Urgent Alert

From 1 April 2022 this website will not be updated.

  For the latest North West London health and care information, visit www.nwlondonics.nhs.uk.

Directory of Maternity and Children’s Services in North West London

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

North West London (NWL) Local Maternity System (LMS) Update: COVID-19 Vaccination during pregnancy

The North West London (NWL) Local Maternity System (LMS) recommends pregnant women to have the COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy as per Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance issued 16th April 2021.

You are able to have a COVID-19 vaccination in-line with government priority groups or if you have a health condition or reason that means you are eligible (Click here for a list of priority groups)

Read full update here

NHS Volunteer Responders

Government funded programme consisting of volunteers during running errands/delivering shopping, medicine etc for those having to self-isolate or pregnant during the covid-19 pandemic

More information can be found here

 

NHS: COVID-19: Psychological Impact, Wellbeing and Mental Health Online Course

Join this free 3 week course to explore the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on wellbeing and mental health at an individual, group and societal level.

More information can be found here

NHS: Families under Pressure 

During this stressful and cooped-up time, don’t let the pressure of parenting get you down. Try these simple tips and tricks, formulated by researchers and NHS mental health experts, which are backed by science and proven to work with families.

More information can be found here

Recovery College Online

Free online courses and guidance on managing your worries during the Covid pandemic.

More information can be found here

Children's Centres (Early help)

Local council:

Brent

Children’s Centres

Local council:

Harrow

Children's Centres

Local council:

Hillingdon

Children's Centres

Local council:

Westminster

Children's Centres

Local council:

Kensington & Chelsea

Children's Centres

Local council:

Hammersmith & Fulham

Children's Centres

Local council:

Hounslow

Children's Centres

Local council:

Ealing

Children's Centres

 

Maternity Champions

Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham residents

Based in Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster and H&F, currently running social activities for parents including stay & plays, post-natal fitness, buggy walks and more. The Maternity Champions is a free organisation who provides infant feeding support, peer support, and brings people together.


Sona – Maternity Champions Borough Manager for Kensington & Chelsea
07495 702 738
020 8960 3234
Sona@venturecentre.org.uk 
https://www.venturecentre.org.uk/maternity-champions 
 
Emma – Maternity Champions Borough Manager for Westminster 
07522 499066
020 8964 8024
emma@pdt.org.uk 
 
Christina – Maternity Champions Borough Manager for H&F
07738 628 276
020 8740 8008
Christina.ifil@peabody.org.uk 

Council services

Dental health

NHS:

Find a dentist (Advice)

You're entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you're pregnant when you start your treatment.

To get free NHS dental treatment, you must have:
-a MATB1 certificate issued by your midwife or GP
- a valid prescription maternity exemption certificate (MatEx)

More information can be found here


NHS:

Are pregnant women entitled to free NHS dental treatment? (Advice)

 

Yes, you're entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you're pregnant when you start your treatment.

More information can be found here

NHS:

Teeth and gums in pregnancy (Advice)

It's very important to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy while you're pregnant. The best way to prevent or deal with gum problems is to practice good oral hygiene.

More information can be found here

Dental Check By One

Taking your baby to the dentist when their teeth first come through or by the age of one at the latest gets them off to a healthy start and accustomed to dental practice visits from an early age. This website provides everything you need to know about Dental Check by One (DCby1) which is now established as national guidance in the UK.

More information can be found here

Diet and Nutrition

NHS Start4Life:

Healthy eating in pregnancy (Advice)

Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is especially important if you're pregnant, or planning a pregnancy. Your baby relies on you to provide the right balance of nutrients to help them grow and develop properly (even after they're born).

More information can be found here

NHS:

Foods to avoid in pregnancy (Advice)

There are some foods to avoid or take care with when you're pregnant as they might make you ill or harm your baby. 

Make sure you know the important facts about which foods you should avoid or take precautions with when you're pregnant.

