Helplines & Services in South Essex
2Smart
Essex Police award winning project that covers bullying, alcohol, drug & knife issues. www.2smart.co.uk
Action for Sick Children
Working to ensure that children receive the highest standard of care possible 0800 0744519
Al-Anon
For families and friends of those
affected by alcoholism.
www.al-anonuk.org.uk
ASK (Autistic Spectrum Kids)
Advice and support for parents with
autistic children. Lisa Ball 07956 343515 or email:
esxautismgroup@aol.com
Asthma UK Advice Line
Asthma Helpline 08457 010203
www.asthma.org.uk
Behaviour Support Services
Offering help and advice to parents regarding behaviour of primary school aged children. Lines open Thursday 11.30am-1.30pm 01376 325817
Cancer Research
Join the fight against breast cancer. www.cancerresearchuk.org/breastcancer
Care for the Family
is a national charity which aims to
promote strong family life and to help those hurting because of family breakdown
or bereavement.
www.careforthefamily.org.uk
Child Protection
If you are worried about a child or young person call Essex County Council
Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults on 0845 603 7634
www.escb.co.uk
Childline
For confidential advice, support or just
information on their services visit
www.childline.org.uk
Choice Advice
Provides a service to help all parents
choose the right school for their child.
www.essex.gov.uk/admissions
Counselling
Young People’s Counselling Service 01277 230831
CSA (Child Support Agency)
Government website containing information about the UK Child Support Agency. www.csa.gov.uk
Daycare Trust
Information on childcare options, from
where to find it to how to pay for it. 020 7840 3350
www.daycaretrust.org.uk
Education Otherwise
National charity supporting home educating families. Meetings all over Essex. 0870 7300074
Equal Opportunities Commission
Advice on parental rights and sex
discrimination. 08456 015901.
www.eoc.org.uk
Essex FA
Providing a variety of football opportunities for people with a disability throughout Essex. Contact John Manning 01245 393 0995
EXTRA
EXTRA-Support for Families offers free parenting workshops and courses for families in the Tendring District. Tel.01255 475001 or visit our website www.extrasupportforfamilies.co.uk
Families In Focus (Essex)
Support for families of children and
young people with disabilities and special needs. 01245 353575.
www.familiesinfocusessex.org.uk
Families Need Fathers
Information and support for separated, divorced and unmarried parents of either sex. Helplines: 0891 448690 (unmarried) or 0891 448696 (married).
FRANK
Advice, support and information about
drugs and substance abuse.
www.talktofrank.com
Fun United
Youth Club for teenagers with additional needs in Basildon, Braintree, Clacton on Sea, Colchester and Maldon. www.papworth.org.uk
Gingerbread Advice Line
Advice and information on lone
parenthood, including legal issues, returning to work and self-help groups. 0207
488 9300
www.gingerbread.org.uk
Hands Together
A group who reach out to people who are bedridden, disabled, lonely, sick or housebound. An organization offering social visiting. CRB checked. Call 01268 417535 or visit the website www.bhmission.btinternet.co.uk
Kids Inspire
Helping children and families across Chelmsford. www.kidsinspire.org.uk
Lucid
Lucid Research’s training software (in thousands of schools and trusted for over 15 years) is now available for home use. www.lucid-research.com
Make-A-Wish
Making wishes come true for seriously ill children. www.make-a-wish.org.uk
Maternity Alliance
Maternity rights advice 020 7490 7638. www.maternityalliance.co.uk
MENCAP
Chelmsford Mencap provide play & support
services to special needs children, adults & their carers within Essex both term
time & holiday time. Call 01245 268303
www.chelmsfordmencap.org.uk
National Association for Gifted Children
Support and information for gifted children 0845 450 0221
National Childbirth Trust
Information on Antenatal, Refresher and Postnatal classes: 0844 243 6894. For information on local branches and Nearly New Sales: Basildon, Billericay & Wickford 0844 243 6040 / Brentwood: 0844 243 6060. Chelmsford & District 0844 243 6080. www.nct.org.uk
National Childminding Association
Information on choosing a childminder and drawing up a contract. 0800 169 4486. www.ncma.org.uk
National Day Nurseries Association
Fact Sheet on selecting a nursery. 0870 774 4244. www.ndna.org.uk
NHS Smoke Free
With NHS support you are up to 4 times
more likely to stop for good.
www.smokefree.nhs.uk
New Ways To Work
Advice on flexible working 020 7503 3283. www.new-ways.co.uk
NSPCC Helpline
Free 24 hour helpline for anyone
concerned about a child at risk.
0808 800 5000.
One Parent Families
Helpline for lone parents including specialist advice on child maintenance and money matters. 0800 018 5026. www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk
OnlyDads
Provides advice and support for single parents on financial issues, debt, legal issues, health, relationships and much more. www.onlydads.org
OnlyMums
Provides advice and support for single parents on financial issues, debt, legal issues, health, relationships and much more. www.onlymums.org
Parent Partnership Service
Provides information and support to
parents and carers of children with special educational needs. Tel: 01245
436036. Email: parentpartnership@essex.gov.uk
www.essex.gov.uk/parentpartnership
Parentline Plus
Helpline for parents 0808 800 2222. www.besomeonetotell.org.uk
Parents at Work
Free fact sheets on topics from childcare to maternity rights and financial concerns, 24 hr answerphone 0207 628 3578. Free helpline for families on low income 0207 628 2128. www.parentsatwork.org.uk
Phab in Essex
Encouraging disabled and non-disabled people to come together on equal terms. Nine junior clubs in Essex. 01277 216712
Preschool Learning Alliance
Umbrella organisation offering support, help & guidance for parents and preschool providers. 01245 445444.www.pre-school.org.uk
Professional Association of Nursery Nurses
Information pack on employing a nanny
(£5) 01332 372 337.
www.pat.org.uk
Royal School for the Deaf
Derby provides personalised learning for
deaf pupils. Ofsted Care rating for weekly residence was ‘Outstanding’.
Call 01332 362512 (Voice/Text)
www.rsd-derby.org
Sargent Cancer Care for Children
A charity supporting children who are diagnosed with cancer and their families. 0208 752 2800.
Short Breaks
For further information about Short Breaks, call the Family Information Service on 0800 055 6874 or visit www.essexinfo.net/ahdc
SNAKE
Offers an environment where parents can
interact whilst children enjoy the activity play centre. Call
01268 491511 or 07580 668457 or visit www.s-n-a-k-e.co.uk
SNAP
Local support group for children with
special needs and their parents
01277 211300.
Special Needs Activity Club
SNAC Regular clubs and holiday activities/trips for the whole family. 01375 389867 snac2007@googlemail.com www.snac@btik.com
Stardust
A support group for parents of children with a visual impairment and other special needs. Contact Sophie Munnery on 07834 237393
Stillbirth and Neo-Natal Death Society
Information and support when a baby dies
0207 436 5881 (helpline) 0207 436 7940 (information).
www.uk-sands.org
The Lighthouse Family Trust
Free pregnancy testing and support for those facing an unexpected pregnancy, also counselling following abortion or miscarriage. 01245 494838. (National Helpline 0800 0282228)
The Miscarriage Association
Offering support and understanding from
the perspective of having been through miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
The MOVE Programme
supports the team around the child to
teach children with physical disabilities and/or complex needs the skills
required for independent sitting, standing, walking and transferring.
Call 020 7403 6382 or visit
www.move-europe.oprg.uk
Time for Children & Young People (Essex)
Support for children with a parent in prison. 01206 562033
TOTAL SENSORY
Supply an innovative range of sensory equipment including bubble walls, fibre optics & projectors. Request a free catalogue. Telephone: 01702 542231
Two Hands Plus
Support for single parents.
01245 399541
Wipe Away Those Tears (WATT)
Support for seriously or terminally ill
children (and their families) in Essex. 01708 330600
www.wipeawaythosetears.org