While young people spend a lot of time in school, the home environment plays an important role in their wellbeing and development.  A 2020 study by the Office of National Statistics found that children believe home lives and family relationships affect their happiness. 

Adults support wellbeing at home in many ways, such as: 

• Making home a safe and secure place 

• Dedicating quality family time and creating family experiences 

• Talking openly about mental health and listening to each other  

• Looking after your own emotional wellbeing and mental health 

• Helping with healthy choices for diet, exercise, online safety, and sleep. 

Parents and carers told us in the latest wellbeing survey they would welcome more information about the support available.  We have worked with staff, the Parent Voice group, and our student groups to develop this page to help. 

Watch our ‘Wellbeing resources’ video to see our top five recommended places to go for useful information, ideas and advice about emotional wellbeing and mental health.  The full set of recommended links is listed below.  Please contact us if there’s a great one you think we have missed! 

For young people: 

• The Lowdown is a Mental Health Charity, providing free and confidential support services for 11- 25-year-olds in Northamptonshire. Their services include Counselling, Information, Advice & Advocacy, Wellbeing, LGBTQ+, Youth Groups and Sexual Health.

The Lowdown offers a caring environment where young people are always supported on their journey towards positive emotional health and wellbeing.  The fully trained team at the Lowdown provides accessible, safe, welcoming, confidential, and non-judgemental services for all Young People aged 11-25. 

Visit The Lowdown | Free and confidential support for 11-25 year olds for further up to date information on all support and services available.

• • Counselling for 11-25 year olds in the NN1 – NN7 postcode areas. (by referral only.)
  • RE:Start Service for 16 – 25 year olds who are transitioning from child mental health services (CAMHS) to adult mental health services. This is a practical, information, support and advice service, not counselling. (by referral only)
  • Wellbeing Café’s for 11-18 year olds every Monday and Friday evening 4-8pm. (Drop in – The UoN Innovation Centre – opposite the train station.)
  • Mindspace is a group providing creativity, mindfulness, selfcare and relaxation for 11-18 year olds every Wednesday 4-6pm. (Drop in – at The Lowdown Lounge - Kingswell Street, entrance via the side door in the car park.)
  • Youth Groups every Tuesday and Thursday evening - School Years 7 to 13: 4pm – 5.30pm or 5.30pm - 7pm.  (Drop in – at The Lowdown Lounge - Kingswell Street, entrance via the side door in the car park.)
  • Young Adult Social (16-25 year olds) Thursday evenings – 7.00-8.30pm (Drop in – at The Lowdown Lounge - Kingswell Street, entrance via the side door in the car park.)
  • Youth Advisory Board every Wednesday 6:30-8pm. This is a member only group, please see our website for more information and how to join. (applications via the website.)
  • Out There LGBTQ+ Support Groups every Friday evening for 11-25 year olds. For more information on how to join please go to our website.
  • Sexual Health Service for 14-25 year olds every Monday and Friday 5-8pm providing condoms, pregnancy testing, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing and information and Support. (Drop in – The UoN Innovation Centre.)’

• Childline provides information, advice and ways to seek support. 

• Shout is a free and confidential service that supports people with their mental health. 

• YoungMinds includes information about mental health, feelings, and a useful guide about how to support a friend. 

For parents and carers: 

• YoungMinds has a parent section, including a parent blog and advice on how to talk to your child about mental health. 

• Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families has a parents and carers section, including a podcast and 7 ways to support young people who are worried. 

• SSS Learning provides top tips videos for parents and carers, including Child Mental Health & Wellbeing and Parents' Mental Health & Wellbeing 

For everyone: 

• NHS recommends 5 steps to mental wellbeing. 

• Heads Together promotes the Prince and Princess of Wales’ campaigns for de-stigmatising talk about mental health. 

• Mentally Healthy Schools provides information about various types of mental health needs and conditions. 

• Happy Heads teaches mindful tools and techniques for people of all ages, providing a free newsletter and YouTube video links. 

• Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families presents 10 ways to support staff wellbeing. 

• Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Northampton | Rehab 4 Addiction offers a wealth of resources and information about addiction and mental health, which could be invaluable to those in need. Secondly, they provide a helpline that offers immediate assistance to those struggling with addiction in Northampton, a service that could be life-saving for some of your readers. Lastly, they offer a comprehensive directory of treatment centres throughout the UK, making it easier for those in need to find help near them.