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Empowering Families
Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and support Service, SENDIASS Newham(formerly Parent Partnership Services), is a statutory service designed to support parent/carers, children and young people 0-25, with issues relating to their special educational needs and disability (SEND) rights and provision. The support offered is free, impartial and confidential, as the service works at arms-length from the local authority (LA). Support is given electronically, telephone and face to face meetings. SENDIASS will not share parent, carer, or young persons information with other professionals, unless we have explicit consent or there is a safeguarding issue.
How do SENDIASS help?

Knowledge, advice and support based on SEND statutory process and duties

Advice and support around SEN Support and all aspects of the education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Exclusions (where the pupil has an SEN).

SEND Tribunal cases

Meeting support.

If you are a parent/carer, child, young person or professional in need of advice or support please call: 0203 373 0707 or email sendiass@newham.gov.uk

Please be aware that SENDIASS is a self-referral service, therefore we require service users to contact us themselves, unless there are extenuating circumstances which prevent the parent/carer or young person from accessing the service independently.
SENDIASS Information and Documents: Young People's Flyer Parent Referral Process SENDIASS Newham Working Practices SENDIASS Newham Steering Group Terms of Reference Young People's Steering Committee Terms of Reference Complaints Procedure

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Newham Families Advice and Support | SENDIASS

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Empowering Families Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and support Service, SENDIASS Newham(formerly Parent Partnership Services), is a statutory service designed to support parent/carers, children and young people 0-25, with issues relating to their special educational needs and disability (SEND) rights and provision. The...

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The Maryam Women’s Counselling Service (East London Mosque)

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The Maryam Women’s Counselling Service (East London Mosque)

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The Maryam Women's Counselling Service is delivered by qualified counsellors. It offers a confidential space for women to express thoughts and feelings.

Women of all backgrounds access this service to talk about a whole range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, and relationship challenges such as bereavement, separation and abuse. This service assists clients to come to terms with and resolve their difficulties, enabling them to move forward with their lives.

If you would like to receive counselling or emotional support, please contact us: email or call 020 7650 3022, providing your name, email and telephone number. Alternatively, you may download and fill in this referral form, then send it back to the above email.

Please note: Maryam Women's Counselling Service is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are experiencing distress and would like to speak to someone, please use the helpline numbers here.

The Maryam Centre Women's counselling service is supported by Islamic Relief .

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Your contribution will help us to maintain and develop the wide range of services we offer. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Allah said: 'Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.'" Read more
Donate

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We offer a free professional counselling service for women.

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Newham Parenting course and workshops (Summer and Autumn 26)

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Newham Parenting course and workshops (Summer and Autumn 26)

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Buy tickets – London Borough of Newham Council

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SOS!SEN (Support Our Special (children with) Special Educational Needs) 

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SOS!SEN provide a range of information, advice and support to help parents find their way through the legal and bureaucratic processes of securing SEN support for their children (including EHCPs, annual reviews, tribunals) 

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Find out more about our JR Initiative, The PAP Project!

SOS!SEN is an independent registered charity started in 2002 by a small group who had spent much of their lives in education or related services. We help parents secure the right educational support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We now have a team of over 70 volunteers advising parents, many of whom have been in your shoes, seeking to get the right provision for their children.

We are able to fund the important lifeline we provide to parents through your donations for our services and our Surrey-based charity shop.

We provide a range of information, advice and support to help parents find their way through the daunting legal and bureaucratic maze of securing SEN support for their children.

Parents are not always aware of their children's entitlement to SEN provision; we help them navigate the process, with advice underpinned by current legislation and best practice.

I would like to say thank you to everyone at SOS!SEN for their direction and invaluable expertise, which helped me work through an appeal... Your workshops [webinars] on appealing against the contents of EHCP and SEND Tribunal video hearings gave me the confidence to represent myself, and succeed at a SEND Tribunal hearing, to secure needed provisions for my son...

I just wanted to write a huge and heartfelt thank you to SOSSEN. I attended the walk in session in Thornton Heath...and spoke to Sarah who was truly wonderful! I have been feeling very overwhelmed...and my head has felt like a tangled ball of wool. Sarah calmly untangled it all and gave me lots of brilliant advice and next steps to work towards...

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Find out more about our JR Initiative, The PAP Project! SOS!SEN is an independent registered charity started in 2002 by a small group who had spent much of their lives in education or related services. We help parents secure the right educational support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

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Sibs - for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults

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SIBS is a UK charity that supports siblings of people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, special educational needs, or neurodivergence. 

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For brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults

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XLP - Working to Create Positive Futures for Young People

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XLP - Working to Create Positive Futures for Young People

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We are helping over 4,000 young people live more fulfilled lives each year. The young people we work with often struggle with issues such as family breakdown, unemployment and educational failure, and live in areas that experience high levels of anti-social behaviour and gang violence.

We keep young people in school and out of gangs through a variety of activities and support. We believe positive, long-term relationships can restore a young person's trust in people, nurture the belief that things can change, encourage them to set positive goals, and work hard to achieve them.

You can see the impact XLP has had on young people over our 28-year history through some of their stories on our website at xlp.org.uk/stories

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XLP is about creating positive futures for young people growing up on inner-city London estates, struggling daily with issues such as family breakdown, unemployment and educational failure, and living in areas that experience high levels of anti-social be

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Families in Bloom is a fun, relaxed and supportive two-part workshop for families with children aged 6 to 11 years old. Using creativity and conversation, we explore emotions, build coping strategies, and celebrate each family’s unique strengths.

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Cody Dock, 11c South Crescent, Cody Road, Canning Town, London, E16 4TL

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Opportunity to connect with nature by participating in therapeutic gardening activities in a peaceful environment to improve your mental and physical health and general well-being. 2.5 hour sessions for individuals in blocks of 6 week courses for 16 and above - self refer

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Come along and see how connecting with nature by participating in therapeutic gardening activities in a peaceful environment can improve your mental and physical health and general well-being.

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London-based charity working with young refugees and asylum seekers aged 11-25 seeking safety in the UK. Young people can access therapeutic support, legal advice and learn English and other skills.

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Young Roots is a London-based charity working with young refugees and asylum seekers aged 11-25 seeking safety in the UK, most of whom are alone without their families. We want young people to be able to build a positive future here - we provide practical and emotional support through our Youthwork, Casework and our Advice and Support Hubs, where young people can also access therapeutic support, legal advice and learn English and other skills. Through our campaigning, we also work with young people to positively influence the policy and practice which affects their lives.

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Young Roots is a Charity Supporting Young Refugees To Fulfil Their Potential + Improve Their Wellbeing Through Casework, Youth and Sporting Activities, English Language Mentoring, Mental Health Support and Legal Advice.

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Renewal Programme: Refugee, Asylum Seekers and Migrant Project

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Renewal Programme: Refugee, Asylum Seekers and Migrant Project

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This project exists to support refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, living in Newham, who are seeking refuge from disadvantaged conditions.

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Refugee and Migrant Project (RAMP) - The Renewal Programme

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Our Refugee and Migrant Project exists to support refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, living in Newham, in a variety of ways.

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This service offers one-to-one virtual appointments with parents and care givers to help start, and continue, open and honest conversations with their children about their parent’s health condition.

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Additional Support - Ruth Strauss Foundation

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The Ruth Strauss Foundation’s mission is to help families with dependent children access emotional support when facing the death of a parent.

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Fruitfly Collective: Parenting with Cancer 

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Fruitfly Collective: Parenting with Cancer 

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This service aims to empower families to navigate family life and help parents support their children when their parent has a cancer diagnosis. There are numerous resources on their website 

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The Kids Cancer Charity are a national charity supporting children affected by cancer and their families. They currently have different holiday programmes that you might be able to access. If you would like additional information about them please contact each programme’s co-ordinator. 

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Hope is a UK charity founded in 2009, that provides support to young people when a family member is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

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Hope is a registered charity offering support for young people when a close family member has a serious illness.

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IPSEA: Supporting Children & Young People with SEND

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IPSEA: Supporting Children & Young People with SEND

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Go on their website to find out more and to access  free guides, resources and template letters.

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(IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

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Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities are entitled to support with their education. Follow the links below to find out more and to access our free guides, resources and template letters - if you can’t find the answer to your question, please visit our services page and consider contacting our helplines to speak with one of our trained volunteer advisers.

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Attachment & Bonding - Advice for families from NSPCC

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Attachment & Bonding - Advice for families from NSPCC

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Explore expert support and advice for every parenting challenge. Whether in calm or chaos, we guide parents and carers through the ups and downs.

