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Common sense . org

Net nanny

Websense

Family Link

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In partnership with North Somerset Council we offer a wide range of high-quality support services to people living in North Somerset. We deliver our services working alongside other local, regional and national support organisations.

These services are available to anyone in the area. You don't need to be one of our customers.

Our aim is to help you achieve control, freedom and choice over your lives, supporting you to live safely and independently at home.

We can help you to:

Identify housing options and make choices about your housing situation

Settle successfully into a new home - for example arranging removals, finding furniture and essential household items and setting up utility accounts

Maximise your income by claiming the welfare benefits you may be entitled too

Access health and social services, and other specialist agencies

Address financial problems such as rent arrears or other debts

Source aids and adaptations for your home

Access education, training, volunteering and employment opportunities

Access community groups and services that reduce loneliness and isolation

Support to get home safely after a stay in hospital

Access advice and support if you care for a family member or friend We offer a free service funded by North Somerset Council for people over 18.

You don’t have to live in one of our homes to be able to access our support services.

Alliance Homes: Contact Us

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OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25 in North Somerset. Getting free wellbeing info support couldn’t be easier – explore this website and sign-up directly to the project or service you want to try. We’ll also be saying hi in your schools!

Parents can book on their online parent support group which  is called Resilient Parenting.  It is a 5 week psychoeducational group for parents / carers exploring the factors that contribute to resilience and how we can strengthen them.  It aims to support parents / carers to build their own resilience by providing an informal discussion space with a focus on wellbeing.  It is held on Tuesday's starting from the 25 th April from 12.20pm- 1.45pm

Resilient Parenting - OTR - North Somerset (otrnorthsomerset.org.uk)

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Clubs, activities and sports (N-Somerset Council) 

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Clubs, activities and sports (N-Somerset Council) 

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Sports clubs

Uniformed groups

Dance and drama

Faith based groups

Hobbies and interests

Venues and community resources

Are you looking for something to do in the evenings or weekends?  We list all types of clubs, groups, organisations and societies, whether you want to do something sporty or join a uniformed group such as guides or scouts.

When you've found what you want, you can use our Shortlist facility to generate a list of all the items that are of interest to you, alternatively you can view our What's on

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A Compassionate & Inclusive Approach to Evidence-Based Treatment

Get the best alcohol rehab advice available to ensure you and those you love get the help you need to be free of addiction. Call for expert advice on what is best for your needs; our advisors take into account your condition, circumstances, budget and all other factors.

Rehab Recovery - Drug & Alcohol Rehab Treatment in the UK (rehab-recovery.co.uk)

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The welfare provision scheme can give you short term financial help in a crisis. The amount of help that can be given will depend on your circumstances.

The scheme is designed to help if you are unable to meet your short-term needs in a crisis, or where you need help to maintain your independence within the community.

You will only be able to apply twice in any 12-month period.

What the welfare provision scheme covers

The welfare provision scheme could give you financial help for:

moving out of institutional care

furniture, white goods, beds and household equipment

a disaster such as a serious flood or fire in your home

gas and electricity

food

clothing and footwear

travel

These are only examples. If your situation is not mentioned it doesn’t mean you won’t get help.

Welfare provision scheme | North Somerset Council (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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Financial support is available for people in North Somerset who are struggling with their household finances.

We have been awarded a £2.6m grant from the Government's Household Support Fund to give to households in need by the end of March 2024. This funding is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The grant money is being made available to support those most in need to help with food, energy, water and other essential living needs.

Household Support Fund | North Somerset Council (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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FEES Fund provides opportunities for children and young people's aspirations to grow and develop

About FEES Fund

We are a registered charity awarding grants to organisations and individuals so children and young people can take part in extracurricular activities. We aim to part remove financial barriers,

support skills development,

build confidence, resilience and raise aspirations.

Love Fi - Fi's legacy

Fiona Braidwood known as Fi lived life to the full. She loved learning and is the inspiration for FEES Fund. Her life was cut short when she died in March 2016 in a car accident close to home aged 17. Out of such sadness a momentum built for something positive to help keep her sparkle and energy present into the future.

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Fi's Enrichment Education Support (FEES) Fund

Registered charity: 1182839

You can read more about the Fi's Mum and Trustee Vicki, is presenting at the Learning from Suffering & Dying Conference in Padua, projects here.
Italy on the 7th September - you can read more about the conference here. Vicki has developed a suite of Learning resources inspired by Fi's gift of organ donation.

We are a registered charity awarding grants to organisations and individuals so children and young people can take part in extracurricular activities. We aim to part remove financial barriers,

support skills development,

build confidence, resilience and raise aspirations.

Fiona Braidwood known as Fi lived life to the full. She loved learning and is the inspiration for FEES Fund. Her life was cut short when she died in March 2016 in a car accident close to home aged 17. Out of such sadness a momentum built for something positive to help keep her sparkle and energy present into the future.

Funding is available to individuals aged between 7 - 25 years old. Over 18s can make their own applications. Advocates and organisations that provide enrichment, education support activities can apply on behalf of individuals aged between 7 - 25.

You can read more about FEES Fund and Fi to help you write your application. If you would like to apply, please complete the eligibility checklist and application form and check the FAQ before submitting.

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FEES Fund Charity in memory of Fiona Braidwood Charitable Trust

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FEES Fund in memory of Fiona Braidwood is a charitable trust which provides opportunities for children and young people's aspirations to grow and develop. Young people aged between 7 and 24 years old can apply for a grant to support enrichment opportunities.

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In response to the increased cost of living and rent liability, you may be able to apply for support from our Springboard Fund. This fund aims to support those who are experiencing financial difficulties, struggling to sustain their tenancy and to tackle the rising cost of living.

The fund can also provide one-off payments to help cover the costs of practical items such as energy, white goods etc.

The Springboard Fund is available to Alliance Homes customers who are seeking to engage in long-term debt solutions to sustain their tenancies.

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In response to the increased cost of living and rent liability, you may be able to apply for support from our Springboard Fund. This fund aims to support those who are experiencing financial difficulties, struggling to sustain their tenancy and to tackle the rising cost of living.

The fund can also provide one-off payments to help cover the costs of practical items such as energy, white goods etc.

The Springboard Fund is available to Alliance Homes customers who are seeking to engage in long-term debt solutions to sustain their tenancies.
How to apply
You can self-refer by completing the application form, by emailing springboardfund@alliancehomes.org.uk or by calling us on 03000 120 120. Following the submission of your application, a decision will be made within 14 days.
How to access approved funds?
The type of support available is dependent on the needs of the case. Alliance Homes can adjust your rent or other accounts, provide vouchers through email or text messages, or vouchers for relevant stores.

We will not provide cash awards or ask you to pay in advance and claim the money back later.

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In response to the increased cost of living and rent liability, you may be able to apply for support from our Springboard Fund. This fund aims to support those who are experiencing financial difficulties, struggling to sustain their tenancy and to tackle the rising cost of living.

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The Family Wellbeing Team from North Somerset Council Children’s Services are currently running pilot schemes to allocate funding from three Government programmes.

Supporting Families

United Kingdom Resettlement Schemes

Parenting Programmes

Funding from each programme is available for organisations or individuals who provide positive outcomes for children, young people, and families to run projects which support the ambitions of a programme. The Family Wellbeing Team have developed a panel for each programme to review these applications and allocate funding.

Applications for funding are open to anyone who can demonstrate how their project benefits children, young people or families in one or more of these areas.

Applications will be reviewed monthly by the relevant panel and funding will be granted within two weeks of agreed application

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School Nursing Service are an experienced, professional, and qualified team made up of School Health Nurses and Support Workers. The School Nursing team provide services to all children, young people (5-19+ years) and their families in North Somerset. Through delivery of the Healthy Child Programme and working in partnership with children, families and professionals, the service promotes physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing. They work closely with partner agencies and schools to provide education and support to children, young people, and their carers to protect them from harm and support them in making healthy lifestyle choices.

Telephone: 01934 419339 this is operated from 08:30am-17:00pm Monday-Friday.

Email: nsomerset.schoolnurses@nhs.net

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The Safe Haven Crisis & Recovery Centre provides a safe space for people in acute emotional distress and is based in Weston-super-Mare’s town centre.

It is the first of its kind for North Somerset and was co-designed with input from people with experience of using local mental health services and clinicians. The service will be a mix of remote and face to face support, and will be able to support 12 people every evening.

The centre is open seven days a week, between 4pm and midnight (by appointment only. Last appointment is 11pm). Safe Haven is open to people over 16 who live in North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

If you have any questions please email refer.safehaven@nhs.net or by call us on 01934 313480.

To make a professional referral please complete our Professional referral form.  To make self-referral please complete this form.

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The Safe Haven Crisis & Recovery Centre provides a safe space for people in acute emotional distress and is based in Weston-super-Mare's town centre.

It is the first of its kind for North Somerset and was co-designed with input from people with experience of using local mental health services and clinicians. The service will be a mix of remote and face to face support, and will be able to support 12 people every evening.

The centre is open seven days a week, between 4pm and midnight (by appointment only. Last appointment is 11pm). Safe Haven is open to people over 16 who live in North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

If you have any questions please email refer.safehaven@nhs.net or by call us on 01934 313480.

To make a professional referral please complete our Professional referral form. To make self-referral please complete this form.

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Safe Haven Crisis & Recovery Centre | Mental Health | Second Step

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The Safe Haven Crisis & Recovery Centre is a new space in North Somerset that will be a safe and welcoming space for people in mental health distress go.

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We’re a leading mental health charity that’s been putting mental health first for people in Bristol and the South West for over 30 years. We believe that with the right support, everyone can take control of their life and make their future their own. Our services can be found in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Our mission is to promote mental health and wellbeing by supporting people and communities to build brighter futures. Working hand-in-hand with the NHS and local authorities, we offer practical help and emotional support tailored to each individual and their recovery.

The people who use our services are at the heart of our organisation, and our involvement groups help inform and improve the services we deliver.

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Mental Health Awareness Group (Portishead) 

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Mental Health Awareness Group (Portishead) 

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We offer a friendly, welcoming space for carers who are supporting the wellbeing and mental health of young people and we support each other by sharing experiences and information in an informal but confidential setting.
Feel free to come along! Your wellbeing is important too!

Are you looking for support but can't get to our evening sessions? Are you in need of a break and a listening ear?
Rethink MHAP offers Walk & Talk daytime sessions and for further information please email: mhap@rethink org or call Catherine on 07568967933

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MHAP (Mental Health Awareness Portishead) Group

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MHAP (Mental Health Awareness Portishead) Group

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National mental health charity: information, services & a strong voice for everyone affected by mental illness - challenging attitudes and changing lives.

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Reframe Counselling Service (Wanted Not Wasted, WOW)

A free counselling service  for children and young adults aged 5-18 yrs who live in the Weston Super Mare

Who to contact

Contact Name

Helen Roy

Contact Position

WOW Coordinator

Telephone

07588 512 621

E-mail

wantednotwasted@gmail.com

Website

Wanted Not Wasted website

Where to go

Name

WOW Shop

Address

No 3

St Andrews Parade, Bournville

Weston Super Mare

Avon

North Somerset

Postcode

BS23 3SS

Time / Date Details

When is it on

Counselling takes place mostly on Wednesday and Thursdays 3-6 pm.

Session Information

Wednesdays and Thursdays 3-6pm

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The Mix is the UK’s leading digital charity for under 25s, reaching over 6 million young people each year. Whatever issue a young person is facing, The Mix is always there for them – via our website, over the phone or via social media. Our support is free, confidential and anonymous and can be accessed wherever young people are.

We connect young people to experts and their peers to talk about everything from money to mental health, homelessness to jobs, break-ups to drugs and more. No topic is out of bounds, and we are completely non-judgemental.

The Mix’s mission is to empower every young person to make an informed choice about their wellbeing; whether that’s through our peer-led and moderated community, multi-channel helpline, counselling service, crisis support messenger or our range of support content.

We aim to put young people at the centre of everything we do; we use our service data and collaborate with under 25s to inform every aspect of our services and our wider work. We use youth voice work to share a platform with young people and put their views and experiences at the centre of the conversation.

The Mix - Essential support for under 25s

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The Mix is the UK's leading digital charity for under 25s, reaching over 6 million young people each year. Whatever issue a young person is facing, The Mix is always there for them - via our website, over the phone or via social media. Our support is free, confidential and anonymous and can be accessed wherever young people are.

We connect young people to experts and their peers to talk about everything from money to mental health, homelessness to jobs, break-ups to drugs and more. No topic is out of bounds, and we are completely non-judgemental.

