Family Wellbeing
The sections below offer a range of advice and support which families may find helpful. These cover parenting courses and guides, positive mental health, bereavement, family relationships as well as sources of practical support.
Positive Parenting Guides and Courses
LOCAL LINKS
Parenting courses and advice https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/children-families/family-support
The Hastings and Rother Parenting Guide is full of information, webinars, discussion groups and courses for parents.
NATIONAL LINKS
Family Lives https://www.familylives.org.uk
Open for Parents https://www.openforparents.org.uk
Positive Mental Health
We understand that all of us at some point would benefit from support to get through difficult times in our lives. Below are some links to local and national services to support with wellbeing and mental health:
LOCAL LINKS
Sussex Mental healthline https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/sussex-mental-healthline
The Sussex Mental Health Line provides support and information and can be contacted on 0800 0309 500 and further information can be found on the Sussex Partnership website.
East Sussex Combat Stress https://1space.eastsussex.gov.uk/Services/2433/Combat-Stress
East Sussex Health in Mind https://www.healthinmind.org.uk
Recipes 4 Wellbeing from Sussex NHS https://sussexcamhs.nhs.uk/resources/recipes-4-wellbeing/
The School Health Service provides a confidential text messaging service for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5 to 19 and young people aged 11 to 19, the telephone number is 07507 332 473. They also have a School Health One Point telephone line which is 0300 123 4062 and an online referral form https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/forms/school-health-service-east-sussex-referral-form/.
NATIONAL LINKS
NHS Mental Health page https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/social-care-and-your-rights/how-to-access-mental-health-services/
Mens Health Forum https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk
Anxiety UK https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Young Minds https://www.youngminds.org.uk
E-Wellbeing https://e-wellbeing.co.uk/services/e-motion
Childline - call 0800 1111 or https://www.childline.org.uk
Samaritans - call 116123 or https://www.samaritans.org
Bereavement
The following charities support families and children who have suffered bereavement:
LOCAL LINKS
St. Michaels bereavement service https://1space.eastsussex.gov.uk/Services/2215/St-Michael-s-Bereave
Dragonflies https://www.fsncharity.co.uk/projects/dragonflies-bereavement-project
NATIONAL LINKS
Child bereavement UK https://www.childbereavementuk.org
Cruse https://www.cruse.org.uk
Winston’s Wish https://www.winstonswish.org
Family Relationships
East Sussex Young Carers (ESYC) support young carers aged 5 to 18. Email: info@eastsussexyoungcarers.org.uk or telephone: 0300 777 2011
The Sibling Service (SIBs) supports children aged 6 to 17 who have a brother or sister with a disability. SIBs arrange activity days and social events and help to build local support groups.You can contact the SIBs Team here https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/contact-us
Practical Support
The East Sussex School Health Service offer virtual drop-ins for parents and carers of school aged children. You will be able to speak to a school nurse in person Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00am to 3.00pm and 6.00pm to 9.00pm. You can make contact via https://nhs.vc/east-sussex-school-health or by text 07507 332473.
Greener Futures is an ESF funded project focusing on employability support and green space volunteering for adults not in work who live in the areas of Bexhill, Sidley, St Leonards and Hastings. Please find their Green Space Activities flyer here and information on employability support and a mini-course Gardening for Beginners.
Bexhill food bank https://1space.eastsussex.gov.uk/Services/2658
Benefits advice https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/social-care/benefits/help
Housing and homelessness https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/children-families/family-support/housing-money