Health and wellbeing

woman running on a running track

Your health and wellbeing are important to us. We want to help you stay healthy, feel your best, and get the support you need when you need it.

Whether you need help finding a doctor, managing a health condition, looking after your mental health, accessing medication, or improving your fitness, your Personal Adviser (PA) will be there to support you.

Your Health Team

While you are in care, you will have regular health assessments with the Children's Health Team.

Before you turn 18, the nurse who completes your health assessments will provide you with a Health Passport (sometimes called a health summary record). This contains important information about your health history and can be useful as you move into adulthood.

If you are unable to attend your final health assessment, your Social Worker will make sure you receive a copy of your Health Passport.

Registering with Health Services

When you turn 18, your PA will help you register with a:

  • GP (doctor)
  • Dentist
  • Optician

We will support you to find services close to where you live and, if you would like us to, we can help you make appointments and attend them.

It is always helpful for your PA to know who your GP is so that we can support you if needed.

Support from Your Personal Adviser

Your PA can help you to:

  • Register with health services.
  • Make and attend appointments.
  • Understand your health needs.
  • Manage medication.
  • Access mental health support.
  • Access specialist health services.
  • Find support with alcohol or drug misuse if needed.
  • Get advice about healthy eating, exercise, sleep and general wellbeing.

You do not have to manage things on your own. If you are worried about your health or wellbeing, talk to your PA and we will help you get the right support.

Looking After Your Mental Health

Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health.

If you are struggling with:

  • Anxiety or stress
  • Low mood or depression
  • Loneliness or isolation
  • Difficult life experiences or trauma
  • Confidence or self-esteem
  • Managing your emotions
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Feeling overwhelmed

We will help you access the right support.

This may include your GP, counselling services, mental health teams, community wellbeing services, peer support groups, or other specialist services.

Your PA can talk through what support is available and help you access services that meet your needs.

Help with Health Costs

We do not want money to stop you from getting the healthcare you need.

Prescription Charges

If you are not entitled to free prescriptions through benefits or another exemption scheme, our health partners have agreed to cover the cost of your prescription charges.

This means you can access the medication you need without worrying about how you will pay for it. Speak to your PA if you need support with prescription costs.

NHS Low Income Scheme

If you are on a low income, you may be able to get help with a range of NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

This can help with:

  • Dental treatment
  • Eye tests and glasses
  • Travel costs to healthcare appointments
  • Wigs and fabric supports

Depending on your circumstances, you may receive either full support (HC2 Certificate) or partial support (HC3 Certificate).

For more information, speak to your PA, or call the NHS Low Income Scheme helpline on 0300 330 1343, or visit the NHS website.

Dental and Optical Costs

Many young people can access free NHS dental and optical care if they receive certain benefits, are under 18, or are eligible through education or benefit-related exemptions.

Your PA can help you understand what support you may be entitled to.

Free Sanitary Products

We understand that the cost of sanitary products can sometimes be difficult to manage.

If you need sanitary products, please speak to your PA, who can help arrange free products and support.

Free Gym and Leisure Pass

Being active is good for both your physical health and your mental wellbeing.

To help you stay active, we provide a free gym and leisure pass. This support is provided by us to help care-experienced young people stay healthy, build confidence, reduce stress, and improve their wellbeing.

Your pass gives you access to:

  • Gym facilities
  • Swimming sessions
  • Fitness and exercise classes
  • Personalised fitness programmes
  • Support and guidance from qualified fitness staff

You can use your pass at the following Active Stoke leisure centres:

Fenton Manor Sports Complex

Dimensions Leisure Centre

  • Address: Scotia Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 4ET
  • Telephone: 01782 233500
  • Website: Active Stoke Leisure Dimensions

Wallace Sports Centre

  • Address: 63 Abbots Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 8DU
  • Telephone: 01782 233555
  • Website: Active Stoke Centres

Your PA can help you arrange your gym pass, explain what is included, and help you access the facilities.

If You Live Outside Stoke-on-Trent

If you live elsewhere, we will discuss what gym, leisure, health and wellbeing facilities are available in your local area. Where appropriate, we will fund a suitable alternative membership so that you can access the same opportunities and do not miss out because of where you live.

We want all our care-experienced young people to benefit from the positive impact that exercise and physical activity can have on their health and wellbeing, wherever they live.

Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Support

Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health. Leaving care can bring lots of changes, and sometimes you may feel stressed, anxious, lonely, overwhelmed, or simply not yourself.

You do not have to deal with these feelings on your own. We will help you find the right support and access services that can help you feel happier, healthier, and more confident.

Your Personal Adviser (PA)

Your PA is often the first person you can talk to if you are worried about your mental health or emotional wellbeing.

They can:

  • Listen and talk through any worries you may have.
  • Help you understand what support is available.
  • Make referrals to specialist services.
  • Help you complete forms and attend appointments.
  • Support you to access counselling, therapy, or mental health services.
  • Help you find local wellbeing activities, peer support groups, and community services.

If you are not sure where to begin, your PA can help you take the first step.

Your GP (Doctor)

Your GP is an important part of looking after both your physical and mental health.

They can:

  • Discuss any concerns about your mental health.
  • Provide medical advice and health checks.
  • Prescribe medication where appropriate.
  • Arrange vaccinations and routine healthcare.
  • Refer you to specialist services.
  • Support you with sexual health, long-term health conditions, and general wellbeing.

If you are feeling low, anxious, stressed, or struggling to cope, your GP can help you access the right support.

Find a GP: NHS Find a GP

NHS Talking Therapies

If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, panic, or other emotional difficulties, NHS Talking Therapies offers free and confidential support.

