A list of support groups and organisations for families in York that can help you and your child with a range of things. Whatever you’re going through, there is always someone who can help.
Feeling lonely? Get in touch with the British Red Cross
Many of us will feel lonely at some point in our lives but with support from the British Red Cross, you don’t have to face that alone. To help tackle loneliness and social isolation in the UK, the Red Cross has introduced brand new services in communities across the country.
Responding to its research which found over 9 million of us regularly feel lonely, the Red Cross’ new Community Connectors are ready to provide a helping hand to adults of all ages who feel they have no one to turn to. This includes new parents, people dealing with bereavement, and those going through divorce/separation – many of whom feel in need of a bit of extra support.
Whether you’re struggling with life’s demands or simply don’t know where to turn for a friendly chat, the Red Cross can help. Our dedicated Connecting Communities services are there to help you feel better connected to your wider community.
To get in touch with your local Connecting Communities service in York please call.
“Bundles of Joy” exists to help families and expectant parents in our community who are in need of some extra support. Through the kind donations of other York residents, we make up bundles of baby essentials and distribute them to recipients.
We are a Christian project motivated by the generosity and loving kindness of God.
Recipients are identified by Health Care professionals and other agencies, so we know we are reaching those most in need.
We work closely with the Besom Project in York who generously share their resources with us. See our website for more info.
If you would like to make a donation then please get in touch.
Here is a list of items that we are in need of:
– Baby bath/oil/shampoo (must be brand new and not opened)
– Big gift bags, Nappy cream and Wipes
– Stairgates (ideally pressure fit, with all screws and instructions if possible)
– Nappies size 0-6 and Bedding for moses baskets and cots
We would also hugely appreciate your prayers for this project, specifically that recipients would receive a glimpse of Christ’s love for them alongside the practical gifts we provide.
Any questions, please get in touch via email.
I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who has been helping families in the York area for 19 years.
I offer one to one consultations in your own home or mine to work on any infant feeding issues you may have. I also offer a comprehensive tongue function assessment.
I also offer antenatal breastfeeding sessions, early days sessions, sleep sessions, introducing solid food and returning to work sessions, or a bespoke package to suit your needs.
To discuss your requirements please contact me via Facebook for more information.
Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) offer non-judgmental, practical and emotional support to anyone affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence or sexual abuse in York, North Yorkshire, Sheffield and Barnsley. Our experienced workers will listen and explain the options available, including providing support through the criminal and civil justice system. We can also help to arrange emergency accommodation for people fleeing domestic abuse. We keep people safe and support them to make their own decisions.
Contact us on our helpline or via Live Chat on our website Monday-Friday 3-6pm.
The Kyra Women’s Project is a York charity that is a one-stop-centre for women that provides training programs, counselling and support services to women who need assistance to improve their lives. Kyra helps women build self-confidence and independence, enabling them to address and resolve issues in a safe, non-judgmental and supportive environment. Its services are available to all women, without exclusion, free of charge.
We are a registered charity in York that exists to help local women make positive change in their lives. We offer a range of courses, therapies, life skills and events for women, from our relaxed, comfortable, city centre location. Kyra provides a range of informal drop-ins, groups, courses and interventions such as counselling and supports around 200 women a week.
Our door will always be open until every woman in our area feels safe, supported and able to be the person they were always meant to be.
Kyra, Central Methodist Church, St Saviourgate, York YO1 8NQ
The Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) is a partnership of organisations, women and their families working together to deliver improvements in local maternity and neonatal services.
The information on their website is aimed at those who will receive the majority of their maternity care through midwifery services and obstetric consultant care through one or more of the following Hospital Trusts – York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust. Some women, babies and families with special requirements may need to travel outside this area.
On this website you can find information about services local to you, general pregnancy and birth advice, and information on more specialist services including perinatal mental health services on the Every Mum Matters website and support for giving up smoking on the Bump the Habit website.