The Mix's mission is to empower every young person to make an informed choice about their wellbeing; whether that's through our peer-led and moderated community, multi-channel helpline, counselling service, crisis support messenger or our range of support content.

We aim to put young people at the centre of everything we do; we use our service data and collaborate with under 25s to inform every aspect of our services and our wider work. We use youth voice work to share a platform with young people and put their views and experiences at the centre of the conversation.

What we do: The Mix is here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don't-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts that people under 25 have in order to give them the best support through our digital and phone services.

Our Vision is that all young people should be able to make informed choices about their physical and mental wellbeing so that they can live better lives.

Our Mission is to become the first point of contact for any young person seeking help or information on any subject wherever and whenever they need it.
Values:

Empowering - we lead, we train & support, we respect, we give space to grow, we give power to chose

Brave - we innovate, we pioneer, we take risks, we tell it how it is

Supportive - we listen, we encourage, we care, we're understanding, we are empathetic

Collaborative - we are open & transparent, we co-create, we respect experience & expertise

Proactive - we create situations, we make things happen, we get things done

Non-judgemental - we do not judge, we do not criticise, we do not blame

Charity Registration Number: 1048995

Company Registration Number: 3031098 (England and Wales)

Registered Office: 209-211 City Road, London, EC1V 1JN

VAT Registration Number: 766 1469 03

Inland Revenue Number (Gift Aid): XR10652

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Find out about The Mix, the UK's advice and support service for under 25s.

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ASK BROOK... A GUIDE TO SEXUAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

This year millions of people in the UK will experience attacks on their sexual and reproductive rights. These attacks are shaped by, and reinforce stigma.

Brook is a charity supporting people with their sexual health and wellbeing.

We offer a range of services to support our mission of helping people to live healthier lives.

We believe excellent sexual health, mental health and wellbeing is a right. We will continue to fight for a society that welcomes everyone and trusts people to make decisions about their health, their bodies and their identities.

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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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Whether you want to understand more about how you're feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who's struggling, we can help.

YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds

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YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People

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YoungMinds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they need.

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Your online mental wellbeing community

Free, safe and anonymous support

Just some of the things you'll find on Kooth

Articles

Helpful articles, personal experiences and tips from young people and our Kooth team.

Discussion Boards

Start or join a conversation with our friendly Kooth community. Lots of topics to choose from!

Chat with the team

Chat to our helpful team about anything that's on your mind. Message us or have a live chat.

Daily Journal

Write in your own daily journal to track your feelings or emotions and reflect on how you're doing.

Home - Kooth

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We’re the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and we’re taking a stand against suicide. That means standing against feeling hopeless, standing up to stereotypes and standing together to show life is always worth living.

Every week 125 people in the UK take their own lives. CALM exists to change this - by offering life-saving services, provoking national conversation, and bringing people together to reject living miserably.

But we can't do it alone.

CALM GUIDES

You can talk to CALM about anything.
We have a few guides to things people tend to struggle with.

BULLYING

ANGER

ABUSE

DEPRESSION

BIPOLAR DISORDER

ADDICTION

EATING DISORDERS

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Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

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We're the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and we're uniting the UK against suicide.

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The Mix is a support service for under 25s, available 365 days a year. They’re there to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.

You can talk to them on the phone, by email, online chat, and a crisis text line. They can also help you find support services in your local area.

1-2-1 Chat

Crisis Messenger

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Essential support for under 25s

The Mix is the UK's leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you're facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via our online community, on social, through our free, confidential helpline or our counselling service.

Featured

The Mix. Registered charity number: 1048995

Log in

Welcome to The Mix, offering essential support for under 25s.

Log in to submit your own content on our platform Your Voices.

If you do not have an account with us you can sign up here.
I don't have a login

Forgotten password?

Sign up

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

Your Voices is a community-focused section of The Mix where you can share stories about your experiences on a specific issue. Upload your own videos, images, blog posts, and playlists to Your Voices and share them with your friends.

Don't have a Your Voices account? Sign up here to submit your own content.

Already have log in, log in here.
I already have a login

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The Mix - Essential support for under 25s

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The Mix: 0808 808 4994 - Free information and support for under 25s in the UK. Get advice about sex, relationships, drugs, mental health, money & jobs.

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Our Get Active Pass offers five free and five half price access to North Somerset Leisure Centres during off peak times.

If you have registered for our 12-week Get Active pathway of support from a Healthy Lifestyles Advisor, you could be eligible for a Get Active Pass.  You will be required to attend weekly or fortnightly appointments with a Healthy Lifestyles Advisor.

For further information about Get Active support from a Healthy Lifestyles Advisor

Residents who already visit the leisure centres on a regular basis are not eligible for the Get Active Pass and if you have received a Get Active Pass in the previous two years you are not eligible for any further passes. Unfortunately we are unbale to re-issue passes that have not been used.

Under 18’s

Under 18’s are not eligible for Healthy Lifestyles Advisor support, however some local practitioners are able to refer children and young people for a Get Active Pass, providing they meet eligibility criteria.  For further about this please email: getactive@n-somerset.gov.uk

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Get Active Pass | Better Health North Somerset

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Our Get Active Pass offers five free and five half price access to North Somerset Leisure Centres during off peak times. If you have registered for our 12-week Get Active...

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We provide imaginative, carefully curated and case managed services for children and families with SEMH needs. We believe that education and wellbeing are fundamentally linked, and that you can’t change long term outcomes without looking at issues holistically. We work with the whole family as much as possible and, for us, it’s about long-term change, not short term outcomes.

Working with children as vulnerable as we do, love and nurture are incredibly important factors despite these being phrases that other organisations may shy away from.

In addition, given the complexity of each of the cases, we believe that it is important to be creative and use imagination to develop programmes that are tailored to each child’s needs.

We have an incredibly dedicated team of practitioners who bring love and imagination to every session they undertake.

We recognise how brave our young people are in defining and pursuing their aspirations which often takes them outside of their comfort zone.

It is our responsibility to match this bravery through advocating for them within their own lives and advocating for SEMH awareness and support more generally.

Our Story - Love Squared

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Information on our Mentoring and Tutoring Outreach Services in London and The South West and how to make a referral. Funded by local authorities, schools, social services and NHS.

Information on our mental health projects for children and young people through our Glow programmes. Helping those with no statutory funding for their mental health needs.

We're here to change the national landscape of how children experience the mental health system, putting kindness at the forefront of every interaction.

We're building awareness , starting a movement, listening to the children's voices and those of the people who love them: At Love Squared, we want to transform the experience of those impacted by mental health.

We are on a mission to ensure that no child has to lose out on a world of potential because of mental health which mean they can't access school or find it hard to make friends. We don't have magic wands, but we do believe that every child and family should have individually tailored support services , delivered with love and imagination . Everyone has a right to tell their story and be heard with curiosity and sensitivity.

We deliver imaginative and carefully case managed mental health and SEND support for children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs, as well as training and consultancy for organisations. We believe that you can't change outcomes without looking at issues holistically and thoughtfully. For us it's about long term change .

LoveSquared stories

When you first start looking for support for your child with additional needs, it can be confusing and difficult.

We've been on a bit of a journey recently.

Report improvement in their mental health

Hours of support delivered per month

Feel less socially isolated

If you are interested in working with us to make a difference to the lives of children and young people, find out all the ways in which you can GET INVOLVED

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Love Squared provide SEN & mental health support, education and mentoring to children and young people in Bristol, the South West and London.

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We are a public health service funded by your council. We’re here to support the health and wellbeing of residents in North Somerset. Our Healthy Lifestyles Advisors can support you to lose weight, eat well, get active, stop smoking with 1-1 and group support available over a duration of 12 weeks, take our Health MOT to check if you are eligible and register for support. Once you’ve registered we’ll be in touch.

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Here for your Health and Wellbeing | Better Health North Somerset

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Better Health North Somerset - General Advice

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Better Health North Somerset - General Advice

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www.betterhealthns.co.uk

Send a message, we’ll get right back to you

Send enquiry

Call

01934 888 888

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

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Food Support | Better Health North Somerset

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Find information on how to get financial support, emergency food aid, Healthy Start vouchers, and Free School Meals.

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Healthy Lifestyles Advisors

Information about our Healthy Lifestyles Advisors and how they can support you to live healthier

One You

National campaign to encourage us to live healthier and longer including a quiz to find your personal health score

Manage your weight

Help to reach and maintain a healthy weight, including when you are pregnant

Stop smoking

Services to help you quit smoking with special advice for pregnant women and for people going into hospital

Drugs and alcohol

Support for people who misuse drugs and alcohol and information about our young people's substance advice service

Community food projects grant

Find out how to apply for the community food projects grant

Live a healthier lifestyle | North Somerset Council (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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We are a team of professionals covering North Somerset, based at Drove Road Child Development Centre (CDC) in Weston-super-Mare and The Barn in Clevedon.  The service is provided by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP).

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) includes the Children's Learning Disabilities Team and exists to promote the psychological health of the children and young people living in and around the area.  It provides a range of services including multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment to children, young people and families who experience mental health problems. We work with people from 0-18, and up to 19 in special circumstances eg ADHD, ASD, Complex disability, Special Educational Needs.

To make a referral to this service please us a Single Point of Entry form. We have a system to rate cases on the basis of need in order to prioritise people. We are in regular contact with the Young People on our waiting list and caseload

Parents' Guide to CAMHS | Guide for Parents | YoungMinds

Guide to CAMHS | Mental Health Services | YoungMinds

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We are a team of professionals covering North Somerset, based at Drove Road Child Development Centre (CDC) in Weston-super-Mare and The Barn in Clevedon. The service is provided by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP).

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) includes the Children's Learning Disabilities Team and exists to promote the psychological health of the children and young people living in and around the area. It provides a range of services including multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment to children, young people and families who experience mental health problems. We work with people from 0-18, and up to 19 in special circumstances eg ADHD, ASD, Complex disability, Special Educational Needs.

To make a referral to this service please us a Single Point of Entry form. We have a system to rate cases on the basis of need in order to prioritise people. We are in regular contact with the Young People on our waiting list and caseload.
AWP 24/7 Response Line:
Our Mental Health 24/7 Response Line is a dedicated telephone line for anyone who may be worried about their own or someone else's mental health. You can access support from our teams around the clock. The telephone line offers out-of-hours care for people and children in crisis 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. If you or your loved one feels unsafe, at risk or unable to cope without professional advice, our dedicated staff will ensure that you are directed to the team best able to meet your needs. The number to call is 0800 953 1919

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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service - CAMHS

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We are a team of professionals covering North Somerset, based at Drove Road Child Development Centre (CDC) in Weston-super-Mare and The Barn in Clevedon. The service is provided by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP).

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Citizens Advice North Somerset offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information. Our service is for people living and/or working in North Somerset. If you live outside of North Somerset, you can find your nearest branch here.

We are one of the country’s most progressive and dynamic advice services. Operating from drop in advice centre, dedicated telephone advice and a range of outreach locations, employing approximately 55 paid staff supported by 43 volunteers.

We are a member of the Citizens Advice network which provides an extensive online information system used to advise clients and also sets the standards of advice, training and equal opportunities for our offices. Citizens Advice also helps people at national level by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers.

The Citizens Advice service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equity and challenges discrimination.

Our twin aims are to:

provide the advice people need for the problems they face

improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives

Home - Citizens Advice North Somerset (nscab.org.uk)

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We provide a range of domestic abuse support services to women, men and children. These include safe houses, children and young people’s services, dedicated services for survivors who are black or from a minoritised community, dedicated services for LGBTQ+ survivors, group work, resettlement and outreach services, and a crisis response service.

Survivors, professionals and concerned friends and family can contact us by telephone, e-mail, text or live chat to get help and support from our duty team. Survivors are asked about their situation, what they want to happen next, if they have children with them, what areas of the city are unsafe for them and whether they want a safe house or one of our community or dedicated services. We carry out a DASH risk assessment with everyone and if appropriate refer to the Domestic Violence MARAC.

We also offer families face to face and telephone advice.

