig at Middleton Arena Fresh from the West End, Jason Manford will bring his unique blend of upbeat observational comedy to Rochdale, in his only stand-up show of 2023....

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Home - Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association

Offering a free counselling service to women in our community. Provided by qualified and training therapists, offerred in different languages.

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Together we will end homelessness and create safe places where all people can flourish.

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Jason Manford to headline charity comedy gig at Middleton Arena

Fresh from the West End, Jason Manford will bring his unique blend of upbeat observational comedy to Rochdale, in his only stand-up show of 2023....

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Jason Manford to headline charity comedy gig at Middleton Arena Fresh from the West End, Jason Manford will bring his unique blend of upbeat observational comedy to Rochdale, in his only stand-up show of 2023....

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Are You A Carer?

Do you look after a family member or friend who couldn’t manage without your support? Perhaps they have a long-term illness, disability, mental health condition, or issues related to ageing.

Are You A Young Carer?

You might be looking after a parent, sibling, or relative who needs extra support. If you help at home in ways others your age don’t, you’re not alone – we’re here for you.

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Are You A Carer?

Do you look after a family member or friend who couldn't manage without your support? Perhaps they have a long-term illness, disability, mental health condition, or issues related to ageing.

Whether you provide care for a few hours a week or around the clock, your role is invaluable. But who's looking after you?

Are You A Young Carer?

You might be looking after a parent, sibling, or relative who needs extra support. If you help at home in ways others your age don't, you're not alone - we're here for you.
If you support someone living in Rochdale, Carers' Hub Rochdale, and our dedicated service for young carers is here for you.

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Do you look after a family member or friend who couldn't manage without your support? Perhaps they have a long-term illness, disability, mental health

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LGBTQ+ support – Rochdale Borough Council

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LGBTQ+ support. Where to find LGBTQ+ support in the borough of Rochdale.

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Our Rochdale | Family Hubs and Start for Life

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Family Hubs helps to ensure that babies, children and families have the support they need, when it is needed. They offer high-quality support for families from conception to the age or 19 (or 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities). Family hubs…

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CAPT: Translation Fact Sheets on child safety 

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CAPT: Translation Fact Sheets on child safety 

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Translated Fact Sheets | Child Safety Advice in Translation

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We’ve translated some of our popular child safety fact sheets into additional languages for speakers of English as an additional language.

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Rochdale Safeguarding: After school clubs

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Rochdale Safeguarding: After school clubs

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Rochdale Safeguarding Partnership - Safe after School – advice and resources

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Explore the NSPCC’s expert advice on when and how to safely leave your child home alone, including legal guidelines, readiness indicators, and safety tips.

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Rochdale Safeguarding Partnership - Home Alone Guide

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NSPCC Home Alone guide, advice to help you decide when it’s safe for your child to be home alone

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Dogs and children can be great friends and having a dog can help children develop kindness, understanding and respect for living things. Dog companionship can improve a child's social skills with people and caring for a pet can encourage responsibility.

Because of this many families have dogs. Children quickly understand and learn to treat the dog as part of the family but it is important that parents teach children how to stay safe around dogs, to protect both child and dog.

Our top tips to keeping kids safe and dogs happy

Watch our video of top tips from our very own Samantha Gaines, mother to a toddler, dog owner and dog welfare expert.

Dogs and children communicate differently

From a dog's point of view, children communicate differently to adults; they cry, yell, shriek, crawl and run about flailing their arms. Dogs find it hard to understand children and even harder to tell them when they want to be left alone!

Children often treat dogs as their peers; they hug, cuddle, hold and scold them. Children express affection for their family through close facial contact e.g. kissing. While this may seem sweet, a dog may find this threatening and it can be quite dangerous.

For these reasons young children are more likely to be bitten than any other group and research shows that children are far more likely to be bitten by their family dog than any others. However, there are lots of things you can do to make sure your child is safe and your dog is happy.

Helping children and dogs to enjoy living together

We've teamed up with veterinarian and animal behaviourist, Dr Sophia Yin, to design a set of materials to help parents understand and recognise dog behaviour making it easier for children to stay safe and dogs happy.

Take a look at our '6 Golden Rules' for a quick guide on staying safe.

Understand how your dog is feeling - learn to recognise important body language signals.

Download our leaflets and posters and teach:

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Children and dogs - How they can live together | RSPCA

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Dogs and children can be great friends and having a dog can help children develop kindness, understanding and respect for living things. Dog companionship can improve a child's social skills with people and caring for a pet can encourage responsibility. Because of this many families have dogs.

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Rochdale Safeguarding: What to do if your child goes missing

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Rochdale Safeguarding: What to do if your child goes missing

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Rochdale Safeguarding Partnership - My Child is Missing or Has Run Away

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you must contact the Police, The Children’s Society offers advise for families of missing children

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Online safety, thinkuknow, bullyingUK, Cyber bullying,Sexting, Childnet, protect kids online

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Parenting and Family Support - Family Lives (Parentline Plus) | Family Lives

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Parenting and family support from Family Lives (formerly Parentline Plus) through our website, helpline 0808 800 2222, email service at askus@familylives.org.uk, live chat and local services.

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Help your family tackle cyberbullying by exploring our advice guides and finding out what it is, ways to prevent it, and how to deal with it.

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The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust

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UK Trauma Council: Childhood Trauma and the Brain

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UK Trauma Council: Childhood Trauma and the Brain

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Childhood Trauma and the Brain | UK Trauma Council

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UK Trauma Council: Childhood trauma, war and conflict

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UK Trauma Council: Childhood trauma, war and conflict

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Childhood Trauma, War and Conflict (with English subtitles) | UK Trauma Council

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NHS Humber Teaching Hospital: Transition  Booklet

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NHS Humber Teaching Hospital: Transition  Booklet

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Moving Up! The transition to secondary school

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Moving from primary school to secondary school is an exciting time of life, but for many children it can also be a daunting prospect.
A new, much bigger school can offer greater independence, such as the first smart phone, and a world of opportunity.

However it also means new teachers, new subjects and potentially a whole new set of friends.

Starting Secondary School, a campaign from BBC Bitesize aimed at 10-12 year olds, their teachers and parents, shines a light on the great potential of starting afresh in secondary school and also offers practical advice and emotional support to help take the stress out of taking the next big step.

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A new campaign aimed at 11 and 12 year olds, their teachers and parents, that will shine a light on the great potential of starting fresh in secondary school.

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Our expert advice will help you prepare together and manage the transition from primary to secondary school.

What's different about secondary and high school?

Children have to:

Travel by themselves, wear uniforms and get used to an unfamiliar building

Meet lots of different people, make new friends and find where they 'fit in'

Be independent and responsible for their learning, including giving in homework on time

Go through some big changes in their brains and bodies as they become teenagers, which can make this even more tricky.

The pressure to 'keep up' academically and socially can feel overwhelming - but there are simple ways you can get ready together and develop skills for coping on an ongoing basis.

