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.
Weekly support roundup
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Please click here or download the PDF to the right to see the weekly roundup overview of support services in the local area.
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Families in focus
Families in Focus provide interactive courses for Parents with SEN children aged 2-11 years old.
angels: autism and adhd support
dspl1 event - 27th march 2025
Please find below a flyer for an event being held next month which may be of interest if you have a child with SEN or is struggling with their emotional health.
There are a variety of speakers booked throughout the day as well as around 20 local support and information providers so hopefully there will be something there for everyone to support you navigate your day to day parenting!
There are a variety of speakers booked throughout the day as well as around 20 local support and information providers so hopefully there will be something there for everyone to support you navigate your day to day parenting!
Summer Holidays 2024
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Summer break is soon approaching. I know it's a time of year most parents dread as they worry about how they can keep the kids entertained. However, fear not! There are a number of summer camps running with activities for everyone's taste. Please see the PDF to the left (or click here) to see what's running in the local area.
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Bereavement support group
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Stand-by-me if running a bereavement support group this summer for primary school children who have experienced the loss of a significant individual at any time in their childhood. Please click here to find out more.
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Mental health awareness week (May 2024)
The 13th-19th May is Mental Health Awareness Week and we thought this may be the perfect opportunity to send out a reminder about the work of the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) who we are incredibly lucky to have currently supporting our school:
Click here to download information about what support the MHST can offer you as Parents/Carers to navigate the sometimes tricky road of parenting.
Click here to read an introduction to Sabrina - our Education Mental Health Practitioner.
Click here for information on how you can share ideas for future Parent/ Carer workshops etc.
Click here to download information about what support the MHST can offer you as Parents/Carers to navigate the sometimes tricky road of parenting.
Click here to read an introduction to Sabrina - our Education Mental Health Practitioner.
Click here for information on how you can share ideas for future Parent/ Carer workshops etc.
Managing the cost of living
With the cost of living still high, we hope you find the following of use. Please click on the image to see what support you could get this winter:
Community walks
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For those of you looking for motivation to get out to get some fresh air and exercise through walking, we are pleased to share news of a FREE neighbourhood walking group in Westmill due to start in January. Please download the flyer on the right for further information.
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coffee morning
Mrs Phillipson and Mrs Woollon would like to invite you to our monthly coffee morning for Parents/Carers. Our next coffee morning is on the 23d April 2024
LOCAL FOOD HUBS
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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.
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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
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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.