This is a difficult and confusing time for many families. Here are some links to sources of help and support that you may find useful from external, local providers.
Apply for a grant for school shoes and a winter coat
The School Benevolent Fund is an independent registered charity which offers a grant towards shoes and coats for school pupils. A grant of up to £35.00 can be awarded towards a winter coat and up to £35.00 for a pair of shoes for families who are eligible. A full list detailing who is eligible can be found on the application form. All information can be found at Durham School Benevolent Fund
County Durham Together
Durham Council has set up a helpline, webpage and support network to help people in County Durham who are struggling during the Coronavirus pandemic. the intention is to provide people with support, either through established networks of community or volunteer groups, or from the council itself through staff volunteers. They will be able to help with a number of requests, such as food shopping, deliveries, general help and guidance, or someone who can listen and support.
Anyone in need of extra support can find a list of local groups on the Durham Locate website or fill in the Coronavirus help form on www.durham.gov.uk/covid19help. Alternatively, help can be accessed by emailing help@durham.gov.uk or calling 03000 260 260.
They are also offering a ‘check in and chat’ service and a ‘lucky dip’ book delivery service. For more information visit the website here.
Mutual Aid Groups
There are lots of Mutual aid groups that are supporting communities during Covid 19. These groups offer a range of support including shopping, delivery of food parcels, befriending and collecting medication, among others. You can download a pdf document containing contact numbers and information below.
Mutual Aid East Durham (Including Durham City)
CAMHS Resources
The CAMHS website was created for young people, carers and professionals to pool together lots of helpful resources from across the internet that are available to help support mental health and well-being; they cover a range of areas to support children’s well-being.
Click on the link to the external website – CAMHS Resources
Citizen’s Advice
Citizen’s Advice offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice over the phone and webchat, including support with finances. Contact details are below:
0300 330 9027 – Advice Line (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)
0300 323 2000 – Debt Advice Line (Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm)
0300 323 1000 – To cancel or rearrange appointments
Homestay
Durham Homestay (formerly Stonham) offers families housing related support, including with finances and difficulties like rent arrears. To contact the Durham Homestay team, ring The Gateway on 0191 332 4935 (or 0800 073 1837) or e-mail GatewayDurham@homegroup.org.uk. More information is available on the County Durham Families Information Service website here.
One Point
One Point, Durham, are offering online support sessions for families throughout May, June and July. You can download a flyer of dates and topics below. (Opens as a pdf in a new window).
One Point Online Sessions May-July 2020
FamilyLine
FamilyLine is a national free service available to support adult family members, via telephone, text, email and web chat, on all aspects of family life issues. They are staffed by trained volunteers and offer emotional support or practical advice on any aspect of parenting or broader family issues. Their telephone number is 0808 802 6666, or you can text: 07537 404282 or email: familyline@family-action.org.uk
Rollercoaster
Roller Coaster is a parent/carer support group for parents who have children experiencing mental health problems. Here is a flyer with the support they offer and their contact details. (Opens as a pdf in a new window).
Durham SENDIASS
Durham SENDIASS are still available to support parents who have children with additional needs. They have moved all their available resources to a telephone, email and website service, during the COVID-19 Outbreak.
The full guide to accessing their services and support can be downloaded below. (Opens as a pdf in a new window).
(Durham SEND Information Advice and Support Service – SENDIASS – is a statutory service supporting parents/carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and children and young people with SEND. It operates at ‘arm’s length’ from the Local Authority and the services provided are confidential and impartial).
North East Autism Society
The North East Autism Society (a part of The Autism Alliance) offer support with enquiries via telephone, email, and Facebook. They also have a private family network page where they are offering lots of support and guidance.
For more information Telephone 0191 4109974 or Email info@ne-as.org.uk. You can also search Facebook page North east Autism Society
For those of you with older children at home, you may find this document from Durham’s Inclusion and Alternative Provision service useful for supporting your ‘quaranteens’: (Opens as a pdf in a new window).
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Disclaimer: Blackhall Primary School does not promote nor endorse the services advertised on this website. Anyone seeking to use and/or access such services does so at their own risk and may make all appropriate enquiries about fitness for purpose and suitability to meet their needs.