More information can be found here

Healthy Start

If you are pregnant or have a child under four years old you could get Healthy Start vouchers to help buy some basic foods. This important means-tested scheme provides vouchers to spend with local retailers.

Pregnant women and children over one and under four years old can get one £3.10 voucher per week. Children under one year old can get two £3.10 vouchers (£6.20) per week.

More information can be found here

Know Diabetes: Managing Gestational Diabetes Advice

Gestational diabetes is often managed by changing your diet and lifestyle during pregnancy plus support from a special diabetes team. Find out more on the Know Diabetes website.

More information can be found here

NHS: One You – Eat Better

What you eat, and how much, is so important for your health and your waistline. Try these easy ways to eat better every day. 

More information can be found here

Domestic violence and abuse

Charity: 

National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge)

You can speak to a member of the National Domestic Abuse Helpline team at any time, day or night. The Helpline adviser will offer confidential, non-judgmental information and expert support. The team will provide a listening ear if you want to talk about your experiences and support you to work through your options in the short and long term. Their aim is to work with you to keep you safe and give you information so you can make informed choices. National Domestic Abuse Helpline team will never tell you what to do. 

The Helpline can also help you to access refuge accommodation, or other specialist domestic violence services, if you need them. The Helpline can also direct you to other specialist services, depending on your individual needs.

More information can be found here

Charity: 

Woman's Trust

Woman’s Trust is a specialist mental health charity, providing free counselling and therapy for women who have experienced domestic abuse.

More information can be found here

Chairty:

Childline

Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom provided by the NSPCC.

Childline provides advice on a range of topics including: bullying, abuse, safety, the law, you and your body, home and families, your feelings and mental health, school/college/work, friends, relationships and sex.

Support services include: helpline, online chat, email, and message boards. 

More information can be found here

Charity:

Refuge

Refuge supports women and children who experience all forms of violence and abuse, including domestic violence, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, so-called ‘honour’-based violence, and human trafficking and modern slavery.



Services include:

Refuges, support in the community, independent advocacy, culturally specific services, gender-based violence services, 'one stop shop' services, child support workers, National Domestic Abuse Helpline, sexual violence advisory service, human trafficking and modern slavery.

More information can be found here

Drug and alcohol abuse

Charity:

Turning point

Turning Point are a leading social enterprise, providing health and social care services in over 300 locations across England.

Turning Point work with people who need support with their drug and alcohol use, mental health, offending behaviour, unemployment issues and people with a learning disability. Turning Point aim to inspire and empower them to discover new possibilities in their lives.

More information can be found here

Build on Belief – K&C, H&F, Harrow, Ealing and Hillingdon only

Build on Belief specialises in designing, implementing and running weekend services for people who are struggling with, or are in recovery from their substance use; namely drugs and alcohol. They offer a range of workshops and activities across selected boroughs to support people in early recovery from addiction.

More information can be found here

Families Anonymous

Families Anonymous is a world-wide fellowship of family members and friends affected by another’s abuse of mind-altering substances, or related behavioural problems. FA has groups, spread throughout the country, which meet regularly. 

More information can be found here

Change Grow Live

Change Grow Live provide advice, peer support and local services relating to Drugs and Alcohol.

More information can be found here

Talk to Frank

Find out everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law. Talk to Frank for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol today.

More information can be found here

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. AA membership is free. 

More information can be found here

Westminster Drug Project

WDP is a vibrant and innovative drug and alcohol charity committed to helping those who are affected by substance misuse. For over 25 years we have provided support to individuals, their families and the wider communities from centres across London, the North West, South East and East of England.

Service include abstinence-based therapy, aftercare and reintegration, alcohol services, children and families interventions, clinical services, criminal justice services, detox and rehab, support with housing, prison-based services and psychosocial services and are referral only. 

More information can be found here

NHS: One You – Drink Less 

Cut back on alcohol and feel a bit better every day – it's easier to start than you think.