Preparing my child

Check in with them regularly and remind them that:

It's normal to feel both excited and scared - nerves actually help us prepare for challenges

It may take time for them to feel settled, and that's OK

They might get things wrong as they get used to a new situation

They've coped with big changes in the past and can do it again

Not everything is going to change - some routines will stay the same

They can talk to you or someone at school if they're worried.

Are you worried about them? Find out how you can support your child

Preparing myself

The first years of secondary or high school can be difficult for families.

Young people may explore their identity by trying new things, taking risks, breaking rules and putting their friends first.

Keep talking - young people like to hear that you are interested in their world and if you know what's going on in their lives, you might worry less

Check in while you're doing everyday things, like cooking or driving somewhere, so that they don't feel pressured

Remember that your child still relies on you and (any) boundaries are needed to keep them safe

Look after yourself. Self-care can be as simple as having a cup of tea, going for a walk or getting enough sleep. All of this helps you to be there for them.

Are you struggling? Find out where you can get help

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Transition to secondary school - Place2Be

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Our expert advice will help you prepare together and manage the transition from primary to secondary school. Children have to: Travel by themselves, wear uniforms and get used to an unfamiliar building Meet lots of different people, make new friends and find where they 'fit in' Be independent and responsible for their learning, including giving in homework on time Go through some big changes in their brains and bodies as they become teenagers, which can make this even more tricky.

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It is common for young people to struggle with life changes and that includes transitions such as moving from Primary to High School.

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What Is Mental Health? Mindful Teen

This site explains more about the mental health continuim, how every one has mental health- we are all somewhere on this traffic light spectrum.

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For some teens, it is helpful to understand how the brain functions. Did you know that the human brain does not fully develop until around 25 years old? This means that while teens are being asked to juggle academics, extra-curriculars, and the social pressures of being a teenager, your brains are not fully developed.

While the pleasure-seeking portions of the teen brain are well-developed, the prefrontal cortex is the last part of your brain to mature. The prefrontal cortex is the part of your brain that is responsible for impulse control, managing emotional reactions, planning, and decision-making. This combination of factors may explain why teens are more likely to make risky decisions without considering the long-term consequences- the "go" part of your brain is in full motion and the "stop" part of your brain has not yet been fully turned on.

To learn more about the adolescent brain check out this video produced by UNICEF.

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For some teens, it is helpful to understand how the brain functions. Did you know that the human brain does not fully develop until around 25 years old?

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The Adolescent Brain: A second window of opportunity

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Low Mood: your young person might describe it as depressed/sad/empty/numb/other

This image explains how the things we think and the things we do effect our emotions/feelings.

It can be really hard parenting a young person with low mood, it may feel like they are pushing you away and not want you. Irritability is a normal part of adolescence but also a sign of low mood.

Try to support them to spend more time doing things that feel important and valuable to them. Typical examples we see:

Young people who are low in motivation, spend lots of time in their room on their phones, who dislike school, they may be feeling like 'What's the point'. Try to help them find what's missing, such as spending quality time with family, getting a sense of achievement through hobbies/interests.

Young people who are high achievers often put a lot of pressure on themselves and fill their lives with intense hobbies/study- help them to find what's missing, such as things that help them to relax/have more social time with friends /family.

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Problem solving helps when worries are about real things that are happening.

Sometimes it is difficult for Neurodiverse Young people to distinguish what is a real/'what if' worry- that doesn't really matter, these steps could still help.

Help your young person follow the above steps.

Try to let your young person to be as independent as possible in this task- this helps them to feel that they won't always need an adult to use this skill- because they were able to come up with lots of options themselves when you practiced it together.

Let them think of the ALL the possible options, no idea is a bad idea since- they will be looking at the pros and cons in later steps. This is where you can gently guide them as needed about what might happen with certain options.

Once you have made a plan, help them to distract themselves from this worry.

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Have any ideas to help us to further develop this padlet?

Is there anything you would like us to add or change?

Email us! gmicb-hmr.hmrpadletfeedback@nhs.net

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Charlie Waller - Mental Health Resources

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Charlie Waller - Mental Health Resources

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Find evidence-based mental health resources and guidance on supporting young peoples mental health.

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The OLLIE Foundation - Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing Charity

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The OLLIE Foundation - Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing Charity

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The OLLIE Foundation provide accessible training, events, initiatives and resources to reduce the number of people who feel like suicide is their only option

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The OLLIE Foundation - Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing Charity

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The OLLIE Foundation - Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing Charity

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The OLLIE Foundation provide accessible training, events, initiatives and resources to reduce the number of people who feel like suicide is their only option

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Online Grooming ft. TycerX | Voice Box | Childline

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Online Grooming ft. TycerX | Voice Box | Childline

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YouTube Childline: Coping with Suicidal Feelings 

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YouTube Childline: Coping with Suicidal Feelings 

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Coping With Suicidal Feelings | Somewhere New | Childline

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Beyond the Rough Rock - Supporting a child bereaved by suicide

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Beyond the Rough Rock - Supporting a child bereaved by suicide

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Specialist book to help families and professionals to support a child or young person following a death by suicide. Practical guidance and activities to help you talk to children about death by suicide, begin to make sense of what has happened and ways to cope. Written by childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish.

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Grief Encounter has resources and information on supporting young people through bereavemet.

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A world where no child is left to grieve alone

We care passionately about helping bereaved children, young people and their families find hope and healing after the death of someone close.

Crises in the news

If you have been affected by the recent devastating events in the news, please read our useful guides or don't hesitate to reach out and call our helpline on 0808 802 0111 from 9am - 9pm weekdays.

This year, our theme is 'The Shape of Your Support'. We are focusing on the people around a bereaved child or young person, beyond their friends or family, that can be there to support them through their grief. At Grief Encounter, we help build compassionate communities that can provide the right support from the right people, at the right time. Find out more about how this special week supports bereaved children.

We use some necessary cookies which are essential for certain basic functionalities on our website. We would also like to set Google analytics cookies to help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. These cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone. For more information please see our Cookies Policy.

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Home SUPPORTING BEREAVED CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

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One child in every UK classroom will experience the death of someone close by the time they reach 16 years old. Grief Encounter is here to help with the confusion, fear, loneliness and pain, providing a lifeline to children and young people to cope with free, immediate, one-to-one support.

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Supporting bereaved children and young people

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Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they show it in different ways. They learn how to grieve by copying the responses of the adults around them, and rely on adults to provide them with the support they need in their grief.
Further guidance that may be helpful:
How might bereaved children react and what may help?

Children and young people have a limited ability to put feelings and thoughts into words and tend to show feelings with behaviours rather than words. Reactions will vary greatly as children absorb and process information in different ways at different ages.

The following reactions are common, and are likely to settle over time with reassurance, acknowledging what has happened and their feelings, giving them clear and age-appropriate information, and keeping to normal routines.