To find out more about these services
please call 0800 4700 280,
text 07407 895 620,
or email enquiries@nextlinkhousing.co.uk

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Services we offer What to do in a crisis Are you a victim-survivor of rape or another sexual offence?
Have you ever reported the offence to the police?
Do you want to give feedback on your experience with the police? FEEDBACK FROM

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Young person's centres aim to improve outcomes for young children and their families, and reduce inequalities:

child development and school readiness - supporting personal, social and emotional development, physical development and communication and language from pre-birth to age 5, so children develop as confident and curious learners and are able to take full advantage of the learning opportunities presented to them in school.

parenting aspirations and parenting skills - building on strengths and supporting aspirations, so that parents and carers are able to give their child the best start in life.

child and family health and life chances - promoting good physical and mental health for both children and their family; safeguarding; supporting parents to improve the skills that enable them to access education, training and employment; and addressing risk factors so that children and their families are safe, free from poverty and able to improve both their immediate wellbeing and their future life chances.

Email:  childrenscentre@n-somerset.gov.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.co/NorthSomersetCC

About children's centres | North Somerset Online Directory
(n-somerset.gov.uk)

Childminding network group

Children centres

Health visitor drop in

Parenting classes

Stay and play

View all Services

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Parents and Carers with SEND aged 0-25 can use our service independently to ensure their views are shared, they understand educational processes and can contribute in decisions about their future. with parental responsibility can use our service to understand their own and their children and young people with SEND’s rights, as well as processes and policies. They may also use our service to support them with practical guidance and in voicing their views.

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Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) service for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

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Junction 21 mentoring and advocacy project is a young person’s support project managed by us.

The project delivers a range of youth services including:

mentoring

independent visiting

advocacy

missing children’s interviews

acting as an Appropriate Adult

We provide support for young people aged 10 to 21 who are vulnerable (age range depends on the service). This includes:

being placed in local authority care or leaving care

being at risk of offending

being at risk of anti-social behaviour

being at risk of poor educational achievement

being unable to control your emotions

Our interventions vary from short term pieces of advocacy work to long term independent visiting.

Junction 21 Mentoring and Advocacy Project | North Somerset Council (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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The SENDCAS Team understand the importance of Family Time and appreciate the barriers that many families who have children with additional needs face. We are excited to offer our new family time passes.

With support from Supporting Families Funding, families in North Somerset with a child or young person with a disability or additional need (who is on the Disabled Children’s Register) can access our Family Passes.

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We provide free, independent and legally accurate advice on education via our advice line, helping parents to support their children's education. We give advice across the whole range of education issues: school exclusions, special educations needs, school admission and choice, bullying, attendance issues and disputes or discrimination.

Calls take on average 30 minutes, reflecting the complexity of the issues we help patents and carers with. This allows us to dig a little deeper to discover the root cause of a problem, and suggest solutions based on our years of experience. Our advisors help parents find a way forward and work with schools to get a positive result for their child.

ACE's free, independent education service is now available by sms/text message. Text keyword ASKACE to 68808 and follow the instructions.

Keyword Subject for texting:

ADMISSIONS - School admissions and appeals

ATTENDANCE - School attendance issues

BULLYING - Bullying at school

EXCLUSION - Fixed period & permanent exclusion from school

SEN - Special educational needs

General advice line: 0808 800 5793

Exclusion advice line: 0808 800 0327

Mon-Fri: 10.00am-5.00pm

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If you’re struggling to get food, local support is available.

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If you’re struggling to get food, local support is available.

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We have compiled a list of food banks, community larders, lunch clubs and pantries in the area.

Please note that if you are accessing a food bank, you’ll need a voucher from your doctor, health visitor, social worker, family support worker or Citizens Advice North Somerset. The voucher is then exchanged at the food bank for a food parcel.

Clevedon district food bank

Nailsea Community Larder Facebook page

North Somerset lunch clubs

Pill Community Fridge and surplus food table Facebook page

Portishead Community Fridge Facebook page

Weston-super-Mare food bank

Weston-super-Mare Fridge of Free Stuff website

Weston-super-Mare Food Clubs website

Weston-super-Mare Food Clubs Facebook page

Weston-super-Mare The Stable Food Shop Facebook page

Weston-super-Mare The Purple Sheep Pantry Facebook page

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Weston-super-Mare's

Community Fridge @ Hub Zero

Visit us

Tuesday: 11am - 2pm

Thursday: 11am - 2pm

Friday: 11am - 2pm

Saturday 12pm - 2pm

Closed Monday & Wednesday

Please do not queue outside the unit before opening times

The Sovereign, High Street, BS23 1HL

communityfridgewsm@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/HubZeroWSM

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The Fridge of Free Stuff is intended to help combat the climate emergency we face, but as we know, the cost of living crisis is affecting many people.

Although we understand it's of great benefit to those in need. We don't advertise ourselves for this purpose as we can't be depended upon in the same way as a food bank.

There are lots of places where you can find help with support though - here are some resources and helpful links:

Wheels to Work West helps people overcome barriers to travelling to work, training and skills opportunities.
North Somerset Council offer cost-of-living advice and guidance

Citizens Advice North Somerset housing, debt and consumer rights. Advice on money, offers free, independent, confidential and impartial advice.

Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert cost of living survival kit - over 90 money-saving tips and support available from central government.

Residents needing additional short-term support through the welfare provision scheme can find more information on the council's website at

www.n-somerset.gov.uk/wps. Applications can be made by phone on 01934 888 035 or 0800 138 5665 (10am to 4pm Monday to Friday).

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The Fridge of Free Stuff is a community fridge housed in Hub Zero a climate change education space at the Sovereign Centre, Weston-super-Mare.

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

Call our local helpline

Please call 03444 889 623 to speak to Citizens Advice Bridgwater, a referral partner of Highbridge Area Foodbank, who will be able to issue you with a food bank voucher if necessary.

https://highbridgearea.foodbank.org.uk/

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Highbridge Area Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

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Find out how to get help from our foodbank

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HOW TO GET HELP

If you need help from our foodbank there are a few simple steps to follow.

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS TO GET A FOODBANK VOUCHER.

In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis. Agencies we work with include: Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services and some local charities.

1. GET IN TOUCH WITH US.

If you call or email our foodbank we can talk through your situation and put you in touch with a relevant local agency. Citizens Advice is available in some of our centres without appointments (Wednesdays in North Street 11-2pm) and Fridays in Chaucer Road (10-12 – this will change to Tuesdays in January 2023).

2. ARRANGE A VISIT TO THE REFERRAL AGENCY.

They will discuss your situation and supply you with a foodbank voucher where appropriate.

If you can’t afford food, you can call 01934836200 to speak to Citizens Advice North Somerset, a referral agency partner of Weston-super-Mare Foodbank about getting a voucher. Please note this number is for people who do not have enough money for food – if you are a local organisation or charity that works with people who might need the food bank, please contact us directly.. If you have any questions, please contact the food bank on the number on our contact us page.

Alternatively contact the Trussell Trust Help through Hardship Helpline on 08082 082138

Help through Hardship is the free helpline for people struggling to afford the basics across England and Wales. The helpline is run by the Trussell Trust in partnership with Citizens Advice. Callers to the helpline receive income maximisation and benefits advice, signposting to other specialist advice (e.g. debt, housing, immigration), and a referral to a food bank, if needed.

How does it work?

If you’re struggling to afford the basics, ring the helpline on 08082 082138. It’s open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and you can talk to one of their trained advisors in the privacy of your own home.

3. BRING  YOUR FOODBANK VOUCHER TO YOUR NEAREST FOODBANK CENTRE.

You can find a list of our local centres and opening times here. When you arrive, we’ll welcome you  and our trained volunteers will chat with you about your situation. We’ll also discuss any dietary needs you may have and exchange your foodbank voucher for a parcel of three days of emergency food. We’ll also help to support you in any other ways that we can. Our aim is to provide non-judgemental support at the point of crisis.

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Who are we?

We are a Charity originally set up by parents from Baytree School. We are a group of Volunteers who give up our time freely to run Weston Sunbeams.

What do we do?

Our aim is to offer help and support to members of our local community who have a variety of Learning Disabilities. The help we offer can range from advice and guidance to financial grants. We have very specific criteria about the people we are able to help (see below). We are legally bound by these criteria and however much we may empathise with someone’s cause, we do not have any legal authority to make exceptions to these criteria.

Who can Weston Sunbeams help? / What are Weston Sunbeam’s criteria to offer help?

The person requiring our help must be classed as having a “Learning Disability”. This includes people with Cerebral Palsy, Autism and a variety of other conditions that are categorised as “Learning Disabilities”. Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia and Physical Disabilities are outside the legal scope of our remit.

We are legally bound by these criteria and however much we may empathise with someone’s cause, we do not have any legal authority to make exceptions to these criteria.

We can also only offer help to those people who live with postcode areas BS22, BS23, and BS24. We are legally bound by these criteria and we do not have any authority to make any exceptions. As such, we do require documentary evidence of residency in order to proceed, as well as in the later stages of the verification process.

What Grants can Weston sunbeams offer?

We can offer grants for things that are considered “needs” rather than wants, or wishes, but do not fall under the remit of any other funding, (eg DFG - Disabled Facilities Grant).

Examples of grants we have awarded in the past were for a specific child car seat, bespoke ear plugs, an adapted school vehicle, wheelchair ramps, a toddler wheelchair and many more.

We generally offer grants from £5 to £5000 however this can be increased in exceptional circumstances.

https://westonsunbeams.co.uk/

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Family Rights Group promotes policies and practices that keep children safe within their family and strengthen the family and community networks of those children who cannot live at home.

We campaign for families to have their voice heard, be treated fairly and get help early to prevent problems escalating.

We are a charity that advises parents, grandparents, relatives and friends about their rights and options when social workers or courts make decisions about their children’s welfare. We work with parents whose children are in need, at risk or are in the care system and with wider family members and friends who are raising children (known as kinship carers).

https://frg.org.uk/

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Child Law Advice

We are a digital-first service providing family and education law advice to parents, carers and young people in England.

We have lots of free to access content on our website. This is clear and easy to understand, giving you practical advice on the available next steps you can take.

If you need more in-depth knowledge on a particular topic, you can download one of our low-cost How-to guides.

If you need extra help after reading the advice on our website, we also offer a limited email or telephone service. This is for clarifying information rather than general enquiries.

The demand for our telephone service is very high and we are only able to answer a limited number of calls. Please only get in touch if you can’t find the answer on our website. You can use the site search bar to find specific content.

The Child Law Advice Service is operated by Coram Children’s Legal Centre, the UK’s leading children’s legal charity.

https://childlawadvice.org.uk/

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Got a housing problem? We can help:

Locally
Our advice and support services offer one-to-one, personalised help with housing issues and homelessness.

Online
On our website, find expert information about everything from reclaiming your deposit to applying as homeless, or speak to an adviser over webchat.

Over the phone
Our free emergency helpline is open 365 days a year to answer calls from anyone struggling with a housing issue or homelessness.

Legal
Our solicitors provide free legal advice and attend court to help people who’ve lost their homes or are facing eviction.

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There's so much you can do locally and nationally to build a fairer housing system.

Sign up now to be kept updated on our work, campaigns, fundraising activities, events, volunteering opportunities, and products and services.

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Shelter believes everyone should have a home. More than one million people a year come to us for advice and support via our website, helplines and national network of services. We also tackle the root causes of bad housing by campaigning for new laws, policies, and solutions.

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An individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) is a formal and legally binding agreement between you and your creditors to pay back your debts over a period of time. This means it’s approved by the court and your creditors have to stick to it.

While you have an IVA your creditors should stop:

charging interest on your debts

chasing you to pay your debts

While you’re in an IVA you must:

make the agreed payments - this is usually a single monthly payment or a lump sum

let your IVA provider know if your income increases or you get any other money

not take out any new credit without permission, for example loans

You can include any amount of debt in your IVA. There are no minimum or maximum limits. The fees for an IVA are high so if your total debt is less than £10,000 an IVA might not be the best option.

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Find out how an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) works and the type of debts you can include.

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North Somerset is your health and social care champion. If you use GPs and hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes or other support services, we want to hear about your experiences. We have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to your feedback and improve standards of care. We also help people find reliable and trustworthy information and advice.

What we do

Share your feedback with NHS leaders and other care providers, to let them know what's working well and what needs improving.

Make recommendations about how health and social care services could or should be improved.

Make sure NHS leaders and other care providers listen to what you have to say.

Report issues to organisations such as the Integrated Care System, the Care Quality Commission, and the local Health and Wellbeing Board.

Give you information and advice about accessing health and social care services, and the options available in your area.

Help you get the best out of health and social care services.

What we do | Healthwatch Northsomerset

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Supporting you if you wish to make a complaint about local authority social care services for adults or children.

