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Nessie is funded by Hertfordshire County Council to support parents/carers of children and young people with emotional and mental health issues. The aim of this work is to help parents/carers develop a positive and more confident approach to supporting their young person, whilst offering a chance to gain peer support; useful strategies and practical tools.
What we offer
Parent Support line Tel: 07932 651319 (open Wednesdays 9 am - 12 pm or by appointment)
Private moderated Facebook support group
NESSie Parent/Carer Support Group
1-1 support and advice sessions
Peer support groups: A confidential group, where parents will have an opportunity to share their experiences, support each other through challenges, and identify coping strategies.
For more information, please CLICK HERE
1 Day Champion Course for Parents and Carers of 8 to 18 Year-Olds
Free Training: 09:30 to 16:00
What you will learn
- an understanding of common mental health issues and how they can affect young people
- ability to spot signs of mental ill health in young people and guide them to a place of support
- knowledge and confidence to advocate for mental health awareness
- skills to support positive wellbeing
Course structure
Session 1 - what is mental health and mental ill health, stigma and discrimination, depression and suicide
Session 2 - mental health conditions: anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, psychosis, recovery, resiliance
Stand-by-me provides life changing support for bereaved children and young people in North Herts & Stevenage.
Volunteers Needed
• Do you have a background in Education, Health or Social Care?
• Are you interested in being trained to be a group programme volunteer?
• Do you want to gain new skills and help your community?
,+stand-by-me
bereavement support
Join Us on 1st April to find out more
IOAM -12NOON
HITCHIN YOUTH TRUST
111 WALSWORTH ROAD
HITCHIN, SG4 9SP
HOLIDAY AND TERM TIME ACTIVITIES |
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Provider |
Course/Booking |
Key Topics |
Mixed Ability Rugby – Hertford RFC |
8 March 20235:30pm FREE Hertford RFC – A team open to anyone who want to play regular full contact rugby for rugby’s sake. If you happen to have some form of disability or barrier but want to play regular rugby, then you are more than welcome. Same goes if you have no disability or barrier. |
For more information contact or call Matt Thompson 07974 785072 |
CRICKET |
FREE Super 1s Cricket Sessions – all disabilities welcome, between ages of 12 and 25 years. In conjunction with the Lord’s Taverners Hertfordshire Cricket Ltd have joined with Lonsdale School. More Info and booking: |
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IMAGINATION DANCE |
SEND Dance & Activity Workshops 07394 934 911 https://imaginationarts.co.uk/ |
Holiday – SEND Dance & Activity |
HERTFORDSHIRE FAMILY CENTRE SERVICE |
SEND DROP IN Chestnut Tree Family Centre, c/o Garden City Academy, Letchworth. 1st Thursday in every month 10am to 11:30am. Children welcome to attend with you or can attend on your own. No diagnosis needed. |
SEND Drop-In (Early Years) |
HERTS DISABILITY SPORT FOUNDATION |
Find an activity : Find an Activity - Herts Disability (hdsf.co.uk) |
Sport Activities |
360 Play STEVENAGE SEN SESSIONS |
SEN Evenings – a safe, inclusive and secure environment with friendly, experienced staff. Booking essential. 1st Friday of every month 6:30pm to 8:30pm Adult £0, Child – SEN £7.00 |
Play Sessions |
Gravity Trampoline SEN Sessions |
SEN Sessions – making the thrill of Gravity inclusive fun for everyone. Use code COMPCARER at checkout for 1 x Free Carer with SEN session. SEN Sessions | Stevenage | Gravity Trampoline Park (gravity-uk.com) |
Trampoline Sessions |
FLYERZ HOCKEY |
St Albans Flyerz is a disability hockey project which makes hockey available to ALL via inclusive sessions supported by St Albans Hockey Club. See website for further details. |
Hockey |
HOLIDAY AND TERM TIME ACTIVITIES |
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Provider |
Course/Booking NEW LISTING |
Key Topics |
LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY EAGES |
INCLUSIVE FOOTBALL Hertfordshire County Ground, Letchworth SG6 2EN Letchworth Garden City Eagles have teamed up with partners Herts Sports Partnership and Hertfordshire Football Association to deliver weekly sessions for players with any disabilities. The disability sessions will initially run for 12 weeks and are aimed at all differing impairments. The sessions will provide a safe fun learning environment for all players taking part. Run by a qualified coach, all sessions will take place on the Hertfordshire FA state of the art 3G pitch and offer the opportunity to participate in exciting and engaging practices. As well as developing skills within football, the program will also help improve social skills and confidence. The aim of the coaching program is to create an enjoyable and safe environment for everybody to enjoy sport. During the program, we will look to develop sporting skills, as well as social skills and confidence. |
Football |
NORTH HERTS FOOTBALL FACILITY |
JUNIOR ABILITY COUNTS – Open to any children 7-16 years old with a disability or special education need who is able to walk. Hitchin Town Community FC, The Arena, Norton Road, Baldock SG7 5AU. www.northhertsarena.co.uk 01462 720088 |
Football |
PHOENIX GROUP FOR DEAF |
PHOENIX GROUP Various activities for children, young people and adults through the year. 07748 690989 www.phoenixgroup.org.uk / @PheonixDeaf |
Activities for children who are deaf |
Hertfordshire Additional Needs HAND |
HAND ADDITIONAL NEEDS DATABASE Hertfordshire Additional Needs Database (HAND) You can choose to join the register. The database helps to: identify and plan for the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities and their families. Monitor services. HAND can offer you: A free digital HAND card can give you perks and discounts to lots of places for family days in in Herts. You can also subscribe to SEND News. |
HAND database |
Potential Kids |
Activities and online events and support |
Winter can be difficult for many of us, darker nights and a drop in temperature can be hard on our mental health and the rising costs of living are causing emotional strain for many people who might be worrying about their families, their health, jobs and finances. It’s normal to feel anxious and if you’re worried about the effects on your mental health, you are not alone. The following organisations are delivering services to support you to look after your mental health and well-being through winter.