Picking up on tension and distress

Children pick up on tension, distress or anxiety in adults, and may mirror this in their own behaviour. Even babies sense that something important is missing, and may cry more than usual. Children of all ages may be clingy or unsettled.

Appearing not to react

Children under 6 years old do not understand that death is permanent. Children cannot handle strong emotions for long periods, and may jump quickly in and out of grief ('puddle jumping'). When told that someone important has died, some children may look blank and ask 'can I play' or 'what's for tea?' They may have heard, but they are not able to process what that means yet. They may react later with sudden crying, outbursts, changes in behaviour or asking questions.

Asking questions and exploring what death means

Children may ask repeatedly: "When's Nanny coming back?" or "Where has she gone?" even though they've been told clearly what has happened. They may hunt everywhere for a 'lost' person, and so a clear explanation of what 'died' means may help. Children may play games where the person dies, or is still alive. They may seem fascinated with death, play-act about death or ask repeatedly about it. All of these are ways that children show that they are processing their understanding of what has happened.

Feeling anxious or insecure

When someone dies, a child's sense of safety is rocked. They may not want to leave you, and may cling to you or follow you everywhere. They may behave as if they are younger: being very quiet or tearful, having temper flare-ups, sucking their thumb, being reluctant to do things they used to do with confidence, or wetting the bed.

Try to keep to normal routines which will help them feel safe, and keep them informed about plans for the days ahead. Tell them who will take them to school or activities. If you need to leave them, tell them when you will be home, or who will be looking after them.
Include them in simple decision-making that affects them. If the person who died was ill, address any fears about the illness (for example that it is not catching), and reassure them that you are not ill and not leaving them.

Anger

Anger and other strong emotions are natural reactions to sad or shocking news, and some children and young people may not be able to understand or manage their own feelings. They may feel angry at the person who died, at family, at themselves or at the world in general.

It can help to tell them it is understandable for them to be angry, as long as they don't hurt themselves or anyone else. Safe ways to release anger include hitting cushions, vigorous physical exercise, messy painting sessions, or going outside to shout very loudly.

Another idea is a 'safe zone' where they can go to calm down. This could be a quiet corner with familiar items that help them to feel safe.

Looking after adults or feeling responsible

As children realise that death is permanent, they also become aware that it happens to other people including themselves. They may be protective and try to look after their important adults and siblings. They may feel that they were somehow responsible for the death.

Primary aged children may show 'magical thinking' where they think 'if I do this, Dad will come back'. They may behave very well to compensate for what's happened, or be less well-behaved because they feel angry or guilty.

Denying what has happened or taking risks

Bereavement can be overwhelming, and can bring huge changes, alongside other challenges that young people face as they grow up. They may want to forget or deny the death or how strongly they feel. They may feel 'what's the point?' with school or social activities. Some young people may be impulsive or take risks, in an attempt to get back some control in a life that for them currently feels very out of control.

What helps grieving children and young people

Every child is unique and will cope with the death of someone important in their own way. There is no magic formula but things that help include:

Clear, honest and age-appropriate information

Reassurance that they are not to blame and that different feelings are OK

Normal routines and a clear demonstration that important adults are there for them

Time to talk about what has happened, ask questions and build memories

Being listened to and given time to grieve in their own way

Further information

More about how children and young people grieve, and what helps:

Finding support

For many bereaved children and young people, they may get all the support they need from those already around them that they know and trust. However, some children and young people may need additional support depending on their situation.

Latest

Most read

Tag cloud

Short films delivered by our support practitioners giving guidance on a range of bereavement topics. Read more

A list of books and resources relating to grief and bereavement and what may help. Read more

Watch short films and read experiences of bereaved families and how support has helped them. Read more

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charity bereavement child death grief loss baby stillbirth miscarriage suicide young people

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Supporting bereaved children and young people

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Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they show it in different ways. Find out how you can help them and more about child grieving.

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#Thrive Parent/Carer Bereavement Workshop Dates

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#Thrive Parent/Carer Bereavement Workshop Dates

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#THRIVE Bereavement information sheets update

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Information about #Thrive's Bereavement Workshop for Parent/Carers

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Information about #Thrive's Bereavement Workshop for Parent/Carers

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Andy's Man Club provides a weekly space for men, over 18, to talk or listen to each other. With the aim to ultimately prevent suicides in men.

There are 3 groups in the Rochdale area:

Milnrow Cricket Club, OL16 4HF

Rochdale Mayfield Sports Centre, OL11 3AG

Spotland Crown Oil Arena, OL11 5DS

All meetings are Mondays (expect Bank Holidays) 7pm-9pm.

No fee.

If face to face isn't your thing- you can register to meet online via the website.

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ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online.

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Kooth provides 1:1 support online and much more, click the link below

Home - Kooth

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Kooth provides 1:1 support online and much more, click the link below

Home - Kooth

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Kooth has a range of resources to help families support young people’s mental health and welbeing

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Talking to your child about complex mental health and wellbeing issues is rarely easy. That’s why our clinical team put together these resources for parents. We hope you find them useful.

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Kooth - Supporting your child who's coming out

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Kooth - Supporting your child who's coming out

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Advice for parents.

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Coming out is the process of telling someone how you identify in terms of your romantic orientation, sexual orientation, or your gender identity. Coming out sounds like something somebody does just once, but actually, it's something that people in the LGBTQIA+ community might do many times at different stages of their life.

If you're a parent or guardian of someone who has come out as LGBTQIA+, you may have questions about how you can best support them.

*LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more. For more information on these terms, check out the LGBTQIA+ organisation, Stonewall, for a glossary list of terms.

In this article, we'll be exploring how to listen to your child and support them in their journey, as well as how to acknowledge your own feelings and find additional help and advice. Throughout the process, it may be helpful to remember to do the following:

Let's discuss how we can incorporate these tips.

1. Listen to how your child feels

You may have been wondering about your child's sexual, romantic, or gender identity for a while, or they may be telling you for the first time. Either way, coming out to a loved one can be emotionally challenging. So, whilst it can be tempting to ask lots of questions straight away, it can be helpful to try not to interrupt and let them talk at their own pace.

If you would like to know more, or have questions, you could let them know and ask if they feel comfortable continuing the conversation. If they don't want to continue the conversation, you could let them know that you're there to talk if they want to do so at a different time.

Similarly, if you think your child might be questioning, don't pressure them to talk to you about it. It might be more helpful to gently let them know that you will support them whatever is on their mind.

The main thing to keep in mind is trying to create a supportive home environment for your child so that they have space to share their thoughts and feelings safely, whenever they may be ready to do so.

2. Think about what they need from you.

Listening to how your child feels might also help you establish what they really need from you in that moment, and in the weeks ahead. They might need a listening ear, some practical support, some help telling others, or just a reassuring hug.

