Community Resources
Support for Families
As a school, we want to provide as much support to our families as possible. We have collated the links below to ensure easy access to a range of organisations who offer impartial, free and comprehensive support packages.
Please click on the clinks below to access the support detailed.
Support with Behaviour
About the Parenting Team
Being a parent can be amazing, but we all need some help, advice and practical tips at times.
The Parenting Team delivers tried, tested and internationally renowned parenting programmes to help you and your children get the support that you need.
We all have different needs. We offer a range of services to support you and your families.
Small changes will make a big difference.
We support families and professionals impacted by child or adolescent on parent abuse.
Support for Children’s Mental Health
The Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Service is a free NHS service for all ages from 4 years and upwards in Brighton and Hove.
The service is delivered in partnership by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, YMCA DownsLink Group and Southdown.
We offer a variety of support and NICE compliant psychological therapies. The services that we provide are delivered by a number of teams who work alongside one another to ensure that you receive the care and support that you need at every stage of your journey.
When we receive your referral and talk to you about your needs, we will discuss which part of the service is best suited to you.
Supporting the mental health of young people. Whether you want to understand more about how you’re feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who’s struggling, we can help.
Are you a parent or carer who is concerned about the mental health of your child or teenager? Do you just want some hints and tips on parenting? MindEd for Families has advice and information from trusted experts and will help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself. MindEd for Families is written by a team of specialists and parents, working together. You do not need to register to use these resources.
With featured advice and resources from The Children’s Society, we have written this expert guide for parents to help children understand, cope and become strengthened by their experiences of anxiety at a young age. Our aim is to equip parents across the world with a significant bank of knowledge to ease panic and educate their children about the science of the mind.
Support with Adult’s Mental Health
The Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Service is a free NHS service for all ages from 4 years and upwards in Brighton and Hove.
Who are we?
The CYP Wellbeing Service is the hub for all mental health referrals for young people in Brighton & Hove, including CAMHS. It is delivered by YMCA DownsLink Group.
What do we do?
We offer a range of short-term support options for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health needs. All referrals are looked at on a case-by-case basis.
Resources:
The Young Carers Project
Who are we?
The Carers Centre for Brighton & Hove is a local charity working since 1988 to support unpaid carers of all ages and backgrounds, who care for people with a multitude of health conditions.
Who are young carers?
Young carers are children and young people who have are affected by the health of a family member with a long term physical illness, mental health condition, disability or substance misuse issue.
How can we help?
- Monitor and review young carer’s needs.
- Social/fun activities with other young carers
- Supportive group work
- Individual sessions with a support worker
- Advice and advocacy around other services that can help
- Awareness training
Find out more about the Young Carers Project here: Young Carers Project Flyer
The Carers Centre Information Pack: https://www.thecarerscentre.org/information-pack/
Or browse their website: Services for Young Carers – Carers Hub Brighton
Brighton and Hove Recovery College, offering educational courses as a route to recovery from mental health challenges.
The College is provided in partnership with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and as part of the UOK Brighton & Hove network of mental health support.
All courses are free, and are designed and delivered by people with lived experience of mental health challenges (Peer Trainers), together with clinical staff and other professionals. Whether you are hoping to gain a better understanding of mental health challenges or are looking to develop new skills and abilities, the Recovery College provides a range of workshops and courses that may be of interest.
We offer courses focusing on recovery and self-management skills in a range in length from one-day workshops to longer courses running over several weeks, on subjects such as ‘Exploring Relaxation’ and ‘Managing Anxiety’.
Financial Support
We’re a non-profit organisation helping people learn to cook, eat a healthy diet, grow their own food and waste less food.
Food is more than just fuel, it brings people together and changes lives.
HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) Programme
FREE holiday clubs are available over school holiday’s for those aged 4 to 12 who are also in full-time education and receive benefits-related free school meals. Participants can expect fun enriching activities, the opportunity to socialise, and a nutritious meal. Many HAF holiday clubs offer multi-sports programmes designed to be inclusive for all children. Please go to the HAF calendar to find your local programme or to HAF webpage for more information.
