Welcome to the Self Help Hub's guide to supporting services & resources - listed under this section V, W, X, Y, Z are resources supporting the following subject areas: Vaccinations, Vaping, Visual Impairment, Volunteering, Women, Worry, X-Rays, Young Carers, Youth Support.
NHS - Vaccination
This NHS guide can help you understand the vaccines offered in the UK and when to have them. It also explains how they work, about their safety and why they're important.
HPV Wise
HPV vaccination is available for 12-13 year olds as part of the NHS childhood vaccination schedule.
HPV (human papillomavirus) is the name for a common group of viruses.
The HPV vaccine will help stop you from getting certain types of HPV infections which can cause diseases, like certain HPV cancers. Find out the facts here by downloading this information leaflet:
BBC BITESIZE - Vaping and Peer Pressure
Vaping and peer pressure: an article addressing what you need to know.
FRANK
Vapes are electronic devices designed to allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour. Frank provides down to earth information showing the pros and cons including mixing with other substances.
NHS - e Cigarettes
About vapes - what they are, how they can help you to stop smoking and the risks associated.
ABILITYNET
Supports people of any age, living with any disability or impairment to use technology to achieve their goals at home, at work and in education. They provide specialist advice services, free information resources and help to build a more accessible digital world.
COLOURBLIND AWARENESS
@colourblindorg (Insta/Twitter)
The Colour Blind Awareness organisation has been founded to raise awareness of colour blindness (colour vision deficiency) and aims to be the first point of reference in the UK for people seeking information on colour blindness.
The organisation provides support for colour blind people, especially colour blind children and their families and teachers.
LOOK UK
Look aims to support young visually impaired people and their families to thrive. They do this through mentoring, transformational events, youth forums and parent support groups. They can also link to other charities and organisations who can help you access the support you need.
If you’re aged 11-29 and at school, university/college or looking for work, they have a mentor ready to help you achieve your potential. Sign up to be matched to a mentor, and start chatting about anything relating to your visual impairment.
RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) 0203 123 9999
One of the UK’s leading sight loss charities and the largest community of blind and partially-sighted people. Advice and support around sight loss.
RSBC (Royal Society for Blind Children)
The Royal Society for Blind Children offers a range of services including emotional support and practical advice for families, opportunities for children and young people to build confidence and skills through activities, and a specialist further education college.
SIGHT ADVICE FAQ
The Sight Advice FAQ answers questions about living with sight loss, eye health or being newly diagnosed with a sight condition. This includes those who are supporting people through their sight loss journey, including parents, partners, carers and friends.
SIGHTLINE DIRECTORY (RNIB)
The RNIB's directory for services aimed at helping blind or partially sighted people.
VICTA
VICTA is a national charity that provides support to children and young adults from 0 to 29 who are blind or partially-sighted and their families. VICTA believes that everyone has the right to an independent and fulfilling life. VICTA’s support, advice, grants and activities for different age groups enable young people and their families to build skills, develop confidence and help each other toward a more positive future.
Web Accessibility Initiative
Information about internet accessibility including resources and step-by-step guides, to help you customize your particular web browser and computer setup.
CULTIVATE LONDON
volunteering@cultivatelondon.org
Welcomes volunteers at all of their sites.
- The Salopian Garden, 689 London Road, TW7 4ES.
Every Wednesday 10 – 4 pm. Drop in, meet some new people. Regulars plus new people joining all the time – no experience necessary, just a can-do attitude!
- Berrymede Community Gardens, Acton Gardens Primary school, 232 Osborne Rd, London W3 8SN
The beds are located in the playgrounds of the 3 buildings of the Acton Gardens Primary school (formerly Berrymede), the drop-in sessions are outside lessons times: Saturdays 11:30 – 14:30 and Tuesdays 3-5pm (during summer 4-6pm plus an extra session on Thursdays).
- Dig - 62 Green Lane, Hanwell, Ealing W7 2PB. Every Monday 10 – 3 pm.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH (DofE) SCHEME - Volunteering Ideas
The Volunteering section of a DofE programme is often the most rewarding, uplifting and memorable part of a young person’s DofE adventure. It can, however, sometimes be hard to find a suitable volunteering opportunity for those under the age of 16. Here are links to a range of different ideas with organisations able to offer opportunities.
