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St Francis Church of England Aided Junior School

"To be the best we can be"

Click on NEWS above (NEWSLETTERS below on phones) for the latest updates from school including what we have been learning, achievements, routines and dates for your diary. Thank you for your continued support, Mrs. Lakey and your St Francis' family.

Helpful Links and Contacts for Wellbeing Info & Support

Useful Contact Information

 

It is okay to need to reach out for help and support when struggling with your children's emotional well being, or even your own mental health. Often, the hardest thing to do is figuring out who to turn to for advice and emotional support. On this page we have put together key contacts and resources to support yourself and your family with their emotional well being. 

 

Team What they do Contact
Papyrus Confidential support for young people struggling with thoughts of suicide.  08000 684 141
Butterwick Hospice Care A bereavement service that offers counselling for children and young people.

01388 603003
Child Line A free and confidential service offering support and advice for young people. 0800 11 11
Human Kind Offer high quality, wrap around drug and alcohol recovery support for adults and young people across the North. 01325 731 160
DCC Drug & Alcohol Recovery Service Providing a free, accessible service for everyone who lives in County Durham and who needs help with any drug or alcohol misuse related matter. 03000 266 666
Samaritans Offers emotional support for anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide. 116 123
CAMHS Crisis Line Provides mental health support for young people who are experiencing an emotional crisis.  0191 441 5733
NHS Crisis Support for adults experiencing a mental health crisis.  0300 0200317
Rollercoaster (Based in Newton Aycliffe)  Support group for parents who have children with any emotional or mental health problems, including anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, sleep problems and low mood.  Just send an email to  parentsupport@success.coop or visit find them on FaceBook.
MIND Advice to support and empower people experiencing mental health isues. 0300 123 3393 or TEXT 86463
One Point Supporting children, young people and families in all aspects of family life. 0300 026 1118
Talking Changes Delivers counselling services across County Durham and Darlington. 0191 333 3300
If U Care Share Service to support those affected by bereavement and suicide. 0191 230 5400
Little Treasures Service to support and advise parents with children who have Autism. Search "Little Treasures" on Facebook OR contact 07749 681130
The Bridge Young Carers Supports children who help care in families where someone has an illness, disability, mental health issue or an alcohol or drug problem.

Telephone 0191 3832520 

Email: durhamyoungcarers@family-action.org.uk
Check In & Chat The Durham Community Hub has launched a chat service open to anyone to combat the loneliness that can often be felt when self-isolating. 

Call: 03000 260 260 

Email: communityhub@durham.gov.uk 
Family Line Family Line are here to provide a listening ear, answer particular parenting questions or help with guidance around more complex issues.

Call : 0808 802 6666

Text : 07537 404 282

Email : familyline@family-action.org.uk
SHOUT Anyone who is feeling anxious, stressed, low or in crisis, can text "HeadsUp" to 85258 to connect with a trained crisis volunteer.

Available 24/7 and free to text.

Text : 85258 
Family Lives Offers emotional support, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life.

Free and confidential national helpline.

Call : 0808 800 2222
Young Minds Offers advice to parents/carers worried about a child or young person under 25 years old. Advice on children's behaviour, emotional well being or mental health.

Free and confidential national helpline.

Call : 0808 802 5544

Click To Access The "Young Minds" Parents Webchat
Harbour Confidential service to support families and individuals who are affected by abuse. 

Click To Access Harbour Live Chat

Or CALL : 03000 20 25 25
Recovery College FREE Online courses for children and young people and parents/carers. Courses focused on improving mental health and resilience. Sign up required. Click To Register & Browse RC Courses
The Meadows The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre aims to provide a sensitive and comprehensive service to all residents of County Durham and Darlington who have experienced rape or sexual assault. 0191 3729202

Further Agencies For Supporting Your Child's Well Being (Click To Enlarge)