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Can't keep yourself or a young person safe? Call 999 or attend A&E in emergencies

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Can't keep yourself or a young person safe? Call 999 or attend A&E in emergencies

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Children's MH Week 2026 - Secondary Slides 

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Children's MH Week 2026 - Secondary Slides 

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Secondary Assembly Childrens MH Week 2026

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Children's MH Week 2026 - Primary Slides 

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Children's MH Week 2026 - Primary Slides 

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Primary Interactive Assembly Children's MH Week 2026 Final

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Resources for children, young people, families and schools. 

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Children's MH Week Resource Pack 2026 pdf

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If you are grieving for a pet, or facing loss, our free and confidential Pet Loss Support service is here for you by phone, email or webchat.

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Brown Is Beautiful Project: A Group for South Asian Girls Supporting Body Confidence

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Brown Is Beautiful Project: A Group for South Asian Girls Supporting Body Confidence

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The Brown is Beautiful Project Student Flyer

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Our team of Expert Harmful Sexual Behaviours (HSB) Caseworkers specialise in providing trauma-informed and preventative support to young Londoners who displaying lower to medium levels of HSB.

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Young Londoners Harmful Sexual Behaviours (HSB) - Safer London

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Young Londoners who display Harmful Sexual Behaviours are often labelled as perpetrators. This labelling only serves to set them back, rather than help them move forward. We work with them, to help them understand the importance of healthy relationships and what can be done to keep them and others safe. We work with young Londoners […]

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Parents Guide: How to navigate social media safely with your kids

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Parents Guide: How to navigate social media safely with your kids

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The Center for Countering Digital Hate has created a free guide for parents, guardians, or teachers to help them understand what kids may be exposed to, how to set boundaries, how to have conversations about what they see online, and where to go for further help.

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Center for Countering Digital Hate | CCDH

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Parents Guide: How to navigate social media safely with your kids — Center for Countering Digital Hate | CCDH

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Parents Guide: A free guide by the Center for Countering Digital Hate with practical advice to help navigate your kids’ Internet usage.

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Has gaming become a problem for you or someone you know?

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Are you having difficulties with gaming? Do you spend too much time and money on games, despite attempts to stop? Are you spending less time with friends or family?

Are you a parent or family member with concerns about someone's gaming? Is it having a negative impact on their studies, family time, going out, other hobbies?

Like most activities, gaming can be a great way to relax, destress and socialise. However, for a minority of people excessive gaming can have a negative impact both on them and those around them.
Due to overwhelming demand, we are unable to accept any parent or family referrals at present and only accept referrals directly for those who are gaming in a harmful way. We also do not offer crisis interventions. We work jointly with mental health teams, aiming to provide a comprehensive package of care in collaboration with other professionals. In the event of a crisis, please contact your GP, CMHT, A&E or the Police if you feel at risk.

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The National Centre for Gaming Disorders

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The National Centre for Gaming Disorders is a multi-disciplinary clinic in the UK that provides treatment for people in England and Wales, aged 13 years and over, who have difficulty controlling their video game use and the impact it has on their lives.

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Offering support for new and expecting fathers with children up to 2 years old, because every dad deserves a helping hand on their parenting journey.

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Newham Parents in Mind for Dads and Partners | | NCT

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Offering support for new and expecting fathers with children up to 2 years old, because every dad deserves a helping hand on their parenting journey.

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It’s the essential guide for new dads, developed with the NHS.

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I was a bit scared when we found out we were having a baby, obviously happy, but a bit scared and in the beginning I was a bit clueless. The child development part is my favourite bit, but there's things in there, like things about mental health, that I didn't know about and that I didn't know you needed to know about.

Ross, 22

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DadPad | The Essential Guide for New Dads | Support Guide for New Dads

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Developed with the NHS, DadPad gives new dads and dads-to-be the knowledge and skills needed to gain confidence and give their baby the best start in life.

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Fatherli empowers dads to get the most out of parenting, feel good, and find friends and community along the way.

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Introducing... the fatherli app for dads

Until now dads are often the least supported in the parenting journey.

​

fatherli aims to change that narrative and give dads the tools they need.

fatherli is a new app that supports, connects, and empowers dads.

The fatherli app offers dads a Forum to connect,with dads, a range of categorized content, blogs, expert advice, a rich wiki of knowledge, memes and jokes, and a premium channel for access to coaches and therapists.

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Introducing... the fatherli app for dads Until now dads are often the least supported in the parenting journey. ​ fatherli aims to change that narrative and give dads the tools they need. fatherli is a new app that supports, connects, and empowers dads.

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Aimed at supporting bereaved parents, we hold at our core the Muslim belief that all children who die enter Heaven (called Jannah in Arabic).

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In your darkest time, we can help you to find the light.

When grief is all consuming and when there seems there can be no tomorrow, we can help you to find the strength to face each day.

With compassion, empathy and without judgement, we will support you during your most difficult of times.

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Support, Education and Training when a child dies. In your darkest time, we can help you to find the light. If you have experienced the loss of a child...

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A guide to intimacy and relationships for everyone over 14

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― A Project Co-Ordinator

If you need help in person click here to find out about sexual health services. You are welcome to ask me questions but please do have a look at questions I've already answered and the rest of the site. There's a search bar and a menu of different categories up at the top ☝️.
I've also written a book about consent, called Can We Talk About Consent? It's great and it's available worldwide and in several translations. Find out more about it here.
Important posts

It's for people who are (or are thinking about) having sex / relationships. It's for all genders (trans inclusive) and sexualities, people with disabilities, backgrounds, beliefs and values. It's got a UK vibe so we say 'snog', 'fancy' and 'shag' a lot. Like most sexual health projects / organisations around the world, we're pro sex worker rights (full decriminalisation of sex work) and pro trans rights.

Most of the materials on here are written by me, Justin Hancock. I've been a sex educator and worked in sexual health services and online since 1999. I do training courses for professionals, and I'm a member of the World Association for Sexual Health. Read more about me and the website.

If you're a teacher please remember this website is not designed for classroom RSE teaching. It's for young people who are thinking about sex and relationships to get some advice and education for themselves. For RSE resources head to Bish Training, my website for practitioners. Feel free to signpost students, you can print posters from the support page.

Latest BISH posts

Support BISH

This is one of the most respected online sexuality and relationships education resources with thousands of young people visiting every day. There are no ads and it's entirely crowdfunded. Please consider supporting BISH with £1 a month to keep the show on the road.

If you want some more advanced advice for adults check out the work I do with Meg-John Barker at megjohnandjustin.com. We wrote a sex advice book called A Practical Guide to Sex and we also have some . I also run a called Culture Sex Relationships.

If you a) are over 18 and b) have money, you might be interested in my Solution Focused coaching service. So if you are struggling with sex, relationships, and you generally, you might find it really useful. We would work to find what resources you already have to help you to realise your best hopes. It's really effective and you may well only need one or two sessions. Find out more at my coaching page here.

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BISH a guide to sex, love, and you (14+)

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BISH (best in sexual health). Sex and relationships advice for over 14s. For anyone thinking about sex, how you feel about you, and your relationships.

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Anonymous helpline, email and chat services are here for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it

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Stop It Now | Preventing child sexual abuse

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Online self-help and confidential Stop It Now helpline for anyone worried about child sexual abuse, including their own thoughts or behaviour.

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From schools to workplaces, our creative programmes give people the chance to explore healthy relationships, understand when behaviour is harmful, and play their part in preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence.

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Tender's Impact Report 2020-21 is out!

We're delighted to share with you our Impact Report for 2020-21 detailing the incredible work our team continued to deliver over one of the most challenging years the charity has seen.

What we do

We Work with Young People, Adults, and the Wider Community

Using theatre and the arts, we engage young people in violence prevention workshops within their schools, enabling them to recognise and avoid abuse and violence. Our workshops can be adapted to many groups.

LATEST NEWS

Olivia Colman's Charity Tender Responds to Increase of Peer-on-Peer Sexual Abuse in Schools

Tender, the UK charity supported by Olivia Colman as patron, responds to the news that sexual offences in schools have increased by 255% in four years as reported by Channel 4 News.

See which member of our team to contact for your setting.

Tender is an arts charity working with young people to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence by promoting healthy relationships based on equality and respect.

What's New

We are seeking to expand the work of our Specialist Provision team, which delivers our projects to and for children and young people in alternative, out of school and specialist settings in London, and collaborates with regional teams in the development and delivery of these projects outside London. The Projects Coordinator will be responsible for the coordination of all aspects of these projects.

Top

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We're delighted to share with you our Impact Report for 2020-21 detailing the incredible work our team continued to deliver over one of the most challenging years the charity has seen. Using theatre and the arts, we engage young people in violence prevention workshops within their schools, enabling them to recognise and avoid abuse and violence.