Our vision is a community in which families and carers all have the essentials for their children.
We take pre-loved and new item donations for babies and children up to age 12, and redistribute them to families facing financial hardship via various existing family services in Brighton & Hove in Sussex.
Tips to reduce energy costs as much as possible.
Extra help is available for households in Brighton & Hove struggling to pay for food, energy and other essential costs.
Extra help is available this winter for households in Brighton & Hove struggling to pay for food, energy and other essential costs.
The funding is part of the government’s Household Support Fund. Due to the limited nature of this fund, we are only able to make one award to each household.
We will not be able to accept subsequent applications to this fund from the same household.
With the cost of living in the UK rising massively, lots of people are struggling. Luckily there’s help available – and it’s not just for those out of work. There’s support for those earning but still struggling, plus additional help if you’ve got children, caring responsibilities, or a long-term health condition. Millions of people aren’t claiming what they’re entitled to, so it’s always worth a quick check.
We’ve put together the following resources to help you manage your money and find out who to talk to if you need urgent help.
Most of the support and resources linked to in these pages is provided by services outside of Brighton & Hove City Council.
The external links we’ve included are suggestions to support you through the cost of living crisis.
Support for parents of children with SEND
mASCot is a parent led peer to peer support network for families who have an autistic child/children or young person. mASCot brings families together and enables them to connect with others in similar situations as themselves. .
Do you have a disabled child and live in Brighton & Hove?
Do you find it difficult to access mainstream activities because of your child’s special needs?
Would you like to meet with other parents in the same position?
Then Pebbles could be what you are looking for…
We’re here to help the 700,000 autistic people in the UK and their families. Be it running specialist schools, campaigning for improved rights or training companies on being more autism-friendly, we are dedicated to transforming lives and changing attitudes.
Course for parents who have children under 10 years old with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC).
This course is for parents of children who are up to 10 years old and have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC).
You’ll have the opportunity to meet other parents, gain more information about ASC, share experiences and find strategies to help support your child and family.
The course has 8 sessions. It is run by the Seaside View Child Development Centre.
If your child is over 10 years old, we offer a course called Exploring ASC.
Amaze is a charity that gives information, advice and support to families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton & Hove and Sussex. We also support young people with SEND up to 25.
PaCC works with nine partner organisations who provide services or support to parents and carers of children with special needs or disabilities in Brighton and Hove.
Support for Sleep
We are one of the leading, independent expert voices on sleep issues in the UK and we are here to help everyone get a better night’s sleep. Whether it’s advice, education or support for children, teenagers, adults, workplaces or professionals, we are on hand with expert knowledge, resources and accredited training.
Support for BAME
BAME – A Seat at the Table
Our vision as a community is to change outcomes for our children and support them to thrive not just survive education.
ASATT is an essential group for children of colour or dual heritage and their families who require someone to listen, support, advise and advocate where necessary. Every child counts and every child must have an equal opportunity to thrive in life.
Together and with our lived experiences we have a strong understanding of the difficulties that arise around special educational needs, race, trauma and struggles within systems and aim to create opportunities to aid recovery, support and space to be seen and heard.
Brighton Cauldron was established in 2019 as a social venture providing space, training, experience and skills to people of BAME/Ethnic minority backgrounds, focusing on food production and distribution.
Our work aims to empower, increase employability, create job experience and opportunities for BAME people. Through our activities we intend to help BAME communities to integrate with the wider communities and reduce social isolation.
BAME groups in Brighton and Hove
Brighton Based Black Organisations
Support for Substance Misuse
Support for families when a parent is drinking too much
It can be a huge step to recognise that you as a parent are drinking to a concerning level.
It can also be hard for children and young people who are worried about a parent’s drinking to know who to speak to.
Back on Track can help families where a parent is drinking too much alcohol to get the help they need.
We give hope to people affected by drugs & alcohol.
