There is a huge amount of support out there for everyone. This area of the site will be added to on a regular basis so we can share relevant and up to date information in order to support children, parents / carers and staff.
United Voice – support for mental health and wellbeing 
United Voice was set up in 2019 when a group of young people, parents-carers and professionals came together to help make a difference in children and young people’s mental health. Over the last year the group have achieved some great things (you will find out more about this at the meeting) but the group have an ambition to do more.
To achieve this the group would like to invite more children, young people, parents-carers and community members to get involved in the work. We would like to invite you to attend an initial meeting to find out more. Click the link below for details:
United Voice for Children & Young People’s Mental health in County Durham
Meet Pooky Kingsmith
Pooky Kingsmith is a Mental Health educator. She directs the children, young people and schools programme at the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, a charity that provides fully-funded mental health training to schools. She is also the vice-chair and education lead for the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, formed of over 100 UK charities working together to set the agenda for young people’s mental health in the UK and beyond.
The child is always at the centre of Pooky’s work where her first question is always ‘how will this benefit children and young people?’ Question two, which follows fast, is – ‘how can this be made usable, practical and relevant?’
Pooky is a passionate ambassador for mental health who loves to research, write, speak, teach and share all manner of ideas about mental health, wellbeing and PSHE. Her enthusiasm is backed up both by a PhD in child and adolescent mental health and her own lived experience of anorexia, self-harm, anxiety and depression.
Visit her website for a range of information on how you can best help your child (and yourself) with a range of emotional wellbeing issues. Her YouTube videos aim to inform parents / carers and teachers about how to best support children.
Rollercoaster Support Group
We are a support group for parents/carers who are supporting a child or young person with any kind of emotional or mental health problem including:
- anxiety
- low mood
- depression
- self-harm
- eating disorders
- sleep problems
- suicidal thoughts
- obsessions and compulsions
You are not alone! Supporting a child or young person with emotional or mental health issues can be challenging, isolating and sometimes feel like you’re riding a real emotional rollercoaster!
Come along to our group, meet other parents/carers in similar situations and get support. There will be guest speakers, discussion topics, practical tips for coping and tea/coffee and biscuits.
We meet on the first Wednesday of every month from 10.00am – 12 noon at:
Durham County Cricket Ground
Riverside
Chester-le-Street
DH3 3QR
And on the third Wednesday of the month from 5.30 – 7.30pm at
South Durham CAMHS
Acley Centre
Newton Aycliffe
DLS 4PE
Get involved
Sign up to our E-Network
Just send an email to parentsupport@success.coop and we will get you signed up.
Parent Peer Support training
Would you be interested in receiving training to become a parent peer supporter? Peer supporters will offer support to other parents experiencing similar issues. Sometimes the best people to offer support are those that have already been through similar experiences. Knowing you are not alone by talking to someone who is ‘walking in similar shoes’ can bring strength you can’t get from anywhere else. Full training and support will be offered.
ADHD Foundation 
The ADHD Foundation works in partnership with individuals, families, doctors, teachers and other agencies to improving emotional wellbeing, educational attainment, behaviour and life chances through better understanding and self-management of ADHD, ASD and related learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, Irlen’s Syndrome, dyscalculia and Tourette’s Syndrome. We also provide training for GP’s, Teachers, Social Care agencies and other professionals, raising awareness to bring about positive change and inclusion in mental health, education and employment.
