Children & Families

We can help you get connected

North Yorkshire Connect is an online resource that can help connect you with community groups and clubs, activities and things to do in your local area and support for people with special educational needs and disabilities. Find out more at www.northyorkshireconnect.org.uk

You can find immediate information below, and GPs, hospitals, dentists, opticians, pharmacies and other health services in North Yorkshire here.

Cost of Living Support

You can find information about support schemes and organisations which may be able to help on the North Yorkshire Council cost of living support page.

The Household Support Fund was set up by the Government to help people who are struggling with the increase in living costs and feeling the financial pressure of paying their bills. You’ll find more information about the Household Support Fund in North Yorkshire at the Household Support Fund page.

If you’re not eligible for the Household Support Fund but you are struggling to pay for food, energy and other essentials you may be able to get other financial support through schemes such as the North Yorkshire Local Assistance Fund (NYLAF) and a fund managed by North Yorkshire Citizens Advice and Law Centre that helps people struggling to pay their energy bills.

The North Yorkshire Council cost of living support page also contains advice on money, debt, benefit entitlement, free school meals and childcare costs as well as information about free Wi-Fi, digital support, travel and transport. The page also has information about energy saving, foodbanks and community-based support including Warm Welcome Spaces and local schemes depending on where you live.

North Yorkshire Citizen’s Advice and Law Centre provide free, confidential and impartial advice to help people find a way forward with whatever problems they face, including money and benefits. You can get advice in person, over the phone, on a web chat or by email by contacting North Yorkshire Citizen’s Advice and Law Centre direct.

Medical advice now

You can get quick answers to medical questions using the Medical advice now page from the NHS.

The page contains links to symptom checkers; self-help guides; common health questions; the NHS 111 initial assessment tool; useful phone numbers; and more.

NHS 111

NHS 111 is a service that makes it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services. You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. Call 111 if you:

need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency;
think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service;
don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call; or
need health information.

Find out more about the NHS 111 service.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire

Provides a single point of contact for people in North Yorkshire to report their experiences, concerns or their compliments about health and social care.

North Yorkshire Youth

North Yorkshire Youth website

Volunteer support, 1-1 mentors for young people, LAC support, Youth Clubs, local information for young people, signposting and guidance.

NYCC Children and Families’ Service

Support given for young people aged 16 – 19 years old who are not in Education, Employment or Training.

Young Parent’s Group (parents under 25 years old) – for more information call 01609 536 206.

Dental Health

Dental Buddy — Oral Health Foundation (dentalhealth.org)

These are the free resources from the Oral Health Foundation and they include lesson plans and activities for different age groups. The Oral Health Foundation also have some puzzles and games on their website as well as a shop for buying leaflets, toothbrushes and other supplies

Science lesson PowerPoint – Keeping our teeth healthy | PHE School Zone

These are the lesson plans from PHE and Change 4 Life, there are others available that discuss healthy snacking, eating 5-a-day and sugar. Some of these may be similar to the content from Phunky Foods but hopefully they can continue to reinforce the messaging.

Sheffield’s Sweet Enough | Downloads (sheffieldissweetenough.org)

Sheffield’s Sweet Enough is another great campaign and they also have some assemblies and activities looking at how much sugar is in our diets and making healthy swaps.

The Toothbrush Rack Co

This is where we order our toothbrush packs, they include a toothbrush, toothpaste and information leaflet with a toothbrushing chart.

Health and Wellbeing

Barnardo’s ‘Prouder Communities‘ provides direct support to LGBTQ children and young people around their gender and sexual identities. They also work with parents, carers and families.
Yorsexual Health offers confidential, free and friendly services that are available to anyone looking for information about sexual health and contraception services in York and North Yorkshire
Yorkshire MESMAC is one of the oldest and largest sexual health organisations in the country. They offer services to various communities across Yorkshire, including men who have sex with men, people of colour and other marginalised races, people misusing drugs, sex workers and LGBT+ young people and adults.
Young Minds is a mental health charity for children and 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, Young Minds can help.
NY Rise offer a free, confidential service to young people across North Yorkshire. They can help if you:
- Want some support to reduce or stop using alcohol or drugs
- Want to find out how to stay as safe as possible
- Are worried about the effect your use is having on your mood, health, education or relationships
  Call: 01723 330730 (option 2) Freephone: 08000 141480 (option 2)
  Email: NYYP.admin@Humankindcharity.org.uk

FRANK offers honest information about drugs
North Yorkshire Compass-Phoenix is here to support children and young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health by strengthening the range of mental health support available.
Healthy Choices is a family-focused package of support for children and young people age 5-19 years who are above a healthy weight. For more information, call: 01609 798 081
Growing Healthy North Yorkshire: Call the Healthy Child team on 01609 780 780
The Go To offers young people’s wellbeing and mental health support
Darlington Mind— offers young people’s mental health support. Email the team here for help.
The Army Welfare Service has HIVE Information Centres which give information support to all members of the Service community – Serving personnel (Regular and Reserves), their dependants and extended families, MOD Civilians and Veterans.

Housing

SASH is a youth homelessness charity that works across York, North and East Yorkshire. They help young people aged 16-25 who are facing homelessness.
The Hub is a service offered by Hambleton District Council which offers universal support and advice on housing-related issues to all young people aged 16-25.

Military Families

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) is available for eligible families to claim funding for up to 20 hours of before and after school childcare during term time.

Contact the WAC team for more information.

Young Carers and Young Adult Carers

Carers’ Resource is a local specialist carer centre which provides support for young carers in the Bradford, Harrogate, Selby and Craven districts of Yorkshire.
Carers Trust is a national charity working to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.

Libraries

North Yorkshire’s libraries offer a range of information, services and activities for families and young people.

Find your local library

Sports

ParaSport is a campaign to connect disabled people with more opportunities to get active than ever before.
North Yorkshire Sport are driving positive change through sport and physical activity.

Online Safety

The CEOP help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse. They do this through by providing training, resources and information.

Support Help Lines

Childline is a free, private and confidential service where children and young people can talk about anything, online or on the phone, anytime. Call: 0800 1111
The NSPCC is here to protect children and prevent abuse. If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, you can speak to the NSPCC about your concerns. Call: 08088 005 000
IDAS is the largest specialist charity in Yorkshire supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Domestic Abuse Helpline – 03000 110 110
Rape Support Line – 0300 111 0777
The Police and Crime Youth Commission enables young people, aged between 10 and 25, to inform, support and challenge the work of the Police, Fire and Commissioner, North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Fearless is a way to report crime anonymously

Independent health complaints advocacy

For help with complaints about health in North Yorkshire, visit the help with NHS complaints in North Yorkshire website.