Reflecting back what you think they might need can also help them think about what they need a bit more. For example, if they come to you confused about how to speak to a friend about their gender identity, you might say, "It sounds like you just need someone to talk to right now, and perhaps later on, some help figuring out how to tell your friend. Is that right?" Thinking about their needs can help your child feel safe, heard, and maybe even more in control.

As the NSPCC (National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children) reminds and advises, "Coming out can be a stressful experience for young people and they may be worried about having to come out multiple times to different people. You could ask your child about who they feel comfortable coming out to, and if there's anything you can do to make it easier for them. They might ask you to tell members of the family, for example. Let your child know that it's okay if there are people they don't feel ready to tell straight away."

It can be helpful to let your child know that you are there to advocate for them, if they need or want this. It is best to ask your child what you can do to help and how you can be useful to them. Remember, they may need practical, as well as emotional support, such as advocating for change in their school or workplace. Tasks like these don't have to be their sole responsibility. Find ways to proactively support your child through both your words and your actions.

3. Be aware of your reaction.

If your child has come out to you, or they are questioning, you may be feeling a lot of emotions as you process this information. However, try to be mindful of your reaction in the moment.

Although it's normal to feel a range of emotions such as denial, shock, and disbelief, try to avoid impulse responses that may make your child feel dismissed, invalidated, or disapproved of. If possible, it might be helpful to give yourself some time before reacting.

It's really common to have a range of emotions if your child comes out to you. You might experience emotions such as:

Strive to stay in the moment with your child. You could remind them that your love is unconditional, thank them for telling you, ask if there is anything else they wish to let you know, and be honest about if you're unsure how to proceed. In reality, they don't need you to know how to proceed through every next step of their coming out journey, rather that you will always be there to support them and that you love all parts of them.

4. Be honest about what you don't know, and learn.

It's okay to be honest and transparent with your child if you don't know something, but reassure them that you are willing and wanting to learn. Speaking to people you know who are LGBTQIA+ can be a way to broaden your understanding, if you have a trusted LGBTQIA+ friend or family member that is comfortable to share and support, they can be a great source of information, especially on how they felt coming out to their family and how you can make it a positive experience for your child.

Do be mindful that not everyone will want to share their experience, and that's okay too. There are also excellent resources online such as articles, podcasts, forums and organisations - we've listed some at the end of this article.

5. Use new terminology.

Your child may begin using new terminology or pronouns that reflect their gender, sexuality, or sexual identity. This may feel challenging, as it can take time to get used to new words or terminology that we are unfamiliar with.

However, using your child's preferred terminology can often be really significant. As their parent, your words are powerful and can help demonstrate your love, care, and respect for them. Taking the time to learn about new concepts and terms can go a long way to make your child feel fully supported by the family.

A practical way to do this is to respect their language choices, listen carefully to the pronouns they use for themselves and their friends, and then use those language choices and pronouns just like they do.

It is likely that you may make a mistake or not get things quite right straight away. That's okay. The best thing to do if you use the wrong pronoun is to say something right away, like "Sorry, I meant (insert pronoun)". It can be tempting to labour your apology or state how hard it is for you to get it right. However, these kinds of responses may make the situation worse or make them feel like they have to comfort you, which is not their job.

6. Reflect on your response with compassion.

If your child has already come out to you and you are reflecting on how you responded, don't give yourself a hard time if in the moment you were shocked, unable to respond, or did not say the "perfect" thing.

Parents often feel guilty over how they responded or are unsure if their response was good enough. However, what you do afterward is what really matters. Ensuring that safe space is always there for your child so you can continue to support them beyond the first conversation can be really useful. The exact specifics are not important, as there is no set playbook and each child is different. If you feel you've not said the right thing, or you have regrets about how you managed conversations or situations, acknowledging it with your child might be really useful. As parents, we don't always get things right, but sometimes how we repair our mistakes is really important, and valuable.

7. Allow space for your emotions and get support.

Make sure that you find support for yourselves as a parent, if needed. Creating a good support system around you - be that friends, family, or professionals - can be really useful when going through unfamiliar situations.

You may find it helpful to get in touch with a support organisation, such as FFLAG (Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays) and potentially seek out a local parents' support group where you will be able to talk through your emotions.

For more information about LGBTQIA+ issues, you can check out the organisations, Stonewall and Gendered Intelligence/

You can share your worries and know that you are amongst people who understand at least part of what is going on for you. It may also be that you don't particularly want to talk, but just listening to other parents' experiences may feel helpful.

If you need to, talk to a therapist. Remember, it takes time to process and navigate change and it's okay to reach out for help. Taking care of yourself and attending to your own emotional needs may also allow you to be a better ally and source of support for your child, both now and in the future.

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Kooth spoke to a parent, Nita, who opened up about her story supporting a child with neurodiversity through adolescence.

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Home - ERIC

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Exam season can be a challenging time for young people. Many feel stressed in the lead-up to their exams and worried in anticipation of their results.

As adults, it can be difficult to know what we can do to support children and young people during this time. We've created some tip sheets full of practical advice to help young people, schools and families manage stress during exam season.

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Place2Be's newest Champion Laura Wright reflects on the impact of music on mental health and wellbeing.

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Place2Be welcomes cross-party commitment to expanding school mental health services

Last week, every major party in England made commitments to support children and young people's mental health.

Read more

Arts & Minds Gala raises over £308,000 for children's mental health

Nearly 200 guests came together for Place2Be's Arts & Minds gala dinner held at the Battersea Arts Centre.

Read more

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Navigating exam season resources - Place2Be

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Place2Be's advice, for young people, schools and families on managing exam and results day stress.

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Visit the Young Person 11+ Space for more content

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Stressed about exams? Jenny and Harriet from our mental health support team have got you covered #examstress #exams #stress #Camhs 

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@penninecarenhs
Stressed about exams? Jenny and Harriet from our mental health support team have got you covered #examstress #exams #stress #Camhs
♬ Chill Vibes - Febri Handika

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Holding Families+ Project works with children and families of alcohol and substance dependent parents who are in prison. The project works with mothers in HMP Styal and fathers in HMP Forest Bank to provide pre and post release support. We also work with families where the parents are on a community order with Probation. The service is delivered across Rochdale, Bury, Bolton, Salford, Trafford and Blackburn with Darwen.

The service recognises the multiple and complex needs of such parents, children and families and why alcohol (and other substances) may have been used previously. It aims to improve emotional and mental health and reduce family conflict to improve children and family outcomes in the short term and intergenerationally. Holding Families+ Project is a whole family approach which recognises the differing individual needs and aspirations of all family members.

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Our award winning Holding Families Programme is a whole family support for parents/carers affected by drug and alcohol use in Bury, Rochdale, Bolton, Salford and Trafford.

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (Wales) 2017

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Attachment.

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The experiences we have early in our lives and particularly in our early childhoods have a huge impact on how we grow and develop, our physical and mental health, and our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Two important factors to think about when considering our mental wellbeing, are the quality of our attachment relationships and our experience of ACEs.

What is Attachment?

Attachment refers to the pattern of the relationships we have had with our parents or carers early in our lives. It is the emotional bond that forms between a parent and child from birth and has a huge impact on our development. The way a parent or carer responds to their child will impact on the child's attachment style. This attachment style becomes a template for how we build future relationships with others in our lives, and also a template of how we feel about ourselves and other people. If we have experienced a relationship with a parent or carer which has been positive, we will develop a positive template for other relationships as well as positive feelings about ourselves and others. But sometimes how children are cared for is not so positive, for various reasons, and this can make it harder for people to make and maintain positive relationships in the future, manage their feelings and behaviour, or feel good about themselves or others. When our early attachments have been negative and these lead us to go on to have difficulties with relationships and our mental wellbeing, this can sometimes be described as attachment difficulties.

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are "highly stressful, and potentially traumatic, events or situations that occur during childhood and/or adolescence. They can be a single event, or prolonged threats to, and breaches of, the young person's safety, security, trust or bodily integrity." (Young Minds, 2018).

Examples of ACEs:

Physical abuse

Sexual Abuse

Emotional Abuse

Living with someone who abused drugs

Living with someone who abused alcohol

Exposure to domestic violence

Living with someone who has gone to prison

Living with someone with serious mental illness

Losing a parent through divorce, death or abandonment

How Common are ACEs?

In a 2014 UK study on ACEs, 47% of people experienced at least one ACE with 9% of the population having 4+ ACES (Bellis et al, 2014).

Impact of ACEs

Just like attachment, experiencing ACEs can have an impact on our future physical and mental health, and often ACEs can be barriers to healthy attachment relationships forming for children. Some of the effects of ACEs on our physical and mental health are:

An increase in the risk of certain health problems in adulthood, such as cancer and heart disease, as well as increasing the risk of mental health difficulties, violence and becoming a victim of violence.

An increase in the risk of mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. 1 in 3 diagnosed mental health conditions in adulthood directly relate to ACEs.

The longer an individual experiences an ACE and the more ACEs someone experiences, the bigger the impact it will have on their development and their health.

Some of the other things exposure to ACEs can impact, are:

The ability to recognise and manage different emotions.

The capacity to make and keep healthy friendships and other relationships.

The ability to manage behaviour in school settings.

Difficulties coping with emotions safely without causing harm to self or others.

CAMHS support

Not everyone who has experienced ACEs, or has experienced some difficulties in their attachments may need CAMHS support. But, CAMHS can offer advice and support in a number of ways to help children and young people manage some of the impacts of ACEs, or after having difficulties within early attachment relationships.

Because ACEs affect everyone differently, CAMHS professionals will always complete an assessment to try and find out what has happened to you and how it is affecting you so that the right support can be arranged.

Sometimes CAMHS will work with parents or carers to think about how they can support their child to cope with what has happened and provide healthier care to help their child develop. CAMHS may also provide family therapy or other ways of working together with parents and children together. Finally, it can also sometimes be useful for children and young people to have their own support, and CAMHS may offer a range of different types of therapy or support, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which helps with anxiety, depression and trauma amongst other things, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) which also helps with trauma. However, the young person may need other support first to help them learn ways to cope with or manage strong feelings or other difficulties, or to help them spend time building up trust with the CAMHS professional. We can also help link young people up with other local community services, if this is what they want.

What can I / my carers do to help me?

Parents and carers have a responsibility to keep children and young people safe from harm and sometimes need support themselves to protect families from ACEs. Seeking to learn about and adopt healthy caring styles can make a big difference.

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Attachment - Royal Manchester Children's Hospital

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The experiences we have early in our lives and particularly in our early childhoods have a huge impact on how we grow and develop, our physical and mental health, and our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Two important factors to think about when considering our mental wellbeing, are the quality of our attachment relationships and our [...]

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This charity supports schools, families and children/young people who are affected by family members in prison.

Out There (SFOP) Charity - Manchester 0161 232 8986

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Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

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Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

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Parents and Carers Help Leaflet

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Worry has a way of growing, shifting from not-a-big-deal to a VERY BIG DEAL in the blink of an eye. This big-deal Worry is tricky, luring children into behaviours that keep the anxiety cycle going. Children often find it hard to fight back against Worry, but not anymore.

Outsmarting Worry teaches 9-13 year olds and the adults who care about them a specific set of skills that makes it easier to face - and overcome - worries and fears.

Smart, practical, proven techniques are presented in language immediately accessible to children with an emphasis on shifting from knowing to doing, from worried to happy and free.

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Supporting families and their LGBT loved ones with pride.

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Sprinkles - A vibrant space for LGBT+ children under the age of 13 and their families!

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Sprinkles - A vibrant space for LGBT+ children under the age of 13 and their families!

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A safe and enjoyable environment where young people can play, connect with others, and have fun in a supportive community, with their family.

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This guide will help you understand why many young people find it hard after a trauma and suggest ideas you can use to help you begin to feel better.

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Information and free advice for anyone dealing with bullying

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What is Bullying and Harassment?

Bullying and Harassment can be defined in many different ways and can be described as unwanted conduct of behaviour designed to cause harm or distress to another person. It can be characterized as offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient. Bullying can be related to age, sex, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality or any personal characteristic of the individual, and maybe persistent or an isolated incident. The key is that the actions or comments are viewed as demeaning and unacceptable to the recipient.

Bullying falls under four main categories, psychological, Verbal, Physical and Cyberbullying and its effects can have far-reaching consequences. Bullying can have an impact on anyone, children and adults in school or at work. It can seriously affect someone's physical and mental health. Sustained bullying can cause stress, emotional issues, social problems, physical disorders and in some serious cases, self-harm or even death.

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Information and advice about all forms of bullying

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Bullying - Help and advice for adults and children affected by bullying at work, bullying at school or cyberbullying with information to help stop bullying

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Kidscape are the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and sexual abuse. The website offers advice and practical skills on how to deal with bullying.

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This site uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site you agree to these cookies being set. See our cookies policy for more information or to change your cookie preferences at any time.

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We give hope and help to thousands of children and families each year and work in communities throughout England and Wales to help keep children safe. Our vision is for all children to grow up in supportive communities safe from bullying and harm.​ Our mission is to provide practical support, training, and advice to challenge bullying and protect young lives.

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Trauma is when we experience very stressful, frightening or distressing events that are difficult to cope with or out of our control.

It could be one incident, or an ongoing event that happens over a long period of time.

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St Mary's is a sexual assualt referral centre

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Welcome to Saint Mary's
Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated forensic, counselling and aftercare service to men, women and children living in the Greater Manchester area who have experienced rape or sexual assault, whether this has happened recently or in the past. We also offer immediate crisis support and a forensic service to Cheshire.
You can use our services without making a report to the police or we can support you if and when you want to speak to the police

If you want to make a referral just follow our step-by-step guide in the 'our services' section or call 0161 276 6515

COVID-19 Update

Saint Mary's SARC remains available to provide healthcare and support services to victims of rape and sexual assault.

