Family Support

At Dolau Primary School, we are passionate about supporting our parents/carers and our wider community's wellbeing.

We appreciate & acknowledge that it can be challenging and difficult to reach out for help when you need it. Therefore, we have collated a range of organisations that any of you can contact for support along with information you hopefully will find useful. We will update the page as new information is available but below are some of the information we have for you.

Bereavement Resilient Families Occupational Therapy

Domestic Abuse Finding Childcare

Free school Meals Internet Safety Support for Children

Support for Children Financial Support

Financial Support Occupational Therapy RCT Families

Rhondda Cynon Taff citizens Advice Mental Health Support

Occupational Therapy Eye to Eye Counselling Educational Psychologist support line

LGBTQ+/ Gender Identity

*Disclaimer

The views and opinions included within these external organisations do not necessarily mirror the views or opinions of the school. It is not the responsibility of the school to advise, monitor or be liable for the content of these external organisations. Use of any information obtained from such organisations is voluntary, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness and suitability for the intended audience

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Bereavement

Cruse Bereavement Care 0808 808 1677 Cruse is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Cruse offers telephone, email and website support. They have a Freephone national helpline and local services. Cruse also provides training and consultancy for external organisations and for those who may encounter bereaved people in the course of their work. *Tel: 0808 808 1677 (National Helpline) Email: info@cruse.org.uk. - Cardiff and the Vale: Tel: 029 2022 6166 Email: cardiff@cruse.org.uk - Morgannwg: Tel: 01792 462 845 Email: morgannwg@cruse.org.uk

Hope Again Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone. Tel: 0808 808 1677 (National Helpline) Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk

Eye to eye Counselling A counselling service for young children who have experienced a loss.

The Good Grief Trust An online search engine offering links to further bereavement support across the country.

Bereavement Advice Centre (0800 634 9494) offers advice on all aspects of coping with bereavement.

Samaritan (116 123) supports people in extreme distress.

The Silver Line (0800 470 8090) provides support for older people, especially those who are experiencing loneliness and isolation.

Child Bereavement UK (0800 028 8840) supports families dealing with the death of a baby or child.

Winston’s Wish (08088 020 021) provides support for grieving children and young people through an online chat facility or a freephone national helpline.

Domestic Abuse

Calan DVS Calan DVS is one of the largest domestic abuse charities in Wales and are committed to working in partnership to end domestic violence and abuse. Staff are passionate about what they do and deliver much needed services to support some of the most vulnerable people in society. Tel: 01656 766139 Email: enquiries@calandvs.org.uk

Any Man Can… Any Man Can…be a victim of domestic abuse A campaign to raise awareness that men can be victims of domestic abuse has been developed by the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board, in collaboration with the Cwm Taf Morgannwg VAWDASV (Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence) Steering Group.

Shelter Cymru Shelter Cymru can provide support and advice to victims of domestic violence. Supporting organisations are saved in the Shelter Cymru information page. Tel: 08000 495 495 (advice line) 01792 469400 (to make an appointment)

Welsh Women’s Aid Welsh Women’s Aid is the national charity in Wales working to end domestic abuse and all forms of violence against women. Tel: 0808 80 10 800 (24 hour live chat) Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales

Free School Meals

Should you need to apply for free school meals for your child(ren), or want to see if you are eligible, please click here

Application form is here

Mental Health Support

Self Help Guides C.A.L.L.Community advice and listening line – Mental Health Helpline for Wales offers a confidential listening and support service. Tel: 0800 132 737 Text: 81066

ARC - Assisting Recovery in the Community Assisting Recovery in the Community offers advice and information sessions for people struggling with their emotional wellbeing. Tel: 01656 763176 Email: ARCInformationandAdvice@bridgend.gov.uk

Mental Health Matters Wales Mental Health Matters Wales Mission Statement: "To promote the mental and emotional health and wellbeing of the public through the provision of Information, Advocacy, Training and Support". Tel: 01656 767045 or 01656 651450 Email: https://www.mhmwales.org.uk/index.html

Young Minds Young Minds Vision: “We’re leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.” Tel: 0808 802 5544 (Parent’s Helpline)

Samaritans Samaritans is a helpline service which is available 24/7 and is about working with people to create a safe space where they can talk about what is happening, how they’re feeling and help them to find their own way forward. Tel: 029 2022 2008 (Wales Office) Email: wales@samaritans.org

Platfform Platfform work with people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health, and with communities who want to create a greater sense of connection, ownership and wellbeing in the places that they live.Tel: 01656 647722 Email: connect@platfform.org

Valley Steps Mindfulness and Wellbeing Courses. Promoting better wellbeing all across Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend. Community and workplace wellbeing courses available.