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Mental health support services – Newham Council

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Maintaining your mental health and well-being and the support available if you need help to improve your mental health or have a mental health diagnosis.

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Work closely with individuals, families, schools and professionals to offer a way through the anxiety, fear and isolation so often caused by grief. 

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Refer a bereaved child or young person

Thank you for considering support from Grief Encounter.

We know people's needs differ so we offer a range of support services so you can find what feels right for you at the time.

We support children, young people and families who are experiencing mild to moderate difficulties caused by the death of someone close. We also take enquiries and provide schools and professionals with advice and talks.

Regarding direct services to families, we can provide help from our specialised team of trained Family Liaison Officers and Therapists, for:

Children and young people who live in England and Wales

Children and young people who have experienced the death of parent or sibling (including sibling figure)

Children and young people who have experienced the death of a family member who was their main carer (the person they lived with)

To be eligible for our specialist one-to-one help and support from a qualified therapist, you will:

Have grief as the main presenting factor

Be aged 4-25yrs

Be at least 4 months bereaved (referrals can be submitted at any time)

Have a gap of at least 3 months since taking part in any other therapeutic support

You/the child or young person will not be:

in therapy or a therapeutic provision with another organisation

involved in court proceedings or other destabilising circumstances

actively self-harming or experiencing suicidal ideation

in need of crisis and emergency support

For enquiries, please do not hesitate to email our Family Liaison Team via familyliaison@griefencounter.org.uk.

Please note, for more specialist support please contact your GP. In an emergency, please call the emergency services or go directly to your local Accident and Emergency department.

Self-referral form

"I don't think I would be smiling today if it wasn't for Grief Encounter. My mum died suddenly when I was 12 and we never got to say goodbye. Several months later, my grandmother insisted I attend a Grief Encounter workshop - against my wishes. I never looked back, after several one-to-one couselling sessions and attending many other workshops, my life opened up and here I am today!" Sabina, Enfield London

Crime

Children who experience parental death are at an increased risk of a criminal conviction

67%

The percentage of children who do not talk to peers or teachers, following the death of a parent or sibling

44,000

The number of children in the UK bereaved of a parent, the equivalent of 120 a day

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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Thank you for considering support from Grief Encounter. We know people's needs differ so we offer a range of support services so you can find what feels right for you at the time. We support children, young people and families who are experiencing mild to moderate difficulties caused by the death of someone close.

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We offer free, confidential bereavement support for individuals, couples, children, young people, and families, by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever you live in the UK. We also offer face-to-face support from a number of locations.

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Our Helpline provides confidential bereavement support, information and guidance to families and professionals. 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays).

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Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief.

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Winston's Wish is the UK's childhood bereavement charity. We support children and their families after the death of someone important.

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Apart of Me is a safe space for young people grieving someone they love.

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Apart of Me | Helping young people cope with grief

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Apart of Me is a multi-award winning charity registered in the UK but with a global reach, giving millions of young people grief support. Our aim is to prevent mental health problems developing as a result of grief and trauma. We blend cutting edge design with world-leading clinical expertise, and we co-design all our products and services with young people, ensuring their effectiveness.

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Overcoming the effects of prejudice, isolation and vulnerability for the Roma community.

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We exist to free society from the misunderstanding and prejudice that holds all of us back

​​Societies across the world are proudly promoting equality and diversity. But some still get it wrong. No one should be discriminated against just because of who s/he is.
​Give a fair chance to everyone and be proud of who you are. Change starts with you! ​

​Latest news

Subscribe to our newsletter

Support and appointments

Roma and Brexit

TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE EU
YOU MUST HAVE EU SETTLEMENT STATUS

The deadline for EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
​applications has now passed,however
some applications are still allowed.
The Brexit grace period ended on 30th June 2021
and as of 1st July 2021 new rules are in place
for EU citizens living in the UK.
​For more information on EUSS and
on how Brexit may affect Roma residents
please check our Roma and Brexit page.

Coronavirus

Our page of Roma News section below. Resources for the Roma Community gives useful information in different languages about the COVID-19/Coronavirus situation and how to deal with it. See also the video in the

See also the COVID-19 section on our Other Resources page for articles, research and reports about the virus.

Roma News

Our features short ​videos, usually in Romanes with English sub-titles, on issues of current ​interest to Roma people in the UK.
​
Our January 2023 Roma News edition covers the UK Holocaust Memorial Day, new law on marriages and the Household Support Fund:

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​​Societies across the world are proudly promoting equality and diversity. But some still get it wrong. No one should be discriminated against just because of who s/he is. ​Give a fair chance...

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Good Thinking has collaborated with members of eight faith and belief communities to develop bespoke wellbeing resources.

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Londoners have told Good Thinking that there is no 'one size fits all' solution when it comes to their health - they want information and support that reflects how they live and what their values are.

So, we have been working with a diverse range of faith and belief communities across London to provide tailored wellbeing content and support. This includes collaborating with local councils, GPs, charities and other organisations.

In this section, you'll find guides, videos and podcasts for specific faith and belief communities. You might also find other Good Thinking resources, such as our self-assessment tool and free NHS-approved apps , helpful.

Everyone's mental health is different - we're here to help you find your own path to improve your wellbeing. If the advice and support on the Good Thinking service doesn't seem helpful for you, please talk to your GP about other options.

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Londoners have told Good Thinking that there is no 'one size fits all' solution when it comes to their health - they want information and support that reflects how they live and what their values are. So, we have been working with a diverse range of faith and belief communities across London to provide tailored wellbeing content and support.

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Free Drop-In Sessions for 10-25 year old

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Free Drop-In Sessions for 10-25 year old

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Time for young people, Newham | The Children’s Society

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Time for young people is a wellbeing service designed with and for children and young people aged 10 to 25 in Newham.

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Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, identity questions, low mood or confidence issues, our counsellors are here to listen and help you find ways to cope

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Get instant access to a fun digital therapy app to help your child self manage their worries.

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Lumi Nova - Free for families in Newham — Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage

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Click on the “Get access now” button to register for access to Lumi Nova through East London NHS Foundation Trust and complete the registration form and short survey.

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Follow us for up to date information on emotions and wellbeing!

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Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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Free confidential NHS sexual health services for young people (under 21)
in Newham. STIs, pregnancy, condoms, contraception or the morning after
pill. Find a…

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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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CAYA (Come As You Are) LGBTQIA+ Youth Project | Well Newham

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CAYA is co-produced with young people, the group is set up to provide a safe, supportive, and fun space for LGBTQIA+ young people. Want to hang out in an inclusive space where you can be yourself with other queer and questioning young people. Come to our session.

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Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for autistic children and young people. We stand with autistic children, young people and their families to champion rights, campaign for change and create opportunities.

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Bangladeshi Mental Health Forum - Tower Hamlets

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Bangladeshi Mental Health Forum - Tower Hamlets

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The Bangladeshi Mental Health Forum (BMHF) is a registered charity that has been in existence since 1999 and has the following core objectives:

To raise awareness of mental health within the Bangladeshi community (also other BME groups such as Somali, new migrants, hard to reach communities)

To challenge stigma; stereotypes and prejudicial views

To educate and advocate the importance of mental well-being

To organise mental health awareness events and workshops

To promote and campaign for better accessibility to mental health services

To work in collaboration with service providers to meet the needs of Bangladeshi service users and carers

To highlight the concerns of families, carers of service users and the community to commissioners and service providers.

To represent the Bangladeshi community in formal mental health strategic meetings and forums

To facilitate activities and signposting services in the community

The BMHF has primarily focussed its community engagement activities in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. In Tower Hamlets the Bangladeshi community is the single largest ethnic group, around 32-34% of Tower Hamlets population is of Bangladeshi origin. Mental health is a major issue in the Bangladeshi community (despite many unreported cases) and the BMHF is the leading mental health charity that represents the interest of the Bangladeshi Community.

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The Bangladeshi Mental Health Forum (BMHF) is a registered charity that has been in existence since 1999 and has the following core objectives: To raise awareness of mental health within the Bangladeshi community (also other BME groups such as Somali, new migrants, hard to reach communities) To challenge stigma; stereotypes

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Gendered Intelligence is a registered charity (1182558) that works to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people.

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Self Help Guide for Young People/ CBT Self-Help

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Self Help Guide for Young People/ CBT Self-Help

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Young people can work through the CBT based guide

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Work through a mental health self-help guide for anxiety that uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

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Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? Make a report to one of CEOP's online advisors

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Are you being bullied?

If you are being bullied, or you are not ready to make a report to CEOP, you can talk to Childline anonymously online or on the phone - No worry is too big or too small.