You can report to the Police or contact our 24 hour helpline directly on 0161 276 6515.

If you wish to be seen, please call us first.

We are not able to see people if they don't have an appointment.

If you would like to be seen for an examination, without Police involvement, we can discuss this with you.

The safety of our staff and patients is very important to us and we take this very seriously.

Saint Mary's SARC can assure you that we are following current legislation and guidance.

If you've been sexually assaulted during this time of enforced lockdown, there's no need to suffer in silence.

We offer non-judgemental care & support regardless of the circumstances.

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Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated forensic, counselling and aftercare service to men, women and children living in the Greater Manchester area who have experienced rape or sexual assault, whether this has happened recently or in the past. We also offer immediate crisis support and a forensic service to Cheshire.

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you're harming yourself

you're having thoughts about harming yourself

you're worried about minor injuries, such as small cuts or burns - without treatment there is a risk of infection

Some people who self-harm are at a higher risk of suicide.

It's important to get support or treatment as soon as possible to help with the underlying cause and prevent suicidal thoughts developing.

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Self-harm is when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body and is a sign of emotional distress. Support is available for anyone who self-harms or thinks about self-harm, as well as their friends and family.

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NSPCC - advice to help understand why children and teenagers self-harm and what you can do to support them

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NSPCC - advice to help understand why children and teenagers self-harm and what you can do to support them

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Supporting a child who self-harms

Offer them emotional support

Finding out that your child's been hurting themselves can be really hard to accept and it's natural to feel anxious or upset. Some parents might also blame themselves or feel powerless to help. But if you can, it's really important to try and stay calm and remember there are things you can do to support your child.

Focus on showing them that you're there whenever they choose to talk. Remember they may prefer to talk over text or WhatsApp rather than in person. If they do feel ready to talk, try to just listen and not ask too many questions about why they've been self-harming, so it doesn't seem like you're judging them.

Let them know that you care about them and that you want to help them find healthier ways to cope with difficult or upsetting feelings they're having. But that's it's okay for them to be honest with you about what they're going through.

Focus on what's causing the self-harm

Remember self-harm is often caused by an underlying problem, like depression or anxiety, or being bullied. It can be more helpful to focus on helping them with what's causing their feelings rather than on the self-harm itself.

You can help them to get support for a mental health problem, such as by talking to their GP, someone at their school or to Childline. It can also help to ask their GP about a referral to Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).

Sometimes hiding or taking away something a child is using to self-harm can lead to them finding other ways to hurt themselves. You could try asking your child what would be most helpful for them and ask them to tell you when they feel they want to hurt themselves.

Sometimes, it might be possible to come to an agreement where your child tells you when they've hurt themselves. It's important to make sure any injuries or cuts are cleaned and properly taken care of. Any serious injuries should be treated right away in a hospital.

Encourage them to find healthy ways to cope

Instead of simply asking a child to stop self-harming, it can be helpful to suggest something they could do instead to cope with difficult feelings.

Some things young people who've spoken to us have found helpful are:

paint, draw or scribble in red ink

hold an ice cube in your hand until it melts

write down your negative feelings then rip the paper up

wear an elastic band on your wrist and snap it every time you feel the urge to self-harm

listen to music

punching or screaming into a pillow

talk to friends or family

take a bath or shower

exercise

watch your favourite funny film.

Childline also has many more self-harm coping techniques for children and young people. The wall of expression game can also be a helpful way for young people to deal with difficult feelings.

Help them to build their confidence

Many children who self-harm suffer from low self-esteem or confidence. You can help by reminding them about the things they do well or help them to learn something new together, like playing guitar or making crafts.

You could write a list of all the things that make you proud of your child and that make them special, and giving it to them. Try to focus on things about their personality rather than things like their academic achievements.

Childline also has advice for children and young people on building their confidence and self-esteem.

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Being worried about a child who's self-harming can be really difficult. We've got advice to help you understand why children and teenagers self-harm, how to recognise the signs, and what you can do to support a young person who's struggling.

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Whether you're feeling suicidal, worried about someone who is, or have lost someone to suicide, you're not alone. Shining a Light on Suicide is based in Greater Manchester and can help you find advice and support in your local area.

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Get 24/7 support whenever you need it

We're bringing suicide out of the dark in Greater Manchester because it affects us all. Whether you're feeling suicidal, worried someone else is, or have lost someone to suicide, you're not alone. Whatever you're going through, we'll help you get the advice and support you need.

Are you...

Feeling
suicidal?

If you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, find out what you can do to keep yourself safe and where to get help.

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Are you...

Concerned
about someone?

Learn about the warning signs and the things you can do to help someone who may be thinking of suicide.

Read More

Are you...

Bereaved
by suicide?

We know how hard losing someone to suicide is. Find out about support to help you through this difficult time.

Read More

Learn to save a life- take the free suicide prevention training

It can be really hard to know how to support someone who you think might be feeling suicidal. Zero Suicide Alliance have created free online training that will give you the skills you need to help someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Need to talk?

Whatever you're going through, Samaritans will face it with you.

Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Learn to save a life- take the free suicide prevention training

It can be really hard to know how to support someone who you think might be feeling suicidal. Zero Suicide Alliance have created free online training that will give you the skills you need to help someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Need to talk?

Whatever you're going through, Samaritans will face it with you.

Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Make a safety plan

A safety plan will help to remind you of the things you can do to get through difficult times.

If you're worried that someone may be thinking of suicide, you could work through their safety plan with them or help them to make a plan.

You don't have to be a professional to help someone who is thinking of suicide.

If you're worried that someone you know might be thinking of suicide, the best thing to do is ask directly and be ready to listen.

Learn to save a life

Learn how to start an important conversation with this free online training.

Take part now

If you're bereaved by suicide

We know that any bereavement is hard but losing someone to suicide can bring different challenges. There is support available to you and your family to help you deal with your loss. You do not have to deal with your grief alone.

Greater Manchester Bereavement Service

Available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except bank holidays).

Stories of hope

By sharing these stories, we want to encourage others to talk about suicide, to remain hopeful during difficult times and save lives.

All stories

National support

Information and services for people who are struggling to cope, wanting to find out how to help someone or are looking for bereavement support.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this.
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Shining a Light on Suicide | Together we can help prevent suicide

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We're bringing suicide out of the dark in Greater Manchester because it affects us all. Whether you're feeling suicidal, worried someone else is, or have lost someone to suicide, you're not alone. Whatever you're going through, we'll help you get the advice and support you need.

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Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Read more.

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A national charity for the prevention of young suicide they have loads of resources and advice about keeping safe as well as a 24/7 helpline and text service.

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Skip to content

Watch the full video

Thinking of suicide?

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINE247.

My whole way of thinking has changed. I feel positive about my future and the people around me. I'm now looking forward to the future and helping others just like me!