We help women, children and families find the strength and opportunities to make choices that lead to change. Not just for themselves, but for their families, their friends and their communities. For all of us.
Support for Families with a Parent in Prison
Supporting Families. Advising Professionals. Giving Children and Young People a Voice.
Support for Bereavement
Winston’s Wish charity supports bereaved children, young people, their families and the professionals who support them.
Bereavement Support
Online Bereavement Support
Sue Ryder’s Online Bereavement Support makes it easy to connect with the right support for you – whether that’s information and resources, qualified counsellors or a community of others with similar experiences. These services are free and easy to access on your computer, smartphone or tablet.
Provides information on bereavement, where to go for support, and suggestions for helping yourself and others through grief.
Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Support to Live Healthier Lives
Healthy Living Courses for Families and Adults
A healthy life is a happy life, so we want to help you make small changes that have a big difference. We run free courses for families, young people and adults to kickstart a healthier lifestyle.
Chomp is passionate about supporting families who find themselves in challenging circumstances. We are building a community through our school holiday lunch programme and follow-on initiatives, where family members are empowered with the life skills and confidence to make aspirational decisions for their lives.
Support for Adults with disabilities/learning disabilities
Speak Out has been an independent advocacy charity in Brighton and Hove since 1994. We make sure that people with learning disabilities can speak up and take action about the things that matter to them.
Supporting people with disabilities to live independently, with dignity and without prejudice.
Support for Isolated Adults
The Network of International Women
The Network of International Women for Brighton & Hove, run by volunteers, provides a platform for women to meet, share experience and knowledge and support one another. We meet in different venues across the City to share information, exchange ideas, learn and build friendships.
We are a loneliness charity that creates connections to change lives.
We do this through our befriending, social prescribing and volunteering services in Brighton, Hove and beyond, and by sharing our ideas and expertise nationally. In a city of nearly 300,000, no one should be lonely or socially isolated.
Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We work with all kinship carers – the grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and family friends – who are caring for children when their parents can’t.
We want to make sure every kinship family is recognised, valued and gets the support they need.
We exist to orchestrate a revolution in the way that the stories and struggles of six million dads in the UK are seen, heard and supported.
We want a society in which single parent families are treated equally and fairly.
To get there, we provide information to help single parents support themselves and their family. And we campaign and influence policy to reduce stigma against single parents, and make services more accessible to all families – whatever their shape or size.
General Family Support Available
Parents and carers sometimes tell us they feel alone in supporting their child. You aren’t alone: support is available for you! Here are some resources we often recommend.
Family Lives offers a confidential and free* helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline). Please call us on 0808 800 2222 for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. If you don’t get an answer first time please do try again.
YMCA DownsLink Group is a charity that works to prevent youth homelessness across Sussex and Surrey. Every night, we provide accommodation to more than 750 young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Through our youth advice centres, community and school counselling services, family mediation and other youth focussed services, we also provide additional support to 10,000 children, young people and families each year.
Community Base is a charity providing a home for community and voluntary groups in Brighton and Hove and services to the local community. We use income from our services, including the provision of office space and the use of our South Wing meeting rooms, to repay a mortgage on our accessible seven floor building a few minutes from Brighton station and meet our running costs.
Support for Domestic Abuse
Survivors, professionals, and friends or family of someone experiencing abuse can call the DASS Helpline
Rise (services for adults and children)
RISE is an independent, Brighton-based registered charity that helps people affected by domestic abuse. We offer practical help ranging from direct advice to refuge accommodation for those whose lives are at risk.
Community Inclusion/links
The Trust for Developing Communities
We are a charity tackling inequality in Brighton and Hove through community-led solutions. We deliver community development work, youth work, research and training. Community-led solutions produce longer lasting and more meaningful change.
When we connect people, organisations and communities this maximises our resources and improves our well-being. Together we are greater than the sum of our parts.
Our vision is for Brighton and Hove to become a city of equality, diversity and inclusion where our communities thrive.