These are some of the things that you might want to complain about:

The attitude or behaviour of staff

A care plan, an assessment or review

Decisions that you do not agree with

If you decide to make a complaint, you should do so within 12 months of the incident you are complaining about. Or within 12 months of you realising how what happened has affected you.

In certain circumstances the local authority will sometimes look at complaints that are outside of these timescales, but they do not have to do so.

If you would like to make the complaint yourself, or have started the process already, we've put together some useful guides in our self help information pages.

Social Care Complaints Advocacy (theadvocacypeople.org.uk)

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If you are unhappy with the service you, or someone else, has received from local authority social care services, you have the right to raise your concerns about it.

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How can The Advocacy People help?

Sometimes the decisions you have to make about your health and social care aren’t covered by the statutory advocacy services. Statutory advocacy is advocacy that the law says every area must have.

In some areas you might be able to get support from:

​

Community Advocates (sometimes called General Advocates) if you have a disability or are in a situation where you feel vulnerable and unable to speak up. It can include Community Mental Health Advocacy, Learning Disability Advocacy, Advocacy for Carers and/or Parents' (Child Protection) Advocacy.

​

Peer Advocates who are people who have ‘lived experience’. This means they might have the same disability or have been through a situation similar to you.

​

Citizen Advocates who support people for a much longer time than other advocates. It is a partnership between the advocate and the person and usually lasts for as long as both want it to.

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Children & Young Persons Advocacy

How can The Advocacy People help?

You have as much right as an adult to be listened to when decisions are being made about your life. What you feel and want is very important.

​

You can usually have an advocate to help you speak up about what you feel and want if you:

Are a Child in Care

Are leaving Care

Have a disability or other need

Are a young carer

Want to make a complaint about your social care

​​

You might be able to have an advocate in other situations – this will depend where you live. If you want to find out more, get in touch, our details are at the bottom of this page.

​

What does an advocate do?

An advocate:

Listens to you

Explains information

Finds out your wishes and feeling

Helps you tell others what you want or tells them for you, if you want the advocate to do this

Gets answers to your questions

Won’t tell you what to do

Is independent which means they won’t make any decisions about or for you

​

How can I get help from an advocate?

Most of the time, an adult will ask you if you want an advocate and get in touch with us.

​

But if you want to get in touch yourself, you can by using the details below.

​

To find out if we provide this service in your area, have a look at our map here.

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Someone on your side.

You have as much right as an adult to be listened to when decisions are being made about your life. What you feel and want is very important.

You can usually have an advocate to help you speak up about what you feel and want if you:

You might be able to have an advocate in other situations - this will depend where you live. If you want to find out more, get in touch, our details are at the bottom of this page.

Most of the time, an adult will ask you if you want an advocate and get in touch with us.

But if you want to get in touch yourself, you can by using the details below.

To find out if we provide this service in your area, have a look at our map here.

If you are a child or young person in care, you might be able to have the support of an Independent Visitor. This is an adult who will take an interest in your life, take you out to do different activities and support you with advice and practical help.

Most of the time, an adult will ask you if you want an Independent Visitor and get in touch with the service. If you are in the care of Southampton City Council you can get in touch with us yourself by clicking on the Contact Us link in the top right of this page.

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You have as much right as an adult to be listened to when decisions are being made about your life. What you feel and want is very important.

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Action for Prisoners' and Offenders Families

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Action for Prisoners' and Offenders Families

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We believe that:

Imprisonment damages family life and separates children from parents.

Our Vision is:

That every prisoner’s family should get the support they would like and need.

Who do we work with?

Action for Prisoners’ Families works across statutory, private and voluntary sectors - education, health, social care, criminal justice, and children’s services - to reduce the negative impact of imprisonment.  We promote and support the development of services for prisoners’ families.

What can we do?

We have a wide range of publications and resources including storybooks for children with a parent in custody (free of charge to prisoners’ families), and resources for practitioners working with prisoners’ families.

You can join us for free and get access to free downloads, up-to-date information on issues relevant to the families of prisoners’, information on training, workshops, forums and events, networking and consultative opportunities, etc.

Our Development Officers, who are based around England and Wales, can give practitioners advice and support on setting up support groups, family friendly prison visits, working with prisoners’ families, best practice, etc.  E-mail: lucykeenan@actionpf.org.uk if you would like to make contact.

If you just have a general query about our work, require information, or want to know about working with prisoners’ families do get in touch.

Action for Prisoners' and Offenders Families | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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

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

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Whether you are a parent/carer, young person, or work with young people; if you're worried about bullying or want to find out where you can get advice and support this is the section for you!

Advice and support (anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk)

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There For You Advisory Service is a non profit organisation supporting individuals and families being investigated or involved with their local Authority Children's Services Department, as well as pro​viding  additional family support. We also offer additional support services aimed specifically at Children and Young People.

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Advice Line number

Our service gives you the option to also book an hour long, one to one through the and all services are available Monday - Friday 9:30am- 4:30pm, where you can speak to our advisers on hand discreetly.

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child protection, supporting families involved in children's services

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For people who have been assessed as lacking capacity to make certain decisions.

How can The Advocacy People help?

We all assume a basic right to make decisions about where we live and how we are cared for. We make choices every day.

​

But due to disability, illness or injury we may not be able to make the important decisions and have to trust that other people will make good decisions for us.

Some decisions are so important that the law (Mental Capacity Act 2005) says the person making the decision must instruct an advocate.  An Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) must be instructed when:

​

The person is aged 16 or over

A decision needs to be made about either serious medical treatment or a long-term change in where the person lives

The person lacks capacity to make that decision

And

There is no one independent of services, such as a family member or friend, who is “appropriate to consult”.

An IMCA supports the person who lacks capacity and represents their likely views to those responsible for making decisions. They will seek all possible information from the person, the people around them and relevant records.

They will ensure that, wherever possible, the person has been given sufficient support to participate in decision-making processes. They will ensure that the person’s rights are upheld.

​

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For people who have been assessed as lacking capacity to make certain decisions.

We all assume a basic right to make decisions about where we live and how we are cared for. We make choices every day.

But due to disability, illness or injury we may not be able to make the important decisions and have to trust that other people will make good decisions for us.

Some decisions are so important that the law (Mental Capacity Act 2005) says the person making the decision must instruct an advocate. An Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) must be instructed when:

An IMCA supports the person who lacks capacity and represents their likely views to those responsible for making decisions. They will seek all possible information from the person, the people around them and relevant records.

They will ensure that, wherever possible, the person has been given sufficient support to participate in decision-making processes. They will ensure that the person's rights are upheld.

We have a factsheet which tells you more about what we do.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

Sometimes the people caring for us need to make decisions to keep us safe and receive treatment. This might include setting routines and stopping us from leaving.

Taking away someone's freedom to choose can be called a 'deprivation of liberty'. The law says that to do this the hospital or care home must get permission and certain things have to happen before permission is given. This is called Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and includes:

If the DoLS is granted, the person must still have a representative who checks the DoLS remains legal and can speak up if they are worried about the care or treatment. If there isn't a family member or friend who is able to do this, a Paid Relevant Person's Representative (PRPR) will be instructed by the local authority.

For people subject to similar restrictions but who live in the community, for example, in supported living, permission needs to be given by the Court of Protection. This is known as a Community DoLS. In the same way as for a DoLS, an IMCA might be instructed by the local authority to support a person who doesn't have a family member or friend able to do this. This is called a 1.2 representative.

Where do The Advocacy People provide these services?

To find out if we provide these services in your area, have a look at our map here.

We can only accept referrals from a health or social care professional.

For DoLS, we can only accept referrals from the local authority DoLS Team.

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Due to disability, illness or injury we may not be able to make the important decisions and have to trust that other people will make good decisions for us. Some decisions are so important that the law (Mental Capacity Act 2005) says the person making the decision must instruct an advocate.

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Making sure people have their say in how they are cared for and supported.

How can The Advocacy People help?

When decisions are being made about what kind of care and support we need, it is really important that we are put at the centre, as the expert in our own lives. Some of us will feel confident to speak up for ourselves and often a family member or friend can help us make this happen.

But sometimes this isn’t possible – it might be difficult for us to be fully involved (called ‘substantial difficulty’) if we have no-one around us who can support us.
​
If this is the case, the local authority must then think about arranging an Independent Care Act Advocate when they are preparing:

An adult needs assessment to see what care and support an adult might need

A carer’s assessment to see if someone who provides care for someone else needs support

A child’s needs assessment to see what support a child might need as they become an adult (children under transition to adult services)

A care and support plan for an adult, or checking it’s still right

A safeguarding enquiry or a safeguarding adults review when they think someone is being abused or neglected

​​
We have a factsheet which tells you more about what we do.
Click here to see the factsheet.
​
To find out if we provide this service in your area, have a look at our map here.
​
If we don’t provide the service, there will be someone else who does.

Care, Support and Safeguarding (Care Act) Advocacy (theadvocacypeople.org.uk)

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Making sure people have their say in how they are cared for and supported.

When decisions are being made about what kind of care and support we need, it is really important that we are put at the centre, as the expert in our own lives. Some of us will feel confident to speak up for ourselves and often a family member or friend can help us make this happen. But sometimes this isn't possible - it might be difficult for us to be fully involved (called 'substantial difficulty') if we have no-one around us who can support us. ​ If this is the case, the local authority must then think about arranging an Independent Care Act Advocate when they are preparing:

​​ We have a factsheet which tells you more about what we do. Click here to see the factsheet . ​To find out if we provide this service in your area, have a look at our map here. ​ If we don't provide the service, there will be someone else who does. ​ An ICAA supports the person to understand and be fully involved in the process. They will: ​

This depends on where you live. In some areas we can only accept referrals from a social care professional.

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Care, Support and Safeguarding (Care Act) Advocacy

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When decisions are being made about what kind of care and support we need, it is really important that we are put at the centre, as the expert in our own lives. If it isn't possible for friends or family to support us during this then the local authority must then think about arranging an Independent Care Act Advocate when making certain decisions.

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Support for people who are under section in a hospital, secure unit or in the community.

How can The Advocacy People help?

Being under section can be an uncertain time. It means that there are things you can and can’t do, you might have new treatments and other people have certain rights to make decisions about you.

An advocate can help you understand your rights and help you get answers to your questions. They can attend meetings with you and speak to people on your behalf.
​
We have a factsheet which tells you more about what we do.
Click here to see the factsheet.

To find out if we provide this service in your area, have a look at our map here.
​
If we don’t provide the service, there will be someone else who does.

​

Mental Health Advocacy (theadvocacypeople.org.uk)

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Support for people who are under section in a hospital, secure unit or in the community.

Being under section can be an uncertain time. It means that there are things you can and can't do, you might have new treatments and other people have certain rights to make decisions about you.

An advocate can help you understand your rights and help you get answers to your questions. They can attend meetings with you and speak to people on your behalf. ​ We have a factsheet which tells you more about what we do. Click here to see the factsheet .To find out if we provide this service in your area, have a look at our map here. ​ If we don't provide the service, there will be someone else who does.

You can refer yourself or ask someone to do it for you. This could be a family member, a friend, or a health or social care professional.

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Being under section can be an uncertain time. It means that there are things you can and can't do, you might have new treatments and other people have certain rights to make decisions about you.

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The National Health Service (NHS) works hard to treat everybody the way they would want to be treated, and in good time. But sometimes things don’t happen the way we want them to.

If you are unhappy with the service you, or someone else, has received from the NHS, you have the right to raise your concerns about it.

If the NHS doesn’t know what it’s doing wrong, then it can’t put it right and stop the same thing from happening to someone else.

If you decide to make a complaint, you should do so within 12 months of the incident you are complaining about. Or within 12 months of you realising how what happened has affected you.

The NHS will sometimes look at complaints that are outside of these timescales.

How can The Advocacy People help?

If you would like the support of an advocate, have a look at our Factsheet, which tells you what an advocate can do.

If you would like to make the complaint yourself, or have started the process already, take a look at our Self Help Information Pages.

To find out if we provide this service in your area, have a look at our map here
​
If we don’t provide the service in your area, there will be someone else who does.

NHS Complaints Advocacy (theadvocacypeople.org.uk)

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If you are unhappy with the service you, or someone else, has received from the NHS, you have the right to raise your concerns about it.

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HOW TO GET HELP

If you need help from our foodbank there are a few simple steps to follow.

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS TO GET A FOODBANK VOUCHER.

In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis. Agencies we work with include: Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services and some local charities.

1. GET IN TOUCH WITH US.

If you call or email our foodbank we can talk through your situation and put you in touch with a relevant local agency.