Dealing With Challenging Behaviour 
  • The Challenging Behaviour Foundation Provides support for parents of children who have learning difficulties and behaviour described as "challenging". See the below link for practical information for parents/carers about understanding and supporting children and adults whose behaviour is challenging.
  • Managing Challenging Behaviour During Lock Down Being asked to stay home has affected many of the routines children rely on to feel secure. They may be feeling more anxious than usual – and may pick up how the adults in the house feel, too. This can all be tough to cope for kids to cope with. Here are some ways to help your children feel more settled and, as a result, less likely to act out.
Transition & Coping With Change
  • Royal College Of Occupational Therapy | Returning To School As a parent/carer you may feel concerned about your child returning to school, especially if they find change difficult to handle. Here are some things that you can do to help prepare your child and to gain a sense of control over the uncertainties.
  • Childline | Transition Tips Secondary school can be confusing or overwhelming for children. Your children may be worried about a number of things - use the link below to ease anxieties around transition.
  • BBC | Preparing Your Child Practically Explores the practical concerns parents have about their child starting secondary school, from worries about having the right equipment to getting lost in a new building. This film shows what you can do to help your child prepare practically ahead of the move.
  • Young Minds | Find Your Feet A video that reassures children that they’re not alone when it comes to their worries about secondary school, that there are ways to cope with change and there are people to talk to when things get difficult.
  • Elsa Support | Y6 Transition Year 6 pupils may worry about the upcoming transition to secondary school, and if you can address these worries it can be really helpful and make transition so much easier for them.
  • Reach Out Resources to support the return to school and understand the changes children will face.
  • Elsa Support | Back To School An interactive and downloadable story to help children returning to school feel positive and understand the changes they will be facing.
Corona Virus Pandemic 
  • Indoor Explorers | COVID19 Resources Simple and practical activities to try out at home to keep children and teens occupied as well as guidance to promote physical and emotional health in your home.
  • Many Ways To Share A Hug A downloadable E-book created to help explain to younger children the importance of sharing different kinds of hugs at the moment and how we can show love and kindness from a safe distance.
  • Lock Down Diary | Reflecting On The Pandemic This can be used to make sense of new emotions and uncertainty. This is an unusual time in our history, so use this reflective diary not only for our well being, but also as a memento of this time.
  • My Hero Is You “My Hero is You” is a book written for children around the world affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Global Health Home School FREE activities to allow children to explore health, science, and staying safe from the comfort of home.
  • Elsa Support | Corona Virus Downloadable resources and activities for parents to help children cope with the corona virus pandemic and support social and emotional learning.
  • NSPCC | Talking to a worried child about COVID-19 Advice on keeping in touch with family and friends, creating structure and routine, help to give your children a sense of control and how to talk to your children about their worries and feelings.
  • Mental Health UK Information and tips for managing your mental health during the Corona Virus outbreak
  • NHS | Support for Parents The NHS offers 10 tips for supporting your children's well being during the Corona Virus pandemic.
  • Children's Commissioner | Guide to Corona Virus An interactive guide which aims to answer children’s questions about the corona virus, tell children how to stay safe and protect others and how to help them make the best of their time at home.
  • Anna Freud Resources Resources which can provide advice for children, parents and carers to support young people through this disruption.
Sleep & Relaxation
  • The Mindfulness Teacher Daily short videos on how to implement mindfulness into your children's every day routine in a fun and practical way.
  • Relax Kids | 21 Day Plan Daily Guide to improve your child’s anger, general behaviour, concentration, confidence and sleep by using daily relaxation.
  • Mindfulness Colouring This printable mindful colouring download for children provides a creative distraction from stress.
  • Go Noodle GoNoodle gets children up and moving to fun, engaging content and games. Includes : yoga sessions, mindfulness activity, and game sessions for children to wake up their bodies and engage their minds. (Sign up required)
  • We Meditate Live streamed, guided meditation sessions every weekday at 7 pm.
  • Chill Sleep Tool Kit Improving sleep in your household. Includes sleep recipes, sleep diary and techniques for relaxation.
Self-Care Guidance 
  • Hands Up 4 Healthy Minds Some coping strategies are more helpful than others. As with any skill, we can always learn new ways of dealing with stress. Here are some self-care tips for young people, to help protect against stress.
  • Head Space Head Space provides tools and resources to look after your mind. Includes guidance on meditation, sleep and relaxation, managing stress/anxiety and staying healthy.
  • Working From Home | Self-Care Action Plan Self care is very important when working remotely. The Well Being Action Plan is a personalised, practical tool that we can use to remember to look after mental health and well being when working from home.
  • The A-Z Of Self-Care A downloadable and FREE resource for younger children, to understand the simple and easy ways they can look after themselves and stay calm.
  • 50 Self-Care Activities A helpful resource to think about ways we can incorporate self-care into our daily routines.
  • Childline | Self-Care Journal Create a free account for older children where they can keep an online mood journal, along with lots of other self-care activities & resources.
Improving Family Life 
  • Home Start Useful organisations/services who are offering support during lock down.
  • Families Under Pressure Simple tricks and tips to improve family life, which are backed by science and proven to work for parents/carers.
  • Family Lives | Parent Support Forum Safe space for parents and carers to share challenges, experiences and issues they are facing with others who understand the ups and downs of family life.
  • Young Minds | Parent Lounge Video Library Parents Helpline experts give their advice and tips on a range of topics, including, managing teenage behaviour, responding to anger in children, managing anxiety in children & responding to self-harm.