GET VOLUNTEERING UK
V-INSPIRED
Find or offer a Volunteer post - search facility for volunteering opportunities. Just type in your postcode and area of interest.
You may also find it useful to check out other sections of this directory including T for Trauma.
BBC NEWSROUND - What to do If You Are Upset by the News
If you are upset by or worried by the news, it's important to know that you are not the only one and it's OK to have those feelings. This BBC Newsround link gives you some tips about what to do if you are feeling sad about what you've seen, heard or read.
LITTLE TROOPERS
Charity supporting the children of military personnel.
THE MIX - The News is Making Me Anxious Article
Article exploring news anxiety and what you can do to manage it.
This section includes services directed both to those who are biologically female or who may identify as women. You may also find it helpful to look at other sections in the A-Z Directory including Gender Identity, FMG, Forced Marriage, Health & Health Conditions, Pregnancy, Periods and more.
AUTISTIC GIRLS NETWORK - Keeping It All Inside Leaflet
Downloadable free guide to Autism in girls - from signs and diagnosis to support ideas.
JO'S TRUST
0808 802 8000
UK's leading cervical cancer charity.
Information about HPV, cervical screening - link here.
FORWARD (Foundation for Womens Health Research & Development)
The leading African-led organisation working to end violence against women and girls providing information and support on VAWG (violence against women & girls) such as female genital mutilation, child marriage and more.
MALALA FUND
Malala and Ziauddin Yousafzai founded the Malala Fund in 2013 to champion every girl’s right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education.
MEWso (Middle Eastern Women's Society and Organisation)
MEWSo is a women's charity run by and for women from ethnic minority communities. The majority of the communities we serve are from Middle Eastern, North African and Asian backgrounds. Founded in 2010 by
Halaleh Taheri after her experiences as a refugee fleeing war and revolution in the Middle East. The aim of this charity is to defend and protect women from violence both at home and in the wider community, help them rebuild their lives through tailored advice, guidance and support, and campaign for their equality and human rights to be respected.
RIGHTS OF WOMEN
A charity providing women with the legal advice and information they need to understand and use the law and their legal rights. They also work to improve the law for women and increase women’s access to justice
- National Family Law Line - 020 7251 6577 for women in England and Wales
- London Family Law Line - 020 7608 1137 for women who need family law advice.
Rights of Women help provide free confidential advice by women solicitors and barristers
VICTIM SUPPORT
Victim support offer free, confidential emotional support and advice 24/7 to anyone impacted by a crime whether reported or not.
If affected by rape or sexual assault, take a look at this useful guide. Link below.
- Advice for women booklet here about Rape and Sexual Assault:
VULVAL PAIN SOCIETY
Resources, practical advice and information for people living with vulval pain, families, healthcare providers and the wider public.
WOMEN AND GIRLS NETWORK
0808 801 0660
advice@wgn.org.uk
WGN are a free service run by women, for women in London who have been affected by all forms of violence and abuse.
Young Women's Service works to create safe and confidential spaces to get support. If you are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing any form of violence against women and girls (VAWG) contact WGN to get support.
WOMEN'S HEALTH CONCERN
This is the patient arm of the BMS swho provide a confidential, independent service to advise, inform and reassure women about their gynaecological, sexual and post reproductive health.
BOOKS, BLOGS AND PODCASTS
- You Don't Understand Me: The Young Woman's Guide to Life - Dr Tara
Bestselling book 'for teenage girls and young women' and an insight for their parents. 'For girls and young women these are shifting times: never before have they had so much freedom and choice, but never before have they had so many demands placed upon them - by themselves as well as others.
From exams to friendship, from families to love, Tara pulls together everything she has learnt to provide an accessible explanations and suggestions for teenagers and young women everywhere. Like a warm letter from a wise friend or big sister, You Don't Understand Me understands the young person's perspectives and guides them through their challenges they face.
Worry - If you are feeling worried and need support, please look at the resources listed under A for anxiety or S for Stress. You may also want to look at our leaflet Calm Breathing.
RISE ABOVE - Unhelpful Thoughts Video
Sometimes we have unhelpful thoughts, or thoughts that are really negative.