Every Mum Matters website: https://www.everymummatters.com/
Bump the Habit website: https://www.bumpthehabit.org.uk/
Reflect is a free one-to-one support service in North Yorkshire for anyone facing a Pregnancy Choice and for those experiencing the pain of Pregnancy Loss. We offer free one to one support for individuals or couples either face to face or over Zoom.
PREGNANCY CHOICE
An unintended pregnancy can be a crisis for anyone whatever your circumstance. Facing this can be a difficult and confusing experience. At Reflect you can talk to a trained volunteer who will listen, offer you space to think and help you consider all your options.
PREGNANCY LOSS
Sadly, 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage and 1 in 250 end in stillbirth. At Reflect we offer a structured one-to-one support programme for those experiencing a Pregnancy Loss of any kind including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or termination of pregnancy. We offer a safe, compassionate environment where we work through a support programme called “Reflections: Walking through loss”.
Reflect, The Gateway Centre, Front Street, Acomb YO24 3BZ
Losing someone isn’t easy, no matter the circumstances, grief certainly doesn’t come with a rulebook.
At Talking About Loss, a Yorkshire based bereavement charity, our mission is to alleviate the isolation and fear often associated with grief. Whether it’s days or years since your loss, we’re here to accompany you though the grieving process and provide a sense of connection.
Our support comes in various forms – you can engage in friendly conversations at our monthly pop-up groups, participate in wellness events throughout the year or speak with one of our funded counsellors.
Our aim is to extend our support to provide specialised assistance for children and young people navigating loss, creating a secure space for them to openly express emotions, process grief, and develop coping skills. This support will involve engaging activities and sessions led by fully qualified play therapists. Through play therapy, children utilize activities such as drawing, storytelling, and playing with toys to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Therapists observe this play to gain insight into the child’s emotional landscape, address challenges, and facilitate healing.
As a registered charity, we are dedicated to supporting you on your journey through grief. Grief is an ongoing process that may ease or intensify on different days, but it never truly ends. Our role is to provide guidance and support to help navigate this journey alongside you.
If you are worried about your child or young person’s mental wellbeing, then we are here with the support your family needs.
We understand that seeking therapy can be daunting and that taking the first step can be challenging. At The Retreat Clinics we have over 200 years’ experience in supporting children, young people and adults with their mental health and neurodiversity. Our team of trained experts will work together with you and your family to design a bespoke and flexible treatment that is tailored to work best for the mental health needs of your child or young person.
We provide a range of therapy for children and young people aged 5 to 17 at our welcoming centre in Strensall, York, which has been purposely created to make therapy a safe, fun, and engaging experience for all children and our facilities include a kitchen, chill-out rooms, a sensory integration room and more.
We also provide therapy for both children and adults at our clinics in York, Manchester and also online, so you can access therapy from the comfort of your own home if you need.
The York Down Syndrome Support Group is a parent led group, supporting families in and around York, whose worlds are enlivened by having a family member who has Down Syndrome.
The overall aim of the group is to create and develop necessary provisions which will enable our children to attain their full potential.
We do this by:
· offering personal support to families with a prenatal or antenatal diagnosis
· having regular social events for the whole family
· lending useful resources to families and professionals
· providing training for parents and professionals
· providing weekly speech and language groups
· promoting the awareness of Down syndrome
We work closely with York District Hospital and local early years specialists to ensure up to date, informed literature as well as our antenatal and prenatal welcome pack are provided to families.
Whether you have just received a high chance diagnosis, had a post-natal diagnosis or have just moved to the area with a child with Down Syndrome we are here to support you.
To talk in confidence or to access the group please contact Theresa Ollerenshaw
A York based group set up by parents, for parents/ carers, who have a child/children living with all types of Cerebral Palsy.
Meeting parents/carers with similar challenges is tough and can often feel quite isolating. The group aims to:
We arrange monthly meet ups for that extra support, in person. Dates will vary month to month to give everyone the opportunity to attend.
