Useful Contacts

Bereavement

Child Death Helpline
A Helpline for all those affected by the death of a child
Tel: 0800 282 986
www.childdeathhelpline.co.uk

Cot Death Helpline
Tel: 020 7233 2090
www.fsid.org.uk

Sands (Stillborn and Neonatal Death Society)
If you have been affected by the stillbirth or death of a baby in the early weeks of life and would like to talk to someone about your experience please ring our helpline. You may be a parent, family member, friend or health or socail care professional supporting bereaved parents. Your baby may have died recently or many years ago.
National Helpline
Helpline Tel: 020 7436 5881 (9.30am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday)
helpline@uk-sands.org - this is the helpline team's seperate, confidential e-mail address
Office Tel: 020 7436 7940 - For general enquires, membership details, group enquiries and all other purposes please call the office number. We want to keep the Helpline free for those who need to use it.
www.uk-sands.org

Miscarriage Association Helpline
Tel: 01924 200799
Mon-Fri, 9am - 4pm
www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk

National Miscarriage Association
Tel: 01924 200799
www.the-ma.org.uk

Birth /Pregnancy

Active Birth Centre
25 Bickerton Road, London, N19 5JT
Tel: 020 7281 6760
www.activebirthcentre.com

BLISS
Providing support and information for parents and families of premature babies.
BLISS is dedicated to ensuring more babies survive and have the best neonatal care and quality of life.
Tel: 0500 618140

CRY-SIS
Support for parents whose babies cry excessively. Also for carers of crying, sleepless, demanding babies/children.
Tel: 08451 228 669
www.cry-sis.org.uk

Family Planning Association
Tel: 0845 122 8690
www.fpa.org.uk

Independent Midwives' Association
Tel: 0870 850 7539
www.independentmidwives.org.uk

National Childbirth Trust
Lancaster & Morecambe District
Tel: 0870 066 9302
www.nct.org.uk

Multiple Births

Twins and Multiple Births Association, TAMBA
Tamba is a nationwide UK charity providing Information and mutual support networks for families of twins, triplets and more.
www.tamba.org.uk

Twinline
Twinline is a national, confidential, support, listening and information service for all parents of twins, triplets and more, and the professionals involved in their care.
Tel: 0800 138 0509
10am to 1pm and 7pm to 10pm, every day.

The Multiple Births Foundation
Tel: 0208 383 3519
www.multiplebirths.org.uk

TwinsUK
Provide a comprehensive service to families with multiples from pregnancy to pre-school. Straight-forward advice and practical tips for expectant and new parents, plus an extensive range of products in an online shop.
Tel: 01670 354463
www.twinsuk.co.uk

Breastfeeding

Click here to go to our Breastfeeding Section

Children

Barnardo's
www.banardos.org.uk
Tel: 020 8550 8822
Barnardo's is one of the leading UK children's charities. We offer a wide range of support services for children, young people and their families, helping children who are young carers, for example, looking after a sick or disabled relative.

The Loyne School
Sefton Drive, Lancaster LA1 2PZ
Tel: 01524 64543
Email: admin@loyne.lancsngfl.ac.uk
www.loyneschool.org.uk
The Loyne School offers specialist education for children and young people aged 2-19 with learning difficulties.

Lancashire Childcare Information Service (CIS)
This website also has advice about choosing childcare, and local information on services for families. And more - eg maternity rights info etc.
Freephone: 0800 195 0137.
9am-5pm.
www.childcarelink.gov.uk/lancashire

Children First
www.childrenfirst.lancashire.gov.uk
Consisting of Sure Start, Early Years & Childcare Service providing useful local information about childcare, children's centres etc.

Handling Children’s Behaviour course and Occupational therapist and physiotherapist drop in
Venue: Firbank Children’s Centre, Firbank Road, Lancaster, LA1 3HL
Tel: 01524 845319
Contact centre for details

Home Start
3 Anderton Street, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 5DA
Morecambe-based scheme supporting families with very young children.
Tel: 01524 402482
www.home-start.org.uk/

Sure Start
Early years + Childcare Team, County Hall, Preston.
Info, parent guides, list of local eligible pre-school education providers and info on funding eligibility.
Tel: 01772 531950
List also available from the education office:
Tel: 01524 581132 / 581267

Children's Integration Group
29, Longlands Avenue, Heysham, LA3 2NU
Supporting families of children with educational, behavioural and physical special needs.
Tel: 01524 859725

Rainbow Trust Children's Charity
Forster House, Finchale Road, Durham, DH1 5HL
Practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.
Tel: 0191 386 4400
www.rainbowtrust.org.uk

Childline
Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC
www.nspcc.org.uk
Tel: 0808 800 5000 (Child Protection Helpline)
Most of our work is with children, young people and their families. We also work to achieve cultural, social and political change - influencing legislation, policy, practice, public attitudes and behaviours and delivering services for the benefit of young people.

