Resources for parents

Organisations and websites for parents

Parents and carers sometimes need specific advice about a particular topic but it's not always easy to find what you are looking for. To help you in your search for information, have brought together a directory of tried and tested websites, as recommended by Somerset parents and practitioners.

Parent Carer Toolkit

Designed to support parents and carers to find the information they need to help with their role of 'being a parent'. Parenting can be the most rewarding job in the world but at some point, all parents need a bit of help.

We have identified the most common topics that affect families and linked these to recommended web-based information and local support.

Somerset Big Tent

Somerset Big Tent is a partnership of Charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations and Community Interest Companies. These are VCSE* organisations that provide a range of services including positive activities, therapeutic services and specialist support to increase positive wellbeing and improve mental health within children and young people aged 5-25 in Somerset.

All services on the Somerset Big Tent website have gone through a quality and safety assurance process*, this means that Somerset Big Tent has met with each organisation and are satisfied with the key documents and information that they have provided us with.

CAMHS

This is a collection of downloadable self-help guides. Some are aimed at adults but the ideas and suggestions in them can still be relevant for young people and parents. If you click on the image it will automatically download the PDF from its source and the credit will link to the originators main website.

Mindline Somerset

You can give Mindline a call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. No one should face poor mental health alone. We are here.

Our Crisis Safe Space service is now running 7 days a week 6-10:00pm for drop in and appointments in both our Yeovil and Taunton office as well as Saturday and Sunday daytime. To book please call Mindline on 01823 276 892

Young Somerset

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.

SANE

Information and resources, as well as emotional support for those affected by mental health.

Helpline 0300 304 7000 Text care (confidential service with a reply in 72 hours)

MindEd

Are you a parent or carer who is concerned about the mental health of your child or teenager? Do you just want some hints and tips on parenting? MindEd for Families has advice and information from trusted experts and will help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself. MindEd for Families is written by a team of specialists and parents, working together. www.minded.org.uk a DfE and DoH funded organisation providing support and guidance for parents and carers

Samaritans

Volunteers listen in confidence to anyone in any type of emotional distress, without judging or telling people what to do.

Call 0116 123 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

www.samaritans.org.uk

Educational Psychologist

If you are a parent or carer of a child in Somerset and would like to speak to a Psychologist with any concerns arising for you, or your family during this time, then The Educational Psychology Service is here for you. We are able to offer an initial 30-minute telephone consultation (discussion) and a potential follow up call, of another 30 minutes if appropriate. Calls will be offered Monday-Friday, during usual working hours.

If you would like to access this service, then please email EPSHelpline@somerset.gov.uk

with the following information:
• Your name
• The name of your child’s school (or ‘EHE’ if Electively Home Educated)
• Times and dates that you are not available for consultation
If email is not possible, then call 01823 357000. Please understand that we are likely to be slower to respond to phone calls.

Family Pack

Lifestyle resource pack for families

This pack comes as a result of collaboration between PFSA's (Parent & Family Support Adviser's) from Sedgemoor & Mendip. Watch Clair's introduction here: Family packs.mp4

In this pack we approach subjects such as:

Sleep
Healthy Eating
Routines
School Readiness
Sibling Rivalry

Somerset Talking Therapies

Somerset Talking Therapies is an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. We offer emotional and psychological support to anyone – aged over 18 and registered with a Somerset GP – who is feeling anxious or depressed. You can refer yourself directly here via the website

SHOUT

Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
A Texter will be put in touch with a trained Crisis Volunteer (CV) who will chat to them using trained techniques via text. The service is designed to help individuals to think more clearly and to take their next steps to feeling better.

Papyrus - Prevention of Young Suicide

For people under 35
Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 5pm
Text 07786 209697
Email pat@papyrus-uk.org
PAPYRUS is the national UK charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. You can contact them for help and guidance for yourself or for someone else in your care.

BEAT

Online community information, help and support for anyone affected by eating disorders.

Call 0845 634 7650 (Monday to Friday evenings, from 4.30pm to 8.30pm, and Saturdays, 1.00pm –

FRANK

Confidential information and advice for anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s drug or solvent misuse.

Freephone 0800 77 66 00 (24-hour service, free if calling from a landline and won’t show up on the phone bill, provides translation for non-English speakers)