Support for Families
Raising teenagers can have its challenging moments, especially during difficult times which may include family breakdowns and financial pressures.
We would encourage you to contact the Safeguarding Team or speak to a member of Lea Manor High School staff if you have any concerns or worries.
Alternatively here are a number of organisations of where you can seek advice and support:
Financial Support
Citizens Advice
Citizen’s Advice offer support financial management, benefits and housing advice. This is free to access.
Visit the office: 15 New Bedford Road., Luton LU1 1SA
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9am to 4pm (closed between 12pm and 1pm)
Wednesdays and Fridays: 9am to 12pm. They are limiting the number of clients in the waiting room area to ensure social distancing is adhered to.
Video advice also available online at: https://www.citizensadviceluton.org.uk/get-advice/video-advice-service/
Phone: 0808 278 7847 to speak to an adviser.
Website: https://www.citizensadviceluton.org.uk/
Luton Irish Forum
Luton Irish Forum support with advice and support on a range of issues, from welfare benefits and related housing to accessing local services for any resident of Luton.
Available: Monday - Friday – 9am – 5pm
Address: 102 Hitchin Road, Luton LU2 0ES
Phone: 01582 720 447
Email: info@lutonirishforum.org
Website: https://lutonirishforum.org/
One Stop Advice Centre
One Stop Advice Centre (OSAC) provides free comprehensive advice and support regarding welfare benefits, debt, housing and immigration.
Available: Monday - Friday – 9am – 5pm
Address: 1st Floor, 88-90 Inkerman Street, Luton LU1 1JD
Phone: 01582 967 473
Email: azra@onestopadvicecentre.org.uk
Website: https://onestopadvicecentre.org.uk
Parent Zone
Parent Zone offers resources to help your family build habits to feel more in control online.
Healthy habits are always beneficial to a family’s wellbeing. This Everyday Digital session focuses on creating good spending habits, as they support parents in expanding their media literacy skills.
Do you need help now? Crisis Messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, you can text PARENTZONE to 85258.
Phone: 020 7686 7225
Email: pzlocal@parentzone.org.uk
Website: https://parentzone.org.uk/pzlocal/luton
Family Separation
Family separation can be hard but there is support available; Contacting the LMHS Safeguarding Team as we can discuss with you and your child any additional support which may be helpful.
Other places for support:
Relate
Relate have a network of Relate Centres across the UK and a group of licensed local counsellors that provide face-to-face counselling and support. Services include relationship counselling, family counselling, mediation, children's counselling, young people's counselling and sex therapy.
For those who are in more need of a quick chat than ongoing support, they offer 30 minute free chats with a counsellor over the phone or on web chat, or one session therapy designed to tackle a specific issue and see results straight away.
There are a number of ‘get help’ pages which offer practical tips to help manage common relationship issues including how to get over a breakup and childcare arrangement planning.
Phone: 01234 356350
Email: appointments.bedsandluton@relate.org.uk
Website: https://www.relate.org.uk/
Amicable
Amicable are an online legal service for divorcing and separating couples.
Their specialists help couples get divorced, reach an agreement over their finances and agree on arrangements for their children, pet arrangements and emotional support, without needing to use solicitors.
Website: https://amicable.io/
CAFCASS
Putting children first in the family courts & when managing family separation.
Available: Monday – Friday – 9am – 5pm
Telephone: 0808 175 3333
Website: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/
Drugs & Alcohol
Substance misuse can be evident in various ways; including drug use and alcohol use. If you are living with someone, or you yourself have difficulties with substances, we would encourage visiting your GP as soon as possible.
Contacting the LMHS Safeguarding Team as we can discuss with you any additional support which may be helpful.
Wider local support includes:
Resolutions Luton
They provide tailored support for alcohol and drug use. They also provide aftercare to support people in their recovery.
Resolutions also have a free and confidential support service for parents & carers. There is a specific support programme for children growing up in environments whereby care-givers are using substances; this is called the ‘Hidden Harms’ Programme.
Phone: 0800 054 6603
Website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/resolutions-drug-alcohol-service-luton
Al-Anon Luton
AI-Anon is there for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking and alcohol misuse.
Phone: 0207 4030 888
Website: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Address: Salvation Army Community Centre, 1 Vicarage Street, Luton, LU1 3HZ
Mental Health
It can be very difficult to see someone who you care about becoming unwell, but you don't need to be an expert on mental health to offer support. Often small, everyday actions can make the biggest difference.
Show your support - If you know someone has been unwell, don't be afraid to ask how they are. They might want to talk about it, or they might not. But just letting them know they don't have to avoid the issue with you is important. Spending time with your loved one lets them know you care, and can help you understand what they're going through.
We would encourage visiting your GP as soon as possible. You can also contact the LMHS Safeguarding Team as we can discuss with you any additional support which may be helpful.
Total Well-Being Luton
Total Wellbeing offer a number of services including support and talking therapies.
They have recently introduced online workshops and a series of webinars to support you with a range of wellbeing and emotional health issues including; managing anxiety and worry, wellbeing whilst working, mindfulness and sleep.
In addition, Total Wellbeing have a number of other topics such as:
body image, low mood, assertiveness, loneliness & isolation and many more.
You can watch all of the workshops on a computer, laptop or your mobile phone. You only need to watch and listen and no-one will be able to see you. All of workshops are free and open to anyone aged 16 years or older who is registered with a GP surgery in the Luton area.
For further enquiries or to access their talking therapies support;
Phone: 0300 555 4152
Email : info@totalwellbeingluton.org
Website: https://www.totalwellbeingluton.org/home
Luton Borough Council - Emotional Wellbeing Information Resource
This site offers various links, guides and support information.
Website: https://directory.luton.gov.uk/kb5/luton/directory/advice.page?id=PqsBGYw6CMg&localofferchannel=0
Mind
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Mind also campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Phone: 0300 123 3393
Email : info@mind.org.uk
Website: https://www.mind.org.uk/