Thank you so much for the incredible support PAPYRUS and HOPELINE247 has given me. You helped me in that moment and it kept me alive.

I intend to continue to fundraise for and promote PAPYRUS. I am so proud and humbled to be involved with a wonderful charity, and to have received the support that I have.

Having been personally bereaved by suicide I understand the importance and need for our charity. I am surrounded by others who are as passionate as I am about saving lives.

* All feedback is provided by people who contact PAPYRUS. All feedback has full consent of the user and the user remains fully anonymous. Some feedback may have been adapted to keep the users anonymity.

Our latest news

Stay up to date with PAPYRUS; our news section is regularly updated with helpful advice and guidance, as well as information about our upcoming events and campaigns. If you have any questions or queries please get in touch.

Our upcoming events

Please see below some of our upcoming and exciting events including fundraisers and charity events we will be attending. For more information please get in touch.

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Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide

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PAPYRUS UK is a charity for the prevention of young suicide (under 35) in the UK | Call PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141 Now

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Welcome to Beacon House

Beacon House is a specialist, innovative and creative therapeutic service for young people, families and adults. With a special interest in working with individuals of all ages who have experienced trauma and loss, we are passionate about offering safe and effective therapies in a way that enables people to re-build their lives following stress and adversity. We also take pride in supporting individuals and teams to develop their trauma informed practice through training, supervision and consultation.

Our Cuckfield Clinic periodically closes to new child and adult referrals to prevent long waiting times. Please do get in touch with us to find out if we have spaces currently.

We have some specific capacity for child and family referrals at our Chichester Clinic. Please do get in touch with us to find out if we are able to allocate your referral at this time.

Find out more about us

Our Services

How can Beacon House help you?

Educational Psychology

Get In Touch

Get in touch today to find out more.

We have clinics in Cuckfield and in Chichester.

Please note: We are not able to accept any walk-ins. All meetings are by appointment only. Office hours are: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

To ask any questions, please contact us on admin@beaconhouse.org.uk

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Beacon House | Chartered Clinical Psychologist Trauma Specialist

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Videos on understanding self harm, tips for supporting your child and experiences of self harm.

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Self-Harm Videos for Parents and Carers | Nip in the Bud

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Self-harm in children happens when they experience an overwhelming core pain that they are not able to handle. As a parent, it is important to understand it is not the child’s fault they are reacting this way and they are not doing it on purpose – they simply do not know how to handle the overwhelming feelings they are experiencing. To learn more about self-harm in children, watch our films below or read our factsheet.

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What is considered 'normal'

Types of Eating Disorders

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Around 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from eating disorders. These disorders can cause serious harm, both physically and emotionally, and they have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Early diagnosis, intervention and treatment is critical. To learn details on the different kinds of Eating Disorders, watch this 8-minute film and read the fact sheet.

You can also watch our Real Life Experience 6-minute film Boys Get Anorexia or visit our Eating Disorders page to watch our film on Bulimia.

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Understanding Eating Disorders | Nip in the Bud

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Around 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from eating disorders. These disorders can cause serious harm, both physically and emotionally, and they have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Early diagnosis, intervention and treatment is critical. To learn details on the different kinds of Eating Disorders, watch this 8-minute film and read the fact sheet.

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The Compassionate Friend - Bereavement Support

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The Compassionate Friend - Bereavement Support

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Bereavement support for parents and siblings

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Talking to children about racism

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"I am struggling with the racist bullying I get at school... I feel like everyone is against me. School is a quite an isolating place and nobody has ever stood up for me.

"I don't really want to address it to the school because that'll create more drama and it will make more people turn against me and my school life will be even more miserable. I'd rather the school did a talk about racism and its history."*

*Girl, aged 12.

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Advice to help parents or concerned adults understand how to talk to children about race and racism, and what you can do to support a child who's experiencing racial bullying.

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Young Minds - LGBTQIA+ and Mental Health

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Young Minds - LGBTQIA+ and Mental Health

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Gender Identity & Mental Health | Guide For Parents

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If your child is transgender or struggling with their gender identity, read our information and advice on supporting them and on where you can get help.

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Stem4 - Supporting Teenage Mental Health

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Stem4 - Supporting Teenage Mental Health

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A charity that supports positive mental health in teenagers. Information on mental health, mental health apps and education.

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stem4 - supporting teenage mental health

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stem4 is a charity that supports positive mental health in teenagers. Mental health information, apps and education. Founders of Youth Mental Health Day.

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Silver Cloud provide digital online self help programmes designed to help improve and maintain wellbeing

https://gm.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/

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Social prescribing is a community-based, holistic approach that connects people to community activities, groups, and services to address their practical, social, and emotional needs.

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Emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA) refers to reduced or non-attendance at school by a child or young person due to emotional, mental health, or wellbeing issues.

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LGBTQIA+ stands for

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, A Sexual + more.

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Information, help and support for under 18’s affected by eating disorders

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Struggling with an eating disorder? Caring for someone who is? Beat is here to support you.

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For anyone who may be struggling with negative body image, pressure to look a certain way, and food or eating

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Building a positive relationship with food and your body

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Providing information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking

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Providing information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent's drinking

1 in 5 people in the UK are affected by a parent's drinking. #URNotAlone

Providing information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent's drinking

1 in 5 people in the UK are affected by a parent's drinking. #URNotAlone

Free helpline

If you would like to talk to someone, our free confidential helpline is here for you.
helpline@Nacoa.org.uk

The Nacoa promise

We are here to listen

We won't judge

We are here to help for as long as you want

What you say will remain confidential

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... we are here to help. With your help we can help no child feel like they are on their own.

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5 information packs for professionals working with children of alcoholics.

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Train a new volunteers helpline counsellor.

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Keeps the helpline running for 6 weeks.

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Nacoa: Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking - Nacoa

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Nacoa UK helps everyone affected by a parent's drinking. 1 in 5 people in the UK are affected by their parent's drinking. #URNotAlone

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A free and confidential sexual health service in Rochdale, Middleton, Heywood and Littleborough. This includes information and advice on all types of contraception, STI testing and treatment. Our service is confidential, non-judgmental and for people of all ages, genders and orientations.

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Find Sexual Health Advice & Clinics Near You | HCRG

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Rochdale Sexual Health Clinics
Nye Bevan House
3rd Floor Nye Bevan House, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN
View on a map

Free patient parking. There is also roadside parking - maximum stay - 2 hours

Clinic walkthrough video

Urgent symptoms

If you need support out of hours, visit the Rochdale Urgent Care Centre at Rochdale Infirmary, OL12 0NB. This is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In an emergency out of hours, visit your nearest A&E which is likely to be Fairfield General Hospital on Rochdale Road, BL9 7TD.

Rape and abuse

If you've been sexually assaulted, please don't suffer alone. It's important that you're seen as soon as possible for physical and emotional support. You can call us straight away but we recommend you first contact your nearest Sexual Assault & Referral Centre (SARC) which is St Marys SARC, located in St Mary's Hospital, York Place, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL (opposite the Whitworth Art Gallery). Their helpline is run by crisis workers and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0161 276 6515.