Signposting for Families

5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing 5 steps to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life

HOME | CAMHS Resources (camhs-resources.co.uk)For young people, carers and professionals. lots of helpful resources from across the internet that are available to help support your mental health and well-being

Parenting and Family Support - Family Lives (Parentline Plus)Parenting and family support. This website has very practical guidance in a wealth of areas from school routines to self-harm

Wellbeing advice for parents to support their child - BBC Parents' Toolkit - BBC Bitesize

Health and wellbeing advice for parents to support their child - from food and sleep, to anxiety and the online world

Parent Info | From NCA-CEOP and The Parent Zone Providing expert advice regarding internet and digital activity, gaming and online safety

Home - Awtistiaeth Cymru | Autism Wales | National Autism Team Improving the lives of autistic people living in Wales

Get support - Cruse Bereavement SupportNational charity which offers support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies

mind Mental Health information and support for adults, children and teenagers. Find local services.

The Sleep Charity Education support and advice on good sleep routines for children, teenagers and adults.

ACTivate Your Life - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales) Public Health Wales free online course for anyone over the of 16 designed to help improve mental health and wellbeing.

Melo Cymru Aneurin Bevan University Health Board website with partners to look after the mental wellbeing of people living and working in these areas; Torfaen, Newport, Monmouthshire, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent

Signposting for Pupils

Meic Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. From finding out what’s going on in your local area to help dealing with a tricky situation, Meic will listen even when no-one else will

Childline | Childline Advice, helpline, resources and support for children

Winston's Wish - giving hope to grieving children (winstonswish.org) Provides support to children and young people after bereavement of a parent or sibling

YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds A charity supporting children, parents and those working with children and young people

Financial Support

Welsh government – Financial Support Leaflet to see what financial support benefits available from the Welsh Government.

Click Here.

Internet Safety

I.T and online safety for our children is very important, so we ensure that we cover the topic on an ongoing basis. Teaching e-safety at school is only part of the story, though. Parents and carers should also be aware of issues and reinforce and add to our children’s knowledge and understanding. Here are a few of the websites and resources to help you.

The NSPCC have produced some lovely and informative guides to e safety concerns for parents. Click on the links to view printable guides.

Online safety – under 5’s
Online safety – keep child safe
Online safety – Primary school children

Outside support for Children

For Parents/Carers

Helplines

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/

https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/parent-talk-cymru/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpcOTBhCZARIsAEAYLuUvZXmsn2TsZX9Ij-g05z_ZTzoF2dh-uBNdGFq320PcKpUrfEUR6dgaAjnFEALw_wcB

Support

https://apcymru.org.uk/ offers support to parents of neurodiverse children with or without a diagnosis

https://challengingbehavioursupport.org.uk/ offers support to parents struggling to cope with their child’s behaviour

Anxiety

There is a section about worry time which we recommend a set time every day for say 15 to 20 minutes. This could be done in school and at home. There is an article here which gives you some guidance. By encouraging your child to save their worry for later either by writing it down, making a note on a phone or just imagining it locked in a box for later helps her to get some control over it, usually after a week of doing it they learn to manage the worries themselves and naturally worry less

https://broxtowewomensproject.org.uk/using-the-worry-time-technique-to-help-children/

What to do when you worry to much workbook

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1591473144?pf_rd_r=1MWHFEK5QW6FX79MK2Z0&pf_rd_p=6e878984-68d5-4fd2-b7b3-7bc79d9c8b60&pd_rd_r=99e83dc1-f9ce-4980-aa8b-c9fda1b94af5&pd_rd_w=gO1WK&pd_rd_wg=51Euu&ref_=pd_gw_unk

The Panicasaurus K.I Al-Ghani

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDVQOwFALDo https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-guide-to-support-a-z/parents-guide-to-support-anxiety/#how-to-help-your-child-manage-their-anxiety https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/

The apps Mindful Gnats and Think Ninja – please check age appropriacy for Think Ninja

Anger

The Red Beast

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PgrCDqQbgCE

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Beast-Controlling-Aspergers-childrens/dp/1843109433

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Volcano-My-Tummy-Children-Caregivers/dp/0865713499/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JLSCWZDTODDJ&dchild=1&keywords=volcano+in+my+tummy&qid=1618602709&s=books&sprefix=volcano%2Cstripbooks%2C249&sr=1-1

Bereavement

The Day The Sea Went out And Never Came Back

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Day-Went-Never-Came-Back/dp/0863884636/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2J9TIBUZL43Y3&dchild=1&keywords=the+day+the+sea+went+out+and+never+came+back&qid=1618602316&s=books&sprefix=the+day+the+sea%2Cstripbooks%2C190&sr=1-1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grieving-Journey-Book-Donna-Shavatt/dp/080916695X

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WHEN-SOMEONE-VERY-SPECIAL-DIES/dp/0962050202/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B53H884LNJ5O&dchild=1&keywords=when+someone+very+special+dies&qid=1618602542&s=books&sprefix=when+someone+%2Cstripbooks%2C173&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Muddles-Puddles-Sunshine-Paperback-Activity/dp/1869890582/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IIUI19OES7RU&dchild=1&keywords=muddles+puddles+and+sunshine+book&qid=1618602612&s=books&sprefix=mudd%2Cstripbooks%2C171&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Water-Bugs-Dragonflies-Explaining-Children/dp/0829818308/ref=sr_1_8?crid=1IP5IEBGTI1D4&keywords=dragonflies+book+on+grief+for+children&qid=1643886483&sprefix=dragonflies+book+on+grief+for+children%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-8 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invisible-String-Patrice-Karst/dp/031648623X/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=56955237721&gclid=CjwKCAiAl-6PBhBCEiwAc2GOVD7UV_-1ZDO_W1N-KpqbqsjMm_QPglnhz3xSnIYFBERUfOfmX9dcpRoCxUwQAvD_BwE&hvadid=259099145971&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007453&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=881350891705839108&hvtargid=kwd-302015193497&hydadcr=28176_1821089&keywords=the+invisible+string&qid=1643889593&sr=8-1