But hang on a minute, we’ve been talking about all of these thoughts and what we found was that most of them are usually just thoughts that we might think when we’re really stressed and some are not even real.
See what kinds of thoughts these might be.
RISE ABOVE - Worry Tree Video
An animation about a mental health technique called 'Worry Tree' to refocus when worried. It helps show us how to sort our worries into different boxes. Once we've decided what type of worry we have then we can deal with them in the best way possible.
PSYCHOLOGY TOOLS - Guide to Living with Worry and Anxiety Amidst Global Uncertainty
A self help workbook and guide to help you to manage worry and anxiety in these uncertain times.
Students' Guide to Managing Your Worries by Exeter Uni' and Cedar
Need an X-ray? here's more information about what to expect:
NHS - X-ray
What they are, how they work, how to prepare, having an X-ray, safety and more from the NHS website.
'If you're a young carer I think you have an inner strength' - Jo Whiley, author, radio presenter and former young carer
CARERS' TRUST
Support and information for anyone caring for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.
THE CHILDRENS' SOCIETY
Resources and advice for young carers - the Include service reaches out to young carers from all communities through a national and local programmes and can help you to find support in your area.
Hear author and radio presenter Jo Whiley talk about her experience as a young carer click here.
RETHINK MENTAL ILLNESS - Looking After Myself Guide for Young Carers
This booklet for young carers by Rethink Mental Illness will help you think about and develop some useful ways of coping. It can remind you where to go when things aren’t going so well and
realise it is okay to ask for help or support for yourself. It helps you to explore
your caring role and what you feel is good and not so good about it.
SIBS UK
An organisation for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults.
POHwer - 0300 456 2370 or email pohwer@pohwer.net
A charity who provide information, advice, support and advocacy to people who experience disability, vulnerability, distress and social exclusion.
Qualified professional advocates can support children and young people through a range of services.
They work face to face with children and young people who are receiving treatment on a mental health unit - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). CAMHS advocacy support is provided within both private and NHS hospitals across the country.
Young people can refer themselves or be referred by a third party to the service or speak to the advocate during a regular drop in.
Youth Access
www.youthaccess.org.uk
Youth Access is the national membership organisation for young people’s information, advice, counselling and support services (YIACS). The website has a search facility to find local services.
YOUTH WELLBEING DIRECTORY
(Anna Freud National Centre for Children & Families)
A list of free local and national organisations for young people up to age 25. Search by name, area/postcode or issue to find support information.
ACF - Army Cadet Force
The Army Cadets aims to inspire young people between 12 and 18 years old to challenge their limits, grow their abilities and go further in life; they deliver this through the community-based Army Cadet Force and the school-based Combined Cadet Force (CCF).
CCF - Combined Cadet Force
There are CCF contingents 500+ secondary schools over the UK, offering young people a broad range of challenging, exciting, adventurous and educational activities.
Each CCF is an educational partnership between the school and the Ministry of Defence, and a CCF may include Royal Navy/Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air Force sections.
GIRLGUIDING
Described as the 'UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls' offering them the chance to 'have fun, adventure and the space to discover their potential'. Offer groups for different age ranges including Guides (10-14), Rangers (14-18) and Inspire (18-30).
SCOUTS
A national group that prepare young people with life skills who state that 'everyone is welcome here. Every week, we help almost half a million people aged 4-25 develop skills for life'. Offer groups for different age ranges including Scouts (10-14), Explorers (14-18) and Network (18-25).
St JOHN'S AMBULANCE CADETS
Young people aged 10-17 can join one of the St John's Ambulance Cadet units, which operate across England. Units meet once a week.
Life saving skills are at the heart of our Cadet programme. There is also the opportunity to use these first aid skills by supporting our adult volunteers at events.
Cadets are given the opportunity to work towards their Grand Prior's Award. As part of the Award, you will be able to take part in a wide range of activities.
WOODCRAFT FOLK
Woodcraft Folk is a co-operative movement for children and young people who 'believe passionately in equality and co-operation and everyone is welcome to join us. They help 'children and young people to understand important issues about the world: the environment, world debt, global conflict and sustainable development'.