2. ARRANGE A VISIT TO THE REFERRAL AGENCY.

They will discuss your situation and supply you with a foodbank voucher where appropriate.

If you can’t afford food, you can call 0808 2082138 (freephone) to speak to a trained and independent Citizens Advice agent (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm). Please note this number is for people who do not have enough money for food – if you are a local organisation or charity that works with people who might need the food bank, please contact us directly.

Alternatively, please call 0344 411 1445 to speak to Citizens Advice who will be able to issue you with a food bank voucher if necessary.

3. BRING  YOUR FOODBANK VOUCHER TO YOUR NEAREST FOODBANK CENTRE.

You can find a list of our local centres and opening times here. When you arrive, we’ll welcome you with a warm drink and our trained volunteers will chat with you about your situation. We’ll also discuss any dietary needs you may have and exchange your foodbank voucher for a parcel of three days of emergency food. We’ll also help to support you in any other ways that we can. Most of our foodbank centres offer a cafe style environment and our aim is to provide non-judgemental support at the point of crisis.

If you have any further questions our FAQ’s page may help, or feel free to give us a call.

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We rely on the support of our local community for food donations, volunteering and finances. Can you help us stop UK hunger?

Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. Find out more about how we work.

Clevedon District Foodbank has now moved. The new address is Neads Court Unit 3 Knowles Road Clevedon BS21 7XS. You may notice that the address is similar to our previous one. that's because we have only moved two doors down. You can now find us next to the Coffee Hut. Our opening times are still the same Mondays and Fridays 9.30 am - 11.30 am.

Policies & Procedures

http://clevedondistrict.foodbank.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/117/2023/03/Final-CDFB-Privacy-Policy-2023.pdf

Christmas 2023

Helpful Guidelines

Advent calendars: last two weeks in November, please

Mince pies: We would appreciate mince pies dated after 25th December
Instore donation points will remain in local supermarkets. Group donations can be dropped off at Clevedon District foodbank warehouse.

Donations of vouchers: Once again this year we will not be accepting gifts - we would like to ask for Aldi orange vouchers. Please drop them off by 1st December.

Where we are
Get directions & opening times

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Clevedon District Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

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We rely on the support of our local community for food donations, volunteering and finances. Can you help us stop UK hunger? Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. Find out more about how we work. Clevedon District Foodbank has now moved. The new address is Neads Court Unit 3 Knowles Road Clevedon BS21 7XS.

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Cut your grocery bills…

Food clubs purchase surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, and members can buy a basketful of groceries at a fraction of its normal price.

Help reduce food waste…

When we shop in this way, we reduce food waste and our impact on the environment.

Powered by the people…

Food clubs are run by their members, placing power back in the hands of the community. By taking greater control over how we access our food we strengthen our relationships with the planet and each other.

Strengthening community…

Sourcing our food together fosters relationships built on care and co-operation.

https://westonfoodclubs.org/

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Food Clubs purchase surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, and members can buy a basketful at the fraction of its normal price.

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OLIO is a free app allowing neighbours to offer perfectly good, unwanted food to each other. Everything shared on OLIO is for free.

Our Vision | Olio (olioapp.com)

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GamCare is the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. We operate the National Gambling Helpline, provide structured support for anyone who is harmed by gambling, create awareness about safer gambling and treatment, and encourage an effective approach to safer gambling within the gambling industry.

GamCare offers a range of options for people struggling with the impact of gambling on their lives – both gamblers and their loved ones. We can help you:

Over the phone

Face-to-face

Online

Our treatment is free, flexible and confidential. It is available for adults affected by gambling across England, Scotland and Wales.

We can also provide dedicated support for young people under 18 across the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland.

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GamCare - Founder of the National Gambling Helpline

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The National Gambling Helpline provides free support for anyone affected by gambling harms in Great Britain.

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Disability, special needs and the local offer

Benefits

Clubs and activities

Support groups

View all Services

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If you are interested in a subject not currently listed please let us know, we are always open to new ideas.

If you organise, or are part of a group that would like a course personalised to your needs please do get in touch.

All participants will need to be minimum age 19, and live in North Somerset. Most will either be in receipt of certain means tested benefits or have qualifications less than a full level 2.

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Introduction to IT

A great course for anyone wanting to build up their confidence with computers

Learn new skills such as:

using the mouse/touchpad and keyboard

how to create an email address

using free Google document resources

keeping safe online

There is plenty of advice and support on offer from our knowledgeable staff.

where you can take it: North Somerset Training Hub, 31 Alexandra Parade, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1QZ

course duration: Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30 - 11:30am for 6 weeks

when you can start: from 11 September

Goblin Combe Woodland Adventures

Get your mojo back at Goblin Combe Adventures.

Join a small group to take part in lots of outdoor activities including campfires, woodland walks, archery, and orienteering. Relax your mind, exercise your body, and allow yourself to step back from the stresses of everyday life.

where you can take it: face to face in the woods, at Goblin Combe Woodland, Cleeve BS49 9PQ

course duration: Tuesdays 10am - 2pm for 5 weeks

when you can start: from 19 September

Introduction to Early Years and Working in the Childcare Sector

Gain a Level 1 Award in Childcare

Explore the range of service provision and roles within early years and childcare. Includes:

understanding principles and values, tips on communication and language development through play. How to progress onto work in childcare.

where can you take it: face to face at The Campus, Weston-super-Mare BS24 7DX

course duration: Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am - 1pm for 6 sessions

when can you start: from 26 September

Prepare to pass the driving theory test

Improve your understanding of the rules of driving and the Highway Code.

Gain confidence answering multiple choice questions and learn how to approach the Theory and Hazard Perception Tests.

Where can you take it: in person at North Somerset Training Hub, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1QZ

course duration: Tuesday mornings 9.30 - 12pm for 6 sessions

When can you start: From 3 October

Woodwork for women

An introduction to woodwork for complete beginners in a relaxed non-competitive environment.

Learn hands-on skills and carpentry techniques. Build confidence to safely use hand tools. Find out more about options for gaining more skills and/or experience.

where can you take it: In person at The South West Skills Campus, Locking Road, Weston-super-Mare BS22 8NL

course duration: Fridays 9.30am - 2.30pm for 5 weeks

when can you start: from 13 October

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Community learning offers free or low cost courses for adults aged 19 or over with few or no qualifications.

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Library events | North Somerset Council (n-somerset.gov.uk)

There are a variety of enrichment events hosted at our libraries throughout North Somerset. Check the link to see a list of what is coming soon.

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Are you looking for something to do with your pre-school aged child?

You can use this section to find parent and toddler groups, music groups and sporting activities such as swimming lessons.

Things to do

Clubs and groups

Parent and toddler

Sports

Stay and play

View all Services

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Escape Support Group aims to provide support to families in Somerset raising children who have disabilities or additional needs, through providing a wide range of fun activities, days out & occasional short break holidays. Our events boost morale, increase confidence, improve social skills as well as develop & strengthen friendships.

Home | Escape Support Group | Creech Saint Michael

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Home | Escape Support Group | Creech Saint Michael

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Escape Support Group aims to provide support to families in Somerset raising children who have disabilities or additional needs, through providing a wide range of fun activities, days out and occasional short break holidays.

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Maternity Action is the UK’s maternity rights charity dedicated to promoting, protecting and enhancing the rights of all pregnant women, new mothers and their families to employment, social security and health care.

Work and benefits

We provide free advice on maternity and parental rights at work, pay and benefits to pregnant women, new parents, trade unions and advisers.

NHS maternity care & charging

We offer free and confidential expert advice to women who have received an invoice for maternity care and/or who have been told that they will be charged for NHS maternity care

Training and support

We provide training and support to
health professionals, advisers, community workers and volunteers supporting vulnerable migrant women during pregnancy and their child’s first year.

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challenging inequality : promoting wellbeing

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Incredible Years Autism and Speech Delay

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Incredible Years Autism and Speech Delay

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For parents with Children 2-7 years

The Incredible Years Autism and Speech Delay Programme supports parents and carers to understand their child’s development and how they can best support them.

The 14-week programme focuses on developing language and social skills and promoting children’s emotional and self-regulation, so helping them to develop positive relationships with others. Parents will discover different ways to support positive behaviour and manage challenging behaviour. Parents also share they benefit from having the opportunity to meet other parents who have children of a similar age.

Family Wellbeing Team Advanced Parenting Groups | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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You can download and make changes to our model letters to fit your situation. You should read the relevant section of our website about each topic first to ensure you understand how and when to use these letters. If you are making a complaint, make sure you follow the local authority or school’s complaints procedure, which might mean you have to enter the model wording into an online form.

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(IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

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Latest

Related

Most read

Have you found the information on our website helpful today? If so, please consider donating! At IPSEA, we rely on your donations and fundraising efforts to help keep our vital services running. Read more
Donate

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A range of model letters to download and amend for your own purposes. From requesting an EHC needs assessment, to complaining when the educational provision in an EHC plan is not being made.

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Cintre is a dynamic support service tailored to adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Learning Difficulties and Mental Health issues. Its foremost aims are to support those in need to leading an independent life.

A cintre is a tool used by architects when building an arch. It supports the construction until the arch is capable of holding itself independently. In this way, we at Cintre, provide the necessary support to vulnerable people to maximise their independence and their ability to stand strong, resilient, and unaided.

With over 40 years of experience, Cintre is an established and trusted provider in Bristol, supporting and enabling people into independence. Cintre has its central office at the Greenway Business centre in Southmead, Residential Service in Clifton and Supported Living services in Kingswood and Weston Super Mare. More recently Cintre has added a new Respite Service based in North Somerset in an exciting partnership with Alliance Husing and North Somerset Council.

We provide enablement services to people with mental health issues, and conditions and behaviours that challenge. We put the people we support at the centre of all we do, building not only trust and confidence but progression through consistent support and interventions.

We know each person is different and each development plan is unique to what the client wants to achieve with their support. We celebrate all major steps along the journey of development, steps can be as simple as going shopping unaided for the first time, attending college or obtaining a job.

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Cintre is a dynamic support service tailored to adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Learning Difficulties and Mental Health issues. Its foremost aims are to support those in need to leading an independent life.

A cintre is a tool used by architects when building an arch. It supports the construction until the arch is capable of holding itself independently. In this way, we at Cintre, provide the necessary support to vulnerable people to maximise their independence and their ability to stand strong, resilient, and unaided.

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Cintre is a dynamic support service tailored to adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Learning Difficulties and Mental Health issues. Its foremost aims are to support those in need to leading an independent life.

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For parents of children 11-25 years

Suitable for parents whose child has an intellectual disability.

Parents of children with additional needs or a disability can face significant challenges, especially during the adolescent years.

This 8-week programme is practical, solution-focused and draws on parents’ strengths. Suitable for parents who are raising an older child or adolescent with a mild, moderate, or severe intellectual disability, and who may also have an additional diagnosis, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or a physical disability.

As a parent / Carer, learn how to:

Personally cope and manage stress

Deal with the challenges of adolescence

Support the needs of your other children

Manage challenging behaviour

Support your child to:

Learn social skills and build friendships

Deal with puberty and sexuality

Gain confidence and self-esteem

Be more independent

Family Wellbeing Team Advanced Parenting Groups | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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About Daycamps

Our fantastic Daycamps are the perfect settings for a fun-filled and memorable school holiday clubs for children in Reception – Year 6.* Both Barley Wood and Yew Trees are set within acres of Somerset scenery, offering the opportunity for children to explore the outdoors as well as develop new skills, and make lifelong friendships.

Our holiday programme includes a range of exciting themed multi-activity games designed around the outdoors and being active. Activities include; archery, climbing wall, canoeing, paddle boarding, Segways, multi-sport, baking, craft… and much more!

* Please note, children must have completed at least one term at primary school before being able to attend YMCA Daycamps.

YMCA Daycamps - YMCA Dulverton Group (ymca-dg.org)

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You can book your child's place at YMCA Daycamps using Magic Booking here. The link for this is at the top of this page. Follow the link to create an account or log in if you have used it before. Follow the steps to book!

Please note that your booking is only confirmed once a payment has been made. You can pay using a credit or debit card or using Childcare Vouchers or Tax Free Childcare which is all processed by our secure booking platform.
Yew Trees
Sodexo 887272

Edenred P21181594

Computershare search for Yew Trees, BS26 2SA

Tax Free Childcare - search for Yew Trees Nursery, BS26 2SA
Barley Wood
Sodexo 844535

Edenred P20984488

Computershare - search for Barley Wood Nursery, BS40 5SA

Tax Free childcare - search for Barley Wood Nursery, BS40 5SA

If using either of these methods, please select this option at the checkout and once complete, please log into your childcare account and arrange for the funds to be transferred. Please note, you have 7 days from booking to arrange these funds, if this is not completed within this time frame, your booking will be cancelled and space may be reallocated. Until we have confirmed the transfer has been made, your Magic Booking account will show as having overdue payments and you won't be able to book further spaces. This will change once payment has been confirmed by our team.

For any questions, such as which codes to use for any providers not listed, please contact us on daycamps@ymca-dg.org for details.

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YMCA Daycamps are the perfect settings for a fun-filled and memorable school holiday for children in Reception - Year 6.

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There are lots and lots of families going through tough times who can't get away together. We want to make the biggest difference we can to as many families as we can. We focus our holiday offers on families who:

Are on a low income (a household income of less than £24,000)

Haven’t had a holiday together in the last 4 years

Have at least one child under 18 who will go on the holiday

You'll need someone who is supporting you or your family to recommend you.  They will need to agree to some things, including agreeing to support you to get ready and make the most from a holiday.

We call that person ‘a referrer’. They must be either a registered charity or a statutory provided service, and they’re usually someone who works in these types of organisations:

Registered charities that provide services related to families

Government provided children's and family support departments such as social services and community health teams

Health visitors from NHS services

Ofsted registered schools, nurseries and children’s centres

Registered refuge and domestic abuse support agencies

Registered housing associations

People who work in these organisations who could support you may have these kinds of roles:

Support worker

Family support worker

Social worker

Health visitor

Teacher

Teaching assistant

Advice for Families | Family Holiday Charity

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SENDCAS (SEND Clubs and Activities Service)

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SENDCAS (SEND Clubs and Activities Service)

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The team set up and manage a range of out of school and holiday provision such as specialist activities in Weston and Portishead, a variety of outings thoughout the year based on age, ability and friendship groups.

The activities support a range of additional needs. The team provide a variety of activities for children aged 6 to 18 years old (school years 1 to 13) which support independant skills, creating friendships and networks, supporting behaviour management and individual needs of children and young people that attend.

Planned trips are also tailored to a child's individual needs.

The Buddy Scheme is designed to provide a service to children and young people with a wide range of complex, additional needs and is to support them in accessing out of school activities within their community.

There are regular drop-in sessions for parents.

SENDCAS (SEND Clubs and Activities Service) | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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YISP works with young people aged 10 to 17 to provide support with the various challenges or struggles they might be facing. These young people are vulnerable to risk factors such as exploitation, offending or anti-social behaviour. We work with medium and high levels of vulnerability and accept referrals from any agency, parent or young person.

We provide support for:

stress tolerance

consequential thinking

weapon education and awareness

difficulties managing feelings including anger and anxiety

low self-esteem

low school attendance

difficulties building relationships

social isolation

safety online

YISP workers are also trained to work with young people who are displaying inappropriate or harmful sexual behaviour, or may have been involved in sexting or sharing images.

The programme support is delivered through our team of professionally qualified preventative case workers. The type of sessions vary depending on the needs and preference of the young person. These can either be:

group work

short session work around specific areas of concern

a series of 12 bespoke one-to-one weekly sessions

We usually work with young people face-to-face in school, at home or in the community. We can also offer virtual sessions via telephone calls, emails and video calls where requested. All work is completed with young people on a voluntary engagement basis.

Youth Inclusion Support Project (YISP) | North Somerset Council (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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Home-Start North Somerset offers free, confidential support, friendship and practical help to parents in North Somerset. Being a parent, whatever your situation, can be very difficult, especially when children are young.

Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life, particularly if they have little support from family and friends when they need it most. For some parents it’s a particular struggle because they are also having to cope with issues such as post-natal depression, their or their child’s illness or disability, isolation or multiple births.

That’s when parents need support. That’s when Home-Start North Somerset can help.  We are an early years support charity and in order to receive help from Home-Start North Somerset you must have at least one child under 5 in the family.

A carefully selected volunteer, who has parenting experience themselves, regularly visits a family, in their own home, offering emotional and practical support through difficult times for as long as it is helpful or needed.

Tel: 07771 179007    Email:  info@home-startnorthsomerset.org.uk

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Home-Start North Somerset offers free, confidential support, friendship and practical help to parents in North Somerset. Being a parent, whatever your situation, can be very difficult, especially when children are young.
Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life, particularly if they have little support from family and friends when they need it most. For some parents it's a particular struggle because they are also having to cope with issues such as post-natal depression, their or their child's illness or disability, isolation or multiple births.

That's when parents need support. That's when Home-Start North Somerset can help. We are an early years support charity and in order to receive help from Home-Start North Somerset you must have at least one child under 5 in the family.

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Home-Start North Somerset | Home-Start North Somerset is a local charity, which provides regular support, friendship and practical help for young families in the North Somerset region.

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Home-Start North Somerset offers free, confidential support, friendship and practical help to parents in North Somerset. Being a parent, whatever your situation, can be very difficult, especially when children are young. Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life, particularly if they have little support from family and friends when they need it most.

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Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling. The issues we support families with include family breakdown, challenging relationships and behaviour, debt, and emotional and mental wellbeing.

We know the difference being able to access appropriate, timely support can make to families in crisis, knowing there is someone at the end of the phone who will listen to them. And we know the longer term impact of early intervention with families, such as through the ParentChild+ programme, which supports the home-learning environment, and our family befriending programmes.

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

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

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North Somerset Council, Polaris Children’s Services, Bridges Fund Management and Outcomes for Children, have come together to deliver “Turning the Tide”. Turning the Tide is an innovative edge of care service, funded through a Social Impact Bond. The aim of the service is to reduce the need for children and young people to be looked after, by either working with families to keep children safely at home, or by keeping care placements short and reuniting children and young people with their families as soon as possible.

The service uses a strength based intensive multi modal intervention over a 12 or 18 week period which involves delivering practical support to the heart of the family in their own home. The support will equip children, young people and the families with the skills and coping mechanisms to reduce unwanted behaviour, increase positive family functioning and build their resilience.

North Somerset Turning the Tide - Polaris Children's Services (polarischildrensservices.co.uk)

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If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We’ll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

plain liquid cow’s milk

fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables

fresh, dried, and tinned pulses

infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

You can also use your card to collect:

Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding

vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

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What is Healthy Start?

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We'll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

plain liquid cow's milk

fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables

fresh, dried, and tinned pulses

infant formula milk based on cow's milk

You can also use your card to collect:

Healthy Start vitamins - these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding

vitamin drops for babies and young children - these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

If you live in Scotland

You can get help from Best Start Foods (opens in a new tab) instead.

Advice on healthy eating

For more advice on healthy eating, visit:

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If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.

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DART (Domestic Abuse Recovering Together)

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DART (Domestic Abuse Recovering Together)

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Suitable for women with children 7-14 years

DART is a 10-week group for mothers and their school children aged 7-14 who have experienced domestic abuse.

DART aims to help children recover from the adverse effects of domestic abuse by working with the mother and child together to strengthen their relationship and help both talk about and recover from the impact of domestic abuse.

Ideally mums will have already attended a recovery programme such as the ‘Freedom programme’.

Mums can only partake with one child at a time.

Family Wellbeing Team Advanced Parenting Groups | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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Our support service includes:

Reviewing finances and maximising income

Support with making appointments

Practical advice on repairs and arranging mobility equipment

Help with managing diaries/calendars

Support managing your medication

Support with arranging online shopping

Support with transport to and from medical appointments

Putting out recycling and rubbish

Advice about staying healthy and keeping active

Support with cupboard spring cleaning

Technical support with accessing online tools

Practical advice on keeping your home safe

Practical advice on fire safety within your home

Social interaction – a cup of tea and a chat

Understanding and accessing benefits

Pet walking with you

And much, much more…

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What would 24-hour peace of mind mean to you or your loved ones?

Our Independent Living Service is here to support you to live independently. We'll always do our best to provide you with the support you need.

Our service is for people living anywhere in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

Our support service includes:

Reviewing finances and maximising income

Support with making appointments

Practical advice on repairs and arranging mobility equipment

Help with managing diaries/calendars

Support managing your medication

Support with arranging online shopping

Support with transport to and from medical appointments

Putting out recycling and rubbish

Advice about staying healthy and keeping active

Support with cupboard spring cleaning

Technical support with accessing online tools

Practical advice on keeping your home safe

Practical advice on fire safety within your home

Social interaction - a cup of tea and a chat

Understanding and accessing benefits

Pet walking with you

And much, much more...

If you live in Bath & North East Somerset and Bristol...

Optional pendant alarm linked to 24-hour call centre. Includes free installation

Choose

For

Provision of 24-hour emergency alarm system and pendant

Four visits a month up to 1 hour + Free alarm

Up to 1½ hours of support four times a month for
shopping & support and / or visit + Free alarm

We know life changes and sometimes we need a bit more help. So you can add the following extra options any time, for as long or as short a time as you need.

Extra options

Available with

For

Assist
£1.50 a week

Support & Shop
Support Plus

Extra alarm pendant

Support & Shop
Support Plus
Response 365

Two wellbeing phone
calls a week

Comfort
£10.25 a week

Support & Shop
Support Plus
Response 365

0.5-hour extra support
time

Our service is available whether you own or rent your home.

Funding available if qualifying criteria are met, please contact us for further information.

Contact us on:
T: 01225 366135
E: ILS@curo-group.co.uk

Areas covered:

Optional pendant alarm linked to 24-hour call centre. Includes free installation.

Choose

For

Response 365
£4.70 a week

Provision of 24-hour emergency alarm system and pendant

Four visits a month up to 1 hour + Free alarm

Up to 1½ hours of support four times a month for
shopping support and / or visit + Free alarm

We know life changes and sometimes we need a bit more help. So you can add the following extra options any time, for as long or as short a time as you need.

Extra options

Available with

For

Comfort
£1.50 a week

Support & Shop
Support Plus

Extra alarm pendant

Assurance
£5.25 a week

Support & Shop
Support Plus
Response 365

Two wellbeing phone
calls a week

Support & Shop
Support Plus
Response 365

0.5-hour extra support
time

Our service is available whether you own or rent your home.

Contact us on:
T: 01225 366135
E: ILS@curo-group.co.uk

Areas covered:

Ted is 85. He's been living alone for the past 20 years in his own apartment. He's very independent and is as sharp as he's ever been. He is now very unsteady on his feet and worries that he could fall and won't be able to call for help. He still likes to go out once or twice a week food shopping and takes his car. He's increasingly uncomfortable driving so won't drive far. His grown-up children all live at least an hour away - they phone regularly and he usually gets a visit about once a month from someone.

Here's how we help people like Ted...

We care

Our friendly Independent Living Support Officer can
visit regularly monthly, fortnightly or weekly to make sure you're ok and accompany you to appointments, shopping, for a walk or to social events and so on.

Advocating

We can support you to be heard, make sure you are treated fairly and make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to.

We can help with paperwork, organisation, telephone calls, bills and budgeting. We can support you to improve your health and well-being.

You are important

We can do all this and more. Our support is tailored to meet your needs and wants.

We can support as much or as little as you want.

Jane, 46, lives in Bristol and works full time, with three children all at school. Both Jane's parents are in their 70s and live together in Radstock in the family home they have owned since the 1980s. Jane worries that her parents are struggling to manage and cope in the home. They are both unsteady on their feet and Jane's Mum has recently falling over a lot and cannot manage the stairs so is sleeping in the living room. Jane's parents don't want to move out of their home but Jane feels it's the best option.

Here's how we help people like Jane...

Peace of mind

A pendant alarm with free installation.

We care

Our friendly Independent Living Support Officer can visit regularly monthly, fortnightly or weekly to make sure you're ok and accompany you to appointments, shopping, for a walk or to social events and so on.

Safe

We can arrange for aids and adaptations for your home and make it safer and more accessible or we can help you to move if wanted.

Advocating

We can support you to be heard, make sure you're treated fairly, make sure you're getting everything you're entitled to and feel safe in your home.

We can help with paperwork, organisation, telephone calls, bills and budgeting.

You are important

We can do all this and more. Our support is tailored to meet your needs and wants.

We can support as much or as little as you want.

Barbara is 75. She lives alone in a two-storey home with just a single gas fire. She likes to go out dancing several times a week and is in good health although she has a heart condition which is closely monitored. She'd like to sell her home and buy an apartment in a sheltered block but hasn't found anything she can afford and is daunted by the idea of moving. She speaks to her family and friends daily on the phone and also uses social media to keep in touch. She can feel overwhelmed by bills and forms, worries about money, being 'ripped off' online by energy and phone suppliers.

