COMMUNITY AND PARENTAL SUPPORT
Our Mental Health and Wellbeing lead is Mrs Caroline Phillipson and our Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead is Mrs Emma Woollon.
coffee morning
Mrs Phillipson and Mrs Woollon would like to invite you to our monthly coffee morning for Parents/Carers,
starting from 27/01/2023.
Please click file below for further information.
starting from 27/01/2023.
Please click file below for further information.
| Coffee Morning Invitation Spring Term 2023 |
WORLD BOOK DAY COSTUME SWAP
In preparation for World Book Day, Plastic Free Hitchin are running a World Book Day costume swap at Hitchin Library on Saturday 25th February 2023 10am-2pm. Pick up your kid's costumes in return for a small suggested donation. They are accepting donations either on the day or in advance. Please drop them off at the Big Yellow Book Box on Ickleford Road.
Free Coats 4 Kids
FREE Winter Coats for Children:
Coats for Kids’ is a safe place where families can go for a free, preloved Winter coat for a child at zero cost and with zero judgement.
They want to help share preloved, good quality coats to kids that need a coat for Winter. Helping support families in a completely confidential way.
Please email laurahhazelton@gmail.com to make a coat request for your child/children. Please include ages, genders and your location. All messages are treated with the strictest of confidence.
You can also find Coats 4 Kids on FaceBook
Coats for Kids’ is a safe place where families can go for a free, preloved Winter coat for a child at zero cost and with zero judgement.
They want to help share preloved, good quality coats to kids that need a coat for Winter. Helping support families in a completely confidential way.
Please email laurahhazelton@gmail.com to make a coat request for your child/children. Please include ages, genders and your location. All messages are treated with the strictest of confidence.
You can also find Coats 4 Kids on FaceBook
LOCAL FOOD HUBS
With financial belts beginning to squeeze that bit tighter, please see attached an updated list of local food hubs. If you would like any further information or support, please do not hesitate to pop in and talk to us.
| List of Local Food Hubs |
HITCHIN FOOD PROVISION
Hitchin Food Provision are continuing to support families with supermarket vouchers.
Please find attached the updated flyer which has the criteria and contact email details. The application form(formally referral) is also attached for your ease of reference.
CRITERIA
Please find attached the updated flyer which has the criteria and contact email details. The application form(formally referral) is also attached for your ease of reference.
CRITERIA
- For families with children living in Hitchin NOT in receipt of Universal Credits/benefits.
- Families who have been impacted by furlough, loss of employment or reduction in hours
- Families who are self-employed and cannot claim from the Governments self-employed income support scheme
| Hitchin Food Provision Application Form |
| Hitchin Food Provision flyer |
PASTORAL SUPPORT FORM
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If you are worried about your child beyond their learning and would like to discuss it to see what support is available, please complete the form.
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SEND Advice Line
Please see flyer for details on the SEND advice telephone line.
| SEND Advice Line Jan 2022 |
message from the police about e-scooters
| E-Scooter Flyer |
COMMUNITY DROP-IN SESSIONS
Settle are running their drop-in sessions at Westmill Community Centre for all your housing queries every Thursday at 9.15am-1.00pm
We are waiting to hear if Citizens Advice and the Healthy Hub will also be joining them for drop-ins; I will let you know as soon as I hear back - watch this space!
Citizen's Advice:
Unfortunately, the Hitchin branch of CAB is now closed. Free support and advice can still be found at their offices in Letchworth and Royston plus their outreach locations when you need it
CAB provide free flexible advice on a wide range of subjects:
We are waiting to hear if Citizens Advice and the Healthy Hub will also be joining them for drop-ins; I will let you know as soon as I hear back - watch this space!
Citizen's Advice:
Unfortunately, the Hitchin branch of CAB is now closed. Free support and advice can still be found at their offices in Letchworth and Royston plus their outreach locations when you need it
CAB provide free flexible advice on a wide range of subjects:
- Welfare and Benefits
- Money and credit problems
- Employment
- Consumer rights
- Housing
- Neighbourhood disputes
- Education
- Healthcare
- Human rights
- Family and personal issues and more
families first information
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Please see a promotional e-card* for the Families First** portal*** which is a source of help and advice for families across Hertfordshire.