Visit Childline

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Are you being bullied? If you are being bullied, or you are not ready to make a report to CEOP, you can talk to Childline anonymously online or on the phone - No worry is too big or too small. Visit Childline

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Report Remove is a tool that allows young people to report an image or video shared online, to see if it’s possible to get it taken down. Provided by Childline and IWF.

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Information for parents and carers about Childline and IWF’s Report Remove, a tool to help young people report unwanted images online.

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Starting secondary school - BBC Parents’ Toolkit - BBC Bitesize

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Advice for parents who have a child starting secondary school this year, with tips on the emotional and practical sides of the transition.

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Starting primary school - BBC Parents' Toolkit - BBC Bitesize

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Advice and games to help you and your child prepare for primary school, then thrive during their first year.

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OCD Youth is a service designed by young people with OCD, for young people with OCD. They have a helpline, support groups and an online community. 

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Providing support to young people with OCD and related conditions through forums, an e-helpline, meet ups and more!

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Referrals to CAMHS can be made by contacting your GP, teacher or other health professional who can make a referral on your behalf if you are over 16 or with the consent of an adult you trust.

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Newham Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) | East London NHS Foundation Trust

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Newham CAMHS is a multi-agency specialist mental health service for children and young people with complex, severe or persistent emotional, behavioural or developmental problems. We accept referrals from birth to their 18th birthday.

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For children aged 2-18 years old The CHildren with Autism in Newham - Diagnosis Service, provide information on how they conduct autism assessments. 

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CHAND | East London NHS Foundation Trust

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The CHildren with Autism in Newham - Diagnosis Service (CHAND)

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Featuring useful facts, figures and information, this A6 booklet also contains sources of help and what not to say to people experiencing depression.

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Support for young people, caregivers and professionals: Building a positive relationship with food and your body. 

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A journey towards positive body image and being comfortable

Support for young people, parents, carers and professionals

Improve eating behaviours and relationship with food

Build positive body image

Identify concerns around body image and disordered eating

...more content coming soon!

Explore our educational modules

Intuitive and balanced eating

Feeling comfortable in your body

Breaking free from diet culture

Managing anxiety around food

Understanding hunger

Support a young person with ARFID as well as very picky or fussy eaters

Understanding disordered eating

Recognising the signs and signals

Supporting emotional regulation

What is Disordered Eating?

Disordered Eating is a phrase used to describe a range of irregular eating behaviours that may or may not warrant a diagnosis of a specific eating disorder.

People who experience disordered eating, whether diagnosed with an Eating Disorder or not, often have poor emotional awareness and have limited access to emotion regulation strategies.

Tell me more about this

What is Body Image?

We can't always see the extent of somebody's body image struggles. Body image is the way you:

Evaluate your appearance

Think and feel about the way your body looks and functions

Behave, treat and relate to your body

Tell me more about this

What is AFRID?

People with ARFID eat a very limited variety or amount of food and it causes problems in their lives. These problems may be health related, like loosing too much weight, or not getting enough nutrients.

These problems may also be social, like not being able to eat meals with others.

Tell me more about this

What is Normal Eating?

Normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your emotions, schedule, hunger and proximity to food.

Examples of 'normal' eating include being able to eat when you're hungry and continue eating until you are satisfied, overeating and undereating at times and giving yourself permission to eat all foods.

Tell me more about this

Search Resources

Search our library of resources curated by our clinical and specialism
professionals.

How to support family, friends
or patients

Uncover the path to a more positive relationship with food and your body with Be Body Positive. Your new go-to destination for information and resources on disordered eating and body image.

✓ Evidence-based coping strategies

✓ Stories and experiences

✓ Quizzes and games

✓ And so much more!

The content is designed by a team of experts specifically for young people and tested by young people. We provide the support and guidance you need to overcome challenges around eating, body image and self-care.

With resources for parents/carers as well as youth workers, teachers and health professionals, there is something new to learn for everyone.

Find out more

Stories

Hear from people in similar situations

Binge-Eating Disorder Recovery

Young Person from Bedfordshire

I remember being around eight to nine years old and beginning to develop binge eating disorder symptoms. It was at a challenging point in my life when my parents split up and then when I went to secondary school, things got worse as I had more control over what I was eating...

Follow This Story

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Designed as an early intervention, Be Body Positive promotes building a positive relationship with food and your body.

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Newham Family Hubs provide resources, advice and signposting for a range of queries. Link to more information or support can be found on their website.

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The Family Hubs Network has officially launched in Newham!! Family Hubs are designed to offer early support to children, young people and families, building upon the existing Early Help offer, and acting as a 'one stop shop' for general advice and guidance on a range of needs and services. Families can access various support including health services (antenatal, maternity, health visitor, school nurses); infant feeding support, early years education and childcare, youth services, parenting and relationship support and much, much more!

Please click on the brochure to find out what is going on across the East Ham and Plaistow Family Hubs Network.

The first pilot hub launched in April in the East Ham and Plaistow locality and offers local families a range of support and guidance. A number of hubs will be launched over the next two years and we are keen to hear what would work for you.

Get involved with our Family Hubs Parent and Carer Advisory Panels

We need the help of local residents who use our services to make sure that Family Hubs are designed to meet the needs of our local community.

We are establishing locality based Parent and Carer Advisory panels where parents and carers will work together with the Co-Production Lead and service partners to help design and evaluate services delivered at the Family Hubs. Feedback from this groups will inform local decision making.

We welcome families from different backgrounds and parents with children of different ages including from pregnancy upwards.

If you would like to become a panel member please register your interest by emailing us easthamfamilyhub@newham.gov.uk

Name

Gender

Telephone No.

Address and postcode

Please tell us why you would like to be a Parent/Carer panel member

Related Features

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Newham Families Advice and Support | Newham Family Hub Network

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The Family Hubs Network has officially launched in Newham!! Family Hubs are designed to offer early support to children, young people and families, building upon the existing Early Help offer, and acting as a 'one stop shop' for general advice and guidance on a range...

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How to support young people affected by trauma

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All children and young people have difficult experiences sometimes. When this happens, they might feel more stressed or upset. But with a bit of support from those around them, they will usually feel better. However, when a child or young person experiences trauma, it can feel too big for their normal coping strategies.

If you're worried that your child or young person is struggling with trauma, remember that you can play an incredibly important role in helping them. By providing emotional support and a loving, safe relationship, you can help them to heal with time. You can also make sure they get the right professional support if they need it.

On this page, we've got information and advice to help you feel confident about supporting them.

A traumatic experience usually involves a threat to our sense of physical or emotional safety. We may also feel trapped, powerless or unsupported in the face of this threat.

Trauma describes both one-off events and things that happen over months or years - for example, within a young person's family or friend relationships. It can be something a young person experiences directly, or they might witness something happening to someone else.

These are some examples of things that a child or young person could find traumatic:

a violent event, such as an assault, car accident or natural disaster

experiencing racism, homophobia, transphobia or other forms of discrimination

experiencing domestic violence or abuse

being bullied

losing a family member or friend to suicide, or a sudden death in the family

going through a serious physical illness or time in hospital

being exposed to frightening or inappropriate online content

Ultimately, whether something is traumatic depends on how it makes an individual feel. There is no exact definition of the type of events that are traumatic. Our experiences of what happens to us can be affected by things like our life history, our perception of why it's happened, and the support available to us afterwards.

Trauma is not a mental health condition. But experiencing trauma can have long-term effects on someone's mental health. A wide range of mental health issues can be linked to trauma. This includes PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders and self-harm.

Signs a child or young person is affected by trauma

Every child or young person's response to trauma will be different. They may show they're struggling straightaway. Or difficult feelings, thoughts and behaviours may emerge over time. Their reaction and how they cope might also change over time. For example, there may be times when things feel intensely difficult, and then they might feel better for a while.

This means it can be difficult to see the link between a previous traumatic experience and your child or young person's current behaviour. Sometimes they may not be aware of the link themselves.

In general, these are some of the things your child or young person may experience if they are struggling with trauma:

having thoughts or flashback images about the event or experience

finding it more difficult to manage their emotions, which can feel overwhelming

acting out or having angry outbursts

withdrawing from friends, family, school or activities they usually enjoy

avoiding thinking about, talking about, or being in situations which are related to the experience

seeming very sensitive or alert to what's happening around them

seeming zoned-out or disconnected from what's going on around them

finding it difficult to concentrate

not being able to sleep or having nightmares

turning to coping mechanisms such as self-harm, or using drugs or alcohol

blaming themselves, feeling guilty or struggling with their self-esteem

Some children and young people who go through trauma, experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If this is the case, they may experience some of the symptoms listed above intensely. They may also start to negatively affect their day-to-day life.