For more information please contact Nat: crafty.cvi.cp.mummy@gmail.com
A group to support each other and our incredible little ones.
We offer free, confidential and impartial advice on issues including debt, welfare benefits, employment, housing and discrimination.
We are currently delivering advice via telephone, webchat and email. Visit https://www.citizensadviceyork.org.uk/ for more information.
Our Phone Adviceline is 0808 278 7895 (Monday – Thursday 10am – 4pm). This number can get busy at peak times, so please be aware that you may be on hold for a little while before you get through. This is a freephone number from UK landlines and mobiles.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer us to call you, please make a callback request online here. We aim to reply within 5 working days, although may take longer at busy times.
Citizens Advice York, West Offices, Station Rise YO1 6GA York
Are you struggling to pay energy bills or keep warm in winter?
Our friendly team offers free advice and support on energy issues. We’re particularly keen to help local parents and other York residents who are either on a low income, aged 65+ or experiencing a long term health condition or disability.
We may even be able to install simple energy saving measures for you, such as draught-proofing and LED bulbs, or refer for insulation grants and other measures.
One of our close partner organisations is Home-Start York who provide support on parenting issues. Get in touch to see how we can help.
Community-based support service for families with children 19yrs old or under (25yrs or under if the child has a disability). Help with any issues which may be putting your home at risk such as debt, rent arrears, substance misuse, domestic abuse, physical or mental ill health. We work with you in your own home to resolve these issues and get the help that you need to make your home and family secure.
Please contact us for more information
York Family Information Service is a free and impartial service for parents and carers who have children aged 0 – 19 years old (or up to 25 years old if the child has additional needs or disabilities). We provide information on anything to do with family life in York including, Ofsted registered childcare, ways to reduce childcare costs, baby, toddler groups and activities, support services, young people and much more. We operate on an ask anything basis, so whatever your question, get in touch and we will try and help you.
Please ring: 01904 554444
Text (only) 07786 202241
Calling all single parents…!
Gingerbread run a friendship group in York. We welcome single parents from all over Yorkshire to support each other, make friends and share experiences, with meet ups based in and around York centre.
We have private Facebook and WhatsApp groups. We also run a monthly zoom meet up. Please get in touch for details.
Group coordinators: Lowri De Palma and Chris Hall
A very warm welcome to you from all of us at NCT. As the UK’s the largest parenting charity and antenatal course provider we empower over 90,000 parents each year on their journey into parenthood and it would be our privilege to support you on yours.
Trust our 60 years’ of experience to deliver you the gold-standard in antenatal classes – a fun, local and social experience that will grow your knowledge, your confidence and your friendship and support network.
Choose an NCT Antenatal course and you’ll cover all aspects of labour, birth and caring for your new baby, catering to both your emotional wellbeing, and the practical side of things, from nappy changing to crying and safe sleep. You’ll also get time dedicated to learning about breastfeeding, as well as other useful information about feeding your baby. The course will also focus on what’s
happening on the ground with your local maternity and community health services.
And don’t forget, every NCT course gives you the opportunity to meet other parents to make friends for life. Everyone on your course will be local to you, with due dates around the same time. So you’ll have a ready-made support network when it matters most.
Our course groups are purposely smaller than our competitors; you’ll learn and bond with an absolute maximum of eight other couples so our course leaders can give you the time, attention and support you need to address your specific questions and concerns in the optimal group size for forming the life-long friendships you need.
All our course leaders are professionally trained by the University of Worceseter. They are skilled facilitators who understand what matters to expectant and new mums and dads and will make learning fun and engaging. Using the latest evidence-based information they’ll support you to explore your options with a non-judgemental approach. This will help you make decisions that feel right for you and your family.
Practical skills, relaxation sessions, presentations, group and pair work and exercises, Q&A’s are all in the mix as they physically and emotionally prepare you for the arrival of your new baby and life as a parent.
