Support for families with children and single parents

Finding support for you

Here are some sources of support and some useful ways to get support if you are finding it hard.

Given all the challenges of the past couple of years, children and teenagers might be experiencing a range of emotions. Below are a range of tools and resources for parents and carers to support their children in navigating the challenges and experiences that may arise due to the pandemic.

• Good Thinking, London’s digital wellbeing services, has a range of resources for families with children. From general advice for parents and carers, to specific advice for supporting children with autistic spectrum disorder and learning disabilities, to advice for foster carers.
• If you are feeling anxious, low, stressed or having trouble sleeping Good Thinking has five clinically validated assessments for you to choose from. An assessment takes 20 minutes and will provide you with a diagnosis, helpful resources and if necessary, relevant treatment options.
• Gingerbread is the charity supporting single parent families to live secure, happy and fulfilling lives. The charity has a dedicated information page to help single parents find relevant, up-to-date information during this challenging time.
• Listen to a Good Thinking podcast on supporting the whole family through the pandemic.
• If you’re a parent of someone 2-11 year old in Southwark, Lambeth, Croydon, Lewisham, then the Parent-Enjoying Family Life project is open for parents who experience longstanding emotional and relationship difficulties.
• To mark World Book Day 2021, Thrive LDN partnered with the authors and illustrators of Chicken Legs’ Arroyo and Ruby’s Worry to bring together a double book reading designed for young children.
• If you’re feeling anxious or stressed about financial difficulties, then explore the helpful range of resources and guidance on City Hall’s Help with the cost of living hub.

Twenty minutes to better resilience with Dr Radha

Making small changes can make a big difference and can help you to effectively build emotional resilience.

Our ability to adapt well to the stress of life, as well as being able to bounce back from adversity, crises or trauma, is often referred to as emotional resilience.

We’ve teamed up with Dr Radha, NHS GP, broadcaster and campaigner for wellbeing, as well as Londoners like you, to develop a 20-minute training video on emotional resilience.

In this short training video, you can learn more about resilience and get lots of practical ideas and inspiration about how you can strengthen your own ability to adapt well to stressful circumstances.

British Sign Language version

We have also produced this video with British Sign Language interpretation. Watch now on our YouTube channel.

Other resources to help you

Dealing with difficult emotions can be challenging but help and support is available.

In London, there are a range of free resources, online tools, and helplines available to help you deal with the uncertainty and stay mentally healthy.

Digital resources available now

Good Thinking is a digital mental wellbeing service that has over 100 free, NHS-approved resources designed to help those dealing with anxiety, low mood, poor sleep or stress. Take the clinically validated self-assessment to get a better understand of what you’re going through, helpful resources and if necessary, relevant treatment options.

To help build resilience and maintain good mental wellbeing, Every Mind Matters has a range of resources for everyone at Including an interactive quiz, the Your Mind Plan, to get top tips and advice relevant for you.

NHS psychological treatments

If you do not require urgent support but are still concerned about your mental health, contacting your GP is a good place to start.

You can also refer yourself for free, non-urgent NHS talking therapy services, also known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services, which provide evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety. In London, services are ready and open to receive self-referrals for those needing professional support.

Helplines

Or you may feel more comfortable talking to someone you don’t know by using one of the following helplines:

• If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs urgent assistance, advice or support, contact your local 24/7 NHS mental health helpline.
• Shout is the UK ‘s first 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in crisis. Text Shout at any time to 85258 to start a conversation.
• Samaritans’ free, 24-hour listening service on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.