Here's how we help people like Barbara...

Peace of mind

A pendant alarm with free installation.

We care

Our friendly Independent Living Support Officer can visit regularly monthly, fortnightly or weekly to make sure you're ok and accompany you to appointments, shopping, for a walk or to social events and so on.

Safe

We can arrange for aids and adaptations for your home and make it safer and more accessible or we can help you to move if wanted.

We can make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to and be a part of your community.

Advocating

We can help with paperwork, organisation, telephone calls, bills and budgeting.

You are important

We can do all this and more. Our support is tailored to meet your needs and wants.

We can support as much or as little as you want.

Ed is 32. He's recently been re-housed following a period of homelessness and sofa surfing due to drug and alcohol related difficulties. He suffers from a low mood, anxiety and depression. Ed is struggling with claiming benefits, paying his rent, debt management and paperwork. He is not seeing his GP regularly and is not eating well or generally taking care of himself.

Here's how we help people like Ed...

We care

Our friendly Independent Living Support Officer can visit regularly monthly, fortnightly or weekly to make sure you're ok and accompany you to appointments, shopping, for a walk or to social events and so on.

Advocating

We can support you to be heard, make sure you are treated fairly and make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to.

We can help with paperwork, organisation, telephone calls, bills and budgeting. We can support you to improve your health and well-being.

You are important

We can do all this and more. Our support is tailored to meet your needs and wants.

We can support as much or as little as you want.

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Our Independent Living Service is here to support you to live independently. We'll always do our best to provide you with the support you need. Our service is for people living anywhere in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

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The Reclaim Project (formerly The Women’s Project & Healing Hearing) was established in 1993 and provides free Counselling of up to 10 sessions to women and men affected by domestic abuse living in North Somerset.  Support is provided to people who are no longer in a relationship with their abuser.  Reclaim will work with clients to enable them to explore their experience and help them to move forwards to reclaim their lives.

The counsellors at Reclaim offer:

– a free confidential service in a variety of venues across North Somerset

– advice and direction to the right agency who can further help and support clients.

To make an appointment with a Reclaim Counsellor, call: 07919 440233 or email: inforeclaim@vansmail.org.uk

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Reclaim - Freedom From Domestic Abuse

The Reclaim Project (formerly The Women's Project & Healing Hearing) was established in 1993 and provides free Counselling of up to 10 sessions to women and men affected by domestic abuse living in North Somerset. Support is provided to people who are no longer in a relationship with their abuser. Reclaim will work with clients to enable them to explore their experience and help them to move forwards to reclaim their lives.

Since moving to VANS in 2019, the Reclaim project has become firmly embedded in the charity with the team of coordinators and self-employed counsellors becoming part of the team.

The current programme is funded by the Big Lottery until 2022, which will enable over 200 individuals access vital life-changing counselling support through 2022.

With known increased demand for support specifically for survivors of Domestic Abuse, VANS is working with other local providers to identify gaps in the current offer and identify additional funding to put in place support where required in North Somerset.

For people who are living with their abuser, Next Link North Somerset may be able to offer you support:

0800 4700 280 (Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm)
https://www.nextlinkhousing.co.uk/northsomerset/contact/

What Reclaim offers

The counsellors at Reclaim offer:

- a free confidential service in a variety of venues across North Somerset

- advice and direction to the right agency who can further help and support clients.

To make an appointment with a Reclaim Counsellor, call: 07919 440233 or email: inforeclaim@vansmail.org.uk

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The Reclaim Project (formerly The Women's Project & Healing Hearing) was established in 1993 and provides free Counselling of up to 10 sessions to women and men affected by domestic abuse living in North Somerset. Support is provided to people who are no longer in a relationship with their abuser.

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For Parents of children 9-18 years.

Suitable for children who are neurodiverse.

Non-violent resistance - (NVR) is a 12 - week intensive programme, which supports parents to addresses or ‘resists’ aggressive, destructive, risk-taking, and other harmful behaviours in children and adolescents. The young person will be using controlling behaviour towards the parent/carer which can take the form of physical violence, emotional abuse, or non-accidental damage in the home.

There is strong emerging evidence that NVR supports parents who have neurodivergent children who may be displaying violent/aggressive/angry behaviours that can benefit from the techniques they will learn in NVR.

If you would like to attend an NVR group a professional you know such as Support Worker, GP, or school team can complete a referral on your behalf.

Family Wellbeing Team Advanced Parenting Groups | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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Redeeming Our Communities and COACH are thrilled to launch a new partnership to extend the COACH mentoring scheme across the UK.

COACH was initially developed in Australia in 2003 and has been evaluated twice by Monash University. The scheme is a community strengthening program that aims to empower disadvantaged children, young people and families and build resilience in individuals through one-to-one mentoring. COACH has now grown to have over 700 mentors supporting more than 500 families with 1000 children plus over 100 young people.A mentor is a friend with purpose, offering practical help and mentoring towards life goals. Mentoring is a way to bring out the best in people and help them make use of their own resources and also promotes individual responsibility and builds community cohesion.

We’re convinced that ROC Community Mentors in partnership with COACH will result in communities being blessed and transformed throughout the UK. We’re looking forward to sharing stories with you about lives changed as we expand this scheme across the country.

ROC & COACH Launch New Partnership | ROC

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Our vision is to ensure that every child regardless of their background achieves their unique potential, goes on to lead a happy, successful life and makes a positive contribution to their community.

Our core values are positivity, integrity, equality, diversity, inclusion, respect, resilience & collaboration.

How we help young people

Mentoring

Tutoring

Therapeutic Programmes

Outdoor Learning

The JHF – Mentoring and Education solutions

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The Jack Hazeldine Foundation won Breakthrough Charity of the Year at the 2021 Third Sector Awards.

The accolade is in recognition of our unique outdoor learning space The JHF Orchard. The judges said "A really delightful, simple solution which had far-reaching, positive impact on individual beneficiaries and the community. Excellent effort from a small charity."

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The JHF - Mentoring and Education solutions

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The Jack Hazeldine Foundation won Breakthrough Charity of the Year at the 2021 Third Sector Awards. The accolade is in recognition of our unique outdoor learning space The JHF Orchard. The judges said "A really delightful, simple solution which had far-reaching, positive impact on individual beneficiaries and the community.

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This list is the same for North Somerset.

Alternative Learning Provider's offer tailored support to young people that have difficulty in mainstream environment's.

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Search for an alternative learning provider by name, key stage or type of provision.

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The Family Wellbeing Parenting Team run a parent support coffee morning at Castle Batch Children’s Centre; The Parenting Village.

The drop in is a relaxed and friendly place where parents and parenting specialists will be on hand to offer support, a listening ear and advice.

The coffee morning is held on the first Friday of each month, 9.30-11.00. Tea, coffee and cakes and of course children are welcome.

Venue: Castle Batch Children’s Centre, Bishop Avenue, Worle, Weston-super-Mare, BS22 7PQ

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Parenting isn’t easy even when your child is well and happy, and sometimes all we need is a little advice and guidance to get us back on track when things are tricky.

Parents who find reliable, positive self-care approaches feel better able to support their children. Additionally, they do so with creativity and resilience. Parents that attend our advanced parenting skills groups report to have stronger relationships with their children after attending a group. Therefore, parenting support groups are a form of self-care that promotes both parents’ and children and young people’s mental health.

All our advanced parenting groups are evidenced based meaning they employ tried and true methods based on research that demonstrate positive outcomes and are most likely the most reliable way to approach parenting. All our groups are free to attend and run by trained facilitators, most be can accessed either face to face, online or a hybrid of the two.

Family Wellbeing Team Advanced Parenting Groups | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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Parenting isn't easy even when your child is well and happy, and sometimes all we need is a little advice and guidance to get us back on track when things are tricky.

Parents who find reliable, positive self-care approaches feel better able to support their children. Additionally, they do so with creativity and resilience. Parents that attend our advanced parenting skills groups report to have stronger relationships with their children after attending a group. Therefore, parenting support groups are a form of self-care that promotes both parents' and children and young people's mental health.

All our advanced parenting groups are evidenced based meaning they employ tried and true methods based on research that demonstrate positive outcomes and are most likely the most reliable way to approach parenting. All our groups are free to attend and run by trained facilitators, most be can accessed either face to face, online or a hybrid of the two.
Parents can self refer to the following groups by calling the Children's Front Door on 01275 888 808
Professionals can request a place on behalf of a family by completing a Request for Support Form and return to childrens.frontdoor@n-somerset.gov.uk
The Incredible Years Pre-school
The Incredible Years Basic Programme suitable for parents of children 3-6 years

Suitable for parents of children with ADHD.

This 14-week programme helps parents to understand and manage their child's behaviour. The programme aims to help parents to increase use of positive strategies to enhance children's positive behaviours (play, praise, rewards) and to increase confidence in selectively using strategies to reduce unwanted behaviours (limit setting, ignoring, timeout). The programme emphasises the importance of parents' sharing their experiences and encourages them to look at the benefits and challenges of each strategy to help children to learn new behaviours.

The Incredible Years School Age

Incredible Years School Age Programme suitable for parents of children 6 - 11 years

Suitable for parents of children with ADHD.

This 14-week programme is guided by cognitive social learning theory, child development and relationship building principles. Using video vignettes, observational and experiential learning and reflective methods, the programme supports parents to identify the most effective parenting strategies, strengthens parent-child interactions and attachment, and fostering parents' ability to promote children's social, emotional, and academic development.
Incredible Years Autism and Speech Delay
For parents with Children 2-7years

The Incredible Years Autism and Speech Delay Programme supports parents and carers to understand their child's development and how they can best support them.

The 14-week programme focuses on developing language and social skills and promoting children's emotional and self-regulation, so helping them to develop positive relationships with others. Parents will discover different ways to support positive behaviour and manage challenging behaviour. Parents also share they benefit from having the opportunity to meet other parents who have children of a similar age.
Parents Plus Parenting When Separated (PWS)
For parents of children 0-17years

Suitable for parents of children with Special Educational Needs

This 6-week programme is for families going through separation, and who might be experiencing increased isolation and conflict.

With the Parenting When Separated Programme, parents are supported to personally cope, and to co-parent effectively, to ensure their children cope and thrive.

This programme is practical, solution-focused and draws on parent's strengths. It is suitable for parents who are preparing for, going through, or have gone through a separation or divorce.
Parents are supported to:

Solve co-parenting problems in a positive way which focuses on the needs of their children.

Create practical arrangements for children that minimise stress and conflict.

Improve communication with their children and with their children's other parent.

Cope with the emotional impact of separation and learn stress management techniques.

Help their children cope emotionally with the separation.

Deal with the challenges of lone parenting or being a 'live away'.

Parent Plus Adolescent Programme (PPAP)
For parents of children 11-18 years

Suitable for parents of neurodiverse children

The teenage years can be a challenging time for many families. By helping parents develop warm relationships with their teenagers you can reduce conflict and support their teenagers to grow up as well-adjusted and happy adults.

This 8-week programme is practical, solution-focused and draws on parents' strengths, and supports to:

Manage and resolve conflict

Build self-esteem and confidence

Create warm connected relationships

Positively discipline their adolescent

Negotiate rules and boundaries

Solve problems together

Communicate positively and effectively

Reduce their own stress as parents

Parent Plus Special Needs (PPSN) Group
For parents of children 11-25 years

Suitable for parents whose child has an intellectual disability.

Parents of children with additional needs or a disability can face significant challenges, especially during the adolescent years.

This 8-week programme is practical, solution-focused and draws on parents' strengths. Suitable for parents who are raising an older child or adolescent with a mild, moderate, or severe intellectual disability, and who may also have an additional diagnosis, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or a physical disability.
As a parent / Carer, learn how to:

Personally cope and manage stress

Deal with the challenges of adolescence

Support the needs of your other children

Manage challenging behaviour

Learn social skills and build friendships

Deal with puberty and sexuality

Gain confidence and self-esteem

Be more independent

Working Things Out Programme
For young people 11-17 years

An 8-week programme run alongside Parents Plus adolescent's course.

Teenagers are vulnerable to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem. With this practical CBT programme, young people are equipped with the right skills to cope positively and to overcome mental health problems.

We cover topics such as

Dealing with anger and conflict

Understand the key to solving problems.

Developing helpful thinking strategies.

Managing feeling down.

Improve relationships with friends and family.

Reducing stress.

