Family Support

Child and Family Support Workers

Lesley Bastow and Will Nash are our child and family support workers. They support parents by providing information and advice on a wide range of issues.

Lesley - call: 07570948805 or email: lbastow@bartonhillacademy.org Will - call: 07786107673 or email: wnash@bartonhillacademy.org

Torbay Community Helpline

Torbay Community Helpline is open Monday - Friday 10:00am - 6:00pm and Saturday 9:30am - 12:30pm. It is closed on Bank Holidays and will be operating at reduced hours over Christmas, as is run largely by volunteers.

Torbay Community Helpline offers a wide range of Welfare services which include food bank referrals, prescription medication collection, shopping collections (essentials), posting mail, social phone calls, children, young people & family support, financial advice & support, I.T/technology support, practical/handy person support and mental health support.

You can contact the Torbay Community Helpline on: 01803 446022 or via the following link: https://www.bit.ly/torbayhelpline

What is OLIO?

OLIO connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses so surplus food can be shared, not thrown away. This could be food nearing its sell-by date in local stores, spare home-grown vegetables, bread from your baker, or the groceries in your fridge when you go away. For your convenience, OLIO can also be used for non-food household items, too.

Olio website

NHS Talkworks

Is the way that you are feeling affecting your daily life? Are you struggling to cope, feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed by your thoughts and feelings? Are you living with a long term health condition that is making you feel tired, frustrated and worried? You are not alone and we can help.

TALKWORKS is a free, confidential, NHS talking therapy service helping you to feel better by giving you the tools and techniques to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.

You can self-refer direct to TALKWORKS:

Call 0300 555 3344 or complete the online form on their website
Watch their film here to see how TALKWORKS can help.
More information can be found on their website: www.talkworks.dpt.nhs.uk
More information on mental health support during the COVID-19 crisis can be found at here.
Access to mental health resources can be found via this link.

You can also book onto their online Wellbeing courses which covers managing worry and physical anxiety, setting goals/routines, improving poor sleep habits, how to access further support. The courses are free and open to anyone over 18 living in Devon, but you do need to register and book to ensure a space. Further information can be found here.

Shatter the Silence

The DevonLive Shatter the Silencecampaign aims to encourage anyone struggling to reach out and talk - to either a friend, relative, charity or a professional. Our campaign content will highlight just how important talking is and the difference it can make.

Ultimately, we want to reduce the number of people who die by suicide in Devon. We will highlight where to get help and show how talking has helped people come through difficult times in their lives. We will speak to families who have lost loved ones to look at the lasting impact of suicide and attempt to dismiss the inaccurate belief many people who are struggling manifest that they are a burden on the ones they love. We will look at the devastation caused to those left behind in the hope that even one reader might change their mind if they have considered taking their own life.

We will speak to people who have survived a suicide attempt and have accessed counselling or other mental health services to show that things can get better. We will speak to Samaritans volunteers about their vital work in Devon and how they are on hand 24-7 to listen. And we will offer guidance on what to say to someone who is struggling so people feel more confident to have that conversation.

Do you have a relevant story to share? Email emma.slee@reachplc.com.

WHERE TO GET HELP:

SAMARITANS offers support in a range of ways, including a self-help app, email support or by calling 116 123 for free 24 hours a day
NHS Offers advice on how to access mental health support
TALKWORKS is a free-to-access NHS service offering a variety of treatment and support for adults (aged 18+) living in Devon (excluding Plymouth)
CALM offer a free, confidential helpline 0800 58 58 58 and webchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life's problems
HUB OF HOPE is a mental health support database that can signpost you to local support services
ANDY'S MAN CLUB offers men a chance to talk with like-minded people. They have clubs in Devon as well as nationally
KOOTH & QWELL provides free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing support, including moderated peer support forums and text-based counselling, to all residents living in Devon (aged 11+)
PETE'S DRAGONS provide free-to-access support to all residents living in Devon who may have been bereaved by suicide at any point in their lives

Mental Health Hub Supporting Families

Useful Websites

Help and Advice

There is a number of helpful websites and leaflets below. If you would like any further advice, support or just a chat, please contact Lesley or Will.

Children’s services

Website: https://www.torbay.gov.uk

Tel 01803 208100 Out of hours 0300 4564876

Barnardos : http://www.barnardos.org.uk

NSPCC: http://www.nspcc.org.uk

The Children's Society

Support for low self esteem, panic, general anxiety, sleep problems

http://childrenssociety.org.uk/

Tel: 01803 200100

Think u know: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

Cbeebies

Games and activities for children from Reception to Year 2: