This page has been set up in order to help signpost our families to get the support they need during these challenging times.
Local Family Support
Updates
Parenting Smart Site-important resources
Important resources for parents and carers Parenting Smart site is […]
Response to Prime Minister Statement
You will have heard the Prime Minister indicating that the […]
Free digital book-Corona virus
Axel Scheffler has illustrated a digital book for primary school […]
Supporting your mental health booklet
This booklet is to support children and young people with […]
Food Banks
For the location, opening times and days of the Leeds North West food banks please use this link:
https://leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk/locations/
IRELAND WOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTRE – 07519 706 290
OPENING TIMES – Thursday 10:30 – 12:30
ADDRESS – The Jubilee Room, St. Pauls Church, Raynel Drive, Leeds, LS16 6BS
HORSFORTH DISTRIBUTION CENTRE – 07758 196 951
OPENING TIMES – Wednesday 14:00 – 16:00 Saturday 10:00 – 12:00
ADDRESS – Lister Hill Baptist Church, 1 Brownberrie Avenue, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5PW
HAWKSWORTH WOOD
OPENING TIMES – Friday 10:00 – 12:00
ADDRESS – St Mary’s C of E Church, 61 Hawkswood Crecsent, Leeds, LS5 3PT
To claim free school meals
If you live in Leeds and you already receive Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support: Contact us if you want to claim a free school meal for your child and we will notify your child’s school if you are entitled. Alternatively, you could enquire at your child’s school.
If you live in Leeds and you do not already receive Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support you will need to complete our online form.
Internet Safety:
Please find below some useful links to support families around internet safety:
https://www.leedsscp.org.uk/Parents-Carers-Wider-Family/onlinesafety for young people
Mental Health and Bereavement Support for Children and Young people
Mindmate www.mindmate.org
https://youngminds.org.uk/ Parents’ Information Service gives advice to parents or carers who may be concerned about the mental health or emotional well-being of a child or young person. Helpline: 0808 802 5544
Teen Connect (13-18 years) Teen Connect is a helpline for Leeds based 13-18 year olds who are in crisis. Open 6 pm – 2 am every night of the year. Call, go online or send a text 0771 566 1559 .
Kooth online counselling an emotional wellbeing service Kooth online counselling is a free, safe and anonymous service for 10-18 year olds where young people can chat 1-2-1 with counsellors, access self-help articles 24/7 and connect with peers through live moderated forums. www.kooth.com
Give us a shout https://www.giveusashout.org/
24/7 Anonymous Text Support for When You Feel You Can’t Cope. Text Us Today. For support in a crisis, Text Shout to 85258
Childline https://www.childline.org.uk – Whatever your worry we can help you. Call Childline for help and advice! Tel: 0800 1111
The Mix Emotional support for under 25’s. 24/7 Crisis messenger, 1-2-1 chat, forums and resources. www.themix.org.uk
Resist or manage the urge to self-harm. The Calm Harm app has been customised for young people in Leeds (aged 12 – 25 years). It helps you resist or manage the urge to self-harm; it has a number of activities including breathing techniques to help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Safe Zone (11-17 years). The Safe Zone is a crisis service for young people aged 11-17 in Leeds. It’s open every Monday from 7pm to 10pm – the last drop-in to Safe Zone will be 9.30pm. Call 0113 819 8189 call before you go.
The Market Place. The Market Place offers free, confidential support in Leeds 11-25 year olds. Call 0113 246 1659 or 0113 819 8189. 18A New Market St, Leeds. www.themarketplaceleeds.org.uk
Samaritans. Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year, for anyone who is struggling to cope. Call 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org
Bereavement support for Children and Young People. Families and professionals can access our Leeds helpline at 01133 503598 or email: leedssupport@childbereavementuk.org
OWLS Bereavement Service for 4 to 11 year olds & families. Tel: 0113 4333737.
Mental Health Support, Information and Advice for Adults/Parent/Carers
https://nhs.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/ and enter the code ‘north’ when prompted
https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/ support with anxiety, parental support, self-harm, stress and suicidal thoughts.
https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/local-services/yorkshire-and-humber/leeds/contact-us Phone number: 0808 808 1677. If you or your family need support if someone has passed away.
www.relate.org.uk – Relate offers live online chats with counsellors
Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service: Phone number: 0808 800 1212 support with anxiety, depression, LGBT or stress.
Carers Leeds – Advice Line remains contactable by phone (0113 380 4300) and email (advice@carersleeds.org.uk) and they have guidance for carers on their website (https://www.carersleeds.org.uk/coronavirus-guidance/
Support for Single Parent families: www.gingerbread.org.uk – A UK charity. Visit the site for expert advice and support
Unravel
We are aware of the demands that this situation is putting on you and the effects it will be having on your children, young people, family and friends.
