Part 7 - Other Support Services
Barnardos Family Hubs
Every town in Sandwell has a family hub who offers support to children, young people 0-19 years (25 years for SEND) and their families in Sandwell.
The aims of the service are:
• The early identification and support of children with additional needs
• To provide information and advice for families about services in their respective town and across the borough as a whole.
• To offer a programme of antenatal education courses across the borough
• To proactively support families in engaging their children’s early language development
• To encourage families to maximise the available early years opportunities through Nursery Education Funding (NEF) and Early Learning for Twos Funding (ELT).
• To provide a range of support services for families to address their individual needs
• In all aspects of delivery to work in partnership with other statutory and voluntary sector agencies
• To establish a comprehensive volunteering programme to support the work of the service and to provide parents with invaluable training and experience in their route towards further education and employment as necessary
These are the local contacts:
Tipton 0121 522 5150
Wednesbury 0121 556 5405
West Bromwich 0121 500 4011
Oldbury 0121 557 0740
Rowley 0121 559 9916
Smethwick 0121 555 6756
Sandwell Multi Agency Safeguarding Service 0121 569 3100
If you have concerns that a child or young person has been harmed or is at risk of harm.
You can request council services and report problems to the council 24/7 with MySandwell. It’s easy to create an account – go to: www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell
Help with bills and finances
Budget planners
www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner
www.tools.nationaldebtline.org/yourbudget/
www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/budget-planning/#free
Benefits Calculator
Many people are not claiming all they are entitled to so we advise you to check out on a calculator and then seek advice with Welfare Rights before you make any decisions about applying for any additional benefits
www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator
www.benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk
Local Welfare Provision
Sandwell runs a local welfare provision scheme for over 18’s who are in receipt of certain benefits and through this scheme you may be able to access support for fuel, transport, furniture/white goods
To apply for Local Welfare Provision please visit https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/info/200145/benefits_and_grants/2576/local_welfare_provision_and_food_vouchers
Money saving tips
www.MoneySavingExpert.com is a one-stop-shop for everything you need to help you manage your money and get the best deals. The website has moneysaving guides, tips, tools, articles and a forum covering everything from mortgages to credit cards and loans.
A good starting point is the Money Makeover guide which will help you cut your bills, then sign up for the weekly email to get the best deals and keep on top of your money.
Help with debt
There are different support options in place if a person is already in debt. We’ve collated these together at: https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/helpwithdebt
Citizens Advice offer specialist debt advisers whatever the cause or amount owed.
Sandwell Council do not want any of their residents to fear getting the support they need. If they’re in arrears for rent to the council or with council tax then get support at https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/homepage/21/help-with-debt
Welcoming Spaces (Warm Spaces)
There are lots of places you can go to to stay warm so you can save your own heating bills
All the most up to date information Warm Spaces locations and opening times can be found here:
https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/supporting-sandwell/warm-spaces-1/2
Food Banks
You can get a referral from Citizens advice or the Council welfare team (MySandwell is the best way to get access)
- https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/resilient-residents/food-banks-food-emergency
- https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/resilient-residents/food-pantries
- https://route2wellbeing.info
- https://breakingbreadfoodbank.co.uk/
- https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/
- https://www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk/locations/
Healthy Start
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
Find out more about the support available at https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/
Eating on a budget
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/the-eatwell-guide/ www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes/breakfast
Keeping warm and energy efficient
Sandwell council has put together some top tips for helping you save energy including a great video at https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/energysavingtips
Make sure everyone is using the best energy providers for them. The Sandwell Energy Switch programme is a great way to make sure everyone is on the best deal for them. Find out more at https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/info/200190/consumer_advice/4279/energy_switching_for_residents
There are plenty of places people can get additional guidance at: https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/energy
Visit https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency or call 0800 444 202 to speak to an advisor.
Warmer Homes West Midlands offers personalised energy advice service to households who are currently struggling to heat their home.
https://www.actonenergy.org.uk/whwm
Energy saving tips
https://www.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/environment-energy/supporting-warmer-homes/
Every Child Needs a Mentor
This is a 6 week project of mentoring to support educational, academic and emotional needs in young people. The project offers mentoring to young people through the issue they are facing with support for parents and carers too. There is access to online mentoring through access to a platform as well as email and telephone support. To find out more please call 0800 644 4881 or email info@everychildneedsamentor.com
SEN Parent Support Groups
Childline 0800 1111
NSPCC 0808 800 5000
Family Matters
They provide training, education and employment advice to over 16’s and the unemployed 01922 700645 familymatters@citizensadvicesandwell-walsall.org
Links to outdoor activities
Sandwell holiday activities
Sandwell has a website resource which displays all the activities being put on over the holidays most of which are free and take place in community venues like libraries.
https://holidayactivities.sandwell.gov.uk/
Canal and River Trust
The canal and river trust has a wealth of resources about canals, rivers and water safety, conservation and wildlife including an explorer badge you can earn by doing lots of related activities
www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers
Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust has lots of resources related to forests and woodlands which include art activities, forest school activities etc
Living Streets
This resource explores the nature around us in our open spaces
Sports resources and activities
Rounders
PE
https://ukactive.com/ukactive-kids/
Health and PSE
Below are some links for healthy eating, mental health etc.
https://www.activeblackcountry.co.uk/rainbow-hour/
Support services regarding home education rights
A Parent’s Guide to Elective Home Education
This is a really useful book that is free which is a guide to home educating. To get your copy then go on the link.
www.electivehomeeducation.co.uk