FACT
A local group for parents whose children suffer from food allergies, exema and related conditions.
Tel: 01524 67804
Contact: Sarah Dodd

Children's Centres

Lune Park Children's Centre
Ryelands Park, Owen Rd, Lancaster, LA1 2LN
Tel: 01524 382818
Click here for more info about Lune Park

Poulton Children's Centre
Clark St, Morecambe, LA4 5HR
Tel: 01524 833644
Click here for more info about Poulton Children's Centre

Firbank Children’s Centre
Firbank Road, Lancaster, LA1 3HL
Tel: 01524 845319

Appletree Children's Centre
Milking Stile Lane, Lancaster, LA1 5QB
Tel: 01524 64132

Children's Centres are currently being built in Carnforth, Heysham and both the West End and Westgate, Morecambe. The Baby Maze will bring you more details when they become available.

Domestic Violence

Lancaster & District Domestic Violence Helpline
Tel: 01524 383636
11am to 1pm, Monday - Friday

Women's Aid
National domestic violence charity working to end violence against women and children, and co-ordinate and support over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the country.
Tel: 0808 2000 247
Free 24 hour helpline
www.womensaid.org.uk

Refuge
Refuge's network of safe houses provides emergency accommodation for women and children when they are most in need. Our outreach services work with abused women in their homes or when they move from a refuge into a new community.
Tel: 0808 2000 247
Free 24 hour helpline
www.refuge.org.uk

The Hideout
Provides help, information and support for children and young people – whether you’re currently living with violence, you’ve experienced violence in the past or if you know someone else going through it and you’re looking for help and information. We’ve included lots of information to explain what domestic violence is, how it affects you and where you can go for more help.
ChildLine - freephone 0800-1111
www.thehideout.org.uk

National Centre for Domestic Violence
Tel: 08709 220704
www.ncdv.co.uk

Man 2 Man
Helpline for men. Providing emotional support, practical advice, legal advice on housing etc.
Tel: 020 8698 9649

Everyman Project
National helpline for anyone concerned about male violence. Provide counseling service for violent men who want to change.
Tel: 020 7263 8884

MRSA (Male, Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Association)
24-hour helpline. Help and support male victims of rape, childhood sexual abuse and male victims of partner abuse.
Tel: 07932 898 274

Education

Advisory Centre for Education
An independent national advice centre for parents
Tel: 0808 800 5793
Monday - Friday, 2-5pm
www.ace-ed.org.uk

Home Education Advisory Service
Tel: 01707 371854
www.heas.org.uk

General Help & Advice

Citizen’s Advice
87 King Street, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1RH
Tel: 0870 126 4035
www.lancastercab.org

Samaritans
21, Sun St, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1EW
Tel: 01524 61666
www.samaritans.org

Homeopathy

Homeopathy treats the person not the disease, and can be used to help illnesses such as eczema, asthma, sleep problems, emotional problems, menstrual problems, arthritis, and can support women through pregnancy and childbirth.
Katie Welch works from home, Total Fitness, Caton Rd, Lancaster and the Holistic Centre in Middleton
Tel: 07743620567 or 01524 846008
e-mail : Katie_Welch@homeopathy-soh.org

IVF/Fertility treatment

Fertility Friends
Online information, help and support for those dealing with infertility. Large online community.
www.fertilityfriends.co.uk

Infertility Network
Friendly confidential telephone “Advice Line”, giving support to those undergoing tests and treatment. We offer support and advice to everyone, at any point in their journey through infertility.
Tel: 08701 188 088
www.infertilitynetworkuk.com

May-b-baby
This website is dedicated to couples going through Infertility and assisted conception. The website offers support and understanding couples going through the heartache, stress infertility and assisted conception brings.
www.may-b-baby.co.uk

National Infertility Support Network
Tel: 01424 732361
www.child.org.uk

Medical & Disabilities

NHS Direct 24 hr Helpline
Tel: 0845 46 47
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

National Drugs Helpline
Tel: 0800 776600
Free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day talk to FRANK
www.talktoFRANK.com

Action for Sick Children
Children's healthcare charity specially formed to ensure that sick children always receive the highest standard of care possible.
Tel: 0800 0744519
www.actionforsickchildren.org

Medical Conditions

Allergies
British Allergy Foundation
Tel: 020 8303 8583
www.allergyfoundation.com

Asthma
National Asthma Campaign
Tel: 020 7226 2260
www.asthma.org.uk

Autism
National Autistic Society
Tel: 020 7833 2299
www.oneworld.org/autism_uk

Blindness
LOOK
Help and support for parents and their visually impaired children
Tel: 0121 428 5038
www.look-uk.org

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
Tel: 0151 298 3222
Helpline: 0845 766 9999
www.rnib.org.uk

SENSE (National Deafblind and Rubella Association)
Sense has a worldwide reputation for its expertise in working with deafblind people. We also work with people with single sensory impairments and a wide range of other difficulties - including physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and challenging behaviour.
Tel: 0845 127 0060
www.sense.org.uk

Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis Trust
11 London Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1BY
Working to improve the lives of people with CF, raise the profile of CF and fund research into a cure
Tel: 020 8464 7211
www.cftrust.org.uk