More information can be found here

Education, employment and training

Charity:

Paddington Development Trust

Paddington Development Trust work alongside thousands of local people opening up opportunities in employment, skills and qualifications, business start-up, volunteering, and influencing the shape of local education, housing and community infrastructure

More information can be found here

Charity: 

Community Champions

The Community Champions programme builds on the skills and knowledge of local communities. We bring local people and services together to improve health and wellbeing and to reduce inequalities. The Community Champions work across Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. 

More information can be found here

Charity:

Maternity Champions

Maternity Champions are a fabulous team of highly skilled, local volunteers who have a passion for supporting parents on their parenting journey.

They help new and expectant parents from pregnancy through to baby’s first birthday in a range of ways including preparing for birth, bonding with baby, breastfeeding and first aid. The Maternity Champions work across Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. 

More information can be found here

Charity: Maternity Action 

Maternity Action deliver free, specialist advice on employment rights, maternity pay, maternity benefits and the rights of migrant and asylum seeking women through telephone helplines.

More information can be found here

Charity: Law for Life Law for Life: the Foundation for Public Legal Education is an education and information charity that aims to increase access to justice by providing everyone with an awareness of their legal rights together with the confidence and skills to assert them. Law for Life can provide advice family and housing issues, employment and benefits.

Bump, Baby & Me

by RBKC Maternity Champions

Calling all mums-to-be! Join RBKC's weekly virtual coffee morning ‘Bump, Baby & Me’ every Tuesday at 11am on Zoom! Hosted by an expert midwife, each week expectant parents will be able to ask any questions they may have, make friends and obtain support and information from local Maternity Champion volunteers.

The sessions are free of charge and available to all expectant parents in the borough of Kensington & Chelsea. The Zoom link will be circulated in advance of each week's session.

Sign up on eventbrite here

Contact: Marsha Sorrell-Smith

07407 194694

marsha.sorrell-smith@smartlondon.org.uk

 

Emotional wellbeing and mental health

Charity:

Samaritans

Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, often through their telephone helpline. Support services include a free 24-hour helpline, email, or visit a branch. Search for your nearest branch here.

For parents and carers: Find out more about what we do and how you can also help your child. 

More information can be found here

Charity: 

Support 4 Grenfell Community Hub (Child Bereavement UK)

The Support for Grenfell Community Hub is a partnership of charities offering a range of support, counselling and advice for children, young people, parents and families affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Maternal Journal

Maternal Journal groups are designed for those with mild to moderate mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression and anyone dealing with some of the complex issues of pregnancy, birth and mothering.

More information can be found here

NHS:

Mental health problems and pregnancy (Advice)

Your pregnancy and baby guide for mental health problems and pregnancy.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Bullying UK (Family Lives)

The Bullying UK website (https://www.bullying.co.uk/) provides information about bullying: 

- What is bullying?

- Verbal bullying

- Bullying at University

- Overcoming bullying 

- How to help someone being bullied

- What to do about bullying out of school hours

- Advice about bullying in sports clubs

- What is homophobic bullying?

- Bullying myths and facts

- What is sexual bullying?

More information can be found here

Charity: 

Mind

Mind offers information and advice to people with mental health problems. The website provides information and support about mental health conditions and treatments. Mind provide a range of support services and advice for the following: abuse support, addiction and dependency support, advocacy, benefits FAQ, bereavement, mental health crisis services, information about holidays and respite care, housing advice, insurance cover advice, learning disability support, LGBTIQ+ mental health, financial advice and mental health, peer support, help for mental health problems, talking therapy and counselling. 

Postnatal depression and perinatal mental health: Information and advice about postnatal depression and other perinatal mental health issues, including possible causes, sources of treatment and support, and advice for friends and family:

More information can be found here 

Charity:

Rainbow Trust

Rainbow Trust supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life threatening or terminal illness and need the bespoke support we offer.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Maternity Action

Maternity Action is the UK’s leading charity committed to ending inequality and improving the health and wellbeing of pregnant women, partners and young children.