Some people experiencing these symptoms are diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). This diagnosis is often given when the traumatic experience has happened repeatedly over an extended period of time. This might include childhood trauma such as abuse or neglect.

If you are worried that your child or young person is experiencing PTSD or CPTSD, speak to a GP about getting an assessment and professional help. They will usually need professional support to feel better. You can find out more about getting help from GPs in our guide for parents and carers.

Supporting your child or young person to cope

It is normal for a child or young person to feel or behave differently after a traumatic experience. Remember that healing from trauma is a process.

It's important to give them time to adjust to what's happened, and not to expect things to get better straightaway. It's also a good idea to keep an eye on how they're doing, gently check-in with them and seek further help if it's needed.

Below, we've got some suggestions for things you can do as their parent or carer to make them feel safe and supported.

Helping them to make sense of what's happened and how they're feeling can make a difference. When they want to open up, let them speak as often and for as long as they need to. You can find advice to help you start a conversation with your child in our guide for parents and carers.

Reflect back the words they use to show that you get their experience. Don't be afraid of using words such as 'terrified', 'horrified', or 'furious' to show you understand how big their feelings are. You might also say 'it's really understandable that you're feeling...' to let them know that their feelings are okay.

You can find more advice about making your child or young person feel understood in our blog.

This can give them a break and help them to feel safe and relaxed, even if just for a little while. It might be:

drawing or colouring

making something like lego

playing sport

cooking or baking

watching a favourite film

Knowing what works, and trusting that they can help themselves, will build their belief in their ability to cope. This can make their feelings less overwhelming. Strategies could include:

running

drawing

listening to music

writing in a journal

talking to family or friends

watching a favourite film

reading a favourite book

They might want to make a self-soothe box. They can fill this with the things that help and use the box when they're struggling.

Young people tell us they want adults supporting them to:

know that everyone's experience is different, and it doesn't define who I am

recognise all of my needs and see me as a whole person

understand my behaviour - when I'm shouting, crying, hiding, stealing, hitting out at myself or others, I'm just trying to make sense of everything I've gone through

find a way to communicate that works for me

include me in decisions about my life - ask me what I want to happen

build on my strength and help me find new ways to recover

Finding professional support

Counsellors and therapists can provide emotional support and help your child to make sense of their feelings. They can also help them find ways of coping. With younger children, therapists will do this this through activities such as play and drawing.

It's a good idea to look for someone who has training and experience in treating trauma. They will be able to take a trauma-informed approach. You can find out how your child or young person can access counselling in our guide for parents and carers.

If your child or young person is struggling, be open with the school about what's going on and what support they need.

Depending on their age, it can be important to make sure they feel some control over the information that's shared about them. Ask them whether there's a member of staff who they would feel comfortable for you to speak to.

Alongside counselling, schools can often provide things like:

support from the pastoral team

mentoring

peer buddying

clubs and activities that can help your child feel more relaxed

If your child is feeling anxious about school at the moment, you can find information and advice in our guide for parents and carers.

In some moments, your child or young person might want to open up to someone outside of the family. Let them know about the phone, chat, email and text support they can access through the services listed at the end of this page.

If you're worried about your child's mental health, it's a good idea to speak to your GP. This is usually the first step to accessing mental health services through the NHS.

The GP can find out more about how your child or young person is feeling. They can suggest what might help and where they can find support. If needed, they can refer them to the NHS mental health service for children and young people, known as CAMHS. Through CAMHS they can get a specialist assessment and further treatment.

For more information about GPs, have a look at our guide for parents and carers.

Supporting a child or young person who has gone through trauma can be a very emotional experience. So take time to look after yourself and rest when you can.

Remember that in order to support your child, you need to keep looking after yourself. Talk to trusted friends, family and anyone else in your support network. It's okay to ask for help and to take time out when you need it.

If you feel that you need more support, you can ask for counselling or other support through your GP. You can also access a private counsellor or therapist if this is an affordable option for you.

Useful helplines and websites

While we take care to ensure that the organisations we signpost to provide high quality information and advice, we cannot take responsibility for any specific pieces of advice they may offer. We encourage parents and carers to always explore the website of a linked service or organisation to understand who they are and what support they offer before engaging with them.

This page was reviewed in October 2023. It was created with parents and carers with lived experience of supporting their child or young person with trauma. We will next review the page in 2026. YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK - the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.
Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

Please be aware that this form isn't a mental health support service. If your child is in crisis right now and you want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.

At YoungMinds we take your privacy seriously. If you'd like to read more about how we keep the information we collect safe, take a look at our privacy policy.

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Trauma and Mental Health | Guide For Parents

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If your child is struggling with the effects of trauma we have advice to help you support them to heal, and to find the right professional help if needed.

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A poem exploring how we perceive children's behaviour and what it reveals about their feelings.

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Cambridgeshire County Council SEND Service 0-25

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Cambridgeshire County Council's video 'Why I am rude' - a poem about our perception of 'behaviour'.

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The Amazing Things project is an ongoing animation initiative aimed at promoting understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity. 

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autism autistic asd awareness animation 2d educative education "autistic spectrum disorder" aspergers

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The Amazing Things project is an ongoing animation initiative aimed at promoting understanding and acceptance in future generations. It all started with "Amazing Things Happen" an animation I, created in my spare time for nearly 2 years, to help children understand autism in the hope that future generations grow up with a better understanding of it.

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Supporting Children with SEND to Navigate the Internet 

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Supporting Children with SEND to Navigate the Internet 

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These resources have been produced as part of Thrive Online and are designed to empower young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to build happy and healthy online relationships.

These resources for parents and carers are designed to help spark conversations and help you support your child around the topics of online pornography, healthy relationships and digital wellbeing.

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Supporting young people with SEND | Childnet

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These resources have been produced as part of Thrive Online and are designed to empower young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to build happy and healthy online relationships. These resources for parents and carers are designed to help spark conversations and help you support your child around the topics of online pornography, healthy relationships and digital wellbeing.

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Newham CAMHS Services & Resources: Sleeping Difficulties | East London NHS Foundation Trust

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CAMHS Newham resources and services relating to Sleeping Difficulties

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This May Help: Trust & Boundaries with Teens 

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This May Help: Trust & Boundaries with Teens 

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Rickie Haywood-Willams shares advice from Mental Health Experts on how to create trust & boundaries with a teen. Watch the video here.

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What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, fear or unease. It is often experienced as a combination of thoughts, feelings and physical sensations in our body.

All children and young people feel worried sometimes. This is a normal, human reaction to things that feel stressful. For example, before an exam a young person may feel more worried than usual. But they will soon feel calmer after the stressful event has passed.

Anxiety becomes a problem when a child or young person feels stuck in it. When this happens, it can become an overwhelming experience. It can also affect their daily life and limit the things they feel able to do.

If your child or young person is struggling with anxiety, there are things you can do to help them. We've got advice to help you provide reassuring support, work on strategies together and find professional help if they need it.

What makes young people anxious?

A child or young person may be anxious for different reasons. Feeling a bit more worried sometimes is normal and there is not always a clear reason for this. But if your child is feeling unmanageable amounts of anxiety, this is often a sign that something in their life isn't quite right. They may need support to work out what the problem is.

This video by St Catherine's College is a useful way of understanding how stress and anxiety might build up in a person's life.

The following kinds of things can make some children and young people feel anxious:

finding school difficult or experiencing school anxiety

being around someone else who is very anxious, such as a parent

going through a significant change, such as moving house, parents separating or changing school

the death or illness of a close family member or friend

having lots of responsibility, for example caring for other people in their family

experiencing family stress around things like housing, money and debt

going through experiences in which they do not feel safe, such as being bullied, witnessing or experiencing abuse, or experiencing discrimination such as racism, homophobia or transphobia

not getting the right support or having their needs recognised if they have a neurodiverse condition such as autism or ADHD

Signs of anxiety in children and young people

Anxiety often affects our body, thoughts, feelings and behaviour. A child or young person who is struggling with anxiety may also behave differently or start using coping mechanisms to try to manage or avoid the anxiety. Below are some of the signs to look out for in children and young people.

Young people share their experience of anxiety.

How to help your child or young person when they feel panicky

In a very anxious moment, your child or young person may feel frightened or worried about having a panic attack. If this happens, focus on helping them to calm down and feel safe. The strategies below can help.

Breathe slowly and deeply together

Show/hide caption

A hand with five fingers spread. A pointed finger shows instructions for moving around each finger with the words 'Breathe in' as you move upwards, and 'Breathe out' as you move downwards.