We offer the option to pay for your NCT Antenatal course in interest-free instalments, and discounts, if your total yearly gross household income is under £30,000.
Book your course today at https://www.nct.org.uk/courses-workshops/nct-antenatal-course
You can also email us directly at enquiries@nct.org.uk or telephone our support line on 0300 330 0700
We provide free legally based confidential and impartial information, advice and support (IAS) about matters relating to special educational needs and disabilities.
Advice can be provided to children and young people aged 0-25 years with SEND and also to their parents/carers to provide opportunities through carrying out individual casework where required, so that they have impartial information about their legal rights that empowers them to express their views and helps them to understand and apply their rights in matters including exclusions, complaints, SEN processes and SEND Appeals; and make informed choices about their education, health and care outcomes.
SENDIASS is a statutory service, provided in house with the City of York Council and operates at arms-length from the local authority.
Young Women’s Trust is offering Work It Out: a free service that offers support for women aged 18 – 30. Work It Out unlocks your potential: building skills, strong mental health and opening up opportunities for your future. There are 2 parts to Work It Out – coaching and job application feedback. Check out our website to sign up.
Coaching is a series of conversations where a coach asks questions to help you think about different parts of your life. Young women have described Work It Out coaching as something which helped them think through their next steps and make a plan. You can have up to 6 free sessions with your coach over the phone, email or Whatsapp at a time that suits you.
Job Applications: Get expert help with your CV, cover letter or job application from recruitment professionals. You will get advice over email including tips on formatting your CV, what to include in a cover letter and suggested improvements on your applications.
Are you…
A woman?
Aged 18 – 30?
Living in England or Wales?
Looking for support to plan your next steps?
If the answer to all these questions is yes, then you can use Work It Out.
We particularly want to support young women with experience of living on low or no pay, with a disability, who are currently out of work, have caring responsibilities, are care leavers or have few or no formal qualifications.
Get in touch with our team:
Phone 0808 808 8099 ( This number is free from all major mobile networks)
Whatsapp or text 07400 553 880
Free support and practical help for anyone in North Yorkshire who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. Bridge House offer support and guidance, medical assessment and aftercare. If you are unsure if this is the right service, please get in touch and we can either offer an appointment or point you in the right direction.
Bridge House SARC, 48 Bridge Road, Bishopthorpe, York, North Yorkshire, YO23 2RR
Club Wilber is a group run by Wilberforce Trust to provide adapted activities, events and trips that are suitable for visually impaired children and their siblings from the ages of 0 to 25 years.
If you would like to join Club Wilber call Sarah.
T: 01904 760037
Dealing with family life can be joyful and stressful, exciting and scary, magical and unpredictable…all at once! Let us help you to handle family life with more confidence, feeling better equipped to manage all that family life brings. We offer FREE parenting courses and couples support in York – see our website for details. https://fmy.org.uk/
T: 07393 147259
To help parents give their children the best start, we offer a confidential family support service.
Committed to supporting parents with at least one child under the age of 5, volunteers visit families in their own homes each week, offering support, friendship and practical help.
49 Cemetery Road, York, YO10 5AJ
OK Rehab specialises in local drug and alcohol rehab and addiction treatment. This treatment is available via both inpatient and outpatient treatment providers. We also work with clinics that are able to facilitate treatment taking place in your own home, who are able to provide professional intervention and home detoxification.
tel: 0800 326 5559
For employed/unemployed or self employed women living in York or North Yorkshire, fully funded Personal Development Programme or Future Female Leader Programmes available – Programme includes:
– 1-2-1 Coaching
– Regular Group Workshops
– Personal/Professional skills development
– Programme delivered through Zoom 4 x 3hr sessions
For further info or to book your place CALL OR TEXT
T: 07572 048031
Survive offers specialist counselling and support work to men and women across North Yorkshire who have experienced sexual trauma including rape, sexual assault, child sexual abuse as well as grooming, sexual exploitation and the coercive sexual control often present in abusive relationships.