Maternity Action provide information on Work and Benefits, NHS maternity care and advice for Migrant Women. 

More information can be found here

Charity: 

Woman's Trust

Woman’s Trust is a specialist mental health charity, providing free counselling and therapy for women who have experienced domestic abuse.

More information can be found here

Chairty:

Childline

Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom provided by the NSPCC.

Childline provides advice on a range of topics including: bullying, abuse, safety, the law, you and your body, home and families, your feelings and mental health, school/college/work, friends, relationships and sex.

Support services include: helpline, online chat, email, and message boards. 

More information can be found here

NHS: COVID-19: Psychological Impact, Wellbeing and Mental Health Online Course

Join this free 3 week course to explore the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on wellbeing and mental health at an individual, group and societal level.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Good Thinking

Good Thinking provides free mental health support for anyone living or working in London. So far over 220,000 Londoners have used Good Thinking to tackle sleep, anxiety, stress and depression. Over 120 online resources are signposted to through Good Thinking, including wellbeing information sources; guides to improving mental health; courses on and offline; mobile apps and other therapy approaches.

Family

Local authority/Council:

Early Help

Support for the whole family when you are facing challenges or if you are worried about one of your children.  Early Help offer support to families when issues are just starting, their aim is to work with you to help identify your families unique strengths and to build these with you whilst also working to improve other areas of your family life.

Early Help will provide a family practitioner to meet with you and your family on a regular basis. Parenting programmes are available to increase confidence in parenting, covering subjects such as first aid, childcare, confidence building and ICT.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Family Lives

Family Lives is a charity helping parents to deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life. Their role is to support all of you to achieve the best relationship possible with the children that you care about, as well as supporting parenting professionals.

People contact Family Lives about all aspects of family life including child development, issues with schools and parenting/relationship support.

They also respond when life becomes complicated and provide support around family breakdown, aggression in the home, bullying, risky teenage behaviour and mental health concerns of both parents and their children.

Family Lives can help you find solutions and recommend further support within our own wider services and/or from many partner organisations.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Home-Start

Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. Home-Start offer a variety of services including help accessing local services, free voluntary conditential support, group support, home visiting, managing your money, sharing experiences and specialist group support. 
1. Home-Start Barnet, Brent, Enfield and Harrow

2. Home-Start Westminster

3. Home-Start Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow

4. Home-Start Ealing

5. Home-Start Hillingdon

More information can be found here

Maternity Champions

Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham residents

Based in RBKC currently running virtual sessions and ‘buggy walks’. The Maternity Champions is a free organisation who provides infant feeding support, peer support, run antenatal classes and bring people together. 


Their contact details are:

Sona Djerrahian
Maternity Champions Borough Manager
Kensington & Chelsea
Sona@venturecentre.org.uk
Venture: 020 8960 3234

Emma – Maternity Champions Borough Manager for Westminster

07522 499066

020 8964 8024

emma@pdt.org.uk

 

Christina – Maternity Champions Borough Manager for H&F

07738 628 276

020 8740 8008

Christina.ifil@peabody.org.uk

Housing and finance

Charity:

Christians against poverty

 

Christians Against Poverty provide services such as debt help, job clubs, drug and alcohol support, and life skills.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Citizens' Advice

Citizens' Advice is a network of independent charities throughout the United Kingdom that give free, confidential information and advice to assist people with money, legal, consumer and other problems.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Family Action

Family Action transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across the country.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Shelter

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through their advice, support and legal services. 

If you're pregnant and homeless, you qualify for emergency housing providing you also meet immigration and residence conditions. You may need proof of your pregnancy from a doctor or other health professional.

Read more about it here

Charity:

The Marylebone Project

The Marylebone Project is a Registered Social Landlord set up through a partnership between Church Army and the Portman House Trust.