For those of you lost with the terms above (understandably!), please see glossary below for ease of reference: * e-card - basically a poster **Families First - Hertfordshire's name for 'Early Help' *** portal - website/web page providing access or links to other sites |
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Families in Focus
https://www.familiesinfocus.co.uk/160-2/
[Autism, ADHD & neurodevelopmental conditions/needs courses Spring 2022 / Parent Networks / Handling anger in child with Autism/ADHD]
Funding from Early Help, Hertfordshire Children’s Services. All our courses are evidence based and have a continue to deliver effective, evidence based support to parents caring for neurotypical and neurodiverse children across Hertfordshire. Our SEND courses are accessible for parents who’s children may already have a diagnosis and for the may who are on assessment pathways across Hertfordshire Health Services. Parent can access these free session by joining Families in Focus private Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/184975381651870/
[Autism, ADHD & neurodevelopmental conditions/needs courses Spring 2022 / Parent Networks / Handling anger in child with Autism/ADHD]
Funding from Early Help, Hertfordshire Children’s Services. All our courses are evidence based and have a continue to deliver effective, evidence based support to parents caring for neurotypical and neurodiverse children across Hertfordshire. Our SEND courses are accessible for parents who’s children may already have a diagnosis and for the may who are on assessment pathways across Hertfordshire Health Services. Parent can access these free session by joining Families in Focus private Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/184975381651870/
john barker place redevelopment update
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Please see the latest update from Settle.
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HERTFORDSHIRE LIBRARY SERVICE
Hertfordshire Libraries (https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/Libraries-and-archives/Libraries-and-archives.aspx) are offering their Ready Reads service and the BorrowBox app so children can still request books to help them escape to other worlds and read for pleasure (always good to support positive mental health). Children can also request books to help with their hobbies or to develop a new interest.
Sometimes children and young people need extra support to understand and talk through their feelings and worries. Hertfordshire Libraries stock a range of books in their Shelf Help collections to help children and young people explore their emotions and find some guidance for managing their feelings and fears.
And don’t forget, the library also stocks newspapers and magazines and a limitless range of books for adults too.
With access to such a wealth of books for free, why not take advantage and curl up for a good read!
Sometimes children and young people need extra support to understand and talk through their feelings and worries. Hertfordshire Libraries stock a range of books in their Shelf Help collections to help children and young people explore their emotions and find some guidance for managing their feelings and fears.
And don’t forget, the library also stocks newspapers and magazines and a limitless range of books for adults too.
With access to such a wealth of books for free, why not take advantage and curl up for a good read!
USEFUL CONTACTS
.Please click here for a directory of useful contacts including School Nursing Service, Single Point of Access Mental Health Team, CAMHS Crisis Service, Healthy Hub, Families First Portal, Citizens Advice, Mental Health Helpline, Safer Places Domestic Abuse Service, Samaritans
FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES
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This file contains information about local Family Support Resources.
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nursing service
| Nursing Service 5.5.20 |
operation encompass
| Operation Encompass Poster |
| Operation Encompass Letter |
community provision
This flyer tells you about free counselling for parents and families.
| Community Provision Launch |
cOURSES, FORUMS AND WEBINARS
Below are a letter and a flyer about online parenting courses.
Below you will find details of a webinar you can access which gives helpful support for parents of school age children.
| Webinar information |
food rescue hub
Hitchin Food Rescue Hub is back open now! If you have visited before, you may find there have been a few changes as The Hub is now operating under a more "grab and go" concept, due to social distancing. They have also changed location and added a new venue/day. Please see below for more details:
- Half Moon Pub, Sun Street, Hitchin, Thursdays from 9.30-11.30am
- Our Mutual Friend Pub, Broadwater, Stevenage, every Saturday morning 10am - 11.30am
Please also note that some limitations have been introduced - visitors can have two bags only at this time (one for fresh produce and fruit and the other for anything else they have got) and they request a donation of £5.
- Half Moon Pub, Sun Street, Hitchin, Thursdays from 9.30-11.30am
- Our Mutual Friend Pub, Broadwater, Stevenage, every Saturday morning 10am - 11.30am
Please also note that some limitations have been introduced - visitors can have two bags only at this time (one for fresh produce and fruit and the other for anything else they have got) and they request a donation of £5.
FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR PARENTS
health newsletters
SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army in Letchworth provide the LETCHWORTH ARK COMMUNITY DROP-IN every Thursday from 9.30 - 11.30am. This is a community drop-in providing practical and emotional support. They can also provide basic things most people take for granted: warm clothes, bedding, personal items and a hot meal and a chat.
If clients require professional advice or help, Salvation Army can support and signpost as necessary.
Please contact 01462 677263 for more information.
They also have Employment Plus attending the drop-in every other week - see poster.
If clients require professional advice or help, Salvation Army can support and signpost as necessary.
Please contact 01462 677263 for more information.
They also have Employment Plus attending the drop-in every other week - see poster.
| Employment Plus Poster |
useful support links
| Parental Support |
HITCHIN PARTNERSHIP
Hitchin Partnership provides a family support service to schools in Hitchin and the surrounding villages. They work alongside families giving practical support and user friendly parenting strategies.