Together, hold your hands out in front of you. Trace the outline of each of your fingers slowly with your other hand. Breathe in as you go up each finger, and out as you come down. Move and breathe as slowly as feels comfortable. Over time, encourage your child or young person to breathe out for one or two counts longer than they breathe in. This can help their body to relax.

If you would like to have a copy of this technique with you, you can download and print our resource.

Try using all five senses together

Show/hide caption

A picture of eyes, an ear, a hand, a nose and a mouth. Text reads next to each one: "5 things you can see. 4 things you can hear. 3 things you can touch. 2 things you can smell. 1 thing you can taste."

Connecting with what we can see, touch, hear, smell and taste is sometimes called 'grounding'. Doing grounding techniques can make us feel more present and bring us back into our body. This can reduce the intensity of our anxiety. Think together about what they can see, touch, hear, smell and taste.

For example, they might notice: five different colours; four soft things in the room; three sounds like cars going past the window or the noise of the washing machine; two things they can smell, like a scented candle or a piece of fruit; and one thing they find soothing to eat.

If you would like to have a copy of this technique with you, you can download and print our resource.

Remember, you don't need to do all of these things each time. Everyone is different, and it's about figuring out which of these strategies suits them best.

After they have calmed down, it can help to remind them that the panicky feeling did not last forever. They were able to do things that helped and the feeling stopped.

How to help your child or young person manage their anxiety

As well as managing panicky moments, your child or young person can also learn how to deal with their anxiety over the longer-term.

Many of these strategies are about helping them to understand how their anxiety works and what helps them. The more confident they feel about this, the more they will believe in their ability to cope. This can make anxiety feel more manageable.

As you think about strategies you might try, always remind yourself you're doing your best. It's natural to feel a bit overwhelmed sometimes. But remember, you do not need to try five different things at once. Have a look through these suggestions and pick one or two things you think might help.

There are some daily activities that are really important for our mental health. These are:

physical exercise, or some movement

sleeping well

eating healthily

drinking water

connecting and spending quality time with loved ones

They might sound simple, but they can have a big effect on our mood. Regular exercise can be particularly important because it can help to reduce feelings of anxiety in the body. It doesn't have to be much - walking or gentle yoga can help.

If you have a teenager or young adult, reducing alcohol and caffeinated drinks such as coffee can help. This is because they can trigger the physical symptoms of anxiety.

Some children and young people will need support from a mental health professional. They may benefit from a specific diagnosis or a treatment such as talking therapy. You can find more information about this below.

Young people tell us it also helps to...

think about something you're looking forward to

imagine your thoughts leaving your brain and floating off into the sky

keep yourself occupied

have time out

reflect on how you're feeling

talk to other people you trust

remind yourself you're not alone - odds are someone in your friendship circle has anxiety or depression too

Finding professional help

You might also find helpful...

Useful helplines and websites

While we take care to ensure that the organisations we signpost to provide high quality information and advice, we cannot take responsibility for any specific pieces of advice they may offer. We encourage parents and carers to always explore the website of a linked service or organisation to understand who they are and what support they offer before engaging with them.

Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

Please be aware that this form isn't a mental health support service. If your child is in crisis right now and you want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.

At YoungMinds we take your privacy seriously. If you'd like to read more about how we keep the information we collect safe, take a look at our privacy policy.

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Supporting A Child With Anxiety | Tips and Advice

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If your child or teenager is struggling with anxiety, we've got information about signs and treatment, and practical strategies you can do together.

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A holistic lesbian and gay centre that offers a range of social, emotional and support services to LGBT communities, which includes counselling and young people’s services.

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We are an exciting innovative lesbian and gay mental health charity based in East London. ELOP was established around 1995 as a grassroots developed and community-led organisation with the aim to promote the mental health, wellbeing, empowerment and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities. Since its inception, ELOP has been providing over 14 years of information, advice, advocacy, counselling and support services, plus other social and community activities and events to north and east London's LGBT communities.

ELOP operates a holistic approach and believes that one area of health and well-being, whether this be mental, psychological, emotional, physical, social or even community, can not really be fully achieved or maintained without recognition or the opportunity for all the concerns of our 'whole self' to be addressed. By having a range of services ELOP is able to refer those using one service into another for additional support, information or advice as appropriate.

In addition to operating direct community frontline services ELOP also delivers second-tier work which includes providing information, training, consultancy and support to statutory and voluntary sector policy makers, managers, service providers and their staff teams.

ELOP Core Services include:

Advice and Information

Community Safety and Victim Care Services

Counselling

LGBT Community Activities, Events & Workshops

Sexual Health Promotion

Support and Advocacy

Training, Consultancy, Research and Representation

Young People's Services 'Youth Out East'

Volunteering Opportunities and Student Placements

From 26th February we will also operate a community hub where people can drop-in for refreshments, access information, meet other people and have some fun.

Registered Charity No.: 1067474
A Company Limited by Guarantee No.: 3355423
ELOP - East London Out Project
Registered Office: 56-60 Grove Road, Walthamstow, London
E17 9BN

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elop : : holistic lesbian and gay centre

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We are an exciting innovative lesbian and gay mental health charity based in East London. ELOP was established around 1995 as a grassroots developed and community-led organisation with the aim to promote the mental health, wellbeing, empowerment and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.

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A decent night's sleep will help children to learn more effectively and make them less susceptible to minor ailments,

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Accessing Places of Worship Using Social Stories

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Accessing Places of Worship Using Social Stories

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A key role for our service is to support young people engage in their cultural and faith based activities. Please explore this page for ideas and resources to support your child's engagement in their cultural and faith community.

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Faith in Newham | East London NHS Foundation Trust

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How we are working with local faith organisations to support children with autism to access support in the community. We will be populating this web page over the next few weeks.

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Good Sleep Habits Advice from an Occupational Therapist

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Good Sleep Habits Advice from an Occupational Therapist

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Children's Sleep Hygiene (From an Occupational Therapist!)

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Self-Help Guide for Insomnia & Sleep Problems 

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Self-Help Guide for Insomnia & Sleep Problems 

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Sleep problems and insomnia self-help guide

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Work through a self-help guide that uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and expert advice to manage sleep problems.

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Helping Children with Complex Needs Sleep

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Helping Children with Complex Needs Sleep

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Show your child that you are there to reassure them but try not to stimulate them.

If they fall asleep with a light on or listening to music, keep these on to avoid potential night wakings due to a change of environment.

Repeat the same phrase, such as "It's time to sleep."

Keep the lights off or use a night light.

It is important to wake your child at the same time every day. This includes weekends and school holidays. If you follow this advice for at least 3 weeks, your child's sleeping pattern should get better.

If you have a partner, try to take turns being responsible for your child's sleep. That way at least someone can get a good night's rest.
Keep a sleep diary to monitor your child's sleep patterns and what affects them.

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Helping your disabled child sleep | Disability charity Scope UK

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Most sleep problems are caused by behaviours that your disabled child has learned. Here are some tips on how to help your child to sleep.

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Calm Harm is an award-winning app funded by teenage mental health charity stem4, to help manage the urge to self-harm. It was developed by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nihara Krause MBE, in collaboration with young people and uses principles from an evidence-based psychological treatment called Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

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Calm Harm is an award-winning app funded by teenage mental health charity stem4, to help manage the urge to self-harm. It was developed by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nihara Krause MBE, in collaboration with young people and uses principles from an evidence-based psychological treatment called Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

The urge to self-harm is like a wave. It feels the most powerful when you start wanting to do it.

Learn to ride the wave with the Calm Harm app by choosing activities from these categories:
, , Express Yourself , , and .

There is also a breathing exercise to help you be mindful and stay in the moment, regulate difficult emotions, and reduce tension.

When you ride the wave, the urge to self-harm will fade.

The Calm Harm app provides some immediate activities and techniques to help you break the cycle of self-harm behaviour and explore underlying trigger factors; the app supports you in building a 'safety net' of helpful thoughts, behaviours, and access to supportive people, as well as providing the opportunity to journal and self-reflect. The Calm Harm app also signposts to help.

The app is private, anonymous, and safe.

Please note that the Calm Harm app is not a substitute for the assessment and individualised treatment by a health or mental health professional.

Our app is for young people over the age of 13.

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Calm Harm is a free app to help teenagers manage the urge to self-harm. Available on Google Play & App Store.

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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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1. Put safety first

If someone is cut or harmed in some way, try to keep calm. Clean any wounds, and if the bleeding does not stop after a few minutes, they need to be taken to A&E.

Tips for managing in the moment

The sight of blood can make things seem worse than they really are, so try not to panic.

As difficult as it may be, take a deep breath and try to put your emotions aside.