The Marylebone Project provide 112 long and short term beds to homeless women and offer essential facilities and support to women who visit the rough sleeper’s drop-in at the Marylebone Centre. The Marylebone Centre also delivers education, employment and training opportunities and meaningful activities in order to support service users into independent living

More information can be found here

Charity:

Child Poverty Action Group

Child Poverty Action Group works on behalf of the more than one in four children in the UK growing up in poverty. 

More information can be found here

Charity:

Little Village

Little Village is like a foodbank, but for clothes, toys and equipment for babies and children up to the age of five. 

More information can be found here

Claim Child Benefit: How to Claim (GOV UK Advice)

Advice on how to claim child benefit 
Charity: Maternity Action 

Maternity Action deliver free, specialist advice on employment rights, maternity pay, maternity benefits and the rights of migrant and asylum seeking women through telephone helplines.

More information can be found here

Charity: Law for Life Law for Life: the Foundation for Public Legal Education is an education and information charity that aims to increase access to justice by providing everyone with an awareness of their legal rights together with the confidence and skills to assert them. Law for Life can provide advice family and housing issues, employment and benefits.

Charity: Mums Babies & Bumps

 

Based in Hounslow

Mums Babies & Bumps offer free baby and maternity clothes, toys, toiletries and other baby products for families that need support. Groups and classes such as baby massage and baby yoga are available to provide peer support.

More information can be found here

Infant feeding

Charity:

Breastfeeding Network

The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) aims to be an independent source of support and information for breastfeeding women and others.

More information can be found here

Charity:

La Leche

We provide mother to mother, parent to parent breastfeeding support at meet-ups across Great Britain.

Our trained breastfeeding counsellors (known as LLL Leaders), who have all breastfed their own babies, work as volunteers to provide a network of support options including local calls, a national Helpline, emails and social media.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Family Nurse partnership

Family Nurse Partnership is a home visiting programme for first-time young mums and families.

Throughout your journey, you and your family nurse will work on lots of different aspects of your pregnancy together, including: parent-child attachment, breastfeeding, immunising your baby, child development and school readiness.

More information can be found here

UNICEF Responsive Feeding Info-sheet

This info sheet helps health professionals to support parents to feed their babies responsively and so develop close and loving relationships with them.

More information can be found here

UNICEF Guide to bottle feeding

Guide on how to prepare infant formula and sterilise feeding equipment to minimise the risks to your baby.

More information can be found here

North West London Infant Feeding Teams:

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Email: thh.infantfeeding@nhs.net

Tel: 01895 279723

(Mon-Sun)

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Email: imperial.infantfeedingteam@nhs.net

Postnatal Community Office

Tel: 020 331 33506

(Mon-Fri 9am-12pm and 1pm-3pm)

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Email: LNWH-tr.infantfeedingteam@nhs.net

Tel: 020 8869 5255

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Email: InfantFeedingTeam@chelwest.nhs.uk

Tel: 020 3315 3017

(Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)

Maternity Champions

Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham residents    

Based in RBKC currently running virtual sessions and ‘buggy walks’. The Maternity Champions is a free organisation who provides infant feeding support, peer support, run antenatal classes and bring people together. 


Their contact details are:

Sona Djerrahian
Maternity Champions Borough Manager
Kensington & Chelsea
Sona@venturecentre.org.uk
Venture: 020 8960 3234

Emma – Maternity Champions Borough Manager for Westminster

07522 499066

020 8964 8024

emma@pdt.org.uk

 

Christina – Maternity Champions Borough Manager for H&F

07738 628 276

020 8740 8008

Christina.ifil@peabody.org.uk

Peer support

Forum:

Mumsnet

Mumsnet is a website for parents in the UK. It hosts discussion forums where users share advice and information on parenting and many other topics.

Their aim is to make parents' lives easier by pooling knowledge, advice and support. There are forums for a range of topics including: conception, pregnancy, parenting, life and style. 

More information can be found here

Charity: 

National Childbirth Trust

We are the UK’s leading charity for parents, for your First 1,000 Days - right through your pregnancy, birth and beyond.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Maternal Journal

Maternal Journal groups are designed for those with mild to moderate mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression and anyone dealing with some of the complex issues of pregnancy, birth and mothering.

