Community Events
Upcoming Events
Support Resources for Families over the Holidays
ChatHealth - ChatHealth is a confidential text support service for parents, carers,
families and young people in Hampshire manned by Hampshire and Isle of Wight
NHS Foundation Trust Health Visitors and Public Health Nurses (school nurses).
There are three ChatHealth services for:
Parents and carers of children under 5 - Health Visitors have a wealth of
experience working with mums and dads-to-be, babies, toddlers and young
children. They are trained to support with a wide range of health and wellbeing
issues including crying babies, infant feeding, starting baby on solid foods,
sleep and behaviour problems. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost
to appropriate services. Text 07520 615720.
ChatHealth 5-19 - The Public Health Nursing Team supports parents with
questions relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues including
healthy lifestyles, toileting, behaviour, sleep, emotional wellbeing and health
conditions. As well as giving advice, the team can signpost to appropriate
services and other support. Text 07507 332417
Young People aged 11-19 - The Public Health Nursing Team supports young
people with questions relating to a wide range of health and wellbeing issues
including self-harm, relationships, bullying, weight, anxiety, drugs, smoking,
stress, body worries, alcohol and sexual health. As well as giving advice
team can signpost to appropriate services and other support. Text 07507
332160.
Opening times: 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday-Friday (ChatHealth 0-5 is 9:00am-4:00pm) exc. bank holidays. Any text sent outside opening hours will receive an automated message with advice of where to get help if their question is urgent.
Out-of-hours texts will be replied to within one working day. For urgent medical
enquires, please call 999 or 111.
Hampshire Healthier Together - clear information on common illnesses, including
advice on what serious 'red-flag' signs to look out for, where to seek help if
required, what you should do to keep comfortable and how long symptoms are
likely to last.
Kooth is a free online counselling and emotional wellbeing support service offered
to young people aged 11 - 25 years (up to their 26th birthday) with a safe and
secure means of accessing support with their emotional and mental health needs
from a professional team of qualified counsellors.
By accessing Kooth young people can benefit from a free, confidential,
anonymous and safe way to receive support online, online counselling from a
professional team of BACP qualified counsellors is available via 1-1 chat sessions or
messaging on a drop in basis or via booked sessions including out of hours’
availability - counsellors are available from 12pm to 10pm on weekdays and 6pm
to 10pm at weekends, every day of the year on a drop in basis.
No referral is required, young people can access the service directly and in
complete confidence at www.kooth.com.
Smokefree Hampshire - do you smoke and would like help to quit? Are you worried
about family members who smoke or vape? Smokefree Hampshire is a free and
confidential stop smoking service which offers 12 weeks of support with a specialist
stop smoking adviser as well as free nicotine replacement products. Smokefree
Hampshire is available to anyone over the age of 12 years and can give advice on
vaping.
Catch 22 - A specialist treatment service offering targeted, specialist and family
support for children and young people in Hampshire who are affected by
substance misuse. Referrals can be made on the Catch 22 website and young
people can call the 24 hour helpline 24/7 help line 0800 599 9591.
Mental Wellbeing Hampshire - is a partnership of organisations working to support
good mental health and wellbeing in our communities.
Hampshire Family Information and Services Hub (FISH) - Find information about
what is going on in your area, details on how to access services, organisations and
activities in Hampshire, and the advice and support that is available.
Hampshire Safeguarding Children's Partnership provides practical advice and help
on supporting your child and keeping your family safe.
The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) - 46% of drownings occur in the summer
months and this rises to 75% amongst 13 – 17-year olds. The RLSS UK offers lots
of advice and tips to stay safe in the water during the summer.
Togetherness - These free online courses offer advice and practical tips to boost
your confidence as a parent, help you navigate family life and strengthen your
relationships. Whether you are a mum, dad, foster parent or grandparent, there is a
course for you.
Developed by psychologists and professionals, they have been designed to help
you understand your child’s feelings, development and behaviour, as well as focus
on your own feelings as you grow as a family. Click on the link to find out more
information and how you can access these free courses.
Summer Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) bookings are now open!
Bookings are now open for summer 2026 Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) schemes.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme provides fully funded activity sessions and healthy meals throughout select school holidays to support Hampshire children and young people who receive benefit-related free schoolmeals (FSM), and other vulnerable children who the local authority believe could benefit from attending the HAF programme.
Children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals can book 16 days and enjoy a wide range of activites, make new friends, learn new skills and receive a healthy meal for free through the HAF programme.
HAF Booking Guide for Parents/Carers
Step 1 – Search for your local HAF schemes
Visit the Hampshire County Council HAF Booking Page
to browse andbook schemes in your area. Listings can be filtered by area, age, provider, and scheme type. Some HAF schemes don’t run every day, so make sure you check the days and times carefully before you book.
Step 2 – Get ready and be sure to attend.
Check the provider information for any items your child is requested to bring along. Please attend your booked session as an unattended session could have been used by another family who would have benefitted.
HAF FAQs are available on the connect4communities website:
Hampshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Frequently Asked Questions
The HAF team can be contacted with any further queries by emailing
connect4communities@hants.gov.uk, with the subject line FAO HAF.
SENDIASS
Hampshire SENDIASS provides free online workshops for parents and carers to help them understand SEND processes, including applying for an EHCP, reviewing draft plans, SEN Support, Alternative Provision, and SEND Tribunal appeals. These sessions offer practical guidance and opportunities to ask questions in a supportive environment. Parents can view all upcoming workshops and access the links via SENDIASS website: https://www.hampshiresendiass.co.uk/workshops/
EHCP – Considering an Education, Health & Care Plan
Who is it for?
Parents considering whether their child may need an EHCP, or those wanting to understand the application
process.
What it covers:
- What an EHCP is
- When and why a child may need one
- How to begin the application
Session frequency: Monthly.
Responding to a Draft EHCP
Who is it for?
Parents who have received a draft EHCP and need help understanding how to respond within the required
timeframe.
What it covers:
- How to review the draft plan
- How to request changes
- What to look for in each section
- How to prepare feedback
Session frequency: Fortnightly.
Ordinarily Available Provision & SEN Support
Who is it for?
Families of children without an EHCP, or those on SEN Support.
What it covers:
- Support every school should provide as standard
- What additional help is available for children on SEN Support
- How to work with the school to ensure needs are met
Session frequency: Monthly.
Alternative Provision (Section 19 – Education Act)
Who is it for?
Parents whose child cannot attend school due to exclusion, illness, or other circumstances.
What it covers:
- What counts as “suitable education”
- Your child’s rights under Section 19 Case law examples
- Practical tips for advocating for your child
Session frequency: Monthly.
Appeals to the SEND Tribunal
Who is it for?
Families lodging or considering a SEND Tribunal appeal.
What it covers:
- Steps in the appeal process
- Collecting and preparing evidence What to expect at the hearing
- Ways to resolve issues before the hearing
Session frequency: Monthly.
Free Courses for Adults
We’re pleased to share details of the latest Household Support Fund (HSF7) activities, delivered in partnership with Hampshire Achieves and Hampshire Libraries:
These free courses and events are designed to support adults (aged 19+) living in Hampshire with practical skills to help manage the cost of living.
Hampshire County Council Library Service
To book a course with Hampshire Library Service, please use the followig link:
https://shop.hants.gov.uk/collections/learning-in-libraries