The Invisible Suitcase

https://youtu.be/wmzy6fRLcCU

Apps

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/smiles-tears/id965830012

https://www.apartofme.app/

Websites

https://www.winstonswish.org/ https://www.childbereavementuk.org/

RCT Families

The Community Wellbeing and Resilience Service and the Family Information Service are excited to announce the launch of their new website for RCT Families. This website provides practical and accessible advice and guidance for parents, carers, children, young people and the professionals that support them.

www.rctfamilies.co.uk

What can be found on RCTFamilies.co.uk?

Parents and carers·

Parenting tips·

Ideas for family activities inside and outside of the home·

Bookable parenting courses·

Information and signposting on services available to families, including financial help, finding childcare providers and much more·

Specific information about CWRS services

Children and Young People·

Advice and guidance for all children and young people aged up to 25·

Signposting to relevant services· Ideas for things to do inside and outside the home

Professionals·

Information on CWRS services such as who is eligible, how you refer and what happens when you refer·

Instructions on how to apply to become an approved supplier of Play and YEPs activities·

Bookable training opportunities·

Find out what our Children and Family Centres have to offer.

There are also helpful news articles and a calendar of events for all audiences.

Rhondda Cynon Taff citizens Advice

What do we do?

We provide free, confidential and impartial advice and campaign on big issues affecting people's lives. Our goal is to help everyone find a way forward, whatever problem they face.
We're an independent charity and part of the Citizens Advice network across England and Wales.
People come to us with all sorts of issues. Someone may have money, benefit, housing or employment problems. Someone could be facing a crisis, or just considering their options.

How to access Help and Support

Our Access to Advice Service is open every

Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

From 9:30am – 12:30pm

This service is available at Knight Street Mountain Ash CF45 3EY.

Our team can help with income maximisation, energy issues, housing issues, employment issues, cost of living support and more.

Please call us on 01443 409284 from 9:30am, lines close at 3:30pm for more information.

We also have a number of outreach venues across Rhondda Cynon Taff these details can be found here https://carct.org.uk/contact-us/

Energise your Finances. The project offers advice and support to the community focusing on income maximisation, budgeting, energy efficiency and debt. We are able to deliver on a face-to-face basis in one of our community venues, provide telephone advice and if required we can provide advice via a home visit. We currently have venues in Treorchy, Rhydyfelin, Pontygwaith Blaenrhondda Penrhys and Bryncynon Please call us on 01443 409284 for an appointment.

Help with school costs.Our team can also help families to get support with costs associated with education if you would like to make a referral to us for a family please call us on 01443 409284 for a form or email referrals@carct.org.uk for a form.

Big Energy Saving Network – Community Energy Advice Sessions

We also work in partnership with local organisations to deliver community advice sessions to people living in Rhondda Cynon Taff on a face-to-face basis in local community venues or via an online group session.

Each session usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes and covers the following topics: energy efficiency, the warm home discount, priority services register and the various cost of living support schemes that are available at the moment.

Follow-up advice is also available if anyone would like further support with their energy issues.
We advertise our community advice sessions in local community venues and on our social media.
For more information, please visit our website at www.carct.org.uk for links to our social media pages or alternatively, you can contact us on 01443 4092 284 or email: training@carct.org.uk to find out more

National Helplines

Universal Credit Help to Claim - 0800 144 8 444

Our Help to Claim advisers can help with the early stages of your Universal Credit claim.

People can talk to them on the phone, or online over chat.
Our advisers can help with:

-Working out if someone can get Universal Credit

Fill in the Universal Credit application
- Prepare for the first Jobcentre appointment
- Check that the first payment is correct
Claim What’s Yours
Many people are unaware they may be entitled to benefits that could offer them the support they need.
If anyone is unsure about what benefits they can claim, you can call 0808 250 5700.
Advicelink Telephone helpline 0800 702 2020
Advicelink Cymru offers advice on welfare benefits, debt, employment, education, housing, immigration and discrimination

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Occupational Therapy

For support and guidance for your child if you have concerns here are the details for Occupational Therapy.

Click here https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Resident/AdultsandOlderPeople/Helptoliveathome/OccupationalTherapy.aspx

https://ctmuhb.nhs.wales/services/occupational-therapy/

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LGBTQ+/Gender Identity

As a school we want all children to thrive and sometimes when they are growing up they have questions about their identity and how they fit into this world. Some may have questions about their sexuality.Below are two websites that provide useful information for parents and children.

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/resources/introduction-supporting-lgbtq-children-and-young-people

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/gender-identity/

YSGOL GYNRADD DOLAU PRIMARY SCHOOL