Deafness
The National Deaf Children's Society
Dedicated to the support of all deaf children and young deaf people, their families and professionals working with them.
Tel: 0121 234 9820
www.ndcs.org.uk

Diabetes
British Diabetes Association
Tel 020 7424 1000
Working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition.
www.diabetes.org.uk

Disability
Contact-A-Family
charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children - no matter what their disability or health condition. We also enable parents to get in contact with other families, both on a local and national basis.
Tel: 0800 8083555
www.cafamily.org.uk

Scope Response
Information, advice and support service to disabled people and their families. For information on cerebral palsy, disability issues and all of our services, Scope Response is your first point of contact.
Tel: 0808 800 33 33
9am – 7pm Monday - Friday, 10am – 2pm on Saturday
www.scope.org.uk

Mencap
UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
Tel: 020 7454 0454
www.mencap.org.uk

Down's Syndrome
Down's Syndrome Association
Information and support for people with Down’s syndrome, their families and carers.
Tel: 0845 230 0372
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk

dhg (down's heart group)
A charity offering support and information relating to heart conditions associated with Down's Syndrome. Via the website you can have access to
one to one support, a telephone helpline and useful newsletters.
Tel: 0845 166 8061
www.dhg.org.uk

Dyslexia
British Dyslexia Association
Tel: 0118 966 8271
www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

Eczema
National Eczema Society
Tel: 0870 241 3604
Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm
www.eczema.org

Epilepsy
Epilepsy Action, Lancaster
Aims to improve the quality of life and promote the interests of people living with epilepsy.
Tel: 0808 800 5050
www.epilepsy.org.uk

Hyperactivity
The Bay ADDLink
Childrens health Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder and associated conditions family support group.
Tel: 01524 822887

Hyperactive Children's Support Group
Tel: 01243 539966
www.hacsg.org.uk

Meningitis
National Meningitis Trust
Tel: 0845 6000800
www.meningitis-trust.org.uk

Mental Health
Young Minds
National charity committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people
Tel: 020 7336 8445
www.youngminds.org.uk

Postnatal Depression
Association for Postnatal Illness
Tel: 020 7386 0868
www.apni.org

Speech Therapy
AFASIC
Afasic is the UK charity, established in 1968, to help these children and young people, their families and the professionals working with them.
Tel: 08453 555577
www.afasic.org.uk

Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome (UK) Association
www.tsa.org.uk
Tel: 0845 458 1252 (Helpline)
Our vision is for people with Tourette Syndrome (TS) to receive the practical support and social acceptance they need to help them live their lives to the full.

Parenthood

Fathers Direct
www.fathersdirect.com
Tel: 0845 634 1328
We're here to help you harness the full potential of fatherhood with news, training information, policy updates, research summaries and guides for supporting fathers and their families.

Lancashire Family Mediation Service
15 Cross Street, Preston, PR1 3LT
Splitting up with your partner is a very stressful time, particularly if you have children. Not only do you have to cope with the pain and upset of separating but, suddenly, you are faced with lots of uncertainty about the future. The Family Mediation Service can offer advice and support and their service extends to the Lancaster and Morecambe area.
Tel: 01772 204248
www.lfms.co.uk

Parentline
Provides information and support to anyone in a parenting role
Tel: 020 7209 2460
Helpline: 0808 800 2222
www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Working Families
practical help and information on employment rights, childcare, and a dedicated helpline for low income or otherwise disadvantaged families, providing free legal advice, help with negotiating with your employer and with in-work benefits.
Tel: 0800 013 0313
www.workingfamilies.org.uk

Parentline Plus
www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Tel: 0808 800 2222
Parentline Plus works to offer help and support through an innovative range of free, flexible, responsive services - shaped by parents for parents.

Parent Network
Offers a range of courses to parents and professionals supporting families. It trains parents to run courses for other parents, enhancing the skills and relationships within the family. Parents, grandparents and carers from all cultures and ethnic groups are welcomed.
Tel: 020 7735 4596
Helpline: 020 7735 1214
10am-4pm Monday - Friday

Practical Parenting Advice
www.practicalparent.org.uk
Practical Parenting Advice is a FREE one-stop resource for parents and professionals wanting tips and support on child behaviour, development and family relationships

Raising Kids
www.raisingkids.co.uk
Tel: 0208 883 8621
Raisingkids.co.uk is here to offer support, information, and friendship to everyone who's raising kids - whatever your circumstances or income.

Single Parents

Gingerbread
Tel: 0800 018 4318
Monday to Friday 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm
www.gingerbread.org.uk

National Council for One Parent Families
Tel: 0800 0185026
www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk

One Parent Families
www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk
Tel: 0800 018 5026 (Lone Parent Helpline)
One Parent Families believes we can build a fairer society for all families, in which lone parents and their children are not disadvantaged and do not suffer from poverty, isolation, or social exclusion

Ultrasound and 4D scanning

Bay Scan
Parkfield, Greaves Rd, Lancaster, LA1 4TZ
Tel: 01524 39603
www.bayscan.co.uk