Below are some organisations you can talk to if you’re worried about anything that’s happening in your life.
General advice
England and Wales
Family Lives provides support for all elements of family life. Call the free helpline on 0808 800 2222 (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-3pm), or visit the website www.familylives.org.uk to find advice on a range of aspects including sleep, health, development, and bonding with your baby.
Home-Start helps families through sending trained volunteers to visit and offer compassionate support to parents. Find your local Home-Start here www.home-start.org.uk/find-your-nearest-home-start.
National Childbirth Trust at www.nct.org.uk offers a range of online resources about children’s development and health, and life as a parent.
Gingerbread supports single parents via online resources, forums and local support groups. Find out more at www.gingerbread.org.uk, or call their free helpline for single parents at 0808 802 0925 (visit the website to get full details of the opening hours: https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/talk-to-us/).
our child’s wellbeing and development
Scotland
For advice on early parenthood, visit Ready Steady Baby! https://www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby
For advice on child health, development and parenting a young baby visit the Parent Club https://www.parentclub.scot/
Home-Start helps families through sending trained volunteers to visit and offer compassionate support to parents. Find your local Home-Start here www.home-start.org.uk/find-your-nearest-home-start.
National Childbirth Trust at www.nct.org.uk offers a range of online resources about children’s development and health, and life as a parent.
One Parent Families Scotland supports single parents via online resources and a community forum. Find out more at opfs.org.uk, call their free helpline for single parents at 0808 801 0323 or use their live chat (Mon-Fri 9.30am to 4pm)
Northern Ireland
The Parenting NI Support Line has a free helpline (0808 8010 722) and web chat (Both open Mon – Thurs: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Fri: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm) for any concerns or reassurances about parenting or family life.
Family Support NI offers information on family support and childcare services in Northern Ireland (familysupportni.org.uk)
Home-Start helps families through sending trained volunteers to visit and offer compassionate support to parents. Find your local Home-Start here www.home-start.org.uk/find-your-nearest-home-start.
National Childbirth Trust at www.nct.org.uk offers a range of online resources about children’s development and health, and life as a parent.
Your child’s wellbeing and development
For general advice and support for your child’s development, please visit https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/
For advice on how to develop your child’s speech, reading and communication skills, please visit:
- I CAN at www.icancharity.org.uk, or telephone 020 7843 2544 to reach the free, confidential call-back or email enquiries@ican.org.uk for service from an I CAN speech and language therapist.
- Words for Life at www.wordsforlife.org.uk (online service only).
- NHS Choices (online service only) has advice on how to help your child’s speech at www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/play-and-learning/help-your-baby-learn-to-talk
You can find information about healthy eating and nutrition for your child at First Steps Nutrition Trust, www.firststepsnutrition.org (online service only).
For advice about how to encourage your child to sleep better, please see the tips on the NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/health/sleep-problems-in-young-children.