25 Micklegate, York YO1 6JH
Treasure Chest Breastfeeding Group aims to promote, support and encourage breastfeeding in the York area.
We run various in-person support groups across York every week, and a virtual Zoom session most Monday’s. Please see our website for more details.
We run weekly support groups, a monthly antenatal workshop for pregnant women and a partner, and have a private Facebook group where you can chat to our trained peer supporters as well as meet other local breastfeeding families.
Our peer supporters are all volunteers who have breastfed their child for at least six months and have undergone training to enable them to support other families who wish to breastfeed. They have all had 20 hours of training which covers areas such as counselling and listening skills, how breastfeeding works and how to tackle breastfeeding problems.
Please see our website and/or Facebook page for up to date details of how and when to get support.
‘Highly recommend going on the Treasure Chest course, they will answer all your questions and can support you in feeding. X’
Mumbler ED
‘Gave lots of good advice and tips which were invaluable when attempting to do the first feeds when you’re knackered from the birth! Plenty of excellent support on the Treasure Chest FB group too, invaluable when you’ve got feeding questions in the middle of the night as a bunch of other mums will also be awake!’
Mumbler FB
Wilberforce Trust, one of York’s oldest charities. We care and support individuals with sight and hearing loss along with other disabilities.
We have developed a service so that we can offer out of school support to children with visual impairment. Activities so far have included an easter egg hunt specifically adapted for children with a visual impairment, a visit to a Leeds Rhino’s game and a visit to the Scarborough coast on the Wetwheels boat, ran an animal therapy session and also a sensory crafts session.
We have a number of future events planned and will be continuing to develop and grow this service.
If you have a child with a visual impairment and your family would like to join Club Wilber then contact Samantha Scholey-Dyson at s.scholey@wilberforcetrust.org.uk or find us on Facebook and ask to join our private group, just search for Club Wilber.
T: 01904 760037
We are a charity in York that supports all unpaid carers in the city from age 5 upwards. An unpaid carer is anyone who helps and supports someone else because of ill health, disability or addiction. We’re here to help carers with one to one help, advice and information, groups and events. For young carers age 5 to 18 who care for a member of their family, we have regular youth groups, we work with schools and provide one to one support sessions. We also help parents who care for a child with disabilities, providing someone to talk to and specialised advice about rights, benefits and other useful information.
Please get in touch on 01904 715 490
The service helps families struggling with any issues which may affect their housing or have a negative impact on their children’s wellbeing. We work with families whose children are aged 0-19 years old, or 0-25 years old where the child has a disability.
York Inspirational Kids is a support group for families who have a child with a disability and/or additional need. The group offers activities, outings, training and general support for parent cares, disabled children and siblings. In addition to the main group there are sub groups of York Ausome Kids that supports families of children on the autistic spectrum, York Hemi Kids for families of children with hemiplegia and York Inspirational Adopters for families who have adopted a child with disability/additional need.
Young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people will often be isolated. This fortnightly social group will help with your confidence and you will meet friends who are like you.
The Woodshop Margate Lane, YO30 7BJ
T: 07771 931335
York Multiple Sclerosis Group have a coffee morning every Tuesday, a chance to meet up with others with MS and have a chat and a laugh with people who understand what your going through.
Holiday Inn Tadcaster Road York
10.30am onwards
Yorkshire MESMAC have started a new support group in York for parents and carers of LGBTQ young people.
This is an online session at 6pm-7pm every Tuesday.
Contact Lilly on 07710 099 033 or e.allenby@mesmac.co.uk.
York Step-Mums group is a place for step-mums in York to connect with each other, chat, share information and make friends.
Contact: Rebecca Brierley 07946 882812 or search for Rebecca_Brierley on Instagram.