Offer to help clean the wound but be aware that they may want to do this by themselves.

2. Try to put things into perspective

Self-harm is often mistaken for attempted suicide. While suicidal thoughts may exist, in most cases it is done to express emotional distress in a way that enables them to stay alive.

Why do children and adolescents self-harm?

Self-harm is likely to be an indication that the child lacks healthy coping skills.

Self-harming allows them to feel something physical that expresses their emotional pain.

The physical pain releases endorphins in the brain that may give them a feeling of short-term relief but is not a healthy long-term coping strategy.

3. Try to be supportive

Try to be patient and understanding. Let them know that you're there to support them and that you want to help.

Advice for parents supporting a child who is self-harming

It's a common misconception that self-harm is a form of attention seeking. In fact, attention may be the last thing they want and they're likely to keep cuts, scars or burns covered up.

Try to start a conversation but be aware it may be one they don't want. Start by asking them how they're doing and letting them know you're there for them.

If they do want to talk, try to simply listen rather than having all the answers.

4. Try to stay positive

Try to see the positives in the fact that a problem that was hidden has now come to light. Encourage them to speak to someone who can help, such as their GP, an adult at school or someone from the local mental health service.

Tips for maintaining a positive outlook

Difficult times are when we tend to learn the most. Try to view challenges and mistakes as part of a learning curve where each experience is making you better prepared for future challenges.

Allow yourself to find the humour in even the most difficult moments, and when things are tough remember that what's happening will probably make for a great story in the future.

Think about things that you are grateful for, however small, and try to visualise the future you hope for.

You can build resilience by reminding yourself of previous occasions when you've come through adversity and gained valuable experience.

5. Try to find safer alternatives

Work together to find alternatives that might recreate the sensation they need when they feel the urge to self-harm so that you limit the potential damage, but they still feel the sense of relief.

Tips for keeping them safe

It's likely to be a case of trial and error, but things like a slice of lemon or a chilli to bite on, some ice to hold or an elastic band on the wrist to snap against the skin have worked for some people, but don't be surprised if they don't work for your child.

If they're head banging, you could slide a pillow or cushion between their head and the hard surface to limit the potential damage, but they still feel the sense of relief it gives them.

It might also be a good idea to remove all sharp knives and razor blades. But be reasonable if your child has a legitimate reason for using one, like needing to shave.

Some additional resources that may help

For more advice on parenting a child with mental health issues, visit our dedicated page

NHS advice for helping someone who self-harms

Mind.org also offers dedicated advice for supporting a child who self-harms

For information on how to access NHS Mental health services click here

Download a printable version of this advice

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How to help someone who self-harms | ThisMayHelp

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Andrea McLean shares NHS Mental Health Experts' advice for parents who need support with a child affected by self-harm. Watch the video here.

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Muslim Youth Helpline is a national helpline, registered as a charity, providing free and confidential faith and culturally sensitive support services targeted at vulnerable young people in the United Kingdom.

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The UK’s mental health emergency Provide instant relief to young British Muslims this Ramadan We volunteer throughout Ramadan, so when […]

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UK based Islamic grassroots charity that raises awareness and provides support and hope to those affected by mental health challenges.

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Inspirited Minds - Muslim Mental Health Charity

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UK based Islamic grassroots charity that raises awareness and provides support and hope to those affected by mental health challenges.

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Black Minds Matter UK is a fully registered charity operating in the UK; connecting Black individuals and families with free mental health services - by professional Black therapists to support their mental health.

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That's what we offer.

That's what you deserve.

Black Minds Matter UK is a fully registered charity connecting Black individuals and families with free therapy by qualified and accredited Black therapists.

We've teamed up with a collective of Black therapists, who work tirelessly alongside us to remove stigma and redefine mental health experiences for Black individuals.

We take pride in offering a safety net of culturally relevant mental health support and have grown a community of people who value equality in mental health care. Together, we are demanding better resources and treatment for Black people and acknowledging that the status quo is simply not good enough. Empowering Black individuals with support and safe spaces, every step of the way.

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Black Minds Matter UK is a fully registered charity connecting Black individuals and families with free therapy by qualified and accredited Black therapists. We've teamed up with a collective of Black therapists, who work tirelessly alongside us to remove stigma and redefine mental health experiences for Black individuals.

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A Site for Domestic Violence Support: LBWP

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A Site for Domestic Violence Support: LBWP

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Domestic violence and abuse support for women and girls from ethnically diverse communities

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London Black Womens Project | Domestic Violence | LBWP

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LBWP support women and girls who have experienced domestic or sexual violence, and abuse in the London Borough of Newham.

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Mental health support for the Punjabi community. 

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Taraki - Mental Health in Punjabi Communities

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Taraki works with Punjabi communities to reshape approaches to mental health by focusing on four levers of change: awareness, education, peer support, and research.

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If your child seems confused about their gender, it's usual for parents to also feel puzzled or worried. But there is help available to support you and your child.

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Think your child might be trans or non-binary?

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Find out what help is available if your child seems confused about their gender and support for you as their parent.

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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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The Renewal Programme is a charity that works with individuals in Newham to empower them. The offer a range of services and support.

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MONDAYS

Young Carer's Session and General Youth Session

Arts and Crafts Board games, Table Tennis, Archery, non-contact boxing, Playstation and smoothie making.
Math's Tuition
16:30 -17:30 for Yr 5 and Yr 6

TUESDAYS
Shipman Youth Centre 15:00 - 20:00
Young Carer's free drop in

Playstation, football, basketball, weightroom, pool table. Connect with other young carers. Find out what support you need, and have your voice heard. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Support Services Available

WEDNESDAYS

Young Carer's Session and General Youth Session

Arts and Crafts Board games, Table Tennis, Archery, non-contact boxing, Playstation and smoothie making.

One to One GCSE Session

Online tutoring sessions run by Peppo for Young Carers. For more information visit peppo.org or email admin@peppo.org

Drama Workshops
11:00am -16:00pm Mon 28th - Wed 30th Oct
Workshops for young carers to develop communication skills, confidence, and creativity at the Renewal Programme.

To signup up email joseph@newhamcarerscommunity.org.uk or call 0786 1903 114

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Newham Young Carers Project - The Renewal Programme

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Newham Carers Community is a newly commissioned service which is delivered in partnership with Age UK East London as lead and Subco Trust, to provide support to Carer's and young carers across the borough of Newham.

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Links to support, resources and further information 

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Newham Families Advice and Support | Young Carers

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Who is young carer? Young carers are children and young people who look after someone in their family who: has an illness has a disability is affected by mental ill-health is affected by alcohol or substance misuse. Young carers often take on practical and/or emotional…

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'Gaming' means playing electronic or video games on devices such as Xboxes, smartphones or computers.

For lots of children and young people, gaming is a fun and sociable activity. But sometimes, you might feel worried about your child's feelings or behaviour around gaming. Or you might be concerned about the amount of time they spend gaming.

If this is the case, we've got information here about gaming and mental health. We've also got tips to help you talk to your child about gaming, and advice to support you in setting healthy limits.

How can gaming affect mental health?

When used with healthy boundaries, gaming can be a positive experience. It can also help some children and young people to look after their mental health. Young people tell us that playing video and online games can be a way to:

relax and unwind after school or work

take a break from everyday life and get absorbed in something else for a bit

socialise and connect with friends, and make new friends

socialise around a common interest, particularly if someone finds this easier or more fun than just chatting

find a community of people going through similar things

feel a sense of achievement and learn new skills

But for a minority of young people, gaming can start to negatively affect their mental wellbeing if it becomes too much. When this happens, a young person might feel less in control of what they're doing. For example, they might start to regularly game in a way that stops them from doing other important things. These include spending time with family and friends in real life, sleeping, eating well, exercising and doing schoolwork.

This might happen because a young person needs a bit more help from the adults around them to set healthy limits. Or sometimes, it can happen when a young person starts to use gaming as a coping mechanism. We all need to 'check out' and distract ourselves from our worries sometimes, and that's okay. But if a young person feels like they 'need' to game to cope with their feelings, it can make it harder to have healthy boundaries. This means that gaming can sometimes seem like the 'problem' from the outside, when it's actually a symptom of how a young person is feeling about another part of their life.

Having negative social experiences online

Gaming can also have a negative effect on someone's mental wellbeing if they're having upsetting interactions with other players, or getting negative messages about their identity. This might particularly affect a young person who usually relies on gaming as a safe and relaxing space. A study by the Mental Health Foundation found that our sense of wellbeing around gaming is affected by the extent to which our ethnicity, gender and sexuality is represented in a video or online game. This is why it's really important for young people to find games and online communities that make them feel good about themselves.