Emergency contraception - IUDs

Emergency IUDs are the most effective form of emergency contraception and can be fitted at our sexual health clinics (please call us on 0300 303 8565 or book an appointment online).

Emergency contraception - contraceptive pills

Emergency contraceptive pills are available free from our sexual health clinics, some pharmacies and GP practices. If you're aged 16 and over living in Rochdale, you can order FREE emergency hormonal contraception online to be delivered to your home. We have partnered with SH:24 to provide this service.

We do not offer online emergency contraception to patients under 16. If you're under 16, you can pick up free emergency hormonal contraception from one of your local pharmacies, or contact your local service on 0300 303 8565 to make an appointment.

The Young People's Team

The Young People's Team offer confidential sexual health services in Oldham, Rochdale and Bury. Our nurses and education & wellbeing workers understand the needs of young people and can help and support you with advice about STI's, contraception, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, sex and relationships, gender and sexuality. We support young people aged 13 - 19, adults with special educational needs and looked after children up to the age of 25.

Order a free STI test

If you live in Rochdale and are aged 16 and over, without any symptoms or concerns, then you can access our postal testing service online. Our online postal testing service is free, and we offer Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV and Syphilis testing. Your postal test can be delivered to your home address or to your hub. Click here for more information on our STI testing kits

Postal testing is not suitable for patients under 16. If you are under 16 without any symptoms or concerns, please contact us on 01706 202444 to make an appointment.

Get tested at your local clinic

If you are under 16, without any symptoms or concerns you can contact us on 01706 202444 to make an appointment.

If you have symptoms or concerns, you can book an appointment online or contact us on 0300 303 8565 where we have staff happy to help. Click here for more information on how to prepare for an STI appointment

Express testing

If you are aged 16 and over without any symptoms or concerns, you can pick up an express test from your local sexual health clinic.
Nye Bevan House
3rd Floor Nye Bevan House Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN
View on a map

If you are under 16, please contact your local service on 01706 202444 to arrange an appointment.

Getting your results

Once you have taken your test, either in the service or by using our postal/express testing service, your sample must be tested at the laboratory.

If your result is negative, this means you did not have an infection at the time you took your test, you will receive a text message to advise you of this.

If your result is positive, or we need to discuss your result/test with you, you will receive a text to advise you to contact your local service.

We aim to provide all test results within 7-10 days. If you do not receive your results within 14 days, please contact your local clinic on 0300 303 8565

Treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

If you find out that you have an infection following testing, then you may need to attend the service for treatment. Please contact us on 0300 303 8565 to make an appointment All treatment is free of charge click here for more information on our website regarding sexually transmitted infections and treatment.

Partner notification

If you've tested positive, your sexual partner(s) from the last six months may need to know. Many people who have an STI do not notice anything wrong and, left untreated, STIs can lead to serious health problems. Telling them will help them to get tested and any treatment they need and may also stop you from getting infected again.

Most health services call the process of telling your partners "partner notification." It is a completely confidential process. Please click here for more information regarding telling your partner you have an STI.

Get free condoms

If you're aged 16 and over living in Rochdale, you can now order condoms free online. You can also pick up condoms from your local sexual health clinic. If you are under 16 you can access condoms through our C-Card scheme, please click here for more information

Lube is provided with all condoms issued.

Pregnancy testing

If you think that you may be pregnant it is important to take a pregnancy test. You can purchase a test from your local pharmacy or supermarket or contact your local clinic to arrange an appointment on 0300 303 8565. If you're aged 16 and over, you can also order a pregnancy test online.

Book an appointment online

You can book an appointment online for the services below:

Symptomatic testing

To access a new method of contraception

To change your method of contraception

To discuss a coil or implant

To have a coil or implant fitted

To remove a coil or implant

To have a removal and refit of a coil or implant

For testing and contraception

We currently do not offer online appointments for the services below. Please contact your local clinic on 0300 303 8565 to arrange an appointment.

Treatment

Pregnancy testing

PrEP

PEPSE

HIV appointments

Cervical screening

Diaphragm the cap and the vaginal ring

If you are experiencing barriers in accessing repeat contraception at your GP, please contact us on 0300 303 8565.

Psycho-sexual counselling and support, including support with erectile dysfunction

Psychosexual therapy uses an integrated approach to working with sexual problems.

What problems can be referred?
Non gender specific:

Loss of desire

Pain during sex or inability to have penetrative sex.

Males In Women
This service is by appointment only. You need to be referred by your GP to access this service.

PrEP

We are now commissioned to provide PrEP, free of charge to all users who meet the eligibility criteria. PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis involves HIV negative people taking HIV medication as a method of helping to prevent HIV infection. Recent research has shown that if taken correctly, this medication is highly effective at preventing HIV. PrEP does not protect against any other STI's, only HIV. You need to take other precautions in addition to PrEP to protect yourself from all other STIs. We recommend regular STI testing if you are on PrEP, including a HIV test every 3 months.

PEPSE (anti-HIV medication)

PEPSE can stop HIV infection taking hold after the virus has entered the body. However, it is an emergency measure to be used as a last resort, for example if a condom breaks. Please call us if you think you need PEPSE on on 0300 303 8565. You can get this from Sexual health and HIV clinics, Accident & Emergency. Regular family doctors (GPs) don't give PEPSE.

Cervical cytology (smear test)

Cervical screening (a smear test) is a test to check the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening of your womb to the vagina. A cervical screening test is offered to all women aged 25-64. Please click here for more information re cervical screening

You can now visit your local hub to have a cervical screen. Please contact us on 0300 303 8565 to make an appointment. Please remember to bring your cervical screen invitation letter with you to your appointment.

You can also visit your local GP to access this service.

Support with making a referral for an abortion

If you have an unexpected positive pregnancy test you can contact us on 0300 303 8565 to discuss your options with a doctor or nurse. Patients in Rochdale can also self-refer for an abortion with the Greater Manchester Central Booking Service by contacting 0345 365 0565..

Pride in practice

Pride in Practice works to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ people accessing care services. We are proud to announce that our sexual health services in Oldham, Bury and Rochdale have been awarded the Gold Award for Pride in Practice.

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Sexual Health & STI Clinics in and near Rochdale | HCRG Care Group

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HCRG Care Group provide sexual health services in and around Rochdale. Free & confidential sexual health services. Walk in or book an appointment.

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Free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing experts offering support and advice for young people under 25. The charity provides free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and outreach and education work.

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Sexual Health & Wellbeing - Brook - Fighting for healthy lives

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Brook is the only national charity to offer both clinical sexual health services, education & wellbeing services for young people, plus training & support for professionals.

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The Calm Harm app is designed to help individuals resist or manage the urge to self-harm. The app provides immediate activities, techniques and a safety net of helpful thoughts and behaviours.