Health and wellbeing support for care leavers

How to get help looking after your physical and mental health.

We want you to be happy and healthy.  Our Leaving Care Team and your personal adviser will support you to stay healthy and look after your physical and mental health.

This page gives you information on the following areas:

If you would like support to access health services or need someone to go with you, speak to your Personal Advisor (PA).

Your health needs

After your last health assessment and before you leave care, you will be given a ‘Health Summary’, which is your personal health record.  It includes information about your medical history, facts about your health and contact details for other services you might need. You will receive this from the 0-18 Children in Care Team. A copy will be shared with your personal advisor, unless you have confirmed that you do not give your consent for this. 

If you misplace the copy provided by the 0-18 Children in Care team, you can request a copy from them. If you need support with this, speak to your PA who will be able to help you.

Support to be happy and healthy

We want to make sure you get the help and support you need, when you need or want it.  Speak to your personal advisor (PA) accessing the following services or assistance:

GP Surgery 

GPs and Practice Nurses treat all common medical conditions and can can refer you to specialist services if you need it. GP practices also offer a range of services, including immunisations and medical reviews. 

You can request a different doctor if you feel the need to.

Find a GP 

How to register with a GP surgery

NHS guide to accessing GP online Services for young people (easy read)

Help with prescription costs

Speak to your PA, who may be able to support you with an exemption certificate. This means that you will not have to pay for your prescriptions.

NHS guidance about getting help with health costs

Eye tests and glasses

Speak to your PA if you have ongoing issues or specific needs that are related to your eyesight. They will support you to get the help you need. We can sometimes help with the costs of eye tests and glasses. 

Find a sight test

Dental treatment 

There are different ways to access dental services, depending on whether it is for a routine appointment or an emergency. If you need support with either, please ask your PA.

If you do not have access to a routine NHS dentist

Send an email to Fylde Coast Medical Services (FCMS) and ask them for a return phone call.

Please state in the email that it is for access to 'pathway 3 children in care and care leavers dental referral'. 

Only include your telephone contact details.

Email: fcms.dental.admin@nhs.net 

If you have a dental emergency

If you're experiencing dental pain or need emergency treatment, the Dental Helpline can support you to find a local out of hours dentist.

Dental Helpline: 0300 1234 010

NHS advice on how you can access a dentist in an emergency or out of hours

Mental health and wellbeing

If you're struggling with your emotional or mental health we are here to help and support you, please just ask for help - don’t bottle it up. There's a range of support available if you need help. Some of the options are listed below. Speak to your PA for more information. 

Talking Therapies

This a NHS psychological therapy service offering a range of free talking therapies to people aged 16 and over. 

You can refer yourself to the service by telephone or by completing an online self-referral form.

South Cumbria 

Telephone: 0300 555 0345
Make an online self referral for talking therapies: Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Eden and North Cumbria

Telephone: 0300 123 9122 
Make an online self referral for talking therapies: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

My Time Cumbria 

This organisation works with children and young people to support with their mental health and wellbeing. 

Find out more about My Time Cumbria

Kooth 

Kooth offer young people online mental wellbeing support.

Moving on from child and adolescent mental health services

Your PA can also support you in the transition from children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to adult services, if this applies to you. 

Substance Misuse

Recovery Steps Cumbria

Recovery Steps Cumbria provide a free and confidential support service for adults (aged 18 and over) who use drugs and alcohol. 

You can contact Recovery Steps Cumbria for further information and support by:

Telephone: 01900 512300
Email: referrals@recoverystepscumbria.org.uk 

Drugs and Me 

Drugs and Me have a chatbot that can be accessed for help and support 24 hours a day.

Quitting smoking

We offer several types of support to help you to stop smoking.

Sexual health services

Cumbria Sexual Health services provide confidential advice and support on a range of sexual health issues.

For an advice and appointments you can contact them by telephone on 01228 608989

Alternatively, you can book a sexual health appointment online.  

If you're a parent or parent to be

You may be entitled to:

If you're unsure how to access or apply for Healthy Start or a Sure Start Maternity Grant, please speak to your PA. 

Birth to Five provides information on becoming a parent, taking care of yourself and your child, plus support in finding practical help and support.  

Health Visitors are specialist nurses, who offer advice and guidance to parents with children aged 0 to 5 years old. Find contact details for your local Health Visiting Service in Cumbria.

Don’t worry about asking any questions if you need more information. If you feel that you need any support, advice, or guidance, talk to your PA or someone you trust. 

Exercise

An active life and a healthy diet can reduce your risk of major illnesses. By doing regular exercise you can lower the risk of:

  • heart disease
  • diabetes
  • cancer
  • stroke
  • digestive and bowel problems
  • mental health issues

It can also boost your confidence and self-esteem, sleep quality and mood and can make people feel less isolated and lonely.

Emergency information

If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, call 999.

If you have an urgent medical problem and you're not sure what to do, call 111. NHS 111 is available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

Dental emergencies

What to do if you have a dental emergency

Pharmacies

Local pharmacists can offer advice about illnesses and medicines, as well offering treatments for some conditions.

Find out how pharmacies can help

Find a pharmacy

Mental health crisis support

If you're in mental health distress and need urgent help, there's always someone you can call. 

Mental Health Crisis Line: 0800 953 0110

The helpline is available twenty four hours a day, seven days pee week. It's staffed by trained mental health professionals who can provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services.

Staying healthy and well: top tips

It's important to be healthy and maintain your overall wellbeing. Read NHS advice on living well

It's your responsibility to: 

The Coram Group have published an advice booklet about taking care of your physical health.