Well-being - Parent & Carer Support
We recognise that these are unprecedented and uncertain times and that can cause a high level of anxiety for both children and adults. We want to ensure that families continue to feel supported during this time so we have compiled some resources and useful contacts that you and your family may find helpful.
If you cannot find the information you need on this page and feel that school could help or signpost you in the right direction then please email office@stnm.org.uk and it will be passed on to our pastoral team.
Daily Care Cards: This is an excellent resource for your children to discuss/fill in at key times during the day. It encourages them to think about what they will do to look after themselves and others as well as asking them to reflect upon the day: Daily Care Card
I can / I cannot control poster: this will help you identify what you can and cannot control and to focus on those things you can control and let go of those you cannot. I Can / I Cannot Control
Advice on looking after your mental health: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak
Through My Window by Naomi Moore: "I hope this booklet will help support those who work with children, young people and even adults to think about challenging behaviour through a different lens." Naomi is a play and creative arts therapist and therapeutic wellbeing practitioner for children, young people and families. She predominantly works in education, hospitals and in private practice delivering therapeutic service and workshops. Click to read Through My Window
A Guide to Our Feelings and Zones
Outside agency support if you are wanting more help with understanding/supporting your child's behaviour:
Some level of support may be able to be accessed through the local Early Help duty service. They can be contacted by emailing: adurworthinghub@westsussex.gov.uk
Any safeguarding concerns should be raised with MASH - the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub. The telephone number is: 01403 229900 and the email address is: mash@westsussex.gov.uk
Text Your School Nurse – ChatHealth Messaging Service (NHS): During these unsettling times, as a parent of child aged between 5-19 years old you may be worried about your child’s health and wellbeing and be unsure about how to get the help you need. Our school nurses are still there to help – you can text them for confidential advice and support on a wide range of issues. Parent/carers of a child aged 5-19 can send a text to: 07480 635424 They can help with all kinds of things like:
- Behaviour
- Continence
- Emotional health
- Self-harm
- Bullying
- Minor accidents and illnesses
Your ChatHealth messaging service is run by the Healthy Child Programme 5-19 School Nursing Service and is available from 9am to 4.30pm Monday – Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). They aim to reply to you within one working day and you should get an immediate bounce-back to confirm they have received your text. Texts will not be seen outside of normal working hours. If you need help before you hear back from them, contact you GP, NHS 111 or dial 999 if it is an emergency.
Foodbank information: please click HERE for details about the foodbank in Fishersgate and Shoreham as well as contact details for local support.
Mental Health Support
- West Sussex Mind: free courses! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/west-sussex-mind-8288439768
- Coastal Mind - online crisis prevention service -https://www.westsussexmind.org/news/news/covid-19-corona-virus-west-sussex-mind-services
- Worthing Support Hub - https://www.westsussexmind.org/mental-health-support/worthing-support-hub
- Corner House - Mental Health Support hub in Southwick https://www.westsussexmind.org/mental-health-support/corner-house-southwick-support-hub
- Pathfinders - also based at the Corner House - https://www.pathfinderwestsussex.org.uk/ ( They can refer people to appropriate Mental Health Support )
- Give us a shout - Text service - https://www.giveusashout.org Simply text - Shout to - 8525
- Samaritans Text - 07725 909090 / Call - 116123
- Anxiety UK - www.anxietyuk.org.uk email: support@anxietyuk.org.uk phone: 08444 775 774 ( 09:30am - 5:30pm Mon - Fri ) text: 07537 416905. Anxiety UK is a national charity run by people with lived experience of anxiety, aiming to support everyone affected by anxiety through information and support. This includes talking therapies and self-help groups
- No Panic - www.nopanic.org.uk email: admin@nopanic.org.uk phone: 0844 967 4848 (10am -10pm, 7 days a week). No Panic is a charity which helps people who experience any kind of anxiety disorder. It specialises in self-help based recovery via their helpline and resources available on their website.
Government Advice for parents and carers on looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children or young people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: Government Advice on looking after the mental health and well-being of young people
Support for vulnerable residents: please CLICK HERE for details of support from Adur & Worthing Councils.
General Advice: with the majority of us spending prolonged periods of time at home, taking care of your mind as well as your body has never been more important. The Every Mind Matters website from the NHS has guidance, tips and advice on looking after your mental health and wellbeing at this challenging time. If you are unsure about the advice then take a look at the government website for guidance on what you can and cannot do. There is also a really helpful blog from Public Health England which is regularly updated to answer many frequently asked questions. Please follow the NHS advice
Talking to your children about difficult subjects
The following two links look at different feelings that children may have during the lockdown period:
Reassuring children who are worried about coronavirus - advice for parents and carers: Anna Freud, National Centre for Children and Families
Winston’s Wish: Some subjects can be really difficult to talk about with children. Winston’s Wish provide excellent advice on a range of difficult issues (click on the following) :
- Telling a child someone is seriously ill
- Ways to manage your anxiety about coronavirus
- Telling a child someone has died from coronavirus
- Managing grief in self-isolation
If you face challenges, do be in touch with us and visit https://www.winstonswish.org/coronavirus/
NSPCC: the NSPCC has also created a number of resources to support parents and carers during this difficult time. Topics include:
- Talking to a child worried about coronavirus
- Parents working from home
- Children staying home alone
- Lockdown and separated parents
- How to cope with tantrums and other difficult behaviour
The advice can be found here: NSPCC website
Some links of interest whilst self isolating
- Positive News - Take a break from mainstream media and social media. Checking in once or twice a day is sufficient, the same for your social media timelines, unless they're full of positive info and support or your main port of staying connected. See here for Positive News https://www.positive.news/lifestyle/arts/online-choir-spreads-joy-and-togetherness-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
- Open Culture - Use Your Time in Isolation to Learn Everything You've Always Wanted To: Free Online Courses, Audio Books, eBooks, Movies, Coloring Books & More -http://www.openculture.com/2020/03/use-your-time-in-isolation-to-learn-everything-youve-always-wanted-to.html
- Wander around these Museums online for free - https://artsandculture.google.com/project/streetviews
- Learn to touch type with a touch typing programme such as BBC Dance mat bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr
- Emotional Resilience Toolkit - full of activities to do at home https://hbtg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/KAN-Emotional-resilience-toolkit.pdf
- Sign up for a kindness calendar https://www.actionforhappiness.org/kindness-calendar
- Advice and support on healthy lifestyle choices, exercises and general wellbeing - https://adur-worthing.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk/
- Keeping active and healthy at home (online videos) https://adur-worthing.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk/topics/being-active/get-active-home
- NHS free exercise ideas ( please check with GP if unsure whether you're safe to do these at home https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/free-fitness-ideas/?tabname=exercise-tips https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/free-fitness-ideas/?tabname=exercise-tips https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/gym-free-workouts/
Coronavirus and claiming Benefits Update
Please find a link below to the latest information about coronavirus and claiming benefits https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Local advice and support (including support for those over 70yrs old)
- Age UK Brighton, Hove, West Sussex - If you are self-isolating and need support, or if you’re worried about a friend or family member during this time, please contact us on 01903 731 800 or email information@ageukwestsussex.org.uk AUKWSBH are doing what we can to provide shopping delivery service to clients who are self isolating or cannot use their usual shopping service. They can also phone our free information and advice line for support 0800 0191310.
- Guild Care - The Customer Service Team remains available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday; please do get in touch if you have any questions or concerns: enquiry@guildcare.org or call 01903 327 327. https://www.guildcare.org
- Silverline - The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. 0800 470 8090 info@thesilverline.org.uk www.thesilverline.org.uk
- Carers support West Sussex - 0300 028 8888 info@carerssupport.org.uk https://www.carerssupport.org.uk/ If you support someone who couldn’t manage without your help.
- Citizens Advice in West Sussex - Can give advice over the phone, do webchat and email. Adviceline Number: 0344 477 1171 Adviceline (Mobile Phones Only): 0300 3300 650 To access email and web chat follow the icons on this landing page www.advicewestsussex.org.uk/ General information about coronavirus: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/ Local information:www.advicewestsussex.org.uk/i-need-help/coronavirus/