There may be times when families need a little extra support - financial or emotional. You do not need to feel alone. There are many local organisations and support services that can help. School is also here to support in any way we can. 

Holiday activities and food programme (HAF)

The holiday activities and food programme aims to help children receiving free school meals.  For more information, visit the website. 

 

Family Hubs and Outreach Centres

Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole there are six Family Hubs and three Outreach Centres (formerly called Children's Centres). 

Hubs are based in central locations and cover a reach area to support all families that need Early Help services, ensuring that families get the right help at the right time. Any family can contact them and they will be able to signpost to appropriate support. For more information, visit the website.

 

Community Food Support

There are a number of different ways you can get food support including foodbanks, family hubs, and other community food settings which can be accessed through the ‘Access to Food Map’.

 

Access to Food Map

The access to food map is a tool to enable families to find where they will be able to access food support in the community and how to access support as well as providing information on community meals, cooked meal delivery, cooking workshops, foodbanks and social supermarkets.

To access this please visit the link below:

https://public.tableau.com/profile/bcpinsight#!/vizhome/AccesstoFoodMap/Introduction

 

Jimmy's Food Bank, Poole Quay and St Clements Church, Parkstone 

Support for households in crisis with three-day emergency food parcels and a space for additional advice and support that tackle route issues of crisis. Referrals are available from frontline services (eg GP, citizens advice). For more information, visit the website.  

 

Together We Can

Together We Can is an initiative led by BCP Council, working in close partnership with many other public, private and voluntary sector organisations.  Families may be eligible for a food voucher if they are experiencing hardship and meet the two ‘Essential Criteria’ and one ‘Other Criteria’.  Alongside this families might be eligible for financial support, support if you are clinically vulnerable or isolating, Mental health and wellbeing. For more information, visit https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/News/News-Features/COVID-19/Help-advice-and-support/Help-advice-and-support.aspx

 

Financial support

Please visit the link below if you would like financial advice, support with paying utility bills, advice for private rentals and much more.

https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/News/News-Features/COVID-19/Help-advice-and-support/Financial-support/Financial-support.aspx

 

Lets Talk Money helpline with Citizens Advice

If you are currently struggling with your finances or are worried about managing your money, you can contact the Let's Talk Money team who can provide free help and guidance. Contact the team Monday to Friday from 10am - 4pm. 

• helpline 01202 985104
• visit citizensadvicebcp.org.uk/letstalkmoney
• email letstalkmoney@citizensadvicebcp.org.uk

 

Connection (Dorset’s 24/7 mental health helpline – 0300 123 544

Holiday Childcare

Looking for holiday childcare or some inspiration for a fun family day out?  Please view the link below.

https://www.fid.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/kb5/poole/fis/results.action?holidayactivities=0&holidayactivities=3

Visit the BCP Council Family Information Directory for awesome activities, holiday schemes and events happening over half term.

https://www.fid.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/kb5/poole/fis/results.action?familychannel=2-7&sr=0&nh=10

Did you know you can use Tax-Free Childcare to help towards the costs of holiday schemes? Find out more on the link below.

https://www.fid.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/kb5/poole/fis/advice.page?id=BIydcLh9iAM