Unravel are currently the nation’s experts on the psychological impact of coronavirus via the BBC and regional and national radio and newspapers, and have provided resources to support you as best as possible at this time. Below are some resources that talk about the following:
- Support onchanging your emotions and behaviour
- Support on coping with self isolation
- Support on home schooling
- Support on talking to your child about coronavirus
Hopefully the resources offer tips and strategies that you find useful. Unravel are also currently working on many other themes that will benefit well-being over this difficult period that lies ahead.
The full spectrum of services they provide is available at www.unravelsupport.co.uk
Volunteering
Anyone who feels they are able to can volunteer for a range or roles
Visit doinggoodleeds.org.uk Email info@val.org.uk
Call 0113 2977920
Resources:
Other Information:
Welfare support for families
Government Business Support Helpline: 0300 456 3565 www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline
HMRC Coronavirus Tax Helpline: 0800 015 9559 www.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc
Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644 www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/already-claimed/helpline/
https://workingfamilies.org.uk/ Information for working parents and carers on their employment rights, Tax Credits and in-work benefits, maternity and paternity leave, flexible working options and maternity discrimination. This includes a section especially for parents of disabled children. Helpline: 0300 012 0312
Leeds Money Information Centre website www.leedsmic.org.uk.
Age UK Leeds
After 20/03/20 the Age UK Leeds advice service will not be carrying out home visits or offering office appointments or drop in sessions until further notice. The office will remain open but there will be no advice staff present in the office, so please do not signpost advice clients to the office. The café is currently still open.
We will continue to provide telephone advice*. People can ring 0113 389 3000 and leave their name and number and brief details of their query. We will call them back within 5 working days. They can also ring the National Age UK Helpline on 0800 678 1602.
*We give benefits advice for people over state pension age but we do not give debt advice
Citizens Advice Leeds
As of 18th March 2020 Citizens Advice Leeds will close face to face services. Resources will be diverted to telephone, email and webchat, available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Enquiries: 0113 223 4400
www.citizensadviceleeds.org.uk/
Help to Claim: 0800 138 3944
DWP
- All office in Leeds are currently open.
- Disabled people will be contacted by web and telephone for appointments.
- There will be no face to face assessments for vulnerable people.
- New claimants will be undertaken over the phone, with ID verification being undertaken this way.
- Two good sources of information are:
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/insights/coronavirus-claiming-welfare-benefits/
0845 6060 234 or www.gov.uk
Leeds City Council Community Hubs
- Community Hubs and face to face services are currently operating as business as usual.
- Encouraging customers to contact via telephone and web where possible.
0113 222 4444 or www.leeds.gov.uk/contact-us
Leeds City Council in partnership with with Voluntary Action Leeds
To provide people who are self-isolating or need practical support for example with things like shopping, fetching a prescription or walking the dog. To access this support please ring the council helpline number which is 0113 378 1877.
Leeds City Council Welfare Rights
- Telephone appointments are available.
- Triaging home visits to utilise surgery appointments and telephone appointments where possible.
0113 376 0452 or by email Welfare.Rights@leeds.gov.uk.
Leeds City Council Housing
Offering a supportive approach to all tenants, and encourage tenants to make contact with their Housing Officer at the earliest responsibility if there are any issues which may impact on a tenant’s ability to pay their rent. If a tenant is affected by Coronavirus we would therefore expect them to ring their Housing Officer to discuss any potential impacts in the usual way. We will discuss their circumstances and where appropriate agree a revised re-payment plan. If the impact on their income is such that they have eligibility for UC Housing Element or Housing Benefit we will advise/support with their claim as required. Enforcement action would be a last resort – as outlined in the court action protocol we would not undertake enforcement action where an affordable repayment agreement is being kept to or a claim for UC Housing Element or HB is pending.
0800 188 4000 or HousingEnquiries@leeds.gov.uk
www.leeds.gov.uk
Leeds City Council: Council Tax
Similar approach to Housing (see above) encouraging people to get in contact as soon as possible. Need to ensure that people are getting the support they are entitled to before arranging payment breaks etc.
0113 222 4404 or www.leeds.gov.uk/contact-us
Leeds Community Gambling Service
From Wednesday 18th March the service is moving to remote working providing support via telephone and online. The duty service on the main Leeds number will continue to operate from 9 – 5pm.
0113 388 6466
Leedscommunitygamblingservice@gamcare.org.uk
www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/our-treatment-offer/leeds/
Leeds Credit Union
- Moving as many members as possible over to digital services primarily but also telephone service.
- Look to follow the lead of the Council in terms of which branches remain opening.
Phone: 0113 242 3343
Email: services@leedscitycreditunion.co.uk
Website: https://www.leedscreditunion.co.uk/
Stepchange
- Operating as normal with full online and telephone advice service
- www.stepchange.org or 0800 138 1111
Engage Leeds and Gipsil
Including: Engage Leeds Floating Housing Support, Engage Leeds Advice and Employment & Engagement Services, Flagship Young People’s Services & GIPSIL Care Leaver Service
Access to advice is restricted to those within the Housing Support Services and is not open access except the ‘Help Through Crisis’ team based at Archway. At this time, would ask that contact should be made via telephone in the first instance.
All other services continuing with some staff working from home. Contact being maintained via phone and email where possible but face to face appointments continuing where needed.
Engage Leeds: https://engageleeds.org.uk, referrals@engageleeds.org.uk or 0113 380 7615
Flagship: https://flagshipleeds.org.uk, referrals@flagshipleeds.org.uk or 0113 391 8000
Domestic Violence
Safer Leeds have launched their DV campaign and messages are being shared across Twitter on @saferleeds and @LCCnews.
Safer Leeds have updated their website to include useful information for victims of Domestic Violence and people delivering services.
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/domesticviolence/Pages/default.aspx
Mobile Phone Apps
| App | What is it? |
| Bright Sky | Bright Sky is a free to download mobile app providing support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know |
| Big White Wall
. |
Big White Wall is an online community for people who are stressed, anxious or feeling low. The service has an active forum with round-the-clock support from trained professionals. You can talk anonymously to other members and take part in group or one-to-one therapy with therapists |
| Blue Ice
|
BlueIce is an evidenced-based app to help young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm.
It includes a mood diary, a toolbox of evidence-based techniques to reduce distress and automatic routing to emergency numbers if urges to harm continue. |
| Calm Harm
|
Calm Harm is an app designed to help people resist or manage the urge to self-harm. It’s private and password protected. |
| Catch It
|
Learn how to manage feelings like anxiety and depression with Catch It. The app will teach you how to look at problems in a different way, turn negative thoughts into positive ones and improve your mental wellbeing. |
| Chill Panda
|
Learn to relax, manage your worries and improve your wellbeing with Chill Panda. The app measures your heart rate and suggests tasks to suit your state of mind. Tasks include simple breathing techniques and light exercises to take your mind off your worries. |
| Cove
. |
Create music to capture your mood and express how you feel with the Cove app. Instead of words, create music to reflect emotions like joy, sadness, calm and anger. You can store your music in a personal journal, or send them to someone and let the music do the talking |
| CYPHER
|
Cypher (formerly Silent Secret) is an anonymous peer-to-peer social network. It’s a space to share your feelings and secrets, give and receive support, and connect to other support organisations. |
| distrACT
|
The distrACT app gives you easy, quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
The content has been created by doctors and experts in self-harming and suicide prevention. |
| Feeling Good – positive mind-set | Relax your body and mind with a series of audio tracks designed to help you build confidence, energy and a positive mind-set. |
| Health Unlocked
|
Use Health Unlocked to find and connect with people with mental health conditions, including low mood, panic and anxiety. |
| IPREVAIL
|
IPrevail connects you with people who face similar situations and know what you’re going through, with communities on stress, anxiety depression and more |
| My Possible Self
|
Take control of your thoughts, feelings and behaviour with the My Possible Self mental health app. Use the simple learning modules to manage fear, anxiety and stress and tackle unhelpful thinking. Record your experiences and track symptoms to better understand your mental health. |
| PZIZZ
|
The Pzizz app aims to help you stop your mind racing, get to sleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed.
|
| Silvercloud | SilverCloud is an online course to help you manage stress, anxiety and depression. You work through a series of topics selected by a therapist to address specific needs. The eight-week course is designed to be completed in your own time and at your own pace. |
| Smiling Mind
|
Mindfulness is proven to lead to better attention, memory, regulation of emotions and self-awareness. In turn, improvements in these areas can lead to reduced stress, anxiety and depression, better academic skills, social skills and self-esteem. |
| Stress and Anxiety Companion
|
Stress & Anxiety Companion helps you handle stress and anxiety on-the-go. Using breathing exercises, relaxing music and games designed to calm the mind, the app helps you change negative thoughts to help you better cope with life’s ups and downs |