  • Relate Blogs, advice and tips for helping your relationships and managing family life during lock down.
Managing Anxiety & Low Mood
  • NHS | Low Mood & Anxiety In Children NHS England’s top doctor for children and young people’s mental health has urged parents to be alert to signs that children could be experiencing anxiety, distress or low mood. See link for more info.
  • BBC | Managing Anxiety In Children Eight simple steps, based on research into childhood anxiety, to help you to support your child cope with worry - whatever their age.
  • Children's Society | Parent Information & Support Feeling anxious & overwhelmed is completely understandable at this time. Linked below are mental and emotional health resources for parents, full of advice on issues that may be worrying young people.
  • Kooth Online support for young people. Kooth provides online counselling services for children, as well as providing an online daily journal to write in and lots of resources to help children struggling with their well being.
  • 4 Mental Health Resource to help you find ways to feel a bit calmer and ideas to help you cope.
  • IHeart CBT | Resources for parents. Mental health resources based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) aimed at helping parents to support their child when struggling with anxiety and/or low mood.
Positive Parenting 
  • British Red Cross | Kindness Calendar Use this blank calendar to record daily acts of kindness. Children and parents can use this to look back on all they have achieved during lock down.
Keeping Children Safe Online 
  • Child Net | Get Answers Got questions about how to stay safe online and what to do when things go wrong? Get answers here!
  • ChildNet | Online Safety Activities With lots of our entertainment and social time coming from the internet, it can be hard to know when to switch off. Use the activities below to help children manage their online lives whilst staying at home. Suitable for ages 7 - 11.
  • Full Fact Tool Kit A helpful resource with tips to check whether information online is fact or fake.
  • SHARE Checklist More time at home often means more time online. False information on the internet can cause us to worry - use the SHARE checklist to make sure what you share is true.
  • Be An Internet Legend Many children will have increased their online activity time, so it is important that families incorporate time to learn about how to keep safe when going online.
Managing Our Mental Health 
  • Mental Health First Aid | Resources A selection of FREE downloadable resources (interactive toolkits, strategic guidance, videos, posters and more). Includes guidance on : working from home, address your stress, managing mental health in the work place.
  • Healthy Kids At Home Useful suggestions on ways to stay emotionally, physically and mentally healthy as well as ideas and inspiration to help keep your family entertained during these unprecedented times.
  • NHS | Self-Help Guides The NHS has put together several self-help guides for adults. Includes : anxiety, controlling anger, low mood, sleep problems etc.
  • CAMHS | How You Feelin'? Helpful resource for families and young people. An interactive website for young people to understand the emotions they are experiencing, offering practical and age-appropriate advice & tips for ways to manage these complex emotions.
  • BBC | Well Being Video Lounge Suitable for use with primary school children at Key Stage 2. Covers topics such as : Mindset and mindfulness, Worry and stress, Transition from primary to secondary school, Growth mindset etc.
  • NHS | Managing Mental Health uidance on managing mental health, for adults, children and young people. Includes a self-assessment tool for understanding how you have been feeling and what you can do about it, as well as mental well being audio guides which can help with anxiety, low mood, sleeping problems and improving confidence.
  • Mind Ed Guidance for parents of children and teens struggling with mental health issues.
  • NHS | Every Mind Matters Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. The NHS are providing expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
  • NHS | Your Mind Plan Answer the 5 questions in this interactive quiz to get top tips and advice for you to improve your mental well being. Now tailored for the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
  • NHS | Apps Library The NHS Apps Library offers a useful and vetted library of Apps and on-line tools that you might find useful. The library allows you to filter by category, like ‘mental health’ or ‘healthy living’ to display a list of relevant options for you to browse and choose from.
  • CAMHS Resources Helpful resources from across the internet, including videos, apps, books and downloadable tools that are available to help support your mental health and well-being.
Bereavement & Coping With Loss
  • The Jigsaw Project St Cuthbert's Hospice offers a counselling service for young adults and children who have experienced grief, loss and bereavement.
  • Winston's Wish | Online Chat Service New online chat service to speak about your own grief or ask for guidance on supporting a bereaved child or young person. This is available every Wednesday and Friday from 12 - 4 pm.
Health and Physical Activity 
  • Living Streets | Walking Activities To help keep children active and engaged, Living Streets are releasing FREE weekly activities and resources, suitable for children ages 4 - 11.
  • Active 30 Durham An online hub packed with physical activity resources to help support children in keeping active! The hub has been developed to improve the amount of opportunities children can be physically active during their time at home. New resources are added regularly.
  • Bite Back 2030 Professional Chef, Jack, from Bite Back 2030 is providing live daily cooking sessions for children, young people and parents. The recipes are all designed to be low cost and simple to join in with.
  • Purple Patch Purple Patch know how important it is for people to stay active, engaged and stimulated. With that in mind, they’ll be posting daily activities you can do at home, using resources that you should be able to find around the house and garden.
  • The Daily Mile Easy and fun activities to keep fit and maintain good health and well being for you and your children.
Improving Self-Esteem, Confidence & Resilience
  • Uniquely Me Parent Guide Created by the Dove "Self-Esteem Project", this free guide equips parents with the materials they need to teach their children about the importance of a healthy body image, nurture their self-esteem and empower them to reach their full potential, packed with expert advice and activities for boosting your child's self-esteem.
Supporting Home Learning
  • UCL | Managing Home Learning The following suggestions are designed to make home learning as smooth as possible for everyone, as well as SEND children.
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