You can self-refer to most of these services without needing to see your GP or a mental health professional. Please visit the websites or give them a call to find out more.
Herts Mind Network deliver peer support, community support, domestic abuse services, complex needs services, dementia and carers support. Plus, a range of online services and Wellbeing Courses. More information can be found at www.hertsmindnetwork.org or call 0203 727 3600.
Mind in Mid-Herts In person and online mental health courses and workshops, social groups, exercise groups including football and walking, psychological therapies, 1-1 calls, LGBTQ+ and male/female groups as well as vocational support. Live daily mindfulness sessions. To access any of their services contact them on 03303 208100, email or visit the website: www.mindinmidherts.org.uk
Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT) Wellbeing Service support for adults experiencing common mental health problems i.e., depression and anxiety. The service offers free access to digital video and telephone based talking therapies. Info & self-referral wellbeingservice/hertfordshire
Rethink Mental Illness offers a befriending service to adults with a mental difficulty in East Herts and carers support across the whole of Hertfordshire. Contact , or call 07760615342
Guideposts Watford offers support with mental health problems, disability, or caring responsibilities. Group and social activities, physical activities, 1:1 support and crisis management, courses, outreach support, peer support, Carers support.info at www.guideposts.org.uk/hertfordshire-services/ or call 01923 223 554.
Support for autistic adults
Autism Hertfordshire provides support to autistic people, parents, carers and professionals. There is a helpline open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, you can reach us on 01727 743246 or email . Autism Hertfordshire is also able to provide support with: Pre and Post Diagnosis Support, Transitions support, adult skills development course and workshops, carers support, social activities.
If you live in Hertfordshire and you child has additional needs, visit SPACE for:
- Hertfordshire's only specialist equipment library: sensory, educational and practical resources FREE for families to borrow
- Friendly Advice: help and suggestions on equipment for your children’s specific needs
- A listening ear: emotional and practical support
- Signposting: knowledge and understanding of local community and statutory services and support
Stay for a drink and chat with the SPACE team and other parents/carers. Children are welcome.
Mon, Wed and Sat: 9.30am - 12.30pm.
For more information visit the SPACE website at: https://spaceherts.org.uk/lending-space/
Parent Survey - Thank you to everyone who completed the DSPL 1 Parent Survey. From this we noticed that parents and carers were seeking courses in a number of areas. The overview of training document demonstrates the courses being run in our area. We are reviewing the gaps and trying to promote courses and workshops by the providers.
To view the results, please download the file below:
Worried about your child? Download details of online groups and get support to help you child feel more confident and happier:
Helpful SEND advice lines and times available:
Are you a Parent of a Child with Special Needs?
If so you will be very welcome to attend our SEND Drop In. You will have an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have, find out information about local support groups, meet other families. Your child does not need to have had a formal diagnosis We can provide a friendly ear and a safe space to talk. Children are welcome to attend with you or you can attend on your own Children are welcome, no diagnosis needed.
For more information download the flyer:
"Talking shows strength"
Information for parents and carers of children and young people. We all have mental health, and there are things all of us can do to help look after our own wellbeing and mental health, and to support those around us.
Hertfordshire's Just Talk website: www.justtalkherts.org is a central hub of information and resources for parents, carers and young people in Hertfordshire, to help children and young people improve their emotional wellbeing, build their resilience and develop positive coping strategies. It also has details of other organisations who can help if parents, carers, children and young people are struggling:
Five Ways to Wellbeing e-learning
www.mindedforfamilies.org.uk is a national website for quality assured and free e-learning about young people's mental health and wellbeing.
More useful information:
We are keen to hear from you!
We would like to provide training, workshops and relevant to the needs of children and young people in our area.
Please complete this short survey to help our planning.
Thank you.
For parents and cares of children with SEND living in North Herts and attending a setting/school in North Herts. If you have more than one child with SEND can you please complete a survey for each child.
Following the death of Sarah Everard earlier this year, the County Community Safety Unit (CCSU) are currently producing a needs assessment on Violence Against Women and Girls. As part of this piece of work, we are undertaking a public survey of Hertfordshire residents to understand their experiences and feelings of personal safety, which will help to inform recommendations for the needs assessment.
The survey is now open and will remain open until Friday 9th July and can be accessed using the web link below or by scanning the QR code.
https://surveys.hertfordshire.gov.uk/s/XFEVX8/
Please note the survey is open to males and females of all ages to enable us to compare experiences and feelings of safety between males and females, therefore we ask that the survey is any advertising refers to the survey as the ‘Hertfordshire Personal Safety Survey’ to ensure that males are equally encouraged to take part in the survey.