DART (Domestic Abuse Recovering Together)
Suitable for women with children 7-14 years

DART is a 10-week group for mothers and their school children aged 7-14 who have experienced domestic abuse.

DART aims to help children recover from the adverse effects of domestic abuse by working with the mother and child together to strengthen their relationship and help both talk about and recover from the impact of domestic abuse.

Ideally mums will have already attended a recovery programme such as the 'Freedom programme'.

Mums can only partake with one child at a time.

______________________________________________________________________
The below groups are accessible by professional referral only. For further information or referral criteria please email parenting.groups@n-somerset.gov.uk
Mellow Mums - We offer online and face to face.

For Mums with children 0-5 years

Mellow Mums is a 14-week intensive programme for mothers of babies and pre-school children to attend together. Being a parent can be a very difficult job, Sometimes parents may not have had anyone to role model positive parenting for them, they may have had a child removed previously, been in care themselves or be a young parent feeling anxious about being a new mum but by sharing good ideas and tips, all of us can develop our parenting skills, and become more confident about managing day to day life with our children. We want to support you to uncover your own solutions and make friends along the way. If you would like to attend a Mellow group a professional you know such as Support Worker, GP, or school team can complete a referral on your behalf.

Mellow Dads - We offer online and face to face.

For Dad's with children 0-5 years
Non-Violent Resistance (NVR)
Mellow Dads is a 14-week intensive programme for fathers of babies and pre-school children to attend together. Being a parent can be a very difficult job, Sometimes parents may not have had anyone to role model positive parenting for them, they may have had a child removed previously, been in care themselves or be a young parent feeling anxious about being a new dad but by sharing good ideas and tips, all of us can develop our parenting skills, and become more confident about managing day to day life with our children. We want to support you to uncover your own solutions and make friends along the way. If you would like to attend a Mellow group a professional you know such as Support Worker, GP, or school team can complete a referral on your behalf.

For Parents of children 9-18 years.

Suitable for children who are neurodiverse.

Non-violent resistance - (NVR) is a 12 - week intensive programme, which supports parents to addresses or 'resists' aggressive, destructive, risk-taking, and other harmful behaviours in children and adolescents. The young person will be using controlling behaviour towards the parent/carer which can take the form of physical violence, emotional abuse, or non-accidental damage in the home.

There is strong emerging evidence that NVR supports parents who have neurodivergent children who may be displaying violent/aggressive/angry behaviours that can benefit from the techniques they will learn in NVR.

If you would like to attend an NVR group a professional you know such as Support Worker, GP, or school team can complete a referral on your behalf.

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Family Wellbeing Team Advanced Parenting Groups

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Parenting isn't easy even when your child is well and happy, and sometimes all we need is a little advice and guidance to get us back on track when things are tricky. Parents who find reliable, positive self-care approaches feel better able to support their children. Additionally, they do so with creativity and resilience.

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North Somerset Parents and Carers Working Together

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North Somerset Parents and Carers Working Together

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Access a network of support through our forum, ask questions and raise issues. Here you can be heard by those who understand what it’s like to be a parent carer.

You won’t just find support here but also representation. When you voice your concerns in our forum, we can voice those same concerns to policy makers and service providers.

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Home-Start North Somerset offers free, confidential support, friendship and practical help to parents in North Somerset. Being a parent, whatever your situation, can be very difficult, especially when children are young.

Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life, particularly if they have little support from family and friends when they need it most. For some parents it’s a particular struggle because they are also having to cope with issues such as post-natal depression, their or their child’s illness or disability, isolation or multiple births.

That’s when parents need support. That’s when Home-Start North Somerset can help.  We are an early years support charity and in order to receive help from Home-Start North Somerset you must have at least one child under 5 in the family.

A carefully selected volunteer, who has parenting experience themselves, regularly visits a family, in their own home, offering emotional and practical support through difficult times for as long as it is helpful or needed.

This friendly parent-to-parent support is a simple yet effective way of enabling families to get back on track.

To apply for home-visiting support, you can either:

-fill in a referral form online

– phone us on 07771 179007

Are you a Parent in need of Support? | Home-Start North Somerset

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Home-Start North Somerset offers free, confidential support, friendship and practical help to parents in North Somerset. Being a parent, whatever your situation, can be very difficult, especially when children are young.
Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life, particularly if they have little support from family and friends when they need it most. For some parents it's a particular struggle because they are also having to cope with issues such as post-natal depression, their or their child's illness or disability, isolation or multiple births.

That's when parents need support. That's when Home-Start North Somerset can help. We are an early years support charity and in order to receive help from Home-Start North Somerset you must have at least one child under 5 in the family.

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Home-Start North Somerset | Home-Start North Somerset is a local charity, which provides regular support, friendship and practical help for young families in the North Somerset region.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Home-Start North Somerset offers free, confidential support, friendship and practical help to parents in North Somerset. Being a parent, whatever your situation, can be very difficult, especially when children are young. Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life, particularly if they have little support from family and friends when they need it most.

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For parents of children 11-18 years

Suitable for parents of neurodiverse children

The teenage years can be a challenging time for many families. By helping parents develop warm relationships with their teenagers you can reduce conflict and support their teenagers to grow up as well-adjusted and happy adults.

This 8-week programme is practical, solution-focused and draws on parents’ strengths, and supports to:

Manage and resolve conflict

Build self-esteem and confidence

Create warm connected relationships

Positively discipline their adolescent

Negotiate rules and boundaries

Solve problems together

Communicate positively and effectively

Reduce their own stress as parents

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For young people 11-17 years

An 8-week programme run alongside Parents Plus adolescent’s course.

Teenagers are vulnerable to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem. With this practical CBT programme, young people are equipped with the right skills to cope positively and to overcome mental health problems.

We cover topics such as

Dealing with anger and conflict

Understand the key to solving problems.

Developing helpful thinking strategies.

Managing feeling down.

Improve relationships with friends and family.

Reducing stress.

Family Wellbeing Team Advanced Parenting Groups | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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Parents Plus Parenting When Separated (PWS)

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Parents Plus Parenting When Separated (PWS)

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For parents of children 0-17 years

Suitable for parents of children with Special Educational Needs

This 6-week programme is for families going through separation, and who might be experiencing increased isolation and conflict.

With the Parenting When Separated Programme, parents are supported to personally cope, and to co-parent effectively, to ensure their children cope and thrive.

This programme is practical, solution-focused and draws on parent’s strengths. It is suitable for parents who are preparing for, going through, or have gone through a separation or divorce.

Parents are supported to:

Solve co-parenting problems in a positive way which focuses on the needs of their children.

Create practical arrangements for children that minimise stress and conflict.

Improve communication with their children and with their children’s other parent.

Cope with the emotional impact of separation and learn stress management techniques.

Help their children cope emotionally with the separation.

Deal with the challenges of lone parenting or being a ‘live away’.

Family Wellbeing Team Advanced Parenting Groups | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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Our vision is of a society in which single parents are valued, and where they – as well as their children – are treated equally and fairly. There are two million single parents in Britain – one in four families with children. Financial insecurity, stigma and social isolation are issues faced by many single parents today, and our work focuses on reducing these challenges.

We support single parent families in lots of different ways, so we measure our impact across the range of services we provide. We understand just how diverse single parents are, and our support takes account of their differences as well as their common experiences.

Helpline
0808 802 0925

About us | Gingerbread

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How to not need a holiday after the holidays

The holidays can be a stressful time for single parents, Natalie is a volunteer in our Wellbeing Digital Group and recently held an online workshop where she shared her 'go to' tools for managing the...

Read more

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We are Gingerbread, the charity for single parent families. We provide expert advice and practical support for single mums and dads in England and Wales.

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The Incredible Years Basic Programme suitable for parents of children 3-6 years

Suitable for parents of children with ADHD.

This 14-week programme helps parents to understand and manage their child’s behaviour. The programme aims to help parents to increase use of positive strategies to enhance children’s positive behaviours (play, praise, rewards) and to increase confidence in selectively using strategies to reduce unwanted behaviours (limit setting, ignoring, timeout). The programme emphasises the importance of parents’ sharing their experiences and encourages them to look at the benefits and challenges of each strategy to help children to learn new behaviours.

Family Wellbeing Team Advanced Parenting Groups | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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Incredible Years School Age Programme suitable for parents of children 6 – 11 years

Suitable for parents of children with ADHD.

This 14-week programme is guided by cognitive social learning theory, child development and relationship building principles. Using video vignettes, observational and experiential learning and reflective methods, the programme supports parents to identify the most effective parenting strategies, strengthens parent-child interactions and attachment, and fostering parents’ ability to promote children’s social, emotional, and academic development.

Family Wellbeing Team Advanced Parenting Groups | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

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To provide an enviroment that welcomes all parents/carers and their children to learn together through experiences and play with a focus on outdoor play.

Nature trails, Bug hunts, Puddle play, Den building, Exploring outdoors

Worle Library and Children's Centre

Fridayys 9:30 - 11am

Ages 0-5s

2 Pound per family Cash only

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Calling all Dads, Grandads, Male Carers and their Children.

First Saturday of Every Month 10am-12.
7th October, 4th November, 2nd December

Come and join us at Ashcombe Children's Centre for lots of fun activities.

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A fun opportunity to encourage speech, language and communication development whilst playing together.

Ages 0-5
Worle Library and Children's Centre
Thursdays 1.30-2.30pm
2 pound per family, cash only please.

No need to book

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at Big Worle Hub -  a kids art journaling course – 12 workshops – explore the power of art with positive messages, quotes, words or affirmations using painting and collage techniques – Free – the child will also receive a blank journal, handpainted Happy HeARTs tote bag and other goodies
Ring Jo on 07929871874 or email creationsbyfina@yahoo.co.uk or on Facebook – Creations by Fina

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Caring Dads is a group intervention programme aiming to help fathers, of any age, improve their relationship with their children. It helps dads learn how to spend time with children in healthy ways, and to understand the impact on children of controlling, abusive and neglectful actions, which include witnessing domestic violence. The programme is evidence-based and has been refined over the last 10 years.

Who is it for?

This programme is for men who want to be a positive force in their children’s lives.

We accept referrals from individuals and other organisations.

We check fathers are suitable for the programme before it starts with a screening interview.

Fathers need to be having contact with their children at least every two weeks.

Caring Dads - St Michael's Fellowship (stmichaelsfellowship.org.uk)

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What is it?

Caring Dads is a group intervention programme aiming to help fathers, of any age, improve their relationship with their children. It helps dads learn how to spend time with children in healthy ways, and to understand the impact on children of controlling, abusive and neglectful actions, which include witnessing domestic violence. The programme is evidence-based and has been refined over the last 10 years.

Who is it for?

This programme is for men who want to be a positive force in their children's lives.

We accept referrals from individuals and other organisations.

We check fathers are suitable for the programme before it starts with a screening interview.

Fathers need to be having contact with their children at least every two weeks.

What does it do?

Fathers learn how to spend time with children in healthy ways, understanding the impact on children of controlling, abusive and neglectful actions, including domestic violence

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What is it? Caring Dads is a group intervention programme aiming to help fathers, of any age, improve their relationship with their children. It helps dads learn how to spend time with children in healthy ways, and to understand the impact on children of controlling, abusive and neglectful actions, which include witnessing domestic violence.

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Evidence-based creative arts specialist support services

The Green House is a specialist support service for children, young people and families living in Avon and Somerset who have experienced sexual abuse.

We have been providing therapy for adult survivors of sexual abuse since the 1970s. We were formerly known as the Avon Sexual Abuse Centre and in 2010 created a children’s service to support families.

In 2019 we moved to St Agnes Lodge, our new purpose-built therapy and family support service centre in St Pauls, Bristol. Between 2018-2022 we saw an increase in referrals to our children’s service. Across Avon & Somerset it is estimated that 19,000 children and young people will experience sexual abuse before the age of 16.

In January 2022, we decided to focus solely on supporting families so that children could have access to timely, specialist support services that were right for them.

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The Southmead Project provides free counselling and support

for survivors of abuse and addiction across Bristol and surrounding areas.

Counselling

One-to-one counselling

for survivors of

abuse and trauma.

​

Nexus Counselling

One-to-one counselling

for survivors of abuse

who have an addiction.

​

Groups

Groups include our

Family Support Group and Pre-Counselling Group.

Community Based Projects

Community based projects include our

Art of Survivors and

Active Recovery projects.

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Home | Southmead Project | Counselling and Support | England

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Southmead Project is a charity providing free counselling and support for survivors of abuse and addiction across Bristol and surrounding areas.