They can provide:

  • Counselling
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Guided self-help
  • Support for anxiety and depression
  • Practical coping strategies

 

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust

The Combined Healthcare Trust provides specialist mental health services for people who need additional support.

Services may include:

  • Community mental health support
  • Specialist assessments
  • Crisis support
  • Emotional wellbeing services
  • Support for more complex mental health needs

Your GP or PA can help you access these services if they are right for you.

Other services

Kooth

Kooth is a free, confidential online wellbeing service.

You can access:

  • Online counselling
  • One-to-one support
  • Wellbeing articles and advice
  • Discussion boards
  • Self-help tools

You can access Kooth without a referral and in your own time.

Every Mind Matters

Every Mind Matters is an NHS website providing practical advice and self-help tools to improve your wellbeing.

You can find information about:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Low mood
  • Sleep problems
  • Building resilience
  • Looking after your wellbeing

Website:

Papyrus HOPELINE247

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are worried about someone else, Papyrus provides confidential support 24 hours a day.

They can offer:

  • Immediate emotional support
  • Practical advice
  • Help to stay safe
  • Support for family and friends

Website:

SANE

SANE provides emotional support and information for anyone affected by mental health difficulties.

They can help you talk through what is happening and provide guidance on available support.

  • Website: SANE
  • Telephone: 0300 304 7000

Drug and Alcohol Support

If drugs or alcohol are affecting your health, relationships, education, employment, or wellbeing, support is available.

Stoke-on-Trent Community Drug and Alcohol Service

The service can provide:

  • Advice and information
  • One-to-one support
  • Recovery programmes
  • Treatment and interventions
  • Support for reducing or stopping substance use

Your PA can help you contact the service and attend appointments if you would like support.

Website:
WithYou Stoke-on-Trent

Crisis Support

If you need urgent mental health support, help is available 24 hours a day.

NHS 111 Mental Health Support

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent help, contact NHS 111 and select Option 2 for mental health support.

Emergency Support

If you feel at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else:

  • Call 999, or
  • Go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.

Remember

You do not have to face things alone. Whether you need someone to talk to, help accessing services, support with appointments, or specialist mental health care, your PA will work alongside you to make sure you get the support you need.

Sexual Health and Relationships

Looking after your sexual health is an important part of looking after your overall health and wellbeing. Whether you need advice, information, contraception, pregnancy support, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or relationship advice, support is available.

We understand that it can sometimes feel difficult or embarrassing to seek help. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to access the support you need.

Dedicated Appointments for Care-Experienced Young People

We have worked closely with our local Sexual Health Service to make sure that two daily drop-in appointments are available specifically for care-experienced young people.

This means that if you need support, advice, testing, contraception, or treatment, there are dedicated appointments available for you without having to wait for a routine appointment.

You can choose to:

  • Attend independently and access the service confidentially.
  • Ask your Personal Adviser to help you make an appointment.
  • Have your Personal Adviser accompany you to the appointment if you would like support.
  • Ask your Personal Adviser to help you understand any advice or treatment you receive.

The service is confidential, which means staff will respect your privacy and discuss any information with you sensitively.

What Can the Sexual Health Service Help With?

The Sexual Health Service can provide support with:

  • Free condoms and contraception.
  • Emergency contraception.
  • Pregnancy testing and advice.
  • Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment.
  • HIV testing and support.
  • Sexual health information and advice.
  • Healthy relationships and consent.
  • Support if you are worried about sexual exploitation or abuse.
  • Advice about sexuality, gender identity, and sexual wellbeing.

How Your Personal Adviser Can Help

Your Personal Adviser will never judge you and can help you access support in a way that feels comfortable for you.

They can:

  • Help you arrange an appointment.
  • Attend appointments with you if you would like support.
  • Help with transport to appointments.
  • Explain what services are available.
  • Help you understand information provided by health professionals.
  • Support you to access ongoing health and wellbeing services.

Bereavement Support

Losing someone important to you can be one of the most difficult experiences you face. Whether it is a family member, foster carer, friend, former carer, partner or another important person in your life, you do not have to cope with grief on your own.

If you experience a bereavement, your Personal Adviser (PA) will be there to provide emotional and practical support. This may include helping you access counselling or specialist bereavement services, supporting you to attend funerals or memorial events, helping you manage practical matters, and supporting you to maintain important memories and connections with the person you have lost.

We understand that everyone experiences grief differently. Your PA will work with you to identify the support that feels right for you and can help you stay connected to people who care about you during difficult times.

Support Available in Stoke-on-Trent

Next Steps Team

Your Personal Adviser can provide ongoing emotional support and help you access specialist services if required.

  • Telephone: 01782 233575

Dove Service

The Dove Service provides bereavement counselling, emotional wellbeing support and therapy for children, young people and adults who have experienced loss.

  • Website: www.thedoveservice.org.uk
  • Telephone: 01782 683155

Cruse Bereavement Support

Cruse offers free bereavement support, information, counselling and practical guidance for anyone coping with grief.

  • Website: www.cruse.org.uk
  • National Helpline: 0808 808 1677

NHS Talking Therapies

If bereavement is affecting your emotional wellbeing, anxiety or mental health, your GP or PA can support you to access NHS Talking Therapies and other local emotional wellbeing services.

Website: www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-NHS-talking-therapies-service

Keeping Memories and Connections Alive

We know that memories and special connections are important. We can help you to:

  • Access photographs, memory boxes and life story work.
  • Reconnect with people who knew the person you have lost.
  • Attend memorial events or important anniversaries.
  • Talk about your memories and experiences in a safe and supportive way.
  • Access services such as Lifelong Links where appropriate.

You do not have to face bereavement alone. We will help you access the emotional and practical support you need and make sure you have people around you who you through difficult times.

Care leavers local offer