Talking to your child about gaming and mental health

If gaming isn't something you grew up with, you might feel unsure about how to handle the conversation. Remember that finding a supportive way to talk to your child is about how you approach it, not knowing everything about the topic.

Try to start with an 'I' phrase. For example, you could say, 'I've noticed you're gaming a lot more than usual at the moment, and I wondered if we could have a chat about it?' Starting a conversation while doing an activity together can also help your child to relax by making it feel like less of a 'big chat'.

You can find more tips on starting conversations in our guide to talking to your child. We also have tips below from young people about what parents can do to help them feel more like talking.

Young people would like parents to:

start by finding out what their experience is, rather than assuming gaming is 'bad'

ask them what they enjoy about gaming and what they get out of it, and show interest in what they have to say

recognise that gaming is a social thing they do with their friends

think about ways to make gaming more sociable if they are worried because their child spends lots of time gaming alone

try to find out what else is going on that might be causing them to game so much, rather than assuming gaming is the problem

look for a compromise

Young people don't like it when parents:

do not recognise the ways in which gaming is helping, and instead approach the conversation as if gaming is 'bad'

minimise or dismiss the fact that gaming is important to them

focus on the fact that the time spent gaming could be spent on schoolwork, rather than also thinking about other interests they might enjoy

ban gaming instead of looking for a compromise, without recognising that this can cut them off from their friends

Setting boundaries and supporting your child to game positively

It's normal for a young person to want to spend time gaming on a regular basis. The point at which it becomes 'too much' depends on what is right for your child, and the boundaries you feel comfortable with as a parent.

If your child is finding it difficult to game in a way that leaves time for other important daily activities, they need help from you to set healthy limits.

Sometimes, setting boundaries around screen time can become a real battleground. If you're having lots of conflict with your child at the moment, it might feel exhausting. But there are things you can do to change the dynamic and introduce some healthier limits. Below are some things that might help.

A Family Agreement is a way for everyone to negotiate screen limits together, which then apply to the whole family. This helps young people feel more empowered about boundaries because adults get limits too. For example, as well as negotiating the boundaries they will stick to, they can ask you to limit the time you spend on your phone or checking your emails.

Some children and young people game a lot because they feel accepted online, and they haven't been able to find this offline in real life. Help them to find other activities they enjoy doing by themselves or with the family. Or look for local groups or clubs where they can meet like-minded people.

Helping your child stay safe and happy while gaming

When should I be worried about my child's gaming?

Signs there may be a problem

These are some signs that a young person is finding it hard to control the way they're gaming:

they feel regularly exhausted and disengaged

they're struggling to concentrate at school

they prioritise gaming over important daily activities like sleeping, eating and washing

they're only socialising online and finding in-person interactions difficult to manage or enjoy

they no longer keep up with other interests they used to enjoy

they're finding it difficult to think or talk about much else

These feelings and behaviours can leave a young person feeling low or depressed, anxious, angry or isolated.

What to do if you're worried

If you've noticed some of these things, try to open up a conversation about what's going on. If your child is able to, think together about some strategies they could try to make things better. If your child is regularly experiencing these things and it's been going on for a while, they may need professional support to change the situation.

It's a good idea to seek professional advice if your child is:

Finding it difficult and distressing to end a gaming session. This might include experiencing feelings of anger, aggression (towards themselves or others), agitation and anxiety that are hard for them to manage when they do finally stop.

Using drugs to prolong gaming sessions.

Finding professional help

You can find out more about getting mental health support and navigating mental health services in our guide to getting help for your child.

Useful helplines and websites

While we take care to ensure that the organisations we signpost to provide high quality information and advice, we cannot take responsibility for any specific pieces of advice they may offer. We encourage parents and carers to always explore the website of a linked service or organisation to understand who they are and what support they offer before engaging with them.

This page was reviewed in August 2023. It was created with a parent or carer with lived experience of supporting their child or young person with gaming. We will next review the page in 2026. YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK - the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.
Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

Please be aware that this form isn't a mental health support service. If your child is in crisis right now and you want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.

At YoungMinds we take your privacy seriously. If you'd like to read more about how we keep the information we collect safe, take a look at our privacy policy.

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Gaming and Mental Health | Parent Guide To Support

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Advice to help you if you're worried that the way your child is gaming, or playing video games, is affecting their mental health, and where to get support.

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PEACE pathway supports autistic people suffering with an eating disorder, their loved ones and their clinicians.

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What is PEACE?

PEACE is a Pathway for Eating disorders and Autism developed from Clinical Experience. Our research suggests that around 35% of people experiencing an eating disorder may may have autism spectrum condition (ASC), or present with high levels of autistic traits. We hope this pathway will support autistic people suffering with an eating disorder, their loved ones and their clinicians.

Help and Support

You are now part of the PEACE Community! Reach out and connect with others on one of our social pages below:

Are you a Researcher?

Welcome to the PEACE Community! We are always welcoming fellow researchers as we need more research to support this under-researched group. Check out the PEACE Lab's research here. Got a specific research question or want to get involved? Send us a message on our socials!

Resources

The PEACE Team made up from a group of wonderful clinicians and researchers have worked hard to create materials to support you! Check them out below, we hope you find them useful.

Our Book

Alongside this website, we've also written a book! Here you'll find even more information about the comorbidity, ways to adapt treatments and support recovery.
It's now available to buy on Amazon.

PEACE Blog

Have a read of our latest blog posts! Whether you want to read about someone's experiences, learn more about the comorbidity or explore nutritional recommendations, we hope you will find something that meets your needs!

Download presentations from the 2022 PEACE Pathway Conference

What is interoception, and why is it important?

BEACON is a brain imaging project looking at how the brain processes emotion and cognition in individuals with anorexia nervosa. We are also interested in how autistic characteristics affect these brain processes and how these processes change over time.

PEACE Pathway 2020 All rights Reserved Website by TOTEM

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PEACE is a Pathway for Eating disorders and Autism developed from Clinical Experience. Our research suggests that around 35% of people experiencing an eating disorder may may have autism spectrum condition (ASC), or present with high levels of autistic traits. We hope this pathway will support autistic people suffering with an eating disorder, their loved ones and their clinicians.

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A Site for Information on Eating Disorders

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A Site for Information on Eating Disorders

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Learn about eating disorders or how you can support someone who may have an eating disorder

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Essential support for under 25s

If you or someone you know is struggling with any type of eating disorder like bulimia, anorexia or Binge Eating Disorder (BED), The Mix is here for you. You can speak to our team on our daily helpline, webchat or crisis messenger service. You don't have to talk about anything you're not comfortable with and you can speak to us anonymously if you prefer.

The Mix's eating disorder support hub

We've collected all of our support articles into our eating disorder hub, so whether you're trying to find out how to help a friend with an eating disorder , or you're wondering if you have an eating disorder yourself , we're here to help.

Learn all about eating disorders

From the myths about eating disorders to the glamorisation of eating disorders (and how to avoid them), eating disorders are a complex issue that affects everyone differently. They can also interact with other mental health conditions, so what do we mean by an 'eating disorder'? Check out our eating disorders explained article for more details on the different types of eating disorder and their signs and symptoms.

How to get help with eating disorders

Treatment for eating disorders is handled differently depending on each individual's symptoms. People with anorexia, for example, will receive different treatment than those with OSFED . Men get eating disorders too , which will also be cared for differently. In each case, professionals are trained to handle treatment sensitively and at your own pace.

How to talk about eating disorders

If you're looking for help, many people with eating disorders feel pretty intimidated about speaking to a GP straight away. Sharing your struggles with trusted friends and family members might be an easier place to start. Just remember that doctors are trained to help with these kinds of issues and, when you feel ready, they are there to help you get better. Read up on doctor-patient confidentiality in the UK to understand how they can't share what you tell them with anyone else.

Be kind to yourself

If you're dealing with any kind of mental health issue, don't forget to be kind to yourself and celebrate the small victories along the way. Whilst it might seem overwhelming, you can recover by taking one step at a time. People working here at The Mix have had their own struggles and eventually recovered, going on to develop a healthy relationship with food . Landing on The Mix's website is your first step, and we're here to support you as you continue.

Men and eating disorders

Here at The Mix we wanted to address some of the misconceptions and silence around men with eating disorders. This video breaks down some of the facts around the subject and discusses why it isn't spoken about.

What is our community saying?

The Mix. Registered charity number: 1048995

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Welcome to The Mix, the online guide to life for young people in the UK.

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Eating Disorders | Binge Eating, Anorexia & More | The Mix

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Learning all about eating disorders like BED, bulimia & anorexia, how to help a friend with an eating disorder, symptoms, treatment & more.