More information can be found here

App: 

Peanut

 

Free on App Store or Google Play

Peanut provides a safe space for mothers, expectant mothers and those trying to conceive to build friendships, ask questions and find support.

More information can be found here

Charity: Mums Babies & Bumps

 

Based in Hounslow

Mums Babies & Bumps offer free baby and maternity clothes, toys, toiletries and other baby products for families that need support. Groups and classes such as baby massage and baby yoga are available to provide peer support.

More information can be found here

NHS/Charity: Beyond Birth Living Library

Beyond Birth Living Library is a peer support programme for new mothers or parents who are finding life after birth unexpectedly challenging.

Parents with similar experiences will support new parents by providing understanding and validation.

The service is for parents of babies older than 4 weeks, and is available by video or phone for 4 x weekly sessions of up to 40 minutes.  

Email: contact@beyondbirthlivinglibrary.org

Maternity Champions

 

Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham residents

Based in RBKC currently running virtual sessions and ‘buggy walks’. The Maternity Champions is a free organisation who provides infant feeding support, peer support, run antenatal classes and bring people together. 

Sona Djerrahian
Maternity Champions Borough Manager
Kensington & Chelsea
Sona@venturecentre.org.uk
Venture: 020 8960 3234

Emma – Maternity Champions Borough Manager for Westminster

07522 499066

020 8964 8024

emma@pdt.org.uk

 

Christina – Maternity Champions Borough Manager for H&F

07738 628 276

020 8740 8008

Christina.ifil@peabody.org.uk

 

 

Physical health

NHS Advice Article:

Your pregnancy and baby guide

Am I pregnant? What should I be eating? Is it normal to be this tired? How can I help my partner during labour?

Whatever you want to know about getting pregnant, being pregnant or caring for your new baby, you should find it here.

More information can be found here

Charity: 

Great Chapel Street Medical Centre

Our NHS service is for people who are homeless in Westminster.

Great Chapel Street Medical Centre provide the following services: surgery clinics, self-referrals, anti-coagulation, cancer screening, managing chronic diseases, men's health, NHS health checks, family planning, sickness certificates, supporting a healthy lifestyle, vaccinations, women's health.

More information can be found here

Know Diabetes: Gestational Diabetes

If you don’t produce enough insulin to control your blood sugar levels during pregnancy, you may develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Find out more about gestational diabetes and how to manage your condition on the Know Diabetes website.

More information can be found here 

App: 

The Lullaby Trust Baby Check

 

Free on App Store or Google Play

Baby Check features 19 simple checks that parents can do if their baby is showing signs of illness. Each check tests for a different symptom and when completed, a score is calculated that tells parents or carers how ill their baby is. The app then lets parents know whether their baby needs to see a doctor or health professional.

More information can be found here

App: 

Squeezy

 

£2.99 on App Store or Google Play

 

Squeezy is an app supporting people with their pelvic floor muscle exercise programmes. Designed by chartered physiotherapists specialising in women’s and men’s pelvic health.

More information can be found here

Pregnancy loss, stillbirth and neonatal death

Charity:

Lullaby Trust

The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families

More information can be found here

Charity:

Miscarriage Association

 

The Miscarriage Association is here to provide support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.

Miscarriage Association provide the following services: Pregnancy loss helpline, live chat service, telephone support volunteers; email support service, online support options (online forum, live chat service, Facebook groups, other social media profiles), support groups and leaflets.

Read about all support options here

Charity:

Sands

Sands is the stillbirth and neonatal death charity. Founded in 1978, Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it wherever they are in the UK. 

Sands provides bereavement support services at both a local and national level. These include the Sands Freephone helpline, mobile app, online community, family support packs, memory boxes and over 100 regional support groups run by trained befrienders.

More information can be found here

Charity: 

Tommy's

Tommy's are the largest charity funding research into the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. We also provide information for parents-to-be to help them have a healthy pregnancy and baby. Tommy's provide support for parents who have suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth, or have given birth prematurely.

More information can be found here

Charity: 

Child Bereavement UK

Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals both when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, and when a child is facing bereavement.

Support services include: online chat, support sessions, telephone support sessions, family support groups, groups for young people, groups for parents, support in schools.

More information can be found here

Charity:

Beyond Bea

Beyond Bea is a charity focusing on raising awareness about baby loss and bereavement and educating health care professionals in order to improve bereavement care.

More information can be found here

Safeguarding

If you have an immediate concern for the wellbeing of a person, call the police on 999. 
 
Any safeguarding issues must also be reported the hospital safeguarding team.
 

Local council:

Brent

Brent Family Front Door

Email (secure): Family.FrontDoor@brent.gov.uk

Tel: 020 8937 4300 (Option 1)

Local council:

Harrow

Harrow Local Safeguarding Children Board

Email (secure): duty&assess@harrow.gov.uk.cjsm.net

Tel: 020 8901 2690

Local council:

Hillingdon

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

Email: lbhmash@hillingdon.gov.uk

Tel: 01895 556 633

Local council:

Westminster

Westminster Access to Children’s Services

Email: accesstochildrensservices@westminster.gov.uk

Tel:  020 7641 4000 

Local council:

Kensington & Chelsea

RBKC Social Services Department

Email (secure): socialservices@rbkc.gov.uk.cjsm.net

Tel: 020 7361 3013

Local council:

Hammersmith & Fulham

LBHF Child Protection

Email (secure): familyservices@lbhf.gov.uk.cjsm.net 

Tel: 020 8753 6600

Local council:

Hounslow

Hounslow Child Protection

Email: Childrensocialcare@hounslow.gov.uk

Tel: 020 8583 6600 (Option 2 then 3).

Local council:

Ealing

Ealing Children’s Integrated Response Service

Email: ecirs@ealing.gov.uk (to send securely please send via EGRESS. If you are not registered with EGRESS please email via the address above.)

Tel: 020 8825 8000

Sexual health

Charity:

i-Base (Advice article)

HIV i-Base is a treatment activist group. i-Base are committed to providing timely and up to date information about HIV treatment to HIV positive people and to health care professionals

More information can be found here

 

NHS:

Can HIV be passed to an unborn baby in pregnancy or through breastfeeding? (Advice article)

Information about HIV and pregnancy.

More information can be found here

Charity: 

SASH

SASH provides free, non-judgemental support to improve your sexual health, your relationships, and your mental health.

More information can be found here

NHS:

Find a sexual health/GUM clinic (Advice)

Getting tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is straightforward and confidential. Most infections can be cured. You can make an appointment to go to an STI clinic, or sometimes there's a drop-in clinic, which means you can just turn up without the need for an appointment.

More information can be found here

NHS: 

NHS Advice Article: National Female Genital Mutilation Clinics

National FGM Support Clinics (NFGMSC) are community-based clinics that offer a range of support services for women with female genital mutilation (FGM).

This service is available to women aged 18 or older who are not pregnant when they seek support.

If you're pregnant, support for FGM is available through the maternity department at your local hospital. 

More information can be found here

Social activities

Charity:

Rugby Portobello Trust

Rugby Portobello Trust is a children's, youth and family support charity that has been operating in North Kensington for over 130 years.

Rugby Portobello Trust provide a range of sporting, cultural and educational activities which are delivered in the daytime, evenings and during holidays, both on and off site.

More information can be found here

Charity: 

Latimer Community Art Therapy (LCAT)

Latimer Community Art Therapy (LCAT) provides a clinical Art Psychotherapy service for children, adolescents and adults in the community and schools in RBKC and other neighbouring boroughs following the tragedy at Grenfell. This also includes clinical supervision to art therapists, community art groups or other organisations. 

LCAT's Painting Together Group is a therapeutic art group for parents, carers, babies and toddlers from 0-3.5 years old. The group provides a place to gain support, strengthen attachments and develop playfulness and reciprocity. Art making in the group provides a safe way for participants to explore and express thoughts and feelings, and to find enjoyment and mutual satisfaction in their interactions and communications. 

More information can be found here

Charity: 

Log Cabin Charity

The Log Cabin Charity in Northfield Avenue, Ealing provides a setting where children and young people with additional needs or disabilities can socialise, grow and have fun alongside their mainstream peers. Children and young people with additional needs and disabilities often remain isolated from others and excluded from mainstream facilities.

The Log Cabin Charity is inclusive, welcoming mainstream siblings and local children and integrating everyone so that they socialise together, make new friends and form friendship groups, regardless of ability and of whether they have emotional, physical, behavioural or learning disabilities.

More information can be found here

App:

MUSH

 

Free on App Store or Google Play. Offers in-app purchases.

Mush is the friendliest app for mums. Mums who use Mush can find friends who live nearby with kids the same age, arrange meetups, get advice from parenting experts and fellow mums on the topics keeping them awake at night, and join chat groups based on their interests.

More information can be found here

App:

HOOP

 

Free on App Store or Google Play

Hoop makes it easy to find and book kids activities from newborn to 11 years old.

 

 

More information can be found here

Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND)

Charity:

Mencap

We’re here to improve the lives of people with a learning disability and their families now, and fight alongside them for a better future. We team up with our network of over 400 local groups to reach people across England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The services we provide range from round-the-clock care to helping someone join in with local leisure activities, providing advice and information on things like employment and education, helping someone to live independently for the first time, and even things like reporting a crime to the police.

More information can be found here

Charity:

SEND Family Support 

Support group for families in Hillingdon and beyond with children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND). The charity run local events for families. 

More information can be found here

Local Authority:

SEND Local Offer

Vaccinations

NHS Advice Article:

NHS Vaccinations and when to have them

It's important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if you or your child missed a vaccine, contact your GP to catch up.

Visit the advice article to find out when your child should be having vaccinations:

More information can be found here

BCG (TB) Vaccine FAQs (NHS Advice)

Answers to FAQS

TB, BCG and your baby (GOV UK Advice)

More information can be found here

Useful Apps

NHS Apps Library

Find apps and online tools to help you manage your health and wellbeing. Apps in the NHS Apps Library are reviewed, critiqued and approved to ensure they meet national standards, regulations and industry best practice. 

Mum and Baby app

Free on the Apple app store and Google Play. Published on NHS Apps Library. 
 

North West London’s very own maternity app, developed by local mums, midwives and doctors  to provide women with a single source of trusted NHS information for all their maternity needs. This app will support you with making choices on where in North West London you would like to give birth and how you would like your birth to go, access to essential information every step of the way from being pregnant, to giving birth and looking after a new baby, and personalised plans for your care during pregnancy, birth and beyond.
 

The Lullaby Trust Baby Check

Free on App Store or Google Play

Baby Check features 19 simple checks that parents can do if their baby is showing signs of illness. Each check tests for a different symptom and when completed, a score is calculated that tells parents or carers how ill their baby is. The app then lets parents know whether their baby needs to see a doctor or health professional.

MUSH

Free on App Store or Google Play. Offers in-app purchases.

Mush is the friendliest app for mums. Mums who use Mush can find friends who live nearby with kids the same age, arrange meetups, get advice from parenting experts and fellow mums on the topics keeping them awake at night, and join chat groups based on their interests.

Peanut

Published on NHS Apps Library

Free on App Store or Google Play

Peanut provides a safe space for mothers, expectant mothers and those trying to conceive to build friendships, ask questions and find support.

Squeezy

Published on NHS Apps Library

£2.99 on App Store or Google Play

Squeezy is an app supporting people with their pelvic floor muscle exercise programmes. Designed by chartered physiotherapists specialising in women’s and men’s pelvic health.