Support for children and families
There is a wide range of support available for children and families.
Household Support Fund
Three Rivers District Council have received funding from the UK Governments new Household Support Fund, which aims to help families and households most in need this winter. The fund is designed to help ease financial pressures on residents by providing short-term help over the winter period with food, fuel bills and other essentials to those who need it.
Three Rivers Leisure
A wealth of resources to keep children and families active at home:
Hertfordshire Directory
A range of organisations offering local support.
Save the Children
Ways to keep children entertained with ideas of creative play, arts and crafts activities as well as recipes. The website also suggests ways of keeping kids calm and connected, offering tips on how to speak to your children about the current situation.
Mumsnet
A website run by parents for parents, it offers discussions on parenting topics, how to cope with the lockdown as a parent, as well as articles on subjects such as The 9 best tutoring resources.
Starline
A national home learning helpline offering expert information and advice to parents and carers. The website has YouTube videos on a number of relevant topics such as balancing work and home life and keeping children safe online.
NSPCC
Support and tips on how to talk to children who are worried about the coronavirus as well as advice on how to structure your day when it comes to working from home whilst having children.
Twinkl
A resource made by teachers for parents. It provides guidance on how to teach your children from home, with in-depth information on a number of subjects, as well as supplying a huge range of home learning resources that are readily available for all ages.
Kidadl
Ways to keep your kids active and entertained whilst staying safe at home, from kid-friendly workouts to garden games and even a guide to planning the perfect virtual holiday.
Change Grow Live
A service to those affected by drug and alcohol, whether it be needing to talk to someone or even just access information on the topic. They also have a page directly targeted at those under the age of 21.
Homestart Watford and Three Rivers
A charity providing support to families and parents who are feeling overwhelmed with the stress of family life. Their website offers resources to help support families during the Covid crisis.
Hertfordshire Family Centre Service
The family centre service can help before your baby's born, right through to toddler and pre-school age. Help includes antenatal classes, baby feeding support, parenting courses, play sessions, toy libraries.
DSPL9 (Delivering Special Provision Locally)
A Hertfordshire-wide partnership approach where different groups work together as part of an area group, reviewing and developing the range of provision and support services available to their local community. The website provides resources to support parents, carers and children.
Watford Mencap
Works with people with learning disabilities, their families and carers.
Herts Mind Network – Domestic Abuse Service
Confidential support, information and practical support.
Herts Sports Partnership
An organisation that encourages people to be more active.
Hertfordshire Families First Partnership
Also known as early help services, the service is available to families with children under the age of 18 or 25 if the child has a learning need or disability.
Families in Focus
Free online accredited, evidence based courses for parents across Hertfordshire. Courses are accredited by CANparent as being evidence based and effective and they have a proven track record of delivering courses that have a positive effect on family life.
Healthy Start
The Healthy Start scheme helps you give your family the very best in life. If you are pregnant or have a child under four years old you could qualify to get Healthy Start vouchers to help buy some basic foods.
If you think this may apply to you please visit Healthy Start
Mental health services for children and young people
Find information and contact details for mental health services and tools available to young people and children across the district including organisations such as: