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Supporting
Family Wellbeing at
Kingfisher
Contents
The importance of family wellbeing at Kingfisher ............................... 1
What do we mean by wellbeing and why is it important? .................. 1
Looking after your own wellbeing ....................................................... 1
Taking time for yourself ...................................................................... 3
The Five Ways to Wellbeing ................................................................ 4
Taking Control ..................................................................................... 5
My Wellbeing Checklist ....................................................................... 6
Where can I find advice, information, guidance and support? ........... 7
GP Practices in Oldham who provide Mental Health Services: ........... 9
Who to contact if you need urgent support in a crisis ...................... 10
Supporting Family Wellbeing at Kingfisher Special School
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This guide has been created for you by the Wellbeing Team at Kingfisher School – this is not a fully comprehensive guide to the support that you and your family can access there are many more support group, apps, on line forums and helplines that you can access – if you require any further information or would like to talk to someone please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Pastoral Team at Kingfisher: • Lynne Rogers • Sally Thornley • Vicky Montgomery • Cath Croke • Shamin Akhtar • Charlene Biggs • Abdul Shahid
The importance of family wellbeing at Kingfisher
Kingfisher Learning Trust recognises the importance of supporting the mental wellbeing and emotional health of all children and their families. The demands placed on parents may contribute to higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety which can adversely affect family life as well as personal relationships. Given the emotional stresses and strains of family life, the Pastoral Team at Kingfisher Special School aims to provide a holistic approach to supporting and developing family wellbeing. This will focus on the parent’s ability to support and develop their own mental wellbeing and emotional health as well as providing all families with opportunities to access a wide range of support systems both internal and external to the school.
What do we mean by wellbeing and why is it important?
The term “wellbeing” can be used to describe our holistic health, including our physical, mental and emotional health. When we have good levels of wellbeing we feel that life is balanced and that we can generally cope better. We feel motivated and engaged and are able to bounce back from daily challenges. Taking good care of ourselves both emotionally and physically helps us to perform to the best of our ability and ensure that we are better able to support others that we care for such as children or the wider family. Looking after our own wellbeing increases the wellbeing of those we care for. Sometimes, the number of challenges parents face can make looking after their own needs feel impossible which can then pose risks to both their physical and mental health.
Looking after your own wellbeing
Poor mental wellbeing and emotional health may impact on a parent’s ability to cope during key moments of stress. Parents who have good mental wellbeing and emotional health are more likely to have the necessary resources to be able to manage and plan during or after stressful episodes whether these relate to their child, the wider family or other areas of their life such as work.
Supporting Family Wellbeing at Kingfisher Special School
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There are many ways that we can all look after our own wellbeing but not all of these will work for everyone. The simplest things, like eating healthily, getting enough rest, and exercising regularly can be difficult when caring for any child. However, it is important to do these things to look after yourself. Small changes that could benefit a family’s wellbeing are:
• Putting on some enjoyable music to sing or dance to • Thinking about short journeys that you can be walk, instead of driving • Thinking back to the things that were enjoyed prior to having children such as
playing sports, going out with friends, reading and then trying to think of a way to fit some of them back into daily life
• Trying something new which could also be a good way to meet new friends as well • Finding someone who could support them to have short and regular breaks to do
something they enjoy such as having a quiet cup of tea or going for a walk.
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Taking time for yourself
Trying to make time for yourself might feel impossible, but looking after yourself is not time out from caring for your child. It is an investment that supports you, your child and your family relationships.
• Sleep can be one of the most difficult things to do if your child experiences sleep difficulties. Addressing your child’s sleep issues will help you get a better night’s sleep. You might need some help from others to do this. Cerebra have a team of sleep practitioners who can offer help and advice about children’s sleep problems.
• It might help to talk to other parents who are going through a similar experience to you. You could join - Autistic Society Greater Manchester, Carers for Positive Change, Carers Support Group, Contact a Family, Crossroads Care in Greater Manchester, Down’s Syndrome Family Support Group (DSWestPenine), Mental health carers’ support group (Oldham Rethink), POINT Oldham Parent Carer Forum, Oldham Support Group for Carers of Children and Adults with Autism (OSCA).
• Using mindfulness and meditation, can help to improve parental wellbeing. Mindfulness might also help us to make practical changes after practising it for some time as we are less likely to be reactive in stressful situations. There are courses available locally on mindfulness and these might help to get you started or some parents may prefer to use mindfulness or meditation apps on their phones at home.
• Trying to take regular breaks from your caring responsibilities to look after your own health and wellbeing is very important. You could ask family and friends to help out, or speak to the Pastoral Team in school for support from the Short Breaks Team. Help is out there, and taking some time to find it can give you the time in future that you need to look after yourself. Having time for ourselves is one of the best resources when trying to look after yourself, even really short breaks can help you to do this.
Supporting Family Wellbeing at Kingfisher Special School
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The Five Ways to Wellbeing
The Five Ways to Wellbeing can improve everyone’s wellbeing and quality of life. Each action can be undertaken individually or collectively as part of everyday activity.
Connect – connecting with others
Building and maintaining constructive relationships with people is an important part of wellbeing. Spending time around positive and supportive people means you are more likely to have a better self-image, be more confident and feel able to face difficult times. If you are caring and supportive to other people, you are more likely to get a positive response in return.
Give – giving – looking outward as well as inward
Giving to others is a great way to look after your wellbeing. Individuals who have a greater interest in helping others are more likely to feel happy in themselves. Allow yourself time to recognise how you can give something back to others.
Be active – doing something active
Regular exercise can lift your mood and increase your energy levels. It doesn’t have to be strenuous or sporty to be effective. Pick something you enjoy so you’re more likely to stick with it.
Take Notice – taking notice of the world around you
Take time during your day to enjoy the moment. Whether it’s pausing for a tea break or talking to a friend, be aware of the world around you and reflect on what you’re feeling. It will help you appreciate what’s going on around you.
Keep Learning – learning new things
Setting challenges and learning new things can help improve your confidence and inject some fun into your day. Why not rediscover an old hobby, sign up to a course or take up an instrument? Learn a new skill to mix things up and engage with something exciting.
Supporting Family Wellbeing at Kingfisher Special School
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Taking Control
Taking the following steps are also important in the promotion and maintenance of mental wellbeing.
Knowing personal limits and developing the ability to say ‘no’ when necessary helps you to have a better balance in life and will enable you to take better care of both yourself and others.
Identifying the supportive people that you have in your life. If you want to increase your support networks then you might consider taking up new hobbies and activities. You can also speak to a professional or the school’s Pastoral Team for more support.
Talking. There are times when challenging situations affect us emotionally. If you have a difficult day try to speak to someone that you trust. This can help you to process how you are feeling and seek support.
Be flexible around change. Even with the best plans, sometimes unexpected events or situations occur. Our ability to accept change and plan and adapt can help us to manage any potential feelings of stress and anxiety and therefore cope better overall.
Self-compassion. Take some time to stop and reflect on the thoughts in your head, are they more positive or more critical? Once you have identified any negative thought you can begin to introduce more positive thoughts and ‘turn the volume down’ on more critical thoughts
Supporting Family Wellbeing at Kingfisher Special School
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My Wellbeing Checklist
Please read the following statements and tick the appropriate responses
Yes No
I have someone I can talk to about my feelings
I have good friends that I can trust I sleep well most of the time I eat healthily most of the time I do some physical activity regularly I make time for the things that I enjoy I do things to help other people I feel I achieve things I know how to relax I am kind to myself about who I am I look after myself during difficult times I can recognise my personal strengths I am able to say no I can ask for help
Take some time to reflect on your responses – is there one thing that you have said ‘No’ to that you could focus on developing over the coming year, that could potentially help you to improve your wellbeing? Remember this is personal to you but share it with someone else if you feel this will help. There are no right or wrong answers - this is just to get you thinking about your own wellbeing.
The statement I have chosen to focus on is:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
What does this look like for me now?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Three things I could do to improve my well-being in this area are:
1. _________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
Supporting Family Wellbeing at Kingfisher Special School
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Where can I find advice, information, guidance and support?
Cerebra has put together a guide for parents on their emotional well-being. The guide provides further information and advice on how you could support your well-being. The guide can be found here: www.cerebra.org.uk/help-and-information/guides-for-parents/factsheet-emotional-well
Autistic Society Greater Manchester Support for parents and carers of people with autistic spectrum conditions, including Asperger Syndrome/Higher Functioning Autism. http://asgma.org.uk/
Carers for Positive Change is a support group for carers of people with a learning disability [email protected]
Carers Support Group is a support group for carers who may be experiencing stress, depression and/or anxiety. Learn how to deal with negative thinking patterns, stay positive and take time out to think things through with like-minded people who are in a similar situation. The Link Centre, 140 Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1DZ
Contact a Family provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability. http://www.cafamily.org.uk
Crossroads Care in Greater Manchester is a registered charity which provides practical and emotional support to people who are responsible for the care of children, young adults, adults or older people at home, who have a physical/sensory disability, learning difficulty, who are chronically ill or have life limiting illnesses. http://www.gmcrossroads.co.uk
Down's Syndrome Family Support Group (DSWestPenine) offers families with a child with Down's Syndrome the opportunity to meet, to offer each other mutual help and support and to share with one another useful information, advice and lots of fun-filled activities for all the family. [email protected]
Mental health carers' support group (Oldham Rethink) is friendly, informal support group for people caring for someone affected by mental illness. Meet people in a similar situation to you. Learn about mental illness. Hear speakers on a range of mental health issues. Get advice and support. [email protected]
POINT Oldham Parent Carer Forum is a forum for parents and carers of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. Their driving mission is to ensure that parents and carers have access to meaningful information, advice, and peer support, whilst enabling their voices to be heard to drive change and shape better services. https://www.point-send.co.uk/oldhampcf
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Oldham Support Group for Carers of Children and Adults with Autism (OSCA) is a local support group for the families of people with autism, dyspraxia and other related conditions in Oldham. [email protected]
Oldham Local Offer is an online resource that details services, support and guidance available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0-25 and their families within the Oldham area. https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200368/children_and_young_people_with_special_educational_needs_and_disabilities
Audra's Hearts and Crafts is a wellbeing project which aims to tackle isolation and loneliness through a stimulating craft session. [email protected]
Oldham Active offers access to leisure facilities. https://oclactive.co.uk/
One World Community Hub is a social group offering activities and a lunch club http://www.oneworldcommunityhubofficial
Oldham Ramblers is a local walking group. You can get involved in everything from campaigning, to path maintenance, to great walks. https://www.ramblers.org.uk/
Oldham gateway - there are countless walks around Oldham and the surrounding countryside just waiting to be discovered. http://www.visitoldham.com/activities/walking/health-walks
Kingfisher to 5K - come along and join us! You don’t need to be a fitness guru – it’s about meeting new people, getting out in the fresh air and improving our wellbeing. http://www.kingfisher.oldham.sch.uk/
Playful Parenting - play is important to the health and wellbeing of all children. It promotes all areas of a child’s development, helps them to make sense of the world around them as well as strengthening their relationships with others. Workshops are held at Kingfisher School. http://www.kingfisher.oldham.sch.uk/
Oldham Children's Learning Disabilities Team support children with a diagnosed learning disability, their families and carers. The team consists of qualified Community Learning Disability Nurses. https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/your-services/service-directory/oldham/specialist-services/learning-disability/oldham-childrens-learning-disabilities-team/
Short Breaks provide disabled children and young people with an opportunity to spend time away from their parents, relaxing with friends and having fun. www.localofferoldham.co.uk
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GP Practices in Oldham who provide Mental Health Services:
Surgery Name Tel
Alexandra Alan Morton /Jane Stansfield
0161 622 9210
Jarvis Farhana Zaidi (PM) / Nafeesa Bibi
0161 622 9220
Sun Valley Linda Briggs 0161 622 9230 John Street Lisa Nolan 0161 785 7030 Lindley (incl walk in centre Maggie Choras (PM) 07771577759 Hopwood House Jill Berry 0161 6283628 Hollinwood Lisa Nolan / Vanessa Morris 0161 684 4150 /0161 627
7900 Oak Gables Debra Reynolds 01706 888 222 Village Lisa Nolan / Karen Ogden 01706 881028 Royton Medical Centre Sharon Smith 0161 652 6336 R & C Family Practice Gillian Green 0161 362 4003 Parks Medical Practice Catherine Cenci 0161 362 4004 Donald Wilde Rachael Isukapalli 0161 652 3184 Chadderton Town Janet Buckley 0161 909 8144 Woodlands Matthew Cooper 0161 909 8169 CH Medical Jennifer Richards 0161 785 9240 Block Lane Stephen Heaney 0161 620 2321 St Chads Gail Mather 0161 620 1611 Littletown Andrea Morrison 0161 624 5457 Kapur Judy Greaves 0161 484 1416 Leesbrook Linda Greenbank 0161 621 4800 Saddleworth (Uppermill) Tracy Jenkinson 01457 872 228 Saddleworth (Delph) Tracy Jenkinson 01457 874 968 Pennine (Mossley) Joanne Cassinelli 01547 832590 Lees Medical Emma Plant 0161 652 1285 Saraf Sharon Whittingham 0161 909 8388 Moorside Debra Pryce 0161 344 8150 Springfield House Lindsey Pemberton 0161 612 4780 St Marys Ann Galbraith 0161 620 6667 Jalal Tania Begum 0161 213 3443 FGP Rachael Massey 0161 906 2885 Quayside (Failsworth PCC) Vivien Dawber 0161 681 1818 Medlock (Failsworth PCC) Danielle Jones 0161 681 1401
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Who to contact if you need urgent support in a crisis
If you feel suicidal or feel like harming yourself or other people:
• Call 999
• Go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department (A&E). You can search for your local department through the NHS Choices website
For non-emergency situations:
• Visit your GP
• Visit NHS Choices via http://www.nhs.uk/
Emotional support
If you would like to offload or talk to someone about your problems, then you may find an emotional support line useful. Some to try are:
Samaritans - offering emotional support 24 hours a day
Tel: 116 123
Email: [email protected]
www.samaritans.org
TOG MIND have a wide choice of services available. These range from counselling through to anger management courses and short term monitoring activities.
https://www.togmind.org/our-services
Mind the mental health charity won